Center Name News - Bright Horizons

Center Name News
May 2015
From the Director
Dear Landmark Families,
Important Dates
I am thrilled to share the results of our annual family and faculty
survey with you this month. As a center, our family survey average
score was 3.65, overall family satisfaction score was 100%. We
appreciate your feedback and we will use the information to come
up with a center’s action plan. Our employee engagement index
score was overwhelmingly high as well with an average of 3.34. The
work environment score, which measures the level of commitment
employees bring to their immediate workplace and their jobs,
averaged 3.54. We will continue to come up with an on-going
development plan for the center in our monthly faculty meeting.
Thank you to all the families that completed the NAEYC Family
Survey as well. We will submit our Intent to Renew Materials by
the end of this month. Once this document is submitted the
validation visit can happen anytime between June and November
May 2015: Teacher and Staff Appreciation Month
(see page 4 for more information)
Mr. Harry every Wednesday at 11:15
Mr. Ron Monday, May 18 at 3:00
Awards of Excellence Dinner May 8th
Family Center Event: Friday June 26th
at 4:30 PM
2015. The validation visit includes several validators from the
academy conducting observations in the classrooms and reviewing
the center and program portfolios. We will inform you of the exact
day of the visit once it’s announced by the academy.
May is Faculty Appreciation Month for the teachers at Bright
Horizons. One way families can show their appreciation towards
out teachers is by visiting our teacher’s appreciation website which
http://appreciations.brighthorizons.com . We will be raffling a basket
to each program every Friday starting on May 22. Families can
contribute to these baskets by bringing in items such as hand lotion,
candles, gift cards, note cards, an item or art that your child made
ect. If you plan to contribute to the baskets, please submit your
items to Marleen, Caitlin, or Winne.
Congrtatulations to all of our Awards of Excellence Winners this
year. Please see the list of winners displayed by the front entrance
Reasons to Celebrate
Corinne C. Toddler Five- 2 years
Caitlin E. Assistant Director- 8 years
Jillian R. Toddler Five- 3 Years
of the center. Thank you to the families that took the time to
nominate the teachers for the various awards. We truly appreciate
Liliana Z. Infant Three- 10 years
it.
Thank you for your continuous support and always please let
meknow if you have any concerns or questions.
Best,
Winnie
Connect with Bright Horizons
401 Park Drive | P: 671-450-0790 | [email protected] | Mon-Fri, 6:30 a.m.– 6:30 p.m.
Classroom Highlights
Infant One
The Infant One children enjoyed using an ink pad and various stamps to create an Art Smart project together.
The teachers gave the children a selection of items to choose from which allowed them to make simple decisions
for themselves and encouraged active exploration. Grasping the stamps helps the infants develop their small
muscles in their hands and to practice intentional movements. The children smiled as they watched the colorful
patterns emerge from their work.
Infant Two
The children in Infant Two practiced their intentional movements by using crayons to draw on colorful paper. In
this ArtSmart activity, the children are improving their hand eye coordination as they use the crayons to make
lines and dots. Through these simple, yet engaging opportunities, infants begin to explore different ways to exercise
their small motor skills thus every day accomplishments are made to promote an infant’s well being and sense of
self.
401 Park Drive | P: 671-450-0790 | [email protected] | Mon-Fri, 6:30 a.m.– 6:30 p.m.
Classroom Highlights
Infant Three
The children in Infant Three used their senses to explore a texture ball their teachers had covered with tape and
pieces of paper. In this Science Rocks activity, the children used their fingers and hands to learn about the
properties of the item. They were able to manipulate the sensory ball by pulling off the small pieces of paper and
place them back onto the sticky surface. By exploring the ball as a group, the children practiced sharing a toy and
were able to observe how the other infants approached the sensory rich item.
Infant Four
The children in Infant Four love going outside to enjoy the warm weather. These walks outside promote curiosity
and exploration of Our World. While on the walks, the teachers point out engaging items along the path such as
geese or trucks. The children let the teachers know when they are excited by pointing to something they see and
making sounds. This back and forth helps build the relationships the children have formed with their teachers.
401 Park Drive | P: 671-450-0790 | [email protected] | Mon-Fri, 6:30 a.m.– 6:30 p.m.
Classroom Highlights
Infant Five
Infant Five had a wonderful time getting messy during a Sensory activity. The teacher froze paint and popsicle
sticks in cups which the children were able to explore. The children used their senses to explore the cold, hard
texture of the paint and watched as it melted in the sensory table. During this activity the children used their fine
motor skills to pick up the paint sticks turn them in their hands. They engaged the large muscles in their arms as
they used the paint sticks to make broad strokes on paper.
