Welcome to Disney Children's Center Glendale

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.

Bright Horizons offers many resources to support families’ efforts to nurture children’s development and remain actively involved in children’s care and education; additionally, our resources often help family members balance their work/life demands. These include, but are not limited to:

Center-based resources:

• Family partnership group that serves as representatives of enrolled families
• Family workshops focused on supporting families’ development such as Lunch and Learns, What to Expect in Kindergarten Meeting, and more
• Special family events: Open houses, fall and spring festivals, art shows, science fairs, family picnics, and more
• Volunteer opportunities such as sharing family traditions, classroom reading, and engagement with classroom activities
• Family feedback forums and surveys to gather insights into families’ experiences
• Daily experiences shared through the My Bright Day App and children’s portfolios that highlight children’s activities and development
• Open door policy that supports families’ visits throughout the day
• Monthly center newsletters showcasing recent/upcoming events and classroom activities
• Collaborative partnerships between families and teachers for planning and evaluation
• Documentation boards and portfolios that demonstrate children’s growth and learning that is ongoing and regularly updated
  
   

Visit www.brighthorizons.com/family-resources to find a full suite of our electronic resources including; parenting webinars, podcasts, e-family news articles, and learning at home activities.

Parents’ first step is to submit a waiting list form to ensure they are on the waiting list for a space at the Center of their choice. Employees should contact the enrollment manager for the Disney Children’s Center, Gretchen McColley. Gretchen can be reached by emailing Gretchen.McColley@brighthorizons.com. 

We utilize a technology tool called My Bright Day to communicate with families throughout the day about their child. My Bright Day is an app whereby you will receive real time updates on your child’s day including learning and developmental milestones, photos, and videos. Additionally, you can submit drop off information and receive alerts. We also provide newsletters, daily conversations at drop off and pick up time, and parent conferences that include portfolios.

The Center staff will conduct earthquake and fire drills monthly. These drills will be coordinated through the Disney Crisis Management Program. Staff will conduct drills to prepare themselves to take appropriate action in the event of an actual emergency. Frequent, planned drills will help familiarize the children with what is expected of them during an emergency.

The licensing agency within the State of California requires that certain health and safety guidelines must be followed at child care centers. There are emergency information forms, which must be on file for every child prior to or on the first day of his/her enrollment at the Center so that information is readily available.

Additionally, contingency plans are in place to deal with possible disasters including, but not limited to, fires, floods, and earthquakes. These plans have been formulated by The Walt Disney Company’s Crisis Management Team with help from the local Fire Department, local law enforcement, civil defense and other disaster authorities. In anticipation of a possible disaster, the Center will hold regular monthly drills.

The Disney Children’s Center’s focus on positive guidance and behavior modeling with young children. Through this process, children build their self-confidence, develop social emotional skills, and self-regulation behaviors. Positive guidance is considered a teaching practice rather than a disciplinary tool.  In our centers, tools that we utilize that replace more traditional disciplining include redirection, setting clearly defined boundaries, making sure there is consistency, and helping children understand natural consequences of actions. If the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of the child are met, the need for disciplining is greatly reduced.

The Center provides morning and afternoon snacks for children who eat solid food, catered by a vendor. Parents of infants provide bottles and baby food, and older children bring a lunch each day. For children on restrictive diets, parents must provide any special foods for the child’s snacks. 

Some of our Los Angeles centers include Fox Studios Child Development Center, Bright Horizons Child Care Center at Comcast NBC Universal, Sony Pictures Child Development Center, and Warner Brothers Discovery Children’s Learning Center. Having several Bright Horizons locations nearby is especially beneficial to the center staff as it gives them the opportunity to meet for professional development and sharing of best practices with each other. In addition, Bright Horizons manages the employer-sponsored childcare center at ESPN in Connecticut.  

The Disney Children’s Center’s focus on positive guidance and behavior modeling with young children. Through this process, children build their self-confidence, develop social emotional skills, and self-regulation behaviors. Positive guidance is considered a teaching practice rather than a disciplinary tool. In our centers, tools that we utilize that replace more traditional disciplining include redirection, setting clearly defined boundaries, making sure there is consistency, and helping children understand natural consequences of actions.  If the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of the child are met, the need for disciplining is greatly reduced.

• 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.