Find an Answer to Your Question

What does the SchoolsOUT Program Offer?

SchoolsOUT offers our families:

• Individualized care for children ages 5-12 years old 
• Small group sessions and low student-to-teacher ratios
• Age-appropriate, educational activities including STEM, Dram, Garden Works, Clubs
• Flexible schedules and tuition options to fit your busy lifestyle and meet your family’s needs
• A chance for your child to build social skills by spending time with friends

Are meals provided at the center?

Yes!  We have a wonderful cook that implements a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables into our monthly rotating menu.  We offer a vegetarian selection of proteins substitutes such as refried beans, tofu, garden burgers, and broccoli bites.  We also provide meals for children with special dietary needs.

What are the educational goals of Bright Horizons?

Comprehensive, optimum development of each child: mind, body, social self, and character. Preparation for Success in Life

• Approaching life as an invitation to learn
  
• Becoming a confident and competent lifelong learner
  
• Becoming a confident and competent user of technology
  
• Developing emotional intelligence: personal power and social skills

• Developing the social and cognitive skills necessary for school success
  
• Achieving excellence in language and literacy
  
• Developing an engaged, reflective, inquisitive mind and appreciation of science
  
• Achieving excellence in logical/mathematical understanding

• Happy days
  
• Wonderful relationships
  
• A World of experience

Is there a playground on-site?

There is a multi-age playground with safe surfaces, climbing structures, a trike path, and a water feature.  There is a separate plaground for Infants, as well as a large open field.

Are you conducting health screening for those who are entering the center?

Yes, all employees, parents and children will have to pass a daily health screening. The health screening includes a temperature check and a series of COVID-19 related questions that pertain to the individual and their households.

What is your current COVID-19 center policy?

The health and well-being of our families and staff are our highest priorities. In the interest of limiting the opportunity for transmission to our vulnerable community, we are taking the following precautionary measures:

Your household must remain out of the center if any member of your household has (or has been in close contact with anyone who has):

(a)  A suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 (for example – close contact at school, work, religious service, social gathering); or

(b)  Traveled: internationally; or domestically, from any area which is the subject of travel restrictions under applicable state and local guidance.         

14 days after the last potential exposure, your household may return provided these three things have happened:

(a)   At least 10 days have passed since any household member first experienced symptoms; and

(b)   Symptoms have improved for any household member that experienced symptoms (for example, cough or shortness of breath has improved); and

(c)    The household has been fever-free for at least 72 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicines.

Please note, depending on the circumstances we may require you to obtain medical clearance before return to the center will be allowed.

What enhanced safety measures have you implemented?

Bright Horizons is trusted by parents around the country – including many doctors and nurses on the frontlines of COVID-19 -- to care for their children. We’ve partnered with pediatric infectious disease specialist Dr. Kristin Moffitt of Boston Children’s Hospital to implement enhanced safety protocols for all areas including daily health screening, distancing, cleaning, and disinfecting. Our goal is to ensure that all of our health and safety practices in every center are in line with recommendations provided by the CDC and requirements of state and local municipalities, and have the well-being of children, families, and staff at their core. For more detailed information, visit: https://www.brighthorizons.com/health-safety

Are all staff required to wear face coverings and gloves during the day?

All employees will be in face coverings while working. Those conducting health screenings will wear gloves while conducting the screenings. Those undertaking disinfection activities will be wearing gloves while disinfecting. Teachers will wear gloves for activities that they wore gloves for in the past; diaper changing and bathroom help, wiping noses, first aid and cleaning. They also wear gloves for preparing and serving food. They will not be required to wear gloves all day.

Are children required or allowed to wear masks while at the center?

Bright Horizons does not permit the use of masks for children unless medically necessary, and the child has demonstrated the ability to wear it safely. To provide a safe and healthy environment, we are relying on our strict exclusion policies for households, our regular health screening, increased disinfection, and social distancing practices. Introducing children in face coverings could quickly render these more proven and effective strategies against the spread of COVID-19 ineffective. We’ve made this decision based on evolving guidance from the CDC, federal, state, and local health agencies, and in consultation with Dr. Kristin Moffitt, pediatric infectious disease specialist from Boston Children’s Hospital. Click here for a video interview with Dr. Moffitt discussing safety in the Bright Horizons child care setting.

Are you allowing prospective parents to visit centers?

Prospective parents are being encouraged to visit via a virtual meeting with the center director.

How does Bright Horizons ensure the cleanliness of centers?

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

Does Bright Horizons offer at home learning and educational activities for children?

With many of our centers temporarily closed, we’ve created Bright Horizons® World at Home, a new way to keep children learning and to support families in these times. Designed by our education team to bring some of the very best learning from our centers right into your homes, World at Home features videos and activities for every age group in each of our curriculum areas, as well as short webinars on important topics for parents.

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 your policy regarding pictures/videos of my child(ren)?

The decision to allow for a child’s picture to be taken at a Bright Horizons facility is at the discretion of the family. Some families allow pictures to be used strictly within the classroom (i.e. to label cubbies), some allow pictures to be used both internally and externally (i.e. for our center-wide website), and still others do not allow pictures of their children to be taken at any time - no exceptions. In any case, we will respect your rights and your decision. To learn more about our policy, please see our Bright Horizons Photography & Walking Permission Slip.

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”  18 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 www.brighthorizons.com/careers . 

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 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.