From Preschool to College: One Student’s Bright Horizons Journey Comes Full Circle

May 4, 2026 –When Hannah was just a preschooler, her days began much like any other child’s. The difference was that her classroom was just steps away from where her mom worked. Enrolled at a Bright Horizons center in the same building as her mother’s workplace, Hannah had a rare opportunity to learn and grow knowing her mom was close by.

“Not a lot of people get to be in the same building as their mom when they go to preschool,” Hannah says. “We still look back at pictures from that time, and it brings back really good memories.”

At home, Hannah’s family still has a binder from her Bright Horizons years, filled with photos and notes capturing milestones. More than a scrapbook, it’s a reflection of how high-quality learning and care helped shape her early development.

“I was able to build a lot of my social skills there,” Hannah recalls. “I made many of my childhood friends there, friends I’m still close with today.”

Along with friendships, Bright Horizons helped lay a strong academic foundation. A structured learning environment supported Hannah’s curiosity and confidence, giving her tools that would serve her well far beyond preschool.

Years later, as Hannah prepared for one of life’s biggest transitions —college—Bright Horizons reappeared at just the right moment.

Like many families, Hannah and her mother found the college application process overwhelming. Timelines, applications, and decisions quickly add up. That’s when Hannah’s mom suggested Bright Horizons’ College Coach program.

Through one-on-one meetings, College Coach helped Hannah navigate the complex journey of identifying schools, managing deadlines, and understanding the application process. Then came a realization that brought her story full circle.

“We were sitting in the meeting, and I noticed a sticky note that said Bright Horizons,” Hannah says. “I was like, wait, Bright Horizons? That’s who I went to preschool through. It’s crazy that I went to preschool with them, and now they’re taking me to college.”

Today, Hannah is a sophomore at Arizona State University, majoring in business marketing. Looking back, she sees a continuous thread of support, one that followed her through childhood and resurfaced at a pivotal moment in her young adulthood.

“Not everyone gets to have a support system all the way from preschool to college,” she says. “I’m really grateful to have had Bright Horizons by my side through my whole entire life.”

To learn more about Bright Horizons’ impact over the past 40 years, visit here.