UHS Child Care

Infants

Babies enjoy classrooms made for exploring with teachers who support today’s big milestones and tomorrow’s leaps toward the future.

Toddler/Twos

Newly independent toddlers are ready to explore and discover with caring teachers at their side every step of the way.

Preschool

Preschoolers are active learners, collaborating with teachers and each other, as they explore ideas and make discoveries.

Kindergarten Prep

Children in Kindergarten Prep are confident, capable leaders who ask questions, find solutions, and dive into rich project learning.

School-Age

The center is open to school-age children during breaks from school as well, including spring, summer and winter breaks.

Where is the center located?

The center is located at 619 Main St. Johnson City, NY 13790. 

What are the hours of operation?

The center is open Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. It will remain open year-round; closing only on the days United Health Services is closed.

Does the center offer dedicated enrichment spaces?

Yes, the center has a dedicated STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) Lab as well as a Library and Art Studio. 

Who is eligible to enroll in the center?

United Health Services employees and community families are eligible for enrollment. 

What ages does the center serve?

The center has capacity for 82 children and serves children ages 6 weeks through 6 years. 

What is the capacity and teacher-to-child ratio per age group?

The ratios at the center are designed to support one-on-one interactions between the teachers and children, an in- depth understanding by the teachers of the individual needs of each child, and the formulation of consistent care- giving routines based on the teachers’ knowledge of the individual children. These teacher-to-child ratios also support enhanced development, particularly language development.

Is part-time child care available at the center?

Part-time care is provided at this time. 

What is the process to withdraw a child from the center?

Families will be required to provide notice of intent to withdraw 30 days in advance of the last day of attendance.

If I am no longer employed by United Health Services, what is the last day that my child can use the center?

If you are no longer employed at United Health Services, your child can continue to use the center for a period of 30 days after the last day of employment. If former employee leaves in good standing they will have the option to transition to community space if available. 

Can you provide more background on Bright Horizons?

Bright Horizons core business is employer-sponsored care. They were founded more than 30 years ago and now partner with more than 1,000 employers across the U.S., as well as in Europe, Canada, and India. Their client list includes more than three-fourths of the companies on Working Mother magazine’s “100 Best” list. In addition, their client list includes more than half of those named to FORTUNE magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For.” It should be noted that Bright Horizons has also been named to the FORTUNE list 19 times. Bright Horizons is an organization recognized for ethics, collaboration, community service, and excellence in the child care industry. They have extensive experience with opening new centers from the ground up and creating wonderful places for childhood.

What curriculum is used at the center?

Bright Horizons’ successful core curriculum World at Their Fingertips, will be used at the center. To learn more about the Bright Horizons curriculum, please visit brighthorizons.com/early-education-preschool/proven-approach.

What are the qualities and qualifications of the teaching and care staff?

Bright Horizons works to recruit and hire the highest quality teachers. Their staff are nurturers as well as educators who encourage learning through exploration and partnership with parents. They’re trained to deliver the highest standard of care. All candidates undergo a thorough screening, including a Bright Horizons enhanced background check and state-required background checks. All teachers must meet state educational licensing and additional center requirements.

Is there a website available to learn more about Bright Horizons and the center?

Bright Horizons has established a specific center website, which offers updated communications and an overview of the curriculum and parent resources: brighthorizons.com/uhshildcare.

What resources does Bright Horizons offer to families?

Bright Horizons offers many resources to support families’ efforts to nurture children’s development, be actively involved in their education, and balance work/life demands. See www.brighthorizons.com/family-resources for more details on these tools

How do I enroll my child?

If you are interested in enrolling your child(ren), you will need to submit all family information and pay the $150 registration fee per family through the Bright Horizons Family Information Center.  

How soon can I enroll my child if on the waitlist?

The length of time will vary depending on the size of the waitlist and the ages of the children. Bright Horizons will send periodic communications to keep you informed of your status on the waitlist and will do everything they can to ensure you are offered a space as soon as it becomes available. Families may decline an offer and maintain their current position on the waitlist once. After the second decline, their name will be moved to the bottom of the waitlist.

Are meals and snacks included in the tuition rate?

Morning snack, lunch, and an afternoon snack will be provided each day and are included in the tuition.

What other fees are required?

Employee Families: 

In addition to the tuition, you will be required to pay the following: 

• Registration Fee: A registration fee of $150 per child is due at the time of registration. After the initial enrollment period ends, families will be contacted by a Bright Horizons representative to discuss enrollment or wait list status. 
• Enrollment Deposit: An enrollment deposit equal to one month’s tuition will be due when the enrollment offer is accepted. The enrollment deposit will be applied to the first month of tuition. If a family chooses not to enroll their child after accepting the enrollment offer, the enrollment deposit will be forfeited.
• Annual Re-Registration Fee: A $100 fee per child will be required each subsequent year to cover annual administrative and licensing fees.

