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.

The center has capacity for 214 children and will serve children ages 6 weeks through 6 years.

Staff and families are provided a badge to enter the building. 

The center is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. It will remain open year-round; closing only on the days listed on the Center’s Calendar schedule and will be shared upon enrollment.

SMUD Eligibility:  
Regular full- and part-time employees (parents and/or legal guardians only) are eligible for enrollment.  Limited term, casual, seasonal and contractors are not eligible.

UC Davis Health Eligibility: 
Any personnel or student with an active student or employee UCD ID including students, residents, fellows, post-docs, faculty and other academic personnel.

Sac State Eligibility: 
Tier 1: Full-time Sacramento State and auxiliary employees (parents or legal guardians only)
Tier 2: Part-time Sacramento State employees (temporary and student employees are not eligible)
Tier 3: Sac State students taking at least six units per semester and unable to enroll their child in the ASI Children’s Center

Yes, there are dedicated off-street parking spaces off Sandlin Way Folsom Blvd Alley, directly outside the CDC entrance where families can easily park and drop-off their child(ren).

The ratios at the center are designed to support one-on-one interactions between the teachers and children, an in- depth understanding by the teachers of the individual needs of each child, and the formulation of consistent care- giving routines based on the teachers’ knowledge of the individual children. These teacher-to-child ratios also support enhanced development, particularly language development.

Part-time care is available 3 full Days / Week (M, W, F) or 2 Days / Week (TU, TH)

Families are required to provide notice of intent to withdraw 30 days in advance of the last day of attendance.

Please follow this link to begin the registration / enrollment process:  https://familyinfocenter.brighthorizons.com/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2f

Enrollment  is based on space availability and is offered to families in the order that their registration is received on a first-come, first-served basis.

The length of time will vary depending on the size of the waitlist and the ages of the children. Bright Horizons will send periodic communications to keep you informed of your status on the waitlist and will do everything they can to ensure you are offered a space as soon as it becomes available. Families may decline an offer and maintain their current position on the waitlist once. After the second decline, their name will be moved to the bottom of the waitlist.

The monthly tuition rates were established in collaboration with SMUD, UC Davis Health, and Sac State in order to offer below market tuition for the first fifteen months of operation (October 1, 2022 to December 31, 2023). Each year, Bright Horizons will conduct an extensive market study to determine the appropriate annual tuition rates.

Please contact the center directly for current tuition rates. 

Healthy morning and afternoon snack (including drink) are provided each day and are included in the tuition.  Families are asked to provide a packed lunch each day for their child(ren).  After the center is open, we will survey families to determine if there is enough interest in offering lunch as an additional cost to participating families.

A $150 registration per family will be due at time of registration.

No sibling discount is offered at this time.

The center does not offer vacation credits.

No, families need to provide all personal care items for their child(ren).

Bright Horizons will reserve a space for up to one month. This will occur once the space is offered and one month’s tuition has been paid. If your child does not enroll within one month, the space will be offered to another family on the waitlist.

Tuition is billed and collected on the 25th of each month for the upcoming month’s tuition through the Family Information Center.

Yes

Bright Horizons core business is employer-sponsored care. They were founded more than 30 years ago and now partner with more than 1,000 employers across the U.S., as well as in Europe, Canada, and India. Their client list includes more than three-fourths of the companies on Working Mother magazine’s “100 Best” list. In addition, their client list includes more than half of those named to FORTUNE magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For.” It should be noted that Bright Horizons has also been named to the FORTUNE list 19 times. Bright Horizons is an organization recognized for ethics, collaboration, community service, and excellence in the child care industry. They have extensive experience with opening new centers from the ground up and creating wonderful places for childhood.

Bright Horizons will follow the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s (NAEYC) recommendations for staff-to-student ratios at the facility and also plans to pursue NAEYC accreditation for the center. NAEYC has developed standards to define and recognize high 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, low 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.

Bright Horizons’ successful core curriculum World at Their Fingertips and Discovery Driven Learning, will be used at the center. To learn more about the Bright Horizons curriculum, please visit brighthorizons.com/early-education-preschool/proven-approach.

Bright Horizons works to recruit and hire the highest quality teachers and staff, while striving to meet the diverse aspects of the communities where we serve clients and families. Their staff are nurturers as well as educators who encourage learning through exploration and partnership with parents. Staff are trained to deliver the highest standard of care. All candidates undergo a thorough screening, including a Bright Horizons enhanced background check and state-required background checks. All teachers must meet state educational licensing and additional center requirements.

Bright Horizons offers many resources to support families’ efforts to nurture children’s development, be actively involved in their education, and balance work/life demands. See www.brighthorizons.com/resources for more details on these tools.

• 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.