A small group of children who started together at Bright Horizons formed friendships that didn’t fade after preschool. Just as important, their parents did, too. What began as simple drop-offs and playdates turned into something much deeper.
One family shared their experience:
“I’ll admit it, I used to be a bit of a daycare ‘snob.’ When my first daughter was born, I was convinced that a nanny was the best option. She stayed with a nanny until about 15 months old, until an unexpected need pushed us to explore other child care options.
That’s when we found Bright Horizons, and what we found was so much more than child care.
From the beginning, Bright Horizons at Trumbull felt different. It was a warm, welcoming, and genuinely caring environment. The teachers created experiences we never would have attempted ourselves and helped our children reach key milestones, all while nurturing who they were as individuals.
But what we never expected was the greatest gift of all: we found our people."
I’ve been incredibly lucky to stay connected with these families, first as their preschool teacher, then as a center director, and now in my role in center marketing. I’ve watched these children grow into incredible young adults and celebrated milestones alongside them, from preschool graduation to college and beyond.
Now, more than two decades later, those friendships are still going strong. The kids have grown up together, building a bond that has truly stood the test of time. Their parents remain just as connected.
Today, I couldn’t be prouder of the paths they’re each forging:
- Jeet: University of Delaware honors graduate, currently working at Johns Hopkins and set to attend the DC campus to pursue a Master of Arts in International Relations, focusing on Security Strategy and Statecraft with a focus on Asia.
- Delaney: Marist graduate, now with the Connecticut Sun. She will be getting her master's at LSU in the Fall.
- Camdyn: Marist student in an accelerated master’s program, preparing to study abroad
- Declan: College of Charleston graduate, writer, and musician
- Creagen: Architecture student at Wentworth, completing co-ops in Boston
- Matthew: UConn grad in Aerospace Engineering and Computer Science; Software Engineer at Pratt & Whitney; MBA candidate at Penn State
- Patrick: UConn grad in Physics and Math; Software Engineer at Lockheed Martin (Orlando); pursuing an MS in Electrical Engineering at UF
What their story shows is something rare — a child care decision became a lifelong connection. As they step into this next chapter, there’s a shared hope that these friendships will continue to grow for years to come.
Bright Horizons is about more than early education; it’s about connection, community, and relationships that last a lifetime.
With appreciation for the families and their stories that inspire us,
Danielle Otterspoor
Bright Horizons Center Marketing
