Find an Answer to Your Question

What exactly is back-up care child care?

Your employer partners with Bright Horizons to provide care for your child when your typical care falls through. We currently accept children ages 6 weeks up to their 13th birthday.

When can I make reservations?

Bright Horizons now takes back-up requests 90 days in advance. We make every attempt to accommodate all families, reservations are accepted on a first come basis. We do manage a waitlist on our high demand days and will notify families if a space becomes available. Our cancellation policy is 5 pm 2 business days prior to care. 

Can I tour the center prior to registering/attending the center?

Yes, you can call the center to set up a tour. 

What if I am running late?

Please call the center to let them know if your times are different than what is scheduled for the reservation.  Every effort should be made to adhere to the reservation times.

What do I need to bring for our first day?

For licensing purposes, we must have all proper paperwork filled out.  For your convenience you can find the paperwork on our reservation page www.backup.brighthorizons.com and you can upload the completed paperwork to ensure a smooth transition on day one.

Will my child be able to attend without paperwork?

All children must have a current health care summary (signed by a physician) on file. Allergy forms must be accompanied by a current pharmacy labeled medication. Medication must match what is written on the child’s medical forms. If other paperwork is missing allow yourself additional time to complete paperwork at the center.

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. Please contact the center directly to discuss the individual needs of your child.

May I bring my child if sick?

If a child is mildly ill they should stay home to rest; if they are excluded from school they may not attend Bright Horizons. Please refer to our illness policy if you are unsure.  As a Mayo Employee you do have access to Children’s R&R (507-266-7727), a sick childcare program.

What will my infant need for care?

For infants, you’ll need enough bottles and non-table food to cover your child’s typical feeding schedule. One bottle for each feeding should be prepared prior to arrival, we suggest bringing one extra should your child need more. Please note, we are unable to have glass bottles in the center. Diapers, wipes, ointments, if needed, as well as a few changes of clothes to keep your child comfortable. You may also bring a labeled comfort item and/or pacifier to help your child have a successful day.

Will my infant’s bottles be warmed?

Yes-we utilize a warm water carafe or a pediatric approved bottle warmer to warm bottles.

What will my Toddler and Preschooler need for care?

Diapers, wipes, ointments, if needed, as well as a few changes of clothes to keep your child comfortable. You may also bring a labeled comfort item and/or pacifier to help your child have a successful day.   

What will my School Ager need for care?

Extra change of clothing, comfort item is an option.  No personal electronics permitted.  

Will you provide lunch?

Your child will be provided breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack.

Do you go outside?

Yes, all age groups have an outdoor playground that is used year-round weather permitting. Please ensure seasonal clothing is provided daily. Sunscreen is provided or you can provide your own (non-aerosol) for your child.

How is Bright Horizons ensuring the 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
• Strict handwashing and sanitary policies to prevent the spread of illnesses
• Curriculum that emphasizes healthy practices for children
• Strict safety and security procedures that are designed to keep our families and staff protected

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.

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 thirty hours of training through our new employee orientation. This training takes place over a week 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.

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

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. 

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.

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.