Community Families: 

In addition to the tuition, you will be required to pay the following: 

• Registration Fee: A registration fee of $200 per child is due at the time of registration. After the initial enrollment period ends, families will be contacted by a Bright Horizons representative to discuss enrollment or wait list status. 
• Enrollment Deposit: An enrollment deposit equal to one month’s tuition will be due when the enrollment offer is accepted. The enrollment deposit will be applied to the first month of tuition. If a family chooses not to enroll their child after accepting the enrollment offer, the enrollment deposit will be forfeited.
• Annual Re-Registration Fee: A $150 fee per child will be required each subsequent year to cover annual administrative and licensing fees.

Is there a sibling discount?

No sibling discount is offered at this time.

Will I receive a tuition credit for time away on vacation?

The center will not offer vacation credits.

Can I pay to reserve a space at the center without attending?

Bright Horizons will hold a space for up to one month. After one month, you must enroll your child, or the space will be offered to another family on the waitlist.

When is tuition billed and collected?

Tuition will be billed and collected monthly. 

How is tuition paid?

Tuition is paid through ACH and is due on 25th day of the prior month. Example: September monthly tuition will be due on August 25.

What are Bright Horizons’ safety and security policies?

As guardians of your children, there is nothing more important to Bright Horizons than their safety and protection while they are at the center. Bright Horizons has a series of security protocols and procedures to help guard against any threat to the safety of children and staff and performs safety drills on a regular basis. They do everything they can to make centers safe and secure, and to ensure that their teachers and staff are well-trained to protect children in the case of emergency.

Access to the center

• Employees and guardians will receive restricted access badge for entry into the child care center. Families are not allowed to share access badges, even with people who are pre-authorized to pick up their children.
• Center policies prohibit families and staff from holding the door open for others they do not know.
• Parents/guardians are responsible for physically checking their child into and out of the center each day. This ensures that each child is safe and supervised at all times and encourages daily communication between families and staff. 
• A written notice is required before releasing a child to someone other than those authorized at enrollment.

Safety Drills and Training

• The center will conduct monthly evacuation drills, regular lockdown drills, and “shelter in place” exercises.
• Emergency supplies are purchased and stored in an area accessible to staff with the ability to relocate if needed.
• All Bright Horizons staff are trained regularly in CPR, even if not required by the state. First Aid is taught as required by state licensing agency/regulations so that you can feel confident that your child is safe and receiving the best possible care.
• All Bright Horizons teachers are trained and well-prepared in the event of an emergency. In addition to safety drills, Bright Horizons regularly reviews their safety policies and procedures.

Emergency Communication

• In the event of a center emergency, severe weather closure/delayed opening, or an emergency in the community near the center, you will receive updates through the My Bright Day® app. 
• As new information is available, the center administration team will continue to provide updates through the notification system.
• In certain instances where the center administration team is unable to provide ongoing updates, families will be asked to call the Emergency Hotline number (1-877-276-7113) to speak with a centrally located Bright Horizons team member. 

Injury Prevention

• Teachers for each age group are responsible for daily safety inspections of their assigned areas and equipment. Defective equipment is removed or repaired to prevent injury. Small toy pieces or other objects that could pose a choking hazard to infants and toddlers are not allowed in areas designated for children under age three.
• For the same reason, children’s personal items such as barrettes, hair ties, earrings, necklaces, and beaded jewelry are strongly discouraged in these areas.
• Due to the risk of choking, the following clothing and accessories are prohibited:
  • Outerwear with neck strings, including scarves
  • Pants with drawstrings on the waist or bottom that extend more than three inches when tied
  • Bibs, pacifiers and teethers with ties or strings of any kind
  • Teething beads, including Amber beads

Weapons Policy

Firearms, explosive devices, and other weapons are not permitted on Bright Horizons premises, regardless of any valid permit to carry such weapons.

I know someone interested in applying for a job at this center. Is there someone they can contact?

For job listings and to complete the application process, please visit www.brighthorizons.com/careers.

What is NAEYC accreditation?

Bright Horizons will follow the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s (NAEYC) recommendations for staff-to-student ratios at the facility and also plans to pursue NAEYC accreditation for the center. NAEYC has developed standards to define and recognize quality child care programs. In order to be accredited, a child care program must meet a variety of strict criteria, including having a well-trained faculty, good staff-child ratios, and group sizes and a comprehensive curriculum, as well as meet stringent health and safety standards. The program must also provide meaningful opportunities for family involvement.

What is the relationship between Bright Horizons and The Partnership for a Healthier America?

Click here to read more information about this relationship.

Are you allowing prospective parents to visit centers?

Yes! Prospective parents can schedule a center visit by completing our Tuitions and Openings form from our center website. 

How is Bright Horizons ensuring the health and safety of families and staff at our centers?

At all of our centers, rigorous health and safety practices are a foundation of the way we care for children. These include:

• An illness and daily health check policy that strives to mitigate the spread of illnesses
• Frequent cleaning and disinfecting of high-touch surfaces and toys; frequent laundering of soft items 
• Regular maintenance of the center, equipment, and supplies, updating and replacing items as needed 
• Secure entrances to all centers 
• Strict handwashing and sanitary policies to prevent the spread of illnesses 
• Curriculum that emphasizes healthy practices for children 

Strict safety and security procedures are designed to keep our families and staff protected. 

