Top 10 Reasons

1. More Than 20 Years of Trusted Care

Bright Start has served children and families in Homewood and surrounding communities since 2003. Our longstanding presence reflects decades of experience, strong family relationships, and a continuing commitment to high-quality early care and education.

2. ExceleRate Illinois Silver Circle of Quality

Bright Start has earned the ExceleRate Illinois Silver Circle of Quality, demonstrating that our program meets or exceeds established quality benchmarks for the learning environment, instructional practices, staff qualifications, professional development, and program administration. This recognition requires a rigorous self-assessment, continuous quality improvement, and verification by an independent state-approved assessor.

3. Illinois Prevention Initiative for Infants and Toddlers

Through the Illinois State Board of Education Prevention Initiative, Bright Start provides enhanced early learning and family-support services for eligible infants and toddlers from birth to age 3. The program promotes healthy development, strengthens parent-child relationships, and helps children build a strong foundation during their most important early years.

4. Preschool for All

Bright Start offers Illinois Preschool for All, providing eligible preschool children with high-quality educational experiences designed to strengthen school readiness. Children develop important early skills in language, literacy, mathematics, social-emotional development, physical development, and approaches to learning.

5. The Research-Based Creative Curriculum

Our teachers use The Creative Curriculum, a research-based, whole-child curriculum that encourages children to learn through purposeful play, hands-on exploration, classroom studies, and meaningful interactions. Learning experiences are planned to build confidence, creativity, critical thinking, and a genuine love of learning.

6. Individualized Assessment With Teaching Strategies GOLD

We use Teaching Strategies GOLD to observe and document each child’s development and learning over time. This ongoing, authentic assessment helps teachers understand each child’s strengths, monitor progress, plan individualized learning experiences, and share meaningful information with families.

7. Developmental Screening With Ages & Stages

Bright Start uses the trusted Ages & Stages Questionnaires to screen children’s development in important areas such as communication, gross motor skills, fine motor skills, problem-solving, and personal-social development. Screening helps families and teachers celebrate developmental progress and identify areas where a child may benefit from additional support.

8. Care and Education From Infancy Through School Age

We serve children from 6 weeks through 13 years of age, allowing families to find consistent, dependable care as their children grow. Our age-appropriate classrooms support each new stage of development—from an infant’s earliest milestones to preschool preparation and school-age enrichment.

9. Experienced Teachers Who Know Every Child Matters

Our educators create nurturing relationships while supporting each child’s academic, social, emotional, spiritual, and physical development. Teachers use curriculum, observation, assessment, and family input to plan experiences that reflect children’s individual abilities, interests, and needs.

10. A Christian Environment Built on Love and Respect

Bright Start provides a welcoming Christian environment where age-appropriate biblical principles, prayer, kindness, compassion, respect, and service to others are part of the children’s experience. We help children build not only the skills needed for school, but also the character and confidence needed for life.

Give Your Child a Bright Start

Discover a nurturing learning community where children are known, supported, challenged, and encouraged to thrive.

Schedule a tour today and see what makes Bright Start special.