Bright Horizons

This is a wonderful daycare! It is a bit more expensive than others, but in my view well worth it. We were only in San Diego for 6 months but I can’t thank the staff and teachers enough for being so great with our two little ones (age 2 and 3). We have been to two other daycares which I also liked, however this one has far and away the most activities and daily variety of any daycare I have seen. Kids don’t want to leave in the evening, preferring to stay and play on their zip line, or see the rabbit, or play shopping in the wooden hut, or soccer in the soccer goal. There is a daily schedule and a weekly lesson plan and curriculum for each class. The teachers find time to read stories to the kids, dance, draw, play with different sensory mediums — and much more. Amazing amazing place and so sorry we had to move house!

As of today when I think it over, things make lots of sense. But before that, my 5 weeks experience with this school starts sweet and happy, but end up with confusion, shock, and even tearful moment.
My twin boys will be 4 by the this September. They spend the last 2 year in a Montessori school. They are quite familiar with the preschool routines. One is borderline autistic, the other is working on his pronunciation. Both can communicate the basic needs well. They join public school’s IEP in the morning, and spend the afternoon in a regular private preschool.
When I called, I explained the boys’ situation. The application is smooth. The boys were sent to the K-​prep room, which contains kids age 4~5. I thought it’s all right giving their coming birthday. The director Sandra Cook explained there is no space available in other classrooms.
The first two weeks are good. My younger one had a difficult time using the new potty. 3~4 accidents in a week. He also threw some tantrums. Nothing very series. I don’t remember the exact day that the school reports he bite a classmate. What i remember clearly is that at the end of week 2, Ms. Cook suggest me to find a «shadow» for both boys so they can be guided by a dedicated adult.
I gave my sincere apology. My younger one used to bite. But he hasn’t done so for about a year. He may be stressed. I searched for shadowing service right away starting with regional center.
As a mom I hope to find the reason of biting. One time I observed when my older boys try to grab a toy, an older kid throw the toy away. Another time some kid push the younger one away when he climb to a small bridge strucure. I taught my kids to report to teachers if they were get bullied. What I fear most is that my younger one broke the bottom line and start dealing things by himself. No need to say that every evening starts with a time out, ended with a bed time talk on «never never bite your friends».
The school is very kind to assign a temporary shadow to my kids in the next 3 weeks. I contacted 9 institutions for a permanent service. Most of them are either fully booked or charge a high price yet do not accept insurance. Realizing the difficulty I kept Ms. Cook informed, hoping that I can get extra time to secure a service provider.
By the end of week 4 Ms. Cook gave me an assertive statement that if I cannot find a shadow, «they cannot make sure both boy’s safety without dedicated attention». The boys spend 2 years in a preschool without a shadow. My older one actually made quite a few friends. I cannot believe that a few typical undisciplined preschooler behavior (no bite after the school introduced the temp shadow) will lead to expulsion. Although discipline is not the major focus of a 4-​yr old class, but isn’t the hefty tuition (double it when kids stay in school half day only) is to ensure the discipline as well as strucutred learning? The frustration went through my mind only. During daily communication I update Ms. Cook with the status of each individual institution I contacted, showing the appreication and sincerety, hoping i can buy a few more days. At the mean time I started looking for temporary drop-​ins in case things go bad. It’s quite difficult to find drop-​in as well since most pre-​school cut their staff during summer session, and it’s too late to register for fall semester in the begining of August.
By Wednesday of the 5^th week I successfully submitted the shadow application for a service company. The company ask for 5 business days to go through the paperwork. At Thursday I asked Ms. Cook if my boys can stay for another 10 days or so in case there is delay on the paperwork. Ms. Cook emailed me at Friday’s lunch time asking for a conversation, with a friendly and diplomatic approach as usual. I called at 2pm and was told that the this is the last day for the kids if I don’t have a shadow next Monday. Good luck to find a babysitter in the next 3 hours, on a Friday afternoon.
After the call, within a few minutes, my account shows a status of termination with reason as «Parents ask to leave», indicating we leave the school voluntarily.
Finally i figured that the school probably doesn’t want to admit the boys in the first place. To avoid a law suit they gave me a month, while I thought the kids found a good place eventually. As a commercial preschool, Bright Horizon has reasons to minimize their cost. If a kid requires extra attention in a 1-​to-​12 ratio classroom, it’s an extra cost. I guess the school has no motivation to offer charity. Or is that charity we need indeed?
What can I do? The first priority is to find where to send the boys next Monday. At Sunday night after bedtime story, I told the younger one that we will go to a new place tomorrow. It’s heartbreaking to hear him saying «No, I like Denver (a bunny).» Sorry baby, they don’t welcome us.

