As part of Bright Horizons' mission to create and maintain a school readiness program that meets the evolving expectations of elementary schools, we recently completed our third comprehensive survey of parents and teachers nationwide to assess their views of the academic preparedness of recent Bright Horizons graduates. Parents and teachers of more than 1,200 Bright Horizons graduates were surveyed during the fall of their child's kindergarten or first grade year. The children had attended one of Bright Horizons' programs from across the country and represented a cross section of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.

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 determine how well a child will do in school and in life. A recent longitudinal study of the U.S. Department of Education found that if kindergarten children had a positive approach to learning, they were more likely to make progress in math and reading through fifth grade¹. Similarly, a 2007 study showed that students from programs that focus on social and emotional learning have better school grades and higher achievement test scores². The Bright Horizons School Readiness Survey confirmed the strong positive relationship between social and emotional readiness and school success.

Elementary school teachers who participated in the survey not only assessed the preparedness of the Bright Horizons graduates in their program, but also shared their views on what they believe to be the most important factors for any child to succeed in a public or private school setting. Teachers were unified in their feeling that children should enter their first years of school with an ability to comprehend broader language and math concepts, as well as to be prepared for the social and emotional demands of school. In fact, 96% of teachers indicated they believe that social and emotional preparedness are the most important outcomes of a child's preschool experience in order for them to be poised for academic success in the elementary years.

The teachers overwhelmingly agreed that the Bright Horizons graduates in their classrooms entered school well prepared with these skills in mind.

• More than 90% of teachers agree that Bright Horizons graduates enter elementary school ready to accept the new responsibilities and greater independence with a strong enthusiasm for learning, an ability to make new friends, and the ability to respect others – all key indicators of the children's social and emotional readiness for kindergarten and first grade.
• Similarly, among the teachers surveyed, more than 90% agree that the Bright Horizons graduates in their class were well prepared with the reading and math skills they needed for academic success.
• More than 90% of the teachers surveyed believe the Bright Horizons graduates met or exceeded their expectations for readiness for kindergarten and first grade, and 96% believe the child's preschool experience played a critical role in the children's preparedness.

Today's parents share high expectations for early achievement. In fact, 89% of parents surveyed cited academic preparedness as the most important factor in their child's preschool experience. They want to ensure that their children enter school ready to meet or exceed academic expectations and with a demonstrable ability to apply their newly developing skills in reading, writing, and math. Those same parents overwhelmingly believe that their child's Bright Horizons experience met their high expectations.

• 99% of Bright Horizons parents believe that Bright Horizons graduates entered elementary
  school with a strong enthusiasm for learning.
• More than 90% believe their child entered elementary school with the necessary writing and math skills.

This study shows that Bright Horizons graduates are well prepared for the academic, social, and behavioral expectations of the first year of elementary school. Parents and teachers agree that Bright Horizons is successfully preparing children for school both socially and academically while fostering a strong enthusiasm for learning.

Furthermore, teachers and parents strongly agree that Bright Horizons graduates enter elementary school ready to adapt, learn new rules, accept new responsibilities, and work independently.

Bright Horizons will continue to measure and evaluate our graduates on school readiness to ensure that we consistently provide the very best education for children.

Learn about our approach to curriculum

Download the School Readiness Study (PDF)