Our Curriculum

Young children explore their surroundings through magnifying glasses | Bright Horizon
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Curriculum Overview

Our center offers a curriculum that meets children where they are developmentally and helps to build confidence and excitement about learning at every age and stage. In each classroom, the goal is to help children do more than learn; it’s to cultivate the joy of learning and help them discover their individual talents and strengths to become confident learners of life. 

 A mother holding her infant.
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Infant Care

Infant care has to do more than look right – it has to feel right. You want to know your child is safe and well cared for. Our infant program is designed to offer a secure place with knowledgeable teachers who honor your family’s routine, and who know every day that they’re not caring for any child, but the most important child – yours.

Importance of introducing STEM at an early age
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Toddler/Two Care

When your toddler’s in the right place, you just know. Our program is designed to give you that feeling – a safe place for your newly independent child to test out and learn new skills, wonder about everything, and discover how to make friends. It’s all alongside teachers who promote early language development and recognize their need for active play and movement.

A young boy in a lab coat and safety goggles conducts a science experiment at daycare | Bright Horizons
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Preschool Program

Preschool is a big year. We’ve designed our program to give you complete confidence in every aspect of your child’s experience; from health and safety; to ready-for-school curriculum; to the full support of experienced teachers. Just as important, our program is based on what research says best prepares children for kindergarten…and all the big steps ahead.

A preschool girl playing with math squares on a light table
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Kindergarten Prep

The last year before kindergarten is a time of enormous and exciting growth. As a parent, you want your child to enjoy this stage while building the right skills for the steps ahead. We offer a program that gives you both; teachers who cherish this important time, and curriculum recognized by parents and teachers for helping children build the social and academic skills needed to be ready for school.

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Our Curriculum

Our curriculum is rooted in the science of learning. Through play, experimenting with possibilities, problem solving, and project work, we provide children with the very best early education experiences possible.
Infant
Toddler / Twos
Preschool
Kindergarten Prep

Babies enjoy classrooms made for exploring with teachers who support today’s big milestones and tomorrow’s leaps toward the future.

Our Infant Program
Health and Wellness
Literacy and Language
Social-Emotional Learning
STEM
Thinking and Learning
Toward A Better World
Visual and Creative Arts
Health and Wellness
Bright Horizons infant playing with a ball
  • Exploring growth and movement
  • Learning about basic hygiene
  • Enjoying nutritious foods
  • Gaining skills like washing hands
Literacy and Language
Bright Horizons teacher teaching an infant
  • Daily sharing and talking
  • Exploring books and songs
  • Reading with teachers
  • Using sign language
Social-Emotional Learning
Bright Horizons teacher and infant playing with maracas
  • Beginning to calm self
  • Beginning to express needs
  • Forming secure attachments
  • Developing a sense of trust
STEM
Bright Horizons infant and teacher examining items from nature
  • Science: Discovering the natural world
  • Technology: Beginning to use tools
  • Engineering: Building structures and designs
  • Math: Exploring numbers and shapes
Thinking and Learning
Bright Horizons infant playing with cars and ramps
  • Emotional Self-regulation: Self soothing
  • Executive Function: Focus and play
  • Mindset and Agency: Making choices
  • Creativity and Flexible Thinking: New things
Toward A Better World
Bright Horizons infant playing with a mobile
  • Beginning to understand needs
  • Beginning to care for others
  • Noticing differences and similarities
  • Exploring the natural world
Visual and Creative Arts
Bright Horizons infant playing with a piano
  • Exploring colors and textures
  • Exploring music and movement
  • Enjoying storytelling and play
  • Daily exposure to the arts

Newly independent toddlers are ready to explore and discover with caring teachers at their side every step of the way.

Toddler at Daycare
Health and Wellness
Literacy and Language
Social-Emotional Learning
STEM
Thinking and Learning
Toward A Better World
Visual and Creative Arts
Health and Wellness
Bright Horizons Toddler student eating lunch
  • Exploring movement and activity
  • Discovering safety and hygiene
  • Enjoying healthy foods
  • Learning about mindfulness
Literacy and Language
Bright Horizons Toddler Student reading a book
  • Following simple directions
  • Nurturing relationships with caregivers
  • Reading books together
  • Singing songs and hearing poetry
Social-Emotional Learning
Bright Horizons Toddler Students playing with gears together
  • Developing self-identity
  • Beginnings of empathy
  • Learning play skills
  • Caring for others
STEM
Bright Horizons Toddler student blowing a bubble
  • Science: Observing and exploring
  • Technology: Learning about tools
  • Engineering: Building and designing
  • Math: Exploring numbers and patterns
Thinking and Learning
Bright Horizons Toddler student and teacher
  • Emotional self-regulation: Recognizing feelings
  • Executive function: Waiting for turn
  • Mindset and agency: Making choices
  • Creative thinking and flexibility: Trying new things
Toward A Better World
Bright Horizons Toddler student and teacher observing a plant
  • Helping with simple class jobs
  • Recognizing physical differences
  • Treating friends kindly
  • Respecting animals and nature
Visual and Creative Arts
Bright Horizons Toddler Students drawing on the chalk board
  • Making simple art projects
  • Playing music and singing
  • Acting out stories or poems
  • Learning dances and movement

Preschoolers are active learners, collaborating with teachers and each other, as they explore ideas and make discoveries.

