Find an Answer to Your Question

What ages will the center serve?

The center has capacity for approximately 143 children and will serve children ages 6 weeks through 5 years. 

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. 

How do I enroll my child?

If you are interested in enrolling your child(ren), you will need to complete an enrollment interest form and submit a $150 registration fee per child.  After this, families will be contacted by a Bright Horizons representative to discuss pre-enrollment or waitlist status. 

How will enrollment spaces be allocated?

Enrollment will be offered to families in the order that their enrollment interest form and registration fee are received on a first-come, first-served basis.  With priority granted to legal dependents of Clemson University full-time faculty, staff, full-time graduate and undergraduate students, and then the general community.

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 decline, their name will be moved to the bottom of the waitlist.

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

The center will not offer vacation credits. 

Can I pay to reserve a space at the center without attending?

Bright Horizons will allow you to hold a space for your child, so long as your monthly tuitions are paid in full. In the event your monthly tuition is not paid, your child(ren)’s space will be offered to another family in the wait pool.

When is tuition billed and collected?

Tuition will be billed and collected monthly.

How is tuition paid?

Tuition is paid online and is due on the 25th day of the prior month. Example: September's monthly tuition will be due on August 25th.

How did Clemson University select Bright Horizons?

Clemson University requested in-depth proposals and evaluated a number of potential child care providers. Bright Horizons was selected based on the fact that they are a nationally recognized leader in assisting employers with onsite child development centers. 

Can you provide more background on Bright Horizons?

Bright Horizons core business is employer-sponsored care. They were founded more than 30 years ago and now partner with more than 1000 employers across the U.S., as well as in Europe, Canada, and India. Their client list includes more than three-fourths of the companies on Working Mother magazine’s “100 Best” list. In addition, their client list includes more than half of those named to FORTUNE magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For”. It should be noted that Bright Horizons has also been named to the FORTUNE list 18 times. Bright Horizons is an organization recognized for ethics, collaboration, community service, and excellence in the child care industry. They have extensive experience with opening new centers from the ground-up and creating wonderful places for childhood

What curriculum will be used at the center?

Bright Horizons’ successful core curriculum World at Their Fingertips, will be used at the center. To learn more about the Bright Horizons curriculum, please visit brighthorizons.com/early-education-preschool/proven-approach

What is the capacity and teacher-to-child ratio per age group?

The ratios at the center are designed to support one-on-one interactions between the teachers and children, an in-depth understanding by the teachers of the individual needs of each child, and the formulation of consistent caregiving routines based on the teachers’ knowledge of the individual children. These teacher-to-child ratios also support enhanced development, particularly language development.

Are meals and snacks included in the tuition rate?

Morning and afternoon snacks will be provided each day and is included in your tuition. Families will be responsible for packing and bringing their child(ren)’s lunch, and adhering to the center’s Food from Home policy.

What other fees are required?

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

• Registration Fee: A non-refundable registration fee of $150 per child is due upon submission of the enrollment interest form. 
   
• Enrollment Deposit: An enrollment deposit equal to 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. 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 $100 fee per child will be required each March to cover annual administrative and licensing fees. If your child’s registration fee was paid within ninety (90) days of the center’s re-registration due date, whether as part of the wait pool or enrollment process, the re-registration fee will be waived.

Is there a sibling discount?

No sibling discount is offered at this time.

What are the qualities and qualifications of the teaching and care staff?

Bright Horizons works to recruit and hire the highest quality teachers.  Bright Horizons’ staff are nurturers as well as educators who encourage learning through exploration and partnership with parents. They’re trained to deliver the highest standard of care.  All candidates undergo a thorough screening, including a Bright Horizons enhanced background check and state-required background checks. All teachers must meet state educational licensing and additional center requirements.

What are the center’s health and safety protocols?

The health and safety of the children in our care is our top priority. As such, all Bright Horizons Child Care Centers have enhanced health and safety protocols which are developed based on guidance from the Centers of Disease Control, direction from state and local public authorities and in partnership with Dr. Kristin Moffitt, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Boston Children’s Hospital.  These protocols include limited class sizes, restrictions to the number of people who come in and out of our centers, daily health checks upon arrival for staff and children, optional masking for teachers, families and all staff, as well as strict guidelines on distancing, cleaning, and disinfecting. Our team is committed to these protocols every day. And we continue to consult with experts to ensure all our practices evolve, so that children, families, and teachers are protected.

What are Bright Horizons’ safety and security policies?

As guardians of your children, there is nothing more important to Bright Horizons than their 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 their teachers and staff are well-trained to protect children in the case of emergency.

Access to the center:

• The center entrance will require badge access at all times. Employees and guardians will receive restricted access badge for entry into the child care 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.

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- 113) 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:

1. Outerwear with neck strings, including scarves
2. Pants with drawstrings on the waist or bottom that extend more than three inches when tied
3. Bibs, pacifiers and teethers with ties or strings of any kind
4. 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.

Who is eligible to enroll in the center?

Legal dependents of Clemson University's full-time faculty and staff including full-time graduate and undergraduate students are eligible for enrollment. The center will provide space for the general community. 

Is part-time child care available at the center?

No, part-time care is not provided at this time.

What resources does Bright Horizons offer to families?

Bright Horizons offers many resources to support families’ efforts to nurture children’s development, be actively involved in their education, and balance work/life demands. https://www.brighthorizons.com/family-resources

What are the tuition rates?

The monthly 2023 tuition rates are listed below. These rates are effective from January 2023 through December 2023.  Each year, Bright Horizons will conduct an extensive market study to determine the appropriate annual tuition rates. 

I was unable to attend the Family Information Session. Is there a recording?

Yes, the Family Information Session was recorded. You can view the session HERE.

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. 

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.