Toddler One
The children in Toddler One have made good use of the Movement Matters Zone this month. The children really
enjoy their daily trips for planned activities and exercise. For this Movement Matters activity, the teachers set up
an obstacle course to get the children moving while practicing their balancing skills, jumping, and following
directions. The children were encouraged to walk across a balance beam, crawl through a tunnel, jump through
hoops, and take turns with their friends. It was a fun and engaging activity that the children did over and over again.
401 Park Drive | P: 671-450-0790 | [email protected] | Mon-Fri, 6:30 a.m.– 6:30 p.m.
Classroom Highlights
Toddler Two
The children in Toddler Two have been learning how to grow and take care of plants. For this Garden Works
activity, each child was invited to plant their own seed with the help of their teacher. First, they scooped the soil
into a cup. Next, after examining the seeds up close with a magnifying glass, the children buried their seeds under
the soil. Each day the children water their plant and observe any changes they see. After a week the plants
sprouted and the children were very excited to show visitors in the classroom. The children continue to water the
plants and make sure they get plenty of sunshine from the window.
Toddler Three
The children in Toddler Three got very messy during a fun ArtSmart activity. Using a variety of paint brushes and
different colored paint, the children each painted on a small canvas. The older toddlers held the thinner paint
brushes and used the brushes to spread the paint around their canvases. The younger toddlers attempted to hold
the thicker paintbrushes while some chose to use their hands to explore the textures of the paint and the canvas.
When finished, the art canvases were displayed in the window and really brightened up the room.
401 Park Drive | P: 671-450-0790 | [email protected] | Mon-Fri, 6:30 a.m.– 6:30 p.m.
Classroom Highlights
Toddler Four
The children in Toddler Four love looking up and watching the sky while out playing on the playground. They point
to the airplanes and yell, “Plane! Plane!” In the classroom, the children read the book, All Aboard, and learned about
different modes of transportation, including airplanes and helicopters. As a Math Counts activity, the children
sorted different sized toy airplanes into piles of big planes and small planes. As an ArtSmart activity, the children
painted cardboard boxes and constructed an airplane to be played with in their dramatic play area.
Toddler Five
The children in Toddler Five have been very excited to read counting books and learn their numbers. The children
practice number recognition by putting together puzzles, reading books, and counting various items in the
classroom. For this Math Counts activity, the teachers drew circles on a piece of paper and labeled each circle
with a number from one to five. The children were given pom-poms and were encouraged to count the pom-poms
and match them with the corresponding number. With help from the teacher, the children were able to count to
five while other children practiced sorting the pom-poms by color.
401 Park Drive | P: 671-450-0790 | [email protected] | Mon-Fri, 6:30 a.m.– 6:30 p.m.
Classroom Highlights
Preschool Two
To welcome spring, the children in Preschool Two raised caterpillars in their classroom and observed their
transformation into butterflies. Over the weeks, the children read stories such as, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and
learned the stages of the life cycle. When the caterpillars arrived, the teachers taught the children how to be gentle
while holding and observing the caterpillars. As a Language Works activity, the children were encouraged to
write their observations in their writing journals. As an ArtSmart activity, they children created butterflies out of
paper plates and tissue papers. The children were very excited when the butterflies emerged from their cocoons.
Preschool Three
After reading the book, Down by the Station, and listening to the song, the children in Preschool Three became very
curious about trains and train stations. The children took a trip to the Fenway T stop and watched the trains drive
on the tracks. They learned about train safety and to not cross the yellow line while we wait for the trains. For a
Math Counts activity, the children studied train maps and recreated the T map using cubes. They counted the
stops on the map and matched the number of stops with the cubes. Working together, the children made the
maps. As a Language Works activity, the children were invited to write about their favorite train line in their
writing journals.
401 Park Drive | P: 671-450-0790 | [email protected] | Mon-Fri, 6:30 a.m.– 6:30 p.m.
Classroom Highlights
Kindergarten Prep
The children in Kindergarten Prep became excited and interested in insects after finding a spider in their classroom.
