Find an Answer to Your Question

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 type of security does the center have?

Employees who are parents of children enrolled in the center use thier employee access/ID card to enter the center.  A special version of the access cared is issued to the non-Principal employee parent.  Other visitors entering the center will be escorted by a member of the Bright Horizons management, this includes friends or family memebers who have permission to pick up your child.  Security cameras, monitored by Corporate Security, are located outside of the building and in the  corridors. 

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.

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.

I have heard that the center is a 'green' building. What does that mean?

The Principal Child Development Center will be, one of the first LEED certified facilitlies in Des Moines.  The Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings.

Is part-time care available?

At this time, Principal Child Development Center does not offer part-time schedules. 

Where can I learn more about other Bright Horizons locations?

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

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.

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.

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

What is the process for enrolling my child in back up care?

1. Get a copy of your child’s physical and immunizations form BEFORE using back up. It is required by the State of Iowa that all children enrolled in a licensed child care center has an updated copy of the both physical and immunizations on file prior to their enrollment. (The physical cannot be older than 12 months-anything prior to that is defined as current)

2. Please call us in advance when you need back up care. We still may be able to accommodate your needs if you do call the morning of.

3. Back up is given based on availability and staffing. We will do everything that we can do to try to accommodate you.

4. On the first day that you use back up, you will have to bring in your child’s physical, immunizations, the $50 registration fee and the additional $20 daily fee for each child using our back up service. We ask that you come approximately 15 minutes in advance so you can fill out some paperwork.

5. As a reminder, you can use 20 days per calendar year for a tuition charge of $20 per day per child for back up.

6. Back up can be used consecutively (i.e. for a 2 week period) if space allows.

What is Bright Horizons' process on checking the background of their employees?

Bright Horizons conducts a comprehensive background check on all prospective employees and frequent visitors. The background check consists of a county criminal record check for the past seven years performed in all counties that a person has lived, worked or attended school. In addition to the county criminal search , a sex offender search, OFAC search and a social security verification trace are also conducted. For all location employees, program licensing background checks required by the state are also performed.

What is the relationship between Bright Horizons and The Partnership for a Healthier America?

For more information about this relationship, click here.

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.

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.