Find an Answer to Your Question

How soon can I enroll my child if on the waitlist?

The length of time will vary depending on the size of the waitlist and the ages of the children. Bright Horizons will send periodic communications to keep you informed of your status on the waitlist and will do everything they can to ensure you are offered a space as soon as it becomes available. Families may decline an offer and maintain their current position on the waitlist once. After the second declination, their name will be moved to the bottom of the waitlist.

SAFETY DRILLS AND TRAINING:

• The center will conduct monthly evacuation drills, regular lockdown drills, and “shelter in place” exercises.
• Emergency supplies are purchased and stored in an area accessible to staff with the ability to relocate if needed.
• All Bright Horizons staff are trained regularly in CPR, even if not required by the state. First Aid is taught as required by state licensing agency/regulations so that you can feel confident that your child is safe and receiving the best possible care.
• All Bright Horizons teachers are trained and well-prepared in the event of an emergency. In addition to safety drills, Bright Horizons regularly reviews their safety policies and procedures.

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION:

• In the event of a center emergency, severe weather closure/delayed opening, or an emergency in the community near the center, you will receive updates through the My Bright Day® app.

• As new information is available, the center administration team will continue to provide updates through the notification system.
• In certain instances where the center administration team is unable to provide ongoing updates, families will be asked to call the Emergency Hotline number (1-877-276-7113) to speak with a centrally located Bright Horizons team member.

INJURY PREVENTION:

• Teachers for each age group are responsible for daily safety inspections of their assigned areas and equipment. Defective equipment is removed or repaired to prevent injury. Small toy pieces or other objects that could pose a choking hazard to infants and toddlers are not allowed in areas designated for children under age three.
• For the same reason, children’s personal items such as barrettes, hair ties, earrings, necklaces, and beaded jewelry are strongly discouraged in these areas.
• Due to the risk of choking, the following clothing and accessories are prohibited:
  • Outerwear with neck strings, including scarves
  • Pants with drawstrings on the waist or bottom that extend more than three inches when tied
  • Bibs, pacifiers and teethers with ties or strings of any kind
  • Teething beads, including Amber beads

WEAPONS POLICY:

Firearms, explosive devices, and other weapons are not permitted on Bright Horizons premises, regardless of any valid permit to carry such weapons.

Where is the center located?

We are located at 650 West Peachtree Street in Norfolk Southern’s new headquarters building.

Who is eligible to enroll in the center?

Norfolk Southern employees who work at least 30 hours per week are eligible for enrollment.  Contractors will be considered for enrollment at the center on a case-by-case basis as space permits; the general community will not be eligible for enrollment at the center.

Are meals provided at the center?

Morning Snack, and Afternoon Snack are all prepared onsite. Lunch is catered by FLIK and included in your tuition price.

What are the tuition rates and how were they determined?

Please contact the center directly at 470-463-1400 to obtain tuition rates. Rates are established in alignment with comparable, high-quality childcare centers in the surrounding area. Each year, Bright Horizons will conduct an extensive market study to determine the appropriate annual tuition rates. 

What are Bright Horizons’ safety and security policies?

As caregivers for your children, there is nothing more important to Bright Horizons than a child’s safety and protection while they are at the center.  Bright Horizons has a series of security protocols and procedures to help guard against any threat to the safety of children and staff and performs safety drills on a regular basis.  They do everything they can to make centers safe and secure, and to ensure that teachers and staff are well-trained to protect children in the case of an emergency.

When is tuition billed and collected?

Tuition is paid through payroll deduction and is paid twice monthly, either on the 1st and 15th or the 15th and 30th of each month.

ACCESS TO THE CENTER:

• The center entrance will be accessed via elevator from the parking garage and will require restricted badge access at all times. Employees and Bright Horizons caregivers will receive restricted access badge for entry into the childcare center. Families are not allowed to share access badges, even with people who are pre-authorized to pick up their children.
• Center policies prohibit families and staff from holding the door open for others they do not know.
• Parents/guardians are responsible for physically checking their child into and out of the center each day. This ensures that each child is safe and supervised at all times and encourages daily communication between families and staff.
• A written notice is required before releasing a child to someone other than those authorized at enrollment.
   

How will my child’s teachers communicate with me?

The center uses a mobile app called My Bright Day to communicate with parents.  Through this app, teachers will share photos, real-time updates on your child’s care, learning and milestones, as well as important notifications.  Click here to watch a video about this communication tool.

What is the process to withdraw a child from the center?

Families will be required to provide notice of intent to withdraw 30 days in advance of the last day of attendance.

Will I receive a tuition credit for time away on vacation?

No, the center will not offer vacation credits.

What other fees are required?

In addition to the tuition, you will be required to pay the following:

•             Registration Fee: As stated above, a non-refundable registration fee of $75.00  ($50 for siblings) is due during the enrollment interest period. After the enrollment interest period, families will be contacted by a Bright Horizons representative to discuss enrollment or wait list status.

•             Enrollment Deposit: An enrollment deposit equal to half of one month’s tuition will be due when the enrollment offer is accepted. The enrollment deposit will be applied to the first month of tuition when enrollment begins. If a family chooses not to enroll their child after accepting the enrollment offer, the enrollment deposit will be forfeited.

•             Annual Re-Registration Fee: A $75 fee per child ($50 for siblings) will be required each subsequent year to cover annual administrative and licensing fees.

What are the hours of operation?

The center is open Monday through Friday from 5:45 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. It will remain open year-round, closing only for New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.  For days included in the NS Flex Holiday program, the center will poll families to determine if attendance will be at least 10% of capacity.

What ages does the center serve?

The center has capacity for 120 children and serves children ages six weeks to five years old year-round, and will offer a summer program for school-age children during the summer months.

