meet the staff

You want to know who's caring for your children, and at The Nurturing Nest, we want to know you too. Learn a little more about our founders, Tory and Shelly, and the journey that led them to opening our doors.

Meet Tory

“Not in doing what you like, but in liking what you do is the secret to happiness.”

Tory Griffin, owner and Director of The Nurturing Nest, was born and raised in Wolcott, CT. Her experience in child care started while she was in college, when she worked at a center for Early Childhood Education. Tory took a break to raise her family and then returned to the workforce in an administrative capacity. She missed the classroom and taught preschool for 4 years before taking the leap to open The Nurturing Nest in 2018. Now, Tory loves the ability to have a hand in nurturing and educating children while also forming a close relationship with their families. She currently resides in Southington and enjoys spending time with her family and her dog Oakley, traveling, and shopping.

Meet Shelly

“Working hard is important but there is something that matters even more; believing in yourself.” -Harry Potter

The Nurturing Nest Owner Shelly Owen was born and raised in Southington, CT, so it was a no-brainer for her to open a business in the community she knows and loves. Shelly was a stay-at-home mom while her boys were young and then began working as a teacher in a child care center. When she and Tory saw a need for more child care options in the community, they came together to found The Nurturing Nest in 2018. Shelly’s favorite part of the job is watching the children grow up throughout the year, and also seeing their excitement for learning in the classroom. In her spare time, you can find Shelly spending time with her family and friends along with her golden doodle Mango, reading books, and drinking coffee.