Written by Lauryn Chan, writer and former Bright Horizons back-up care teacher. 

Over the past two and a half years as a backup care teacher at Bright Horizons, I’ve had the unique opportunity to step into the lives of many children and families—sometimes for just a day, sometimes for a little longer. Back-up care offers families reliable, short-term childcare for both planned and last-minute events when their regular arrangements are unavailable. Each center I visit has its own rhythm, its own surprises, and its own special moments of connection. And while every first day brings a mix of emotions, it also holds the potential for something truly meaningful.  

I remember one particular morning when a young mom nervously dropped off her toddler at the Bright Horizons back-up care center where I was working. The day began with tears, hesitation, and uncertainty, but by the afternoon, something beautiful happened: curiosity blossomed, excitement took over, and both mom and child discovered a community they would soon call home.  

Over the next year, the family returned multiple times, each visit marked by growing confidence and comfort.  
 
The following year, I was helping at a Bright Horizons full-time care center when I turned around and saw a familiar face. It was the same mom now dropping off her preschooler. She shared that after their positive experiences with back-up care; they decided to take the next step: full-time enrollment. For many families, back-up care becomes more than just a one-time solution—it’s the beginning of a trusting relationship with the Bright Horizons community.  

A look into back-up care

Although back-up care services offer only a short-term solution, it gives parents a meaningful glimpse into what full-time childcare at Bright Horizons has to offer. 

Teachers who make a lasting impression

The teachers at Bright Horizons back-up centers are committed to creating a warm, nurturing environment, even if a child is only there for a day or two. Their ability to build trust quickly is one of the first things families notice and appreciate. Understanding that young children are still learning and growing, our teachers gently guide and encourage them as they build confidence and develop essential social skills—like sharing, taking turns, communicating, and resolving conflicts. 

Curriculum that nurtures curiosity and confidence

Through our Discovery Driven Learning® framework, children engage in hands-on, play-based activities that encourage them to explore, ask questions, and discover answers in meaningful ways.  

Whether it’s observing the sizes of seeds on a flower or running a kitchen in the dramatic play area, our curriculum is designed to spark curiosity and foster a love for learning. This approach not only prepares children for academic growth but also builds critical thinking, problem-solving, and social-emotional skills, laying a strong foundation for lifelong success. 

A way to stay connected

We understand that the inconsistency of back-up care attendance can be hard. That’s why we focus on creating a warm, welcoming environment and keep families updated through: 

• Detailed daily reports sent to the parent’s email at the end of each visit 
• First day phone calls to update parents on their child’s day 
• My Bright Day app where parents can follow their child’s day in real time, including photographs and videos 

We want to ensure that even during a short stay, families feel connected and reassured.  

Why full-time care makes a difference

Families who have experienced the flexibility and support of back-up care already know the value of a high-quality early childhood environment. Full-time centers build on that same foundation, but with greater consistency, deeper relationships, and richer learning experiences, helping children develop a deeper sense of trust and connection that enhances their overall development.  

Building trusting relationships

Children thrive when they are known and valued by the adults around them. In a full-time center, teachers and administrators know each child and family on a personal level—greeting them by name and sharing updates at the end of each day.  

These consistent interactions also make daily routines like drop-off a little easier, as children feel safe seeing the same teachers every day. With time, strong bonds are not only formed between teachers and children, but also with their peers as well. Through different classroom experiences, friendships grow, social-emotional skills strengthen, and children become confident members of their classroom community.  

Fostering lifelong skills

Full-time care at Bright Horizons offers children the opportunity to engage more deeply in meaningful learning experiences rooted in our Discovery Driven Learning® framework. These experiences help children build essential skills that prepare them not just for school—but for life. 

As Rachel Robertson, Bright Horizons’ Chief Academic Officer explains, “We don’t simply want to teach children to know what is already known, but to be the creators of new knowledge: to be the thinkers, leaders, problem-solvers, innovators, and entrepreneurs of our future.”  

When learning is playful, project-based, and rooted in real-world experiences, it sticks. Children retain knowledge longer and develop critical thinking, creativity, and confidence. Our approach supports all areas of development—cognitive, physical, language, and social-emotional—through: 

• Meaningful play and discovery that promotes problem-solving 
• Integrated math, literacy, and science in everyday routines 
• Strong focus on social-emotional growth 
• Executive function skills like persistence and curiosity
• Rich literacy through storytelling, writing, and conversation
• Creative expression through art, music, and nature play 

Meaningful partnerships with families

At the heart of full-time care is a commitment to family partnerships. This comes to life in many ways, including:  

• Inviting families into the classroom for activities like family story time
• Encouraging family portrait contributions for classroom displays 
• Showcasing children’s learning through documentation boards that reflect past experiences 
• Regularly sharing developmental milestones with families to keep them informed and engaged

Bright Horizons is with you every step of the way

One Bright Horizons mother, Sophia, says, "During dinner I use the photos we get in the daily reports to start conversations with my two-year-old. We look forward to this part of the day when we get to hear all the fun things he does at school.” 

The My Bright Day app strengthens the home to school connection with real-time updates from the classroom. From meal and nap details to photos of your child’s next classroom adventure, parents can follow along with their child’s day and spark meaningful conversations at home. Families can also schedule one-on-one meetings with teachers to explore ways to extend learning beyond the classroom. because we know that learning doesn’t happen just at school—and helping parents understand that will truly help children thrive.  

At Bright Horizons, the same nurturing teachers, high-quality curriculum, and thoughtfully designed classrooms are at the heart of both our back-up care and full-time programs. If you've experienced the positivity of our back-up care, consider taking the next step with full-time enrollment.  

We aim to create a safe space for children to ask questions, be creative, and develop skills that will be useful for the rest of their lives. Listen to other Bright Horizons parent testimonials as they describe their family’s experiences. 

Haven't visited our centers yet? Now is the perfect time to discover how Bright Horizons can elevate your child’s early childhood education experience.