Bright Beginnings - Bright Beginnings Advantages

Bright Beginnings, Inc. is privately owned by Robin Ferguson. Mrs. Ferguson also takes an active role in the teaching and day-to-day operation of the center. At Bright Beginnings we provide your child with a “home away from home” setting in hopes that your child will feel relaxed and content in his/her surroundings. Each child is personally greeted when they arrive and leave the center, making them feel special. With our low ratios, we’re able to provide individual attention along with a small group social setting.

Our ratios are MUCH lower than State Requirements. It is our small class sizes that enable us to practice our philosophies each and every day! Children that are a part of a small class, feel secure; giving them confidence to experience and try new things! Teachers feel relaxed and enjoy having the opportunity to Teach. Bright Beginnings is dedicated to maintaining our class sizes, as this is where the quality of our program Begins.

Philosophy

We believe that the purpose of Bright Beginnings is to provide a positive educational atmosphere for learning, so that students may experience the joy of learning and may become fulfilled, aware, and caring human beings, capable of using their skills to successfully continue advancement in these areas.

We believe that the learning experiences offered by Bright Beginnings should be of adequate breadth to satisfy the curiosity and intellectual growth of all who attend. We see each child as an individual and therefore the organizational arrangement for instruction and teaching methods must be varied. We view each student as a unique person. We believe that his/her physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and moral development is continuous and ever expanding. Also, we recognize each student as having basic needs.

This program is viewed as an integral part of the child’s overall school experience. It is designed to provide opportunities for children to learn through various experiences and in a socially centered environment. This program recognizes the unique needs of each child and will provide learning opportunities according to these varied needs, abilities, and interests. This program will strive to prepare each student to function successfully in a scholastic, social, and individual way.

Ratios

We strive to keep the overall daily enrollment at approximately 75% of our total capacity. This provides your child with plenty of physical space, which we feel is important in the overall development of your child.

State Requirement

Bright Beginnings

Infant (6-12 months)

1 teacher per 5/ 2:12

1 teacher per 3 - 4, plus Toddler Coordinator

Toddler 1 (12-18 months)

1 teacher per 6

1 teacher per 4 - 5, plus Toddler Coordinator

Toddler 2 (18-24 months)

1 teacher per 7

1 teacher per 5 - 6, plus Toddler Coordinator

Toddler 3 (24-36 months)

1 teacher per 8

1 teacher per 5 - 7, plus Toddler Coordinator

Preschool (3-4 years)

1 teacher per 12-14

1 teacher per 7 - 9

Pre- Kindergarten (4-5 years)

1 teacher per 14

1 teacher per 8 - 12

Kindergarten

1 teacher per 18

1 teacher per 12 - 14

After School

1 teacher per 18

1 teacher per 16 - 18

Curriculum

A child’s day will include a variety of hands on activities, which may include: clay projects, cooking, nature walks, science experiments, and more. They may learn sign language, a foreign language and use their imagination while dictating a story about their picture. Our large motor music room and covered back porch give the children areas to exercise their large muscles in inclement weather. We also provide a piano for the children to play on along with a variety of musical equipment for the children to explore. Our child-sized library allows the children to explore different books, books on tape, and explore computers. Your child will be exposed to a stimulating environment with new materials and toys throughout the center. Our large supply allows us to rotate these items on a monthly basis. We also incorporate long term projects that may take a week to one month complete, allowing the children to see the progress and learn the sequence of events.

Teachers

The strength and experience our staff offers gives your child many opportunities to create ever lasting relationships and bonds. Many of our teachers have different educational backgrounds, but all show a desire and passion to work with children. These dedicated teachers go through an extensive hiring process to insure the quality of the teacher, along with an intense 2 week training program with senior staff members.

Teacher meetings are scheduled every 8-12 weeks. These meetings focus on keeping consistency, learning new teaching methods and brainstorming on new and fun activities for the children. Our Annual Teacher Retreat takes place every August in which the teachers are provided with an abundance of information and materials regarding early childhood development. Team building exercises, brainstorming and role-playing activities are also part of the daylong agenda. Teachers are also given the opportunity to attend a variety of professional workshops and seminars throughout the year at the expense of Bright Beginnings.

All teachers must complete the following training: CPR, Communicable Diseases, First Aid, Child Abuse Prevention and Recognition.

Schedule & Flexibility

Bright Beginnings is opened Monday through Friday from 7:00am to 6:00pm. Bright Beginnings offers a variety of full time and part time options. In our infant program we offer five, three, or two full days. With our toddler through school age program we offer full day and half day programs. We are flexible on which days you choose, but we ask that the days stay consistent. Tuition prices and availability can be obtained from the center director.

Cleanliness

Bright Beginnings is committed to maintaining a clean and healthy environment for your child. We are required to follow specific guidelines in regards to cleaning, sanitizing, and hand washing.

Hand washing is the most effective practice in preventing the spread of germs. Teachers are required to wash their own hands, as well as the hands of the children before and after many food and art activities throughout the day.

Teachers are required to disinfect all areas that children come in to contact with after each use. In addition, all toys are disinfected the prescribed way and toys that children put in their mouth are cleaned and disinfected between each use.

Bright Beginnings cleans the entire center twice a day. Once mid day when the children are napping and then once in the evening once the children are picked up. Cleaning twice a day gives the start of each morning and afternoon a clean and fresh start for the children and staff.

Leadership is an integral part of any company, big or small. Bright Beginnings is proud to offer an excellent leadership team, providing continous support and expertise for their staff and families. All 3 administrators work together on the hiring and training of new teachers and collaborate on many projects. Their experience, expertise, education and dedication make them an incredible management team!

Sharon’s responsibilities include all student/family admissions, facility tours, accounts receivable and payable, written correspondence, website updates, public relations/advertising, staff scheduling, employee health benefits, payroll, staff workshops, children and teacher files, monthly newsletters, competitive anaylsis, staff meetings, outside contractors and facility maintenance. Sharon is responsible for maintaining our excellent status with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services/State Licensing. She is also responsible for creating and maintaining an organized and efficient office. Sharon makes it a priority to be involved with all the school’s activities and fills in as a substitute whenever needed!

Karaline’s responsibilities include the scheduling, organization and design of our school year calendars. She keeps our students busy throughout the year with popular guest speakers and field trips and is always looking out for affordable and creative ways to educate our students using hands-on teaching materials and a child’s imagination! Karaline is also responsible for the learning environment here at Bright Beginnings. This tasks involves rotating activities, artwork, furniture and decorations to ensure that the children’s environment reflects their academic and social needs. During the school year, Karaline fulfills the position of Co-Curricular Kindergarten Teacher, teaching Spanish, Art, Physical Education and Sign Language.

Bridget is responsible for ensuring that we follow the policies set forth by Ohio Department of Education, Board of Health and Fire Department. She is also responsible for all of our Department of Education funding, inventory and ordering. Bridget is responsible for the creating and implementing of our Annual Holiday Show and Spring Show. This creative process involves story-lines, music, dancing, songs, sign language, programs, etc. She also creates 2 picture slide shows each year. Bridget is also responsible for creating our Summer Camp Programs/Calendars, ensuring our students a fun yet educational summer! Bridget also fills in as a substitute teacher whenever and wherever needed!