Skip to main content
Pinned Navigation Logo
Contact Us
Pinned Navigation Logo
  • Our Solutions

    See All Solutions

    For Parents

    Early Education & Preschool

    Early Education & Preschool

    • Overview
    • Infant Care
    • Toddler Care & Education
    • Preschool
    • Kindergarten Prep
    • Kindergarten
    • Our Curriculum

    For Employers

    Bright Horizons Family Solutions

    Bright Horizons Family Solutions

    • Overview
    • On-Site Child Care
    • Back-Up Care
    • Elder Care
    • College Coach
    • Enhanced Family Supports
    • Global Services
    • Tuition Subsidies

    EdAssist by Bright Horizons

    EdAssist by Bright Horizons

    • Overview
    • Employee Education Solutions

    Bright Horizons Workforce Consulting

    Featured Industry: Healthcare

  • Who We Are

    Who We Are

    • About Us
    • Values
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • History
    • Leadership
    • Awards
    • Foundation
    • News
    • Responsibility
  • Resources
  • Log In
  • Search
  • Find a Center
  • Find a Center
  • Log In
  • Search Bright Horizons

Pinned Navigation Logo

Navigate to your portal

Select a path to log in to your desired Bright Horizons website.

Child Care Center

Access your day-to-day childcare activities and communications through the Family Information Center.

Employee Benefits

Access your employer-sponsored benefits such as Back-Up Care, EdAssist, and more.

Top Navigation Logo
Contact Us
Top Navigation Logo
  • Our Solutions

    See All Solutions

    For Parents

    Early Education & Preschool

    Early Education & Preschool

    • Overview
    • Infant Care
    • Toddler Care & Education
    • Preschool
    • Kindergarten Prep
    • Kindergarten
    • Our Curriculum

    For Employers

    Bright Horizons Family Solutions

    Bright Horizons Family Solutions

    • Overview
    • On-Site Child Care
    • Back-Up Care
    • Elder Care
    • College Coach
    • Enhanced Family Supports
    • Global Services
    • Tuition Subsidies

    EdAssist by Bright Horizons

    EdAssist by Bright Horizons

    • Overview
    • Employee Education Solutions

    Bright Horizons Workforce Consulting

    Featured Industry: Healthcare

  • Who We Are

    Who We Are

    • About Us
    • Values
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • History
    • Leadership
    • Awards
    • Foundation
    • News
    • Responsibility
  • Resources
  • Log In
  • Search
  • Find a Center
  • Find a Center
  • Log In
  • Search Bright Horizons

Top Navigation Logo

Navigate to your portal

Select a path to log in to your desired Bright Horizons website.

Child Care Center.

Access your day-to-day childcare activities and communications through the Family Information Center.

Employee Benefits

Access your employer-sponsored benefits such as Back-Up Care, EdAssist, and more.

Find a Center

Locate our child care centers, preschools, and schools near you

    Need to make a reservation to use your Bright Horizons Back-Up Care?

    Log in to Schedule Backup Care

    I'm interested in

    Looking for a child care center Accessing my benefits Providing benefits to my employees Joining the Bright Horizons Team Contact Support
    My Children

    Child Care & Early Education Center Visit Checklist

    Article posted by Bright Horizons on June 20, 2024
    Child Care Checklist Article Image

    Choosing the best program for your child is an exciting and important decision. It sets the stage for the first five years of development and all that comes next. As you explore options and visit different centers, reference this guide — created by parents and early childhood educators — to help you choose a safe, enriching environment and high-quality learning experience for your child.

    Learning and development

    • What are the learning philosophies and research behind the curriculum?
    • How are progress and development assessed and documented for each child?
    • Do the curriculum and teaching methods align with research about school and future ready skills?
    • Is the program accredited or working toward external accreditation of any kind?
    • Are babies introduced to basic sign language to communicate their needs?
    • How do you foster children’s independence and self-help skills?
    • How is social-emotional learning built into the program?
    • Are children given daily time to play outdoors?
    • How do teachers address challenging behaviors?
    • What guidelines are in place to supervise technology use?
    • Are children happily and busily engaged in interesting and diverse activities and projects? 
    • Do children have choices between individual and small-group activities, both inside the classroom and outdoors?
    • Do you see displays of what the children are doing and learning?
    • What kinds of books and materials are in the classroom? How are they chosen?
    • Are there dedicated spaces for activities such as STEM, art, and movement?

