While terms may vary, the core mission of transitional kindergarten and pre-k is the same: preparing children for kindergarten.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Preschool serves younger children (typically ages 2–4) and focuses on foundational learning through play.
• Transitional kindergarten and pre-k / kindergarten prep are more structured programs tailored to children who are nearing kindergarten age.
• Public transitional kindergarten programs may follow modified kindergarten standards and are typically state funded.
• Bright Horizons’ kindergarten prep follows a research-based, age-appropriate curriculum that mirrors the developmental goals of transitional kindergarten — with added flexibility and individualized attention.

Toddlers are inquisitive and exploratory by nature, striving for independence and autonomy, while insatiably curious.  The Academy at Bright Horizons celebrates their uniqueness, guiding these newly independent children towards greater self confidence, encouraging today’s developmental capabilities that will lead the way toward achieving tomorrow’s new skills.  Our unique curriculum The World at Their Fingertips is designed to help your Toddler reach their greatest potential.  Each day they will experience:

·         Language and early literacy

·         Early math and science concepts

·         Large and small muscle skills

·         Social and emotional development

“I’m amazed how the toddler curriculum not only helps them develop academically, but also socially and emotionally.” – Bright Horizons parent

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.

I truly believe it is our incredible faculty that makes our school so successful. The majority of our teachers have been with us for eight to twenty-three years.  They have seen generations of children grow within the school and families keep coming back because of the quality of our teachers.  Our faculty are highly educated, well-experienced and have a true passion for teaching.  They provide a loving, nurturing and fun classroom for all our children to thrive.  Our teachers stay current and innovative with their classrooms by continuing their education with classes, trainings, and conferences. 

Though The Academy does not offer a kindergarten, we do have a bridge program for children who have not yet entered kindergarten. Whether your child does not make the September 1st birthday cut off or if you feel they need an extra year before entering kindergarten we offer our unique Pre-K Prep/Jr. Kindergarten Program. Please contact the school for further information.

Children are naturally inquisitive learners.  They thrive for knowledge and are eager to want to socialize with peers of their own age.  Many children start getting restless at home around the age of two.  They are inquisitive, curious and thirst for knowledge and friends.  We have found with our children that start at two, they have a strong foundation of socialization and academics so by the time they enter preschool, they are ready to go!  They know how to say good-bye to mom and dad in the morning, they have learned basic social skills like waiting your turn and sharing, and their minds are filled with knowledge from our curriculum. 

Our summer program sets itself apart from other camps and programs in the area by creating a fun summer experience, while also creating an environment that nurtures the social emotional and academic needs of young children.

For our summer program this year we will be maintaining our teaching techniques and environments for learning, but adding in some fun and special changes in order to enrich our program.

Our summer camps will focus on:
~Children's Concierto- Outstanding performers and teachers providing unique opportunities for learning, improving technical skills, and expanding all around musicality
~Theatre- An introduction to the world of theatre. The children will choose a story, create their own scenery and costumes, and then take the stage!
~Fit Works- With more daylight hours and warm temperatures we will be focusing on living healthy lifestyles, and being active, while increasing strength, coordination, and endurance through fitness.
~Express Yourself- With a focus on dance, we will provide unlimited ways for your child to express their individual personality!

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 often determine how well a child will do in school and in life. 

The Academy believes in providing children a perfect balance of academics while continuing developmentally appropriate practices.  We use our own World at Their Fingertips curriculum as well as complement it with California state standards and the guidelines established by NAEYC, The National Association for the Education of Young Children.  Utilizing all of these entities allows us to create a rich, fun and challenging program.   We know that children develop at different rates so we tailor our curriculum for each child.   If we see a child advancing in a specific area of our curriculum, then we will challenge them accordingly.

The Academy at Bright Horizons has established long term relationships with our local private and public schools. Each year, we receive feedback from these top school and they continually exclaim our children are not only well prepared but they are above the average child entering their program. 

The Academy at Bright Horizons believes in tailoring our curriculum for each child, so when we see a child advancing in a specific area of our curriculum, then we will challenge them accordingly.  We teach our children confidence and foster their differences to achieve success in their early years.

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

Tuition varies by your child's schedule and by their  individual classroom. To find out more information about tuition, please contact the center.

According to National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), gifted students, children, or youth who give evidence of high achievement capability in areas such as intellectual, creative, artistic, or leadership capacity, or in specific academic fields. Gifted and talented students and those with high abilities need gifted education programs that will challenge them in regular classroom settings and enrichment and accelerated programs to enable them to make continuous progress in school.

The school was founded in 1980 and was originally called The Gifted Preschool (GPS).  The school was created for children displaying an eagerness to learn.  In November 2010, Bright Horizons Family Solutions acquired the school and has retained the faculty, high standards and many of the traditions of GPS.  Bright Horizons has invested in The Academy to make significant environmental changes to the classrooms including complete playground renovations.  We have also invested in some new curriculum as mentioned in our highlights.

Our school believes in meeting the needs of our children and building on their individual strengths. Early education is an opportunity to nurture children's curiosity and inquisitiveness, develop problem problem-solvers and decision makers, and prepare children for the academic foundation to achieve success in school and in life.

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.

• Start by selecting the Find a Center link on this page.
• Under the center you’re interested in, click the Tuition & Openings button.
• Then, select Schedule Your Visit and fill out the form.

This depends on your child’s age, temperament, and level of maturity. General tips for preparing for the first day of child care include:  

Please submit an inquiry to your center(s) of interest with a request for tuition information. We recommend scheduling a visit at the same time (this can be done on the same form).

Safety is our top priority, and it’s part of our everyday routine. All of our centers follow expert-informed health, safety, and security policies and allergy protocols. Additionally, health, safety, and wellness are built right into our curriculum, and our classrooms and spaces are safely designed for learning and exploration.