Find an Answer to Your Question

Do you have a Before and After Care program?

Yes, as of January 2019 we now offer a before and after school program for children currently enrolled in  Kindergarten –  Grade 5, that attend local elementary schools is now available and we are accepting immediate enrollment.  In most cases you will need to provide your own transportation, but transportation is available for children that attend Brown Station Elementary School. 

I'm interested in applying for a job at this center. Is there someone I can contact?

For job listings and to complete the application process, please visit www.brighthorizons.com/careers.

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.

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.

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.

Who is allowed to pick-up and drop-off the children?

Enrolled MedImmune or AstraZeneca parents will use their existing badges to enter and exit Discovery Meadows Child Care. Spouses and primary guardians will be issued a special Bright Horizons badge, which will only allow them access to the main entrance of the center. One-off pick-ups, e.g., grandparents or nannies, will need to show identification and sign in and out at the center.

Is part-time care available?

At this time, full-time care is available. 

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.

Is there a school-age program?

Yes, the center offers a school-age program, with a capacity for 36 children that will provide families interim care during spring and winter holidays, depending on the campus closings for the winter holidays, as well as a summer camp program.

Is there a sibling discount?

Yes, Discovery Meadows Child Care will offer a 10% discount for siblings enrolled in the center. The tuition for the youngest child will be at the full rate and each subsequent child enrolled will receive the discounted rate.

How can I obtain information about tuition?

Tuition varies by center, schedule and by individual classroom. To find out more information about tuition, please refer to the frequently asked questions and answers, or contact the center directly.

Who is Bright Horizons Family Solutions?

Bright Horizons was founded more than 30 years ago and partners with more than 850 employers across the U.S., as well as in Europe, Canada and India, including half of those named to FORTUNE magazine’s 100 Best Companies and more than three-fourths of the companies on Working Mother magazine’s 100 Best list. Bright Horizons operates centers in many communities, as well as onsite at major employers, including the AstraZeneca center in Wilmington. 

No two Bright Horizons centers are alike; however, they are all designed and operated to meet the highest quality standards in the field of early childhood. At the heart of any Bright Horizons center are passionate and talented teachers for whom Bright Horizons has the utmost respect and gratitude. Bright Horizons has been recognized for 16 years as One of FORTUNE magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work for in America.  

Who manages the enrollment process? How do I enroll?

Whose children may attend the center?

Full-time AstraZeneca or MedImmune (the company) employees may enroll their legal dependent children in Discovery Meadows Child Care.

What is Drop-In Care and the cost?

Drop in care is available for children ages infants – school age for the expected and unexpected times when you might need child- care for a limited time.  Daily fees range from $70-$100 based on the age of the child.   You must pre-register your child in order to utilize Drop in Care.  Remember, AstraZeneca’s & MedImmune’s employee benefits include Just in Time Care and Discovery Meadows is an approved site for back-up care through Just in Time. Check out this article for a quick overview, contact details, and links to enroll in the JITC benefit program.

What is Just In Time Care and how do I register?

 AstraZeneca’s & MedImmune’s employee benefits include Just in Time Care. For parents needing back-up child care, Discovery Meadows is one of the options available.   Check out this article for a quick overview, contact details, and links to enroll in the JITC benefit program.

Do you offer a summer camp program?

Yes, Discovery Meadows offers summer camp for preschool children ages 3-5 and for school- age children who attended Kindergarten –Grade 5.  Preschool camp is offered on a monthly basis during June, July and August.  School-Age camp is offered on a weekly basis from June - August.  Our summer camp program offers action packed days with engaging themes, STEM activities, creative art experiences and special guests!   Registration is now open for summer camp!  Spaces fill quickly so be sure to inquire and register soon. 

What is a Discovery Day?

If you are you interested in learning more about what your child’s experience will be like at Discovery Meadows before enrolling, we invite you to participate in a Discovery Day.   You will have the opportunity to spend a few hours at the center with your child and meet our teachers, check out our indoor and outdoor environments and participate in exciting curriculum activities.  Discovery Days must be scheduled in advance and parents must be in attendance with their child for the entire time at the center.  There is no cost for a Discovery Day experience.

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.