Licensing & Certification
Bright Beginnings Child Development Center is licensed by the PA Department of Human Services. The Department of Human Services sets requirements for the operation of an Early Childhood Program. Programs that participate in Keystone STARS care about providing quality early learning to your child. As programs move up the STARS ladder, they are providing even higher quality experiences, so your child benefits even more from the program. Early learning programs can earn from a STAR 1 to a STAR 4 level. At each level, programs have to meet certain quality standards. The higher the STAR level, the higher the quality standards. Bright Beginnings is also a Keystone STARS Participant.
Programs and PA State Regulation Child to Teacher Ratios
Bright Beginnings Child Development Center provides developmentally appropriate programming for the following:
| Infant | 6 wks – 1 yr | 1:4 |
| Young Toddler | 1 – 2 yrs | 1:5 |
| Older Toddler | 2 – 3 yrs | 1:6 |
| Young Preschool | 3 – 4 yrs | 1:6 |
| Preschool | 3 – 4.5 yrs | 1:10 |
| Pre-K/Kind | 4.5 – 6 yrs | 1:10 |
| School Age | 6 yrs and over | 1:12 |
Hours of Operation
Child care services are provided from 7:00am to 5:30 pm Monday through Friday. Care shall be limited to 10 hours per day.
Holidays
The centers will be closed on the following days:
- New Year’s Day
- Martin Luther King Day (In-service)
- Presidents Day
- Good Friday
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Friday before school starts
- Labor Day
- Columbus Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Day after Thanksgiving
- Christmas Eve
- Christmas Day
The holidays will be observed on Friday if it falls on a Saturday. It will be observed on Monday if it falls on Sunday. Reminders will be posted for center closings.
Curricula & Learning
Learning Environment
We provide a rich learning environment with curricula that are developmentally appropriate to the specific ages in each classroom. We have a flexible daily routine that allows children to advance at their own pace. We strongly believe that learning happens through play. Learning and exploring are hands-on and are facilitated through interest areas. Our program is designed to enhance children’s development in the following areas: creativity, self-expression, decision-making, problem-solving, responsibility, independence, and reasoning. We encourage openness to that which is different from us, and the ability to work and play with others. Bright Beginnings focuses on preparing children for school by implementing key learning opportunities. We are confident that the children who have experienced our pre-k program will be ready as they enter the elementary level of learning.
Copies of daily schedules are posted in each classroom.
Outings & Field Trips
If a class is planning to take a field trip outside of the center, parents will receive a permission slip that must be signed if child is to attend. Volunteers are always welcome to join the group. At least two staff persons will attend all field trips. Walks that are taken in the vicinity of the center are not considered field trips. Transportation costs are covered by the center. Parents may be responsible for the admission fees for the specific trip.
Health
Allergy Prevention
Families are expected to notify us regarding children’s food and environmental allergies. Families of children with diagnosed allergies are required to provide us a letter detailing the child’s symptoms, reactions, treatments and care. A list of the children’s allergies will be posted in the main area and kitchen. We are trained to familiarize ourselves and consult the list to avoid the potential of exposing children to substances to which they have known allergies.
Immunizations & Physicals
Bright Beginnings and the State of Pennsylvania require all children in a group care setting to provide the center with a copy of your child’s yearly wellness check and immunization records. We have a form that you may bring to the doctor’s office for these visits or they may generate one of their own.
Medications
NO MEDICATIONS WILL BE ADMINISTERED BY OUR CENTER’S STAFF UNLESS SPECIFIC WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS ARE RECEIVED FROM A PHYSICIAN.
Medications will be given if the following are provided:
The medication is in the original pharmacy container labeled with the child’s name, instructions for administration, content identification and name of physician.
Parent must record all necessary information on the medication log.
The Director, Group Supervisor or his/her designee shall administer the medication or assist the child in self-administration of the medication.
Please note: Over the counter medications such as pain relievers, cough suppressants, throat lozenges, ointments, etc. are considered medications and must follow the above guidelines in administration.
Communicable Diseases
When an enrolled child or an employee of the center has a (suspected) reportable disease, it is our legal responsibility to notify the local Board of Health or Department of Public Health. We will take care to notify families about exposure so children can receive preventative treatments. Included among the reportable illnesses are the following:
Bacterial Meningitis
Botulism
Chicken Pox
Diphtheria
Haemophilus Influenzae (invasive)
Measles (including suspect)
Meningococcal Infection (invasive)
Poliomyelitis (including suspect)
Rabies (human only)
Rubella Congenital and Non-congenital (including suspect)
Tetanus (including suspect)
H1N1 Virus
Any cluster/outbreak of illness
Illness
We understand that it is difficult for a family member to leave or miss work, but to protect other children, you may not bring a sick child to the center. The center has the right to refuse a child who appears ill. You will be called and asked to retrieve your child if your child exhibits any of the following symptoms. This is not an all-inclusive list. We will try to keep your child comfortable but he/she will be excluded from all activities until you arrive.
- Illness that prevents your child from participating in activities.
- Illness that results in greater need for care than we can provide.
- Fever (100.4°F or above, under the arm)
- Diarrhea – stools with blood or mucus, and/or uncontrolled, unformed stools that cannot be contained in a diaper/underwear or toilet.
- Vomiting
- Mouth sores caused by drooling.
- Rash, unless a physician has determined it is not a communicable disease.
- Pink or red conjunctiva with white or yellow eye discharge, until on antibiotics for 24 hours.
- Impetigo, until 24 hours after treatment.
- Strep throat, until 24 hours after treatment.
- Head lice, until treatment and all nits are removed.
- Scabies, until 24 hours after treatment.
- Chickenpox, until all lesions have dried and crusted.
- Pertussis (Whooping Cough), until 5 days of antibiotics.
- Hepatitis A virus, until one week after immune globulin has been administered.
- COVID-19
- They are free of fever, vomiting and diarrhea for 24 hours, without medication.
- They have been treated with an antibiotic for 24 hours.
- They are able to participate comfortably in all usual activities.
- They are free of open, oozing skin conditions and drooling (not related to teething) unless:
- The child’s physician signs a note stating that the child’s condition is not contagious, and
- The involved areas can be covered by a bandage without seepage or drainage through the bandage.
- If a child had a reportable communicable disease, a physician’s note stating that the child is no longer contagious and may return to our care is required.
- If a child had a reportable communicable please notify Bright Beginnings so we may confidentially notify others.