Find an Answer to Your Question

How will The Academy prepare my Toddler for preschool?

Toddlers are inquisitive and exploratory by nature, striving for independence and autonomy, while insatiably curious.  The Academy at Bright Horizons celebrates their uniqueness, guiding these newly independent children towards greater self confidence, encouraging today’s developmental capabilities that will lead the way toward achieving tomorrow’s new skills.  Our unique curriculum The World at Their Fingertips is designed to help your Toddler reach their greatest potential.  Each day they will experience:

·         Language and early literacy

·         Early math and science concepts

·         Large and small muscle skills

·         Social and emotional development

“I’m amazed how the toddler curriculum not only helps them develop academically, but also socially and emotionally.” – Bright Horizons parent

What is giftedness?

According to National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), gifted students, children, or youth who give evidence of high achievement capability in areas such as intellectual, creative, artistic, or leadership capacity, or in specific academic fields. Gifted and talented students and those with high abilities need gifted education programs that will challenge them in regular classroom settings and enrichment and accelerated programs to enable them to make continuous progress in school.

How can I obtain information about tuition?

Tuition varies by your child's schedule and by their  individual classroom. To find out more information about tuition, please contact the center.

How will The Academy challenge a gifted child?

The Academy at Bright Horizons believes in tailoring our curriculum for each child, so when we see a child advancing in a specific area of our curriculum, then we will challenge them accordingly.  We teach our children confidence and foster their differences to achieve success in their early years.

How will my child be prepared for the best schools?

The first five years are critical to a child’s lifelong development.  Early experiences influence brain development, establishing the neural connections that provide the foundation for language, reasoning, problem solving, social skills, behavior, and emotional health – characteristics that often determine how well a child will do in school and in life. 

The Academy believes in providing children a perfect balance of academics while continuing developmentally appropriate practices.  We use our own World at Their Fingertips curriculum as well as complement it with California state standards and the guidelines established by NAEYC, The National Association for the Education of Young Children.  Utilizing all of these entities allows us to create a rich, fun and challenging program.   We know that children develop at different rates so we tailor our curriculum for each child.   If we see a child advancing in a specific area of our curriculum, then we will challenge them accordingly.

The Academy at Bright Horizons has established long term relationships with our local private and public schools. Each year, we receive feedback from these top school and they continually exclaim our children are not only well prepared but they are above the average child entering their program. 

Where can I learn more about other Bright Horizons locations?

To find other locations, please visit www.brighthorizons.com/locator.

How is your summer program different from a summer camp?

Our summer program sets itself apart from other camps and programs in the area by creating a fun summer experience, while also creating an environment that nurtures the social emotional and academic needs of young children.

For our summer program this year we will be maintaining our teaching techniques and environments for learning, but adding in some fun and special changes in order to enrich our program.

Our summer camps will focus on:
~Children's Concierto- Outstanding performers and teachers providing unique opportunities for learning, improving technical skills, and expanding all around musicality
~Theatre- An introduction to the world of theatre. The children will choose a story, create their own scenery and costumes, and then take the stage!
~Fit Works- With more daylight hours and warm temperatures we will be focusing on living healthy lifestyles, and being active, while increasing strength, coordination, and endurance through fitness.
~Express Yourself- With a focus on dance, we will provide unlimited ways for your child to express their individual personality!

What is the history of The Academy at Bright Horizons?

The school was founded in 1980 and was originally called The Gifted Preschool (GPS).  The school was created for children displaying an eagerness to learn.  In November 2010, Bright Horizons Family Solutions acquired the school and has retained the faculty, high standards and many of the traditions of GPS.  Bright Horizons has invested in The Academy to make significant environmental changes to the classrooms including complete playground renovations.  We have also invested in some new curriculum as mentioned in our highlights.

How do I know when my child is ready for preschool?

Children are naturally inquisitive learners.  They thrive for knowledge and are eager to want to socialize with peers of their own age.  Many children start getting restless at home around the age of two.  They are inquisitive, curious and thirst for knowledge and friends.  We have found with our children that start at two, they have a strong foundation of socialization and academics so by the time they enter preschool, they are ready to go!  They know how to say good-bye to mom and dad in the morning, they have learned basic social skills like waiting your turn and sharing, and their minds are filled with knowledge from our curriculum. 

Describe your faculty at The Academy.

I truly believe it is our incredible faculty that makes our school so successful. The majority of our teachers have been with us for eight to twenty-three years.  They have seen generations of children grow within the school and families keep coming back because of the quality of our teachers.  Our faculty are highly educated, well-experienced and have a true passion for teaching.  They provide a loving, nurturing and fun classroom for all our children to thrive.  Our teachers stay current and innovative with their classrooms by continuing their education with classes, trainings, and conferences. 

Are all staff trained in CPR and First Aid?

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 care possible at our center.

What makes The Academy so unique?

Our school believes in meeting the needs of our children and building on their individual strengths. Early education is an opportunity to nurture children's curiosity and inquisitiveness, develop problem problem-solvers and decision makers, and prepare children for the academic foundation to achieve success in school and in life.

What is The World At Their Fingertips?

Bright Horizons curriculum, The World at Their Fingertips, is our unique curriculum designed to engage children in active learning that prepares them for school while helping them achieve their individual potential and fostering a spirit of community. It includes curriculum elements such as Language Works, Math Counts, Science Rocks, ArtSmart, Our World and Well Aware that cross all age groups. For more on information on our curriculum, click here.

Do you offer a kindergarten or bridge program?

Though The Academy does not offer a kindergarten, we do have a bridge program for children who have not yet entered kindergarten. Whether your child does not make the September 1st birthday cut off or if you feel they need an extra year before entering kindergarten we offer our unique Pre-K Prep/Jr. Kindergarten Program. Please contact the school for further information.

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.