Our Preschool Program
Health and Wellness
Literacy and Language
Social-Emotional Learning
STEM
Thinking and Learning
Toward A Better World
Visual and Creative Arts
Health and Wellness
Bright Horizons Preschool Students stretching and yoga
  • Daily physical activity
  • Making healthy food choices
  • Basic safety and hygiene
  • Mindfulness and well-being
Literacy and Language
Bright Horizons Preschool Student with her teacher
  • Joy and confidence
  • Reading stories and poems
  • Writing simple words
  • Early alphabet learning
Social-Emotional Learning
Bright Horizons Preschool Students watering the flowers
  • Using calm-down techniques
  • Recognizing other’s perspective
  • Taking turns with peers
  • Showing empathy and care
STEM
Bright Horizons Preschool Students and their teacher
  • Science: Observing and asking questions
  • Technology: Using technology to create
  • Engineering: Solving problems with design
  • Math: Using math in real life
Thinking and Learning
Bright Horizons Preschool Student playing with blocks
  • Emotional self-regulation: Stop and think
  • Executive function: Listen and focus
  • Mindset and agency: Choose own work
  • Creative thinking and flexibility: Take healthy risks
Toward A Better World
Bright Horizons Preschool Students play with sand
  • Taking care of classroom
  • Recognizing cultural differences
  • Helping others in need
  • Caring for animals and nature
Visual and Creative Arts
Bright Horizons Preschool Student painting
  • Expressing ideas through art
  • Hearing varied music
  • Acting assigned part
  • Dancing with creativity

Children in Kindergarten Prep are confident, capable leaders who ask questions, find solutions, and dive into rich project learning.

Our Kindergarten Prep Program
Health and Wellness
Literacy and Language
Social-Emotional Learning
STEM
Thinking and Learning
Toward A Better World
Visual and Creative Arts
Health and Wellness
Bright Horizons kindergarten Prep Student rock climbing
  • Daily physical fitness
  • Preparing healthy foods
  • Independent self-care
  • Using mindfulness techniques
Literacy and Language
Bright Horizons kindergarten Prep Student practicing her letters
  • Gaining skills and confidence
  • Reading simple words
  • Writing ideas and plans
  • Early phonics learning
Social-Emotional Learning
Bright Horizons kindergarten Prep Students learning together
  • Using positive interactions
  • Understanding other’s perspective
  • Collaborating with peers
  • Acting to help others
STEM
Bright Horizons kindergarten Prep Student with paper mache
  • Science: Conducting experiments
  • Technology: Choosing the right tool
  • Engineering: Solving complex problems
  • Math: Using numbers symbolically
Thinking and Learning
Bright Horizons kindergarten Prep Student constructing
  • Emotional self-regulation: Choosing actions
  • Executive function: Completing projects
  • Mindset and agency: Making daily choices
  • Creative thinking and flexibility: Changing course
Toward A Better World
Bright Horizons kindergarten Prep Student studying a globe
  • Doing jobs independently
  • Feeling pride for school
  • Seeing different life experiences
  • Engaging in doing good
Visual and Creative Arts
Bright Horizons kindergarten Prep Student creating art
  • Gaining art skills
  • Recognizing varied music
  • Assigning roles and parts
  • Dancing and moving confidently
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The Teacher's Role

Our teachers are all experienced and dedicated professionals who meet rigid certification requirements. By focusing on children’s unique interests, these talented educators work alongside children to support today’s big milestones and tomorrow’s success.

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Classrooms that Inspire Learning

“Early childhood classrooms are special places; within them discoveries abound, imaginations soar, and anything is possible.”

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Rachel Robertson - VP, Learning & Development at Bright Horizons

Bright Horizons Art Studio
Bright Horizons Language Works Environment
Bright Horizons Outdoor Plants Environment

At Bright Horizons we believe that environment is the key to creating a joyful place for childhood; and we put a great deal of thought and care into creating those joyful places. In keeping with Reggio Emilia and Montessori philosophies, our designs consider not only what children need in a space, but how they will use it. We know our centers will form an integral part of a child’s earliest learning; and with that in mind, we carefully curate high-quality materials for every center to create beautiful environments with rich, open-ended experiences that nurture development and inspire learning.

Our Inspiration

Inspired by the world’s educational leaders to create a great place for learning and for childhood


“The goal of early childhood education should be to activate the child’s own natural desire to learn.”

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MARIA MONTESSORI

“It’s not how smart you are, it’s how you are smart.”

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HOWARD GARDNER

“Our task regarding creativity is to help children climb their own mountains, as high as possible.”

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LORIS MALAGUZZI

“Development is not a race, it's a journey.”

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JIM GREENMAN

“Play is the highest form of research.”

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ALBERT EINSTEIN

Bright Horizons students sitting at the sandbox
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Preparing Children for School

Research shows that today, more than ever, children need a mix of diverse skills. At Bright Horizons, we ensure children gain the social-emotional, critical-thinking, and academic competencies to thrive. Read what parents and teachers have to say about our graduates’ success.