At Bright Horizons, the safety and well-being of children and staff are both our priority and responsibility. We believe in creating environments where children can learn, grow, and thrive, supported by staff who uphold our standards of care and integrity.
Our care is rooted in transparency, accountability, and partnership with families. We work to build every Bright Horizons center to reflect the security, excellence, and peace of mind families expect and deserve.
Safeguarding Children at Our Centers
Safeguarding begins with our hiring and screening practices and is embedded throughout our policies, practices, trainings, and operations. Our safeguarding efforts work together to support our goal of operating with the highest standards. Our safety practices and protocols are developed in compliance with state and local licensing requirements.
Enhanced Classroom Safety Practices
We have enhanced a number of classroom safety practices, including the ongoing implementation of cameras, to further strengthen the safety and security of classrooms, and have added third-party experts in child protection to help inform and continuously improve our practices. We have also expanded training efforts, including comprehensive retraining on health and safety policies and procedures, as well as mandatory reporting.
Employee Vetting, Training, and Development
Safety and quality begin before a teacher enters our classrooms. Bright Horizons conducts comprehensive background checks, in compliance with all regulatory requirements, and reference checks. Educators also participate in ongoing training and professional development throughout their careers. This includes:
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Completion of the 100 Days of HEART orientation and onboarding program, grounded in our values of Honesty, Excellence, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork, inclusive of:
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At least 40 hours of training for new hires in and outside the classroom including on-hands training, continuous coaching and direct, real-time feedback.
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Approximately 30 hours of ongoing professional development, including regular health and safety trainings throughout the year to remain current on critical protocols and practices.
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At least two full days of professional development annually, focused on topics in child care and early education, as well as health and safety policies and practices.
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Monthly staff meetings focused on team alignment and continuous improvement.
Safety-First Learning Environments
Bright Horizons centers are purpose-built and designed to support active supervision and safe learning.
Key elements include:
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Regular classroom oversight: We conduct regular classroom observations, including unannounced visits, as well as regular quality and health and safety audits.
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Center design: Our centers are open and bright, and play areas are designed to support visibility for supervision and to promote safe movement.
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Safety features: Our furniture, fixtures, and equipment include safety features such as rounded edges, anti-tipping mechanisms, and safety guards.
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Dedicated devices: Separate iPads are used for children’s learning and for operational or administrative tasks.
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Secure photo sharing: Photos are shared through secure parent communication platforms.
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Approved educational apps only: Classroom iPads are restricted to vetted, appropriate educational applications and websites.
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Physical security: Our centers have a secured point of entry and exit, and every visitor is required to sign-in.
How We Respond
Bright Horizons has a comprehensive process for responding to incidents. When an incident occurs our process includes notifying and supporting families, proactively reporting to regulatory agencies when required, conducting appropriate reviews, and taking corrective action. Our teams are trained to “see something, say something,” and leadership conducts regular unannounced classroom visits to reinforce accountability.
Culture of Transparency
We embrace transparency and open communication. Families are encouraged to ask questions, share concerns, and connect with center leadership at any time. We maintain an open-door approach with our families to help ensure our practices remain strong, current, and responsive.