Is part-time childcare available at the center?

Yes, part-time schedules for care will be available. Please see the rates above for more information.

I am a grandparent. Can my grandchild(ren) utilize the facility?

Grandchildren may use the center if they are legal dependents of their grandparents.

Is there a sibling discount?

Yes, siblings receive 10% off the lower tuition rate between the siblings.  The annual registration fee is also reduced to $50 for siblings.

If I am no longer employed by Norfolk Southern, what is the last day that my child can use the center?

If you are no longer employed at Norfolk Southern, your child’s last day is your last day of employment.

Are you allowing prospective parents to visit centers?

Yes! Prospective parents can schedule a center visit by completing our Tuitions and Openings form from our center website. 

How is Bright Horizons ensuring the health and safety of families and staff at our centers?

At all of our centers, rigorous health and safety practices are a foundation of the way we care for children. These include:

• An illness and daily health check policy that strives to mitigate the spread of illnesses
• Frequent cleaning and disinfecting of high-touch surfaces and toys; frequent laundering of soft items 
• Regular maintenance of the center, equipment, and supplies, updating and replacing items as needed 
• Secure entrances to all centers 
• Strict handwashing and sanitary policies to prevent the spread of illnesses 
• Curriculum that emphasizes healthy practices for children 

Strict safety and security procedures are designed to keep our families and staff protected. 

What are the educational goals of Bright Horizons?

During your search for the perfect child care partner, this is among the most important questions you can ask.  For over 30 years, we’ve been a company that is guided by our HEART Principles and an unerring belief in putting children first. 

At Bright Horizons, we know that childhood is a treasured time. We believe it is our responsibility to provide environments and experiences that capture the joys of childhood, nurture each child’s individual growth and development, and pave the way for success in school and life. We promise to:

• Nurture and care for the whole child
• Craft and integrated curriculum based on expert research
• Support and develop each teacher
• Implement an emergent, inquiry-based approach to learning
• Cultivate curiosity and creativity through projects, exploration, and play
• Encourage children to be confident experimenters and problem solvers
• Build an inclusive and respectful community
• Create joyful places for childhood

Can children with special needs enroll in a Bright Horizons center?

Yes! Bright Horizons strives to and has successfully accommodated a wide range of special needs and individual differences in our group programs.  We believe in inclusive programs that attempt to meet the needs of a wide range of children and which focus on each child’s strengths. We support a collaborative team approach – the teacher, director, specialists, and parents. The team will work closely together to try to maximize each child’s opportunities for learning, growth, and development, and to attempt to eliminate any barriers or safety issues which a group program may present.

Does Bright Horizons perform background checks on its employees?

The safety of the children in our care is our highest concern.  Bright Horizons maintains stringent hiring practices and conducts criminal background checks on all teachers and caregivers in our centers. This check includes a criminal record search and a cross-reference check to determine prior convictions or other records of criminal activity that would call into question an employee’s’ suitability to care for children. Additional elements of our required background checks include verification through the Office of Foreign Asset Control and Sexual Offender Database Search. The frequency for updating criminal background checks for employees depends on state or other center-specific requirements.

What is The World At Their Fingertips?

Our research-based World at Their Fingertips® curriculum meets children where they are developmentally, with Signature Practices that build confidence and excitement about learning at every age and stage. In every classroom, our goal is to help children do more than learn; it’s to cultivate the joy of learning. And our emergent approach — teaching skills by leveraging a child’s own interests — enables teachers to tailor activities and projects for the specific talents and needs of each child in the class. Learn more about our specialized programs for babies, toddlers and preschool children, and how we prepare children for school and life beyond. 

Are all staff trained in CPR and First Aid?

All Bright Horizons center staff are trained in CPR and first aid.  Once an employee is hired, they are required to fulfill 16 hours of training through our new employee orientation. This training takes place over a two-day period, where the employee spends time observing each age group in the center. Teachers must successfully complete first aid and CPR training, in addition to local licensing and/or Department of Health requirements (e.g., food handler safety card.)

I'm interested in applying for a job at this center. Is there someone I can contact?

Absolutely! Named one of Fortune Magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work For 20 times, we are proud of the environment we create for our educators. We are always looking for great teachers, and offer competitive benefits and innovative programs. like our Horizons Teacher Degree program. For job listings and to complete the application process, please visit the Bright Horizons jobs and careers page at https://careers.brighthorizons.com. 

Where can I learn more about other Bright Horizons locations?

We have many centers across the US, and each center reflects the unique personality of its leadership and community. To find the best fit for you and your family find a child care center near you.

I'm not quite ready to enroll in the center but I am interested in continuing to hear about what is happening at the center. How can I get information more regularly?

We encourage any family interested in center information, regular updates, and invitations to the many events we are planning, to contact us.

What is NAEYC accreditation?

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) has developed standards to define and recognize quality child care programs. In order to be accredited, a child care program must meet a variety of strict criteria, including having a well-trained faculty, good staff-child ratios and group sizes, and a comprehensive curriculum, as well as meet stringent health and safety standards. The program must also provide meaningful opportunities for family involvement.

What if I’d like to enroll but the center doesn’t have space available?

Finding the right daycare and early education solution can be a lengthy process. Our best recommendation is to start early! Even if your preferred Bright Horizons center doesn’t currently have space available, we still recommend registration for your first choice center.  At Bright Horizons, you can register at up to three locations. Once registered, we will add you to our wait list and you will be offered a space as soon as one is available. For many families on a wait list, Bright Horizons offers the ability to enroll at a nearby center on a temporary basis, or until your first choice center becomes available. If you’d like further advice on how to find the best preschool for your family, take a listen to our webinar on finding a quality preschool program.