3 Minutes on a Park Bench with Lisa Corbett of Bright Start Nursery School

Patch partner Lisa Corbett of Bright Start Nursery School told us the best piece of education advice she's ever received.

Patch: How did you first get involved in early education?

Lisa Corbett: I got involved in early childhood education after college. I realized the Barnegat area needed a quality childcare center that offered a well-rounded academic program with a compassionate and nurturing learning environment.

Patch: What is the core philosophy of Bright Start Nursery School?

Lisa Corbett: The philosophy of Bright Start Nursery School is to enhance a child’s social, physical, emotional, creative, and academic development; to provide an imaginative, structured program that enables children to explore their surroundings thorough guided activities and free play. We also feel it is important for children to have a positive self-image and learn to play and work with others. Each child is an individual and must be afforded the opportunity to develop at his or her own pace.

Patch: What’s the best piece of education advice you’ve ever received?

Lisa Corbett: If you do something you are passionate and committed to, it will never feel like work. You'll love waking up every day to do it!

Patch: What is the key to running a successful nursery school?

Lisa Corbett: The key to running a successful nursery school is to be involved, I have been teaching prekindergarten here at Bright Start for almost 19 years.

Patch: If you had to recommend three books, what would they be and why?

Lisa Corbett: The key books I would recommend are books I read to my own children every night, Good Night Moon, Brown Bear, and The Runaway Bunny. The children absolutely love them and they can easily recite them after hearing them a few times.

Patch: What is your definition of success?

Lisa Corbett: Success is feeling good about what you choose to do in life and being happy and fulfilled doing it. To know what you do makes a positive difference.

Patch: What three questions should parents ask when looking for the right nursery school for their child?

Lisa Corbett: Questions parents should ask is the educational background of the Director, the certifications they hold, and how long their staff has been at the school.

Patch: Does Bright Start Nursery School have anything special planned for the holiday season?

Lisa Corbett: For the holidays we read and learn about the many holidays that are celebrated throughout the season and we encourage children to bring in books about the holidays they celebrate and traditions their families share.

Patch: What’s the best thing about working with students?

Lisa Corbett: The best thing about working with students is their excitement and willingness to learn new things.

Patch: What advice would you give to someone looking to become an educator?

Lisa Corbett: My advice would be to anyone looking to be an educator is to work with the age you love being around and it won’t feel like work!

Patch: How can readers contact you or learn more about Bright Start Nursery School?

Lisa Corbett: Readers can reach us at (609) 660-1800 or stop by our school at 500 Barnegat Boulevard, Barnegat NJ. We are right on Barnegat Blvd next to the Cecil S. Collins Elementary School.

Photo courtesy of Lisa Corbett