Why We Stayed at Bright Horizons for Preschool: Hannah’s Story

Meet Hannah, mother and member of our fantastic Parent Panel*; a diverse community of Bright Horizons parents sharing their experiences of raising happy, thriving and confident children. In this blog, Hannah shares why her family decided to stay with Bright Horizons for nursery and preschool.

*Incentivised content

In truth, it never even crossed our minds to look anywhere else! Isabella was always the first one to volunteer to go into the preschool room if there was ever space for visitors. She was raring to go!

When your child spends their days somewhere, you want to know they're not just being looked after but truly thriving. As Isabella approached her preschool year, we found ourselves in the fortunate position of already knowing exactly where she belonged.

The learning environment

Easily the best room in the building, the preschool room at our Bright Horizons is open and welcoming. It has cleverly zoned areas for floor activities, free play, table activities, quiet time and eating. Every child knows where everything is so they can help with tidying up and always know where to go for a tissue or a cup of water, for instance.

What strikes me most is how it encourages independence whilst maintaining security. The layout flows naturally, allowing children to move freely between activities without feeling overwhelmed. 

Outdoor play

The outside area was a huge factor in our choosing Bright Horizons way back when Isabella was a baby. As well as the 'big garden', offering space to run, jump, balance, cycle, slide and climb there is also an area specifically for planting and a large area for outdoor play undercover. Most excitingly, this year, a robin nested in the treehouse and the children were able to watch the progress of the nest being built, the chicks hatching and their first flight across the garden wall!

The commitment to outdoor learning, whatever the weather, has been brilliant for Isabella's development. The covered area means even on drizzly days the children aren't confined to the indoors, and I've noticed how much more settled she is at home when she's had fresh air and taken part in physical activity.

The staff and preparation for school

The consistency and quality of the staff team gave us complete confidence. The practitioners clearly know each child as an individual, and the level of communication through daily updates and the app keeps us completely in the loop.

As we look ahead to reception in September, I can see how well the preschool programme has prepared her. She's constantly mark-making and trying to form letters and she recognises numbers through play that captures her imagination. The 'big kid' responsibilities - helping with snack time, being a buddy to younger children and helping her peers - have built her confidence enormously.

Why we stayed

It's often the smallest details that reveal a setting's values. The way staff remember Isabella's preferences and notice her delight in helping to set up or tidy really stands out. They've shown such patience when she's needed time to regulate her emotions before focusing on activities, and they've thoughtfully provided extra help and resources for toileting and speech when she’s needed a little extra support. These demonstrate the care that makes all the difference.

When we first visited, Isabella wasn’t even walking. Now she's a confident, curious four-year-old who approaches new experiences with enthusiasm. The decision to stay wasn't really a decision at all - it was simply the natural next step for a child who was already exactly where she needed to be.

If you enjoyed this article and found it to be useful, you can check out more of our early childcare resources in our Family Resource Zone!

And, if you’re not yet a Bright Horizons parent, but are interested in what our nurseries can offer your child on their exciting educational journey, book a personal tour at your local nursery today!