    Teachers

    • Are teachers offered ongoing professional development opportunities?
    • Do teachers have access to benefits?
    • Do teachers have access to high-quality, affordable programs that allow them to continue their education?
    • How do teachers create inclusive and joyful classroom communities?
    • Do teachers interact with children in caring, respectful, and positive ways?
    • How do teachers manage a wide range of skills and abilities in one classroom?
    • Do children have a consistent group of primary teachers?

    Family support

    • Do you offer parent conferences and progress updates/portfolios?
    • How many days is the center closed throughout the year?
    • Are there any currently enrolled families willing to speak about the center?
    • How do you prepare families for their first day?
    • Will I get daily communication about my child’s day?
    • Are there opportunities for parents to meet each other and build a community (e.g., events, parent groups, classroom volunteers, etc.)?
    • What resources are available to support parenting education and learning at home? 

    Health, safety, and wellness

    • Can infant families provide breast milk? Can it be frozen?
    • How is milk and formula labeled? Does the center have a secure entrance?
    • Are schedules adapted to children’s eating and sleeping routines?
    • What are the drop-off and pick-up procedures?
    • How do staff and educators stay current with health and security practices? 
    • Do teachers have the required training and certification in CPR and first aid?
    • How are food allergies handled?
    • Are surfaces disinfected throughout the day and at closing?
    • Are children taught good hygiene practices in an age-appropriate way?

    Ready to see it in action? Schedule a visit at your local Bright Horizons centers today.

    Bright Horizons
    About the Author
    Bright Horizons
    Bright Horizons
    In 1986, our founders saw that child care was an enormous obstacle for working parents. On-site centers became one way we responded to help employees – and organizations --...
    Share This
    Child Care Checklist Article Image

    Looking for Child Care?

    Bright Horizons child care centers have been supporting children and parents for more than 30 years. Designed by experts; facilitated by educators; created with working parents in mind – our centers are a place for children to discover skills and become confident learners for life.

    Recommended for you

    B2C_Article_Classroom
    Article
    The classroom environment as the third teacher
    • child care curriculum
    • daycare curriculum
    Mother and son meeting with their child care teacher
    Blog
    “They love him as much as we do": A parent-teacher partnership story
    • child care
    • parenting preschoolers
    Children getting on the bus
    Article
    Getting kids ready and out the door for school
    • family routines
    • time management

    We have a library of resources for you about all kinds of topics like this!

    View All Our Resources

    Our Solutions
    for Parents

    • Early Education & Preschool
    • Our Curriculum
    • College Coach for Families
    • Log in to My Services

    Our Solutions
    for Employers

    Bright Horizons Family Solutions

    • On-Site Child Care
    • Back-Up Care
    • Elder Care
    • College Coach
    • Enhanced Family Supports
    • Global Services
    • Tuition Subsidies

    EdAssist by Bright Horizons

    • Employee Education Solutions

    Bright Horizons Workforce Consulting

    More from
    Bright Horizons

    • About Us
    • Careers
    • Newsroom
    • Locations
    • Global Locations
    • United Kingdom
    • The Netherlands
    • Investor Relations
    • Resource Library
    • Bright Horizons Foundation for Children
    • Corporate Responsibility

    Our Solutions
    for Parents

    • Early Education & Preschool
    • Our Curriculum
    • College Coach for Families
    • Log in to My Services

    Our Solutions
    for Employers

    Bright Horizons Family Solutions

    • On-Site Child Care
    • Back-Up Care
    • Elder Care
    • College Coach
    • Enhanced Family Supports
    • Global Services
    • Tuition Subsidies

    EdAssist by Bright Horizons

    • Employee Education Solutions

    Bright Horizons Workforce Consulting

    More from
    Bright Horizons

    • About Us
    • Careers
    • Newsroom
    • Locations
    • Global Locations
    • United Kingdom
    • The Netherlands
    • Investor Relations
    • Resource Library
    • Bright Horizons Foundation for Children
    • Corporate Responsibility

    Connect with Bright Horizons

    Find a Center Contact Support

    © 2024 Bright Horizons Family Solutions. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Notice | Cookie Notice | Acceptable Use Policy | Trademarks