Find an Answer to Your Question

Can I visit my child at the center anytime I’d like to?

Yes, Bright Horizons has an open door policy.  You are encouraged to visit your child anytime.

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

We suggest you register with Bright Horizons.  You can select up to 3 locations to be registered at, including the center you are most interested in.  By registering, you are confirming your strong interest in all 3 centers.  We will add you to our wait list and you will be offered a space as soon as one becomes available.  While waiting for a space to become available at your first choice location, many families will choose to enroll at their 2^nd or 3^rd choice temporarily until space becomes available at the center they are most interested in.  In many centers, a child currently enrolled at a Bright Horizons location has priority over the general community so enrolling at another location will not only solve your care needs but will also give you additional priority in getting into your 1st preference.  Our goal is to accommodate families as soon as space allows.  During the entire process, we will keep in touch with you regarding your status.

Do you have a playground? How much outside time is provided daily? What are the available outdoor activities and spaces like? What do you do in the event of inclement weather?

We aim to go outside twice daily for about 40-45 minutes. On "red" days, our groups do not go outside, but make use of our Gross Motor Room to exercise. On "yellow" days, groups use caution and can stay outside for 10-20 minutes depending on the weather. On "green" days, groups can go outside for their entire 40-45 minute period.  The Gross Motor Room is a room designed for children to move freely, but safely, with structured choice activities such as an obstacle course or a “foam block” jungle gym. 

We have a beautiful playground, which was completely built in the summer of 2021. Our playground serves all age groups, allowing siblings to play together. Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers all have separate area's which allow for climbing, water exploration, and enless outdoor fun.

Our playground includes the Bright Horizons on the Charles Community Garden.  We grow our own blueberries, basil, zucchini, and sunflowers. 

We offer children choices, from building a choo-choo train out of large blocks for everyone to ride to the zoo, to riding a bike, to climbing, to water play, to a cool grassy place for contemplation. 

Our campus is adjacent to a large wooded path, which provides the children the opportunity to safely view a variety of wildlife: squirrels, geese, rabbits, woodchucks, robins and even a hawk are all regularly sighted. 

Our families also love to enjoy the large lawns which flank our playground, a space they will utilize during pick-up and drop-off, where children may enjoy a quick game of tag together before their car trips home.  Some families have even been known to pack picnics for a quick snack al fresco.

In addition, our center is located within the same complex as the Arsenal Center for the Arts, and children are able to go on supervised walks with the teachers to observe up close and personal some amazing outdoor art installations. 

BHOTC is also just a few minutes walk from the lovely Arsenal Park.  Arsenal Park features a climber/swing area as well as a water play area.  This makes a great change of pace for our Preschool children, and gives them something to look forward to on hot summer days.

Are your staff all EEC certified? What is EEC certification? What else can you tell me about staff qualifications and experience?

The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (also referred to as the EEC) maintains state-wide standards and regulations as they relate to early childhood education and care, including teacher certification. All BHOTC classrooms are supervised by certified staff with years of teaching experience, and all BHOTC programs are taught by one or more certified teachers. The majority of our support staff are certified by the EEC or in the process of becoming certified.  If you have a specific question about EEC certification, or EEC programming and regulations, please contact The Commissioner's Office at the EEC.

The average staff member at BHOTC offers 5 years experience working with children in a professional context. Their background reflects a diversity of experience that may include: nanny or au pair experience, private or public school teaching experience, early childhood program experience, and of course- many of our staff have their own children. 

Can you please give me directions to the center?

Bright Horizons on the Charles is located within The Arsenal On the Charles Office Park. Our address is: 400 Talcott Avenue, Watertown, Massachusetts 02472.

For Those Who Drive: 
Below are directions from Mass Pike East and Mass Pike West.  Bright Horizons on the Charles offers convenient and free parking. Child care drop-off and pick-up parking available directly in front of the 400 Talcott building Tours and visitors may park in these spaces during their center visit. We are located a short walk from the front of the building, just around the rear.

For Those Who Take Public Transportation: 
The nearest subway stations are Central Square and Harvard Square, both on the Red Line. Harvard Square station is fully handicapped accessible.

There is a free shuttle service which runs between The Arsenal on the Charles Office Park and Harvard Square. The shuttle runs three (3) times each hour beginning from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Child care drop-off and pick-up parking available directly in front of the 400 Talcott building Tours and visitors may park in these spaces during their center visit. We are located a short walk from the front of the building, just around the rear.

From Mass Pike East

• Take Mass Pike Exit 127 (Newton/Watertown).


• Turn LEFT back over Mass Pike and continue straight on Galen Street (to Watertown Sq.).


• Continue on Galen Street for approx 1 mile.


• At the five-way intersection, bear RIGHT onto North Beacon St. (Do not take a hard right onto Charles River Road).


• Continue for approx 100 yards and then stay LEFT at the fork onto Arsenal St.


• Continue on Arsenal street for approx another mile.


• The Arsenal on the Charles entrance is on the RIGHT- The Talcott Avenue entrance is located across the street from Roma Tile and Grainger's.


•  

From Mass Pike West

• Take Mass Pike Exit 127 (Newton/Watertown).


• Turn RIGHT onto Galen Street (to Watertown Square).


• Continue on Galen Street for approx 1 mile. At the five-way intersection, bear RIGHT onto North Beacon Street (Do not take a hard right onto Charles River Road).


• Continue for approx 100 yards and then stay LEFT at the fork onto Arsenal Street. Continue on Arsenal street for approx another mile.


• The Arsenal on the Charles entrance is on the RIGHT; The Talcott Avenue entrance is located across the street from Roma Tile and Grainger's.


• Bright Horizons on the Charles is located in the rear of the 400 building.

How can I obtain information about tuition?

Tuition varies by center, schedule and by individual classroom. To find out more information about tuition, please contact the center directly.

Does Bright Horizons offer discounts to military families?

Tuition assistance for eligible military families is available at participating Bright Horizons’ centers when on-base care is not available. You can find more information and a map of participating centers here.