The spider, named Spidey, became a classroom pet and sparked conversation about the differences between true
insects and spiders. The children read books full of interesting facts about ladybugs, ants, beetles, and flies. As a
Language Works activity, the children wrote facts about insects such as, “Insects have an exoskeleton.” . For an
ArtSmart project, the children used insect toys from the Science Rocks area as a reference and made 3dimensional insects out of clay. On the playground, the children found a dead bumble bee and brought it back to
the classroom to take a closer look using magnifying glasses. The children learned about the importance of bumble
bees to our environment and brainstormed different ways to help save the honeybee population. Using recycled
toilet paper rolls, the children constructed a model of a bee hive. First, they painted the toilet paper rolls yellow,
glued them all together, and added bumble bees made by the children out of clay. The children are still very
interested in learning about various insects.
401 Park Drive | P: 671-450-0790 | [email protected] | Mon-Fri, 6:30 a.m.– 6:30 p.m.
READY for SCHOOL News
READY for SCHOOL Parent News: Partnering with Teachers in Potty
Training
Your child seems old enough to begin potty training, but you wonder how potty training works in child
care. Relax. Like every other aspect of child care, you and your child’s teacher will work as partners in the
process of potty training. Potty training while in child care is usually very successful. At school, your child
sees other children visiting the bathroom, which can create a powerful incentive and example. Teachers
are usually very experienced in potty training and can offer you a lot of support. Soon, your days of
changing diapers will be over and your child will seem oh, so grown up.
Below are a few more tips for potty training at child care:

Get on the same page. Talk with your child’s teachers about the approach they use. They can
help you watch for signs of readiness. These signs may include staying dry for lengths of time,
expressing an interest in using the toilet, and being able to pull clothes up and down. You and your
child’s teachers will work together to develop a plan for potty training. Mutually agree on how
you’ll handle potty training and make sure that you consistently follow the plan during the evenings
and weekends.

Come prepared. Accidents are bound to happen during the first few weeks of potty training. Be
sure to send your child with plenty of clean clothes. Skip the onesies, blue jeans, or overalls, and
opt for soft, loose pants with an elastic waistband. These clothes help your child be more
independent, and they also simplify the inevitable changes. Send your child in shoes that come off
easily and don’t forget extra socks.

Expect setbacks. Potty training is a major developmental milestone and it’s very common for
children to make progress and then regress. Try not to get discouraged or express frustration to
your child. Make sure that your child is really ready before you start potty training. The age of
readiness varies from child to child, but most children are ready to potty train between 20 and 30
months. Take it slow and use a relaxed, positive approach. Talk with your child’s teacher if you
have questions or just need some extra support.
As you go through the potty training process, try to keep perspective. Some children are very motivated
and learn to use the toilet quickly. Others need more time before they completely master this
developmental task. Remember that both you and your child are doing the best you can. Before long, your
child will be diaper-free and ready for the next adventure.
401 Park Drive | P: 671-450-0790 | [email protected] | Mon-Fri, 6:30 a.m.– 6:30 p.m.
Bright Horizons News
May is Teacher and Staff Appreciation Month!
The greatest reward a teacher or staff member receives is knowing that they have
made a difference in the lives of children and families. Each year Bright Horizons®
dedicates the month of May as a time to celebrate and recognize all of the teachers
and staff who make this such a wonderful place for children and families.
As part of this month long celebration, we invite you to visit our Teacher & Staff
Appreciation Website. Here, you can leave a special note of appreciation for your
child’s teacher or exceptional staff member. The website will be open from May 1st
through May 31st.
If you’re looking for another way to celebrate a teacher or staff member, you may
consider making a contribution to the Bright Horizons Foundation for
Children® in their name.
Thank you for helping us recognize the important work of our
teachers and staff—they make Bright Horizons a great place!
May installment of the Family Matters Webinar Series!
Growing Givers: Raising Socially
Responsible Children
May 2015 - Date and time TBD
Raising children to be socially aware, community oriented, charitable minded, and educated about their world is
more vital than ever in today’s global society.
The next webinar in the Bright Horizons® Family Matters Webinar Series will provide insight on how social
responsibility and empathy develops as your child grows, the intersection of family, school, and community in raising
children, as well as meaningful activities families can do together to make a difference in their communities and in
the world.
Want to join us in May? Sign up to be notified when registration opens!
401 Park Drive | P: 671-450-0790 | [email protected] | Mon-Fri, 6:30 a.m.– 6:30 p.m.