We love this day care! As any other parent, I was worried about leaving my kid with a bunch of other kids and just a couple of adults, but the teachers do really great job. It’s not only that my toddler (almost 3 years old) is happy and tells me every time how much fun his day care is, it’s also about getting feedback about my child every single day. Thanks to the communication form (I can’t even imagine where they find time to fill these in), I know how my son spent his day, what (and how much) he ate, even how many times (and when and where) he went pee or poo. Also, Any time you can call the room your kid is in and check on him or her.
Besides being excellent at taking care of kids, they also have fun activities. Water day, cooking day, garden activities, and they always keep you posted — you get lesson plAns every week.
Frankly speaking, I was hesitant whether to write the review or not, we still want this place to have openings))))) but we do love it a lot and would like other parents to find a perfect place like this for their little ones, cause it’s the best!

My 2.5-year old son started at Bright Horizons nearly three weeks ago, and I could not be happier. I’ve had my two older children at a nearby preschool, and I was looking for something different. I started with a third preschool for my youngest, only because Bright Horizons didn’t have openings until the summer, so I have two other preschools to compare.
First, the staff is extremely friendly and engaging. This is important. It is so reassuring to have a teacher introduce herself to you on the first day you come by so you know who the person is that will be interacting with your children. Every time I come in, the teachers greet me, whether it’s when I’m dropping off or picking up. They make the effort to lay out new toys every morning so that my son is engaged.
Second, in the older twos room, they are doing science experiments! How tickled was I that they asked the kids to predict what would happen when they mixed vinegar and baking soda in a bottle and put a balloon on top.
The play yard is beautiful, and they have several school pets, including a rabbit.

Our daughter is 3 and has been at a day care center, a Montessori preschool, and now Bright Horizons. She was overwhelmed and frustrated and terribly upset at the Montessori school in Sept ’12 when they moved her into the older room and we had to scramble to find a new place her.
Moving her to BH was night and day. She was so comfortable, so happy, and has thrived since she’s been there. They truly care for her, not just take care of her, and understand that for a preschooler emotional well-​being and comfort is a precursor to all the other stuff. They also made me feel good about leaving her there every day (and after the disaster at the Montessori, this was non-​trivial). They have classrooms even I want to hang out and play in, with pets and corners decorated like space ships or under the ocean, or camp sites. They spend a lot of the day outside (since we’re in San Diego, they should!).
If you want preschool pick-​up to be the happiest moment of your day, when your child rushes towards you desperately happy to see you, this isn’t the school for that. When I pick her up I usually get ‘no mama, I’m not ready to leave yet.’ I’m happy to trade that rush of being needed for the peace of mind that she’s so happy and in such good hands all day.

Both my husband and I were very impressed when we first walked in to take a tour for my daughter… we felt very welcomed from the front desk Ms. Lisa to all the teachers as we walked thru the center. we loved the beautiful grounds filled with such an enormous space that has a playground, water structure, bikes, blocks, outside art area, stage for plays/​performances and a little zipline for the kids. It was heaven! I thought to myself — I want to go to school there… Once Ms. Sandy (Dir) showed us the two pre-​K classrooms — the orange room was so warm and inviting with a little kitchen area, reading area that has pillows and comfy chairs… also a home made tree is featured in there… reminds us of the waldorf classrooms which both my hubby and son attended…
Then we headed to the red room that has a surf board as their work table. what an awesome room! there were both beautifully designed rooms! We then went to take a look at the bridge/​kindergarten room and they had a full packed classroom… The classroom also beautifully designed was the biggest room but it was the most studious one. What I liked about this classroom was the interaction with the kids and teachers… they were telling them that they had several centers they each had to do and they allowed the kids to choose the centers they want to tackle at the moment. I love that they engage kids to make their own decisions and explore… instead of restricting them to do the one rigid center (writing, math, etc.).
Probably the best thing about this tour, seeing my daughter interact and was helping the teachers put away the blocks… she fit right in. I knew we found the right fit… Both of us were sold! I cant wait for her to start school at the end of the month (tues and thur initially). I know she’s going to have a blast…
I recommend you come and take a look… I guarantee you that you wont have to look elsewhere…

Bright Horizons Del Mar is the definition of quality child care. I have toured most other centers in the area and none of them even compared. The staff is absolutely amazing with hardly any turnover. Sandy Cook, the director of the center is incredibly knowledgeable, and easy to approach, not to mention INCREDIBLE with children. There is an overwhelming sense of community and belonging as soon as you walk in the door. I am so thankful that Bright Horizons is a part of my family’s life. Save yourself time and tour this center first, it’s unlikely you’ll need to search further.

Couldn’t be happier; staff is great w/​low turn-​over, my daughter is happy, hours are flexible and lastly, I can clearly see the ROI for the tuition I pay.