What are the educational goals of Bright Horizons?

During your search for the perfect child care partner, this is among the most important questions you can ask.  For over 30 years, we’ve been a company that is guided by our HEART Principles and an unerring belief in putting children first. 

At Bright Horizons, we know that childhood is a treasured time. We believe it is our responsibility to provide environments and experiences that capture the joys of childhood, nurture each child’s individual growth and development, and pave the way for success in school and life. We promise to:

• Nurture and care for the whole child
• Craft and integrated curriculum based on expert research
• Support and develop each teacher
• Implement an emergent, inquiry-based approach to learning
• Cultivate curiosity and creativity through projects, exploration, and play
• Encourage children to be confident experimenters and problem solvers
• Build an inclusive and respectful community
• Create joyful places for childhood

Can children with special needs enroll in a Bright Horizons center?

Yes! Bright Horizons strives to and has successfully accommodated a wide range of special needs and individual differences in our group programs.  We believe in inclusive programs that attempt to meet the needs of a wide range of children and which focus on each child’s strengths. We support a collaborative team approach – the teacher, director, specialists, and parents. The team will work closely together to try to maximize each child’s opportunities for learning, growth, and development, and to attempt to eliminate any barriers or safety issues which a group program may present.

Does Bright Horizons perform background checks on its employees?

The safety of the children in our care is our highest concern.  Bright Horizons maintains stringent hiring practices and conducts criminal background checks on all teachers and caregivers in our centers. This check includes a criminal record search and a cross-reference check to determine prior convictions or other records of criminal activity that would call into question an employee’s’ suitability to care for children. Additional elements of our required background checks include verification through the Office of Foreign Asset Control and Sexual Offender Database Search. The frequency for updating criminal background checks for employees depends on state or other center-specific requirements.

What is The World At Their Fingertips?

Our research-based World at Their Fingertips® curriculum meets children where they are developmentally, with Signature Practices that build confidence and excitement about learning at every age and stage. In every classroom, our goal is to help children do more than learn; it’s to cultivate the joy of learning. And our emergent approach — teaching skills by leveraging a child’s own interests — enables teachers to tailor activities and projects for the specific talents and needs of each child in the class. Learn more about our specialized programs for babies, toddlers and preschool children, and how we prepare children for school and life beyond. 

Are all staff trained in CPR and First Aid?

All Bright Horizons center staff are trained in CPR and first aid.  Once an employee is hired, they are required to fulfill 16 hours of training through our new employee orientation. This training takes place over a two-day period, where the employee spends time observing each age group in the center. Teachers must successfully complete first aid and CPR training, in addition to local licensing and/or Department of Health requirements (e.g., food handler safety card.)

I'm interested in applying for a job at this center. Is there someone I can contact?

Absolutely!  Named one of Fortune Magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work For  20 times, we are proud of the environment we create for our educators.  We are always looking for great teachers, and offer competitive benefits and innovative programs. like our Horizons Teacher Degree program.  For job listings and to complete the application process, please visit the Bright Horizons jobs and careers page at www.brighthorizons.com/careers . 

Where can I learn more about other Bright Horizons locations?

We have many centers across the US, and each center reflects the unique personality of its leadership and community.  To find the best fit for you and your family find a child care center near you.

I'm not quite ready to enroll in the center but I am interested in continuing to hear about what is happening at the center. How can I get information more regularly?

We encourage any family interested in center information, regular updates, and invitations to the many events we are planning, to contact us.

What is NAEYC accreditation?

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) has developed standards to define and recognize quality child care programs. In order to be accredited, a child care program must meet a variety of strict criteria, including having a well-trained faculty, good staff-child ratios and group sizes, and a comprehensive curriculum, as well as meet stringent health and safety standards. The program must also provide meaningful opportunities for family involvement.

What if I’d like to enroll but the center doesn’t have space available?

Finding the right daycare and early education solution can be a lengthy process. Our best recommendation is to start early! Even if your preferred Bright Horizons center doesn’t currently have space available, we still recommend registration for your first choice center.  At Bright Horizons, you can register at up to three locations. Once registered, we will add you to our wait list and you will be offered a space as soon as one is available. For many families on a wait list, Bright Horizons offers the ability to enroll at a nearby center on a temporary basis, or until your first choice center becomes available. If you’d like further advice on how to find the best preschool for your family, take a listen to our webinar on finding a quality preschool program.

We are delighted to introduce you to the director of the future UHS Child Care center, Maureen Mecca.

With a wealth of experience and passion for early childhood education, Maureen comes to the center with an impressive background fostering positive relationships with children, families, and staff members alike.

Maureen was born and raised in Binghamton. After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in sociology and psychology, she has been driven to touch the lives of local families and youth. With experience in child mental health, family engagement, program management and child development, Maureen joined the Bright Horizons team to continue her passion of serving the families of Binghamton and surrounding neighborhoods.