Bright Horizons at Center City — Local services in Philadelphia

My three children have been at The Bright Horizons at Center City Philadelphia since September 2013 and I can't imagine taking them anywhere else.

After moving to the area, I was amazed at the cost/waitlist/class size of many daycares in the area that are nothing more than marketing propaganda. Many of those expensive pre-schools are nonprofit organizations and the school heads (often political figures “Party Ward Leaders”) are giving themselves $250,000/year compensation (based on public tax return at the IRS website). Anyway, we "interviewed" several places and was starting to question whether or not I was going to find a place that I felt comfortable taking my girls to everyday. As I was just about to give up my search and resign to not going back to work, I stumbled across this amazing BrightHorizon... and haven't looked back since. WE LOVE THE This Place!!!

The current Director Ms. Katrina Bell has been a immediately warm and welcoming inviting us in to see this beautiful and clean, "family feel" preschool. She is always open for conversation, empathetic, real, transparent and welcoming to see my children anytime (unlike a few other fancy/nancy, artsy/fartsy SNEAKY and DIRTY preschools that I must make appointment to see me children).

She employs very nice group of teachers/staff that also model those transparent qualities. If we have ever had a concern about our girls (potty training, bottle weaning, tantrums, etc)... they are all there to assist, work with us and ultimately foster love, patience, focus/concentration, knowledge and kindness in our girls.

They have a curriculum that is followed and emailed weekly/monthly. Daily reports are sent out over a phone app making it easy to check in on the kids each day. Healthy breakfasts and healthy snacks are provided each day. They have a nice playground that the kids love playing on when it is nice outside and a large open room to run around in when it is raining or too cold to be outside. Along with the day-to-day activities, they are always doing special things around the holidays for the kids/parents (christmas program, easter egg hunt, valentines, etc).

I honestly could go on and on about all the ways The Bright Horizons at Center City Philadelphia Preschool is a phenomenal daycare... but most importantly, I don't have to question what type of care my girls are getting. I know in my absence they are being loved, nurtured, comforted and allowed to grow, learn and explore in a warm and caring environment.... everyday.

I will not take them anywhere else and will be very sad when they have...

Bright Horizons Center City has the best, most caring, and wonderful teachers and staff... truly a dream team. All of the teachers (but especially Ms Shihemma!) go above and beyond to make your baby feel safe, loved, and nurtured, and to make you feel like your baby is in trusted hands. I could sing their praises all day, but let me tell you why.

They Communicate Proactively: We first started sending our child here via backup care at 12 months old for what we thought would be 2 weeks. It was my little one's first time in group care so we were nervous about how it would go. Aside from the normal tears at drop off, our child acclimated quickly. And we knew it because their communication was SPECTACULAR. The teachers send pictures, videos, and notes throughout the day. They are also very responsive to messages sent via the app or if you call the front desk. They are very by-the-book, and call immediately if there is an incident (e.g., fall/scratch, bite, etc.). That’s how you know you can trust a center: when they go out of their way to communicate even the hard things.

They Care: Every morning, Ms Shihemma would ask how the little one slept, and got my kiddo setup with their morning snack. Beyond my child’s direct teacher, all of the other teachers greet or wave to your child as you are dropping them off or picking them up. They know each child by name and are so sincerely caring. You can really feel that the teachers love the kiddos and their work. My only hope is that Bright Horizons takes care of its staff with the love, attention, and care they deserve and that they pour into the kiddos each day.

What was meant be 2 weeks of backup care, turned into 5 months of full-time enrollment. The only reason we left was because it was too far from our home (I'm talking 45-60 mins each way during rush hour).

I will say that the only downside of this location (and not the program itself) is for anyone dropping their child off with a car. There is no loading zone in the mornings, and PPA spends too much time on this block. Even dropping my kid off for 5 minutes with my emergency lights on and a note saying I am dropping off my child at daycare, PPA would still write tickets.

Despite the parking situation, I would still rate this experience a 10/10 because my child THRIVED and LOVED Bright Horizons. Thank you Ms Shihemma, Ms Tashia, and all the other wonderful teachers and staff who made our first daycare...

Bright Horizons Center City is an all around top-notch childcare facility, bar none. Between my kids so far, I've experienced multiple care options in the Philadelphia area and I have no doubt that this center provides the best care: PROS: FRONT OFFICE: Katrina and Tashia are not only highly experienced trust-worthy professionals, but they are also kind, welcoming, genuine and caring. They are highly attentive to the individual needs of my child and leave me 💯 confident. Ms.Katrina is a God-send and I can't say enough about how much of a wonderful caring professional she's been.

TEACHERS: my child's teacher is amazing and I'm thankful for her starting at Center City. She does multiple creative educational activities throughout the day, bonds with my child individually, maintains a log with ample videos and pictures, all while maintaining routines and clean facilities for all children. I can tell my child is happy there. The attentiveness, creativity, care levels show a genuine passion for teaching children. Teachers are very professional and I'm all around impressed. The child to teacher ratio is amazing and I pray they keep it that way as I think it's a critical part of why the quality is so high.

FACILITIES: I love how in this center, the kids don't stay in one little confined classroom all day every day; they move around to different parts of the center throughout the day for activities. There is a large indoor play room, a book-reading area, a dedicated art room, and an outdoor playground. Facilities are very clean and organized.

CALENDAR: They're only closed for the basic public holidays which means I dont have to scramble for backup care.

CONS: Distance ( if you don't live in center city) Parking for drop off and pick up -Price is on the high end vs other daycares but comparable to private school and less than most nanny...