How Bright Horizons Provides Early Education For Working Families

This Patch article is sponsored by Bright Horizons at East Village.

Bright Horizons® at East Village is a new early education and preschool center that provides year-round care for children 6 weeks old to 5 years old. With curriculum and spaces that honor childhood and stimulate growth and discovery, children develop confidence and a passion for learning.

William Beaufort, Center Director at Bright Horizons at East Village, has worked in the classroom for over ten years and has been a director for six years. Learn more about Beaufort's expertise in progressive education, as well as Bright Horizons' 30 years of success:

Patch: How long have you been doing business in town?

Beaufort: Bright Horizons early education centers and preschools have been helping children around the world develop confidence and a passion for learning for over 30 years. Bright Horizons is committed to the field of early education and to practices that guide each child’s social, physical, emotional and cognitive development. Our emergent curriculum approach is designed for this purpose, enabling teachers to tailor activities and projects for the specific interests and skills of each child in the class, with the goal of preparing students for success in school and in life.

We are in the final stages of licensing for our East Village location and hope to open our doors soon!

Patch: What attracted you to the line of work you’re in, and how did you get started?

Beaufort: New York University is responsible for nurturing my passion for teaching. Inspired by the works of Jean Piaget, Vygotsky, Paolo Friere and John Dewey, I became an expert in, and an advocate for, progressive education. Since then, I’ve taught in the classroom for over ten years, taught undergraduate education majors at NYU, conducted research and professional development for over five years, and have been a director for six years.

Patch: How would you sum up your business mission statement to a stranger in five words?

Beaufort: Early education for working families.

Patch: What’s the biggest challenge or most difficult moment you’ve faced in your job?

Beaufort: The biggest challenge for me is living up to the high standard of my idealism and balancing my work in early childhood education and my passion for music.

Patch: What’s the most satisfying part of your job?

Beaufort: There is nothing more satisfying that building on children’s interests and desires and transforming that through teacher interactions into life-long learning.

Patch: How would you say your business or organization distinguishes itself from the others?

Beaufort:

• We’ve been in business over 30 years
• Proven emergent curriculum that reflects the latest research on early education
• Thoughtfully created environments
• Teachers who are supported to grow professionally and stay current on the most effective education techniques
• Locations and hours to fit the way parents work
• Well-balanced programs that focus on the whole child (social, emotional, physical), and prepare children for success in school and life
• Centers that make sure children feel safe and loved from the moment they put their hands in ours, to the moment they put them back in yours
• Plus, we offer a variety of family resources that support parents as well as children

Patch: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given when it comes to success?

Beaufort: For me, success is about how you impact others. A few years ago I ran into a former colleague. Over 20 years ago, I was a lead teacher and she was a member of Jumpstart, a part-time teaching program for college students. I saw her talent for teaching immediately and brought her on as an assistant teacher. When I ran into her at a professional development meeting, she shared with the group that I was responsible for her pursuing a career in education. The thought of how many students she has brightened the lives of and that I was responsible for inspiring her to pursue the career is quite overwhelming.

Patch: Are there any new projects or endeavors you’re working on that you’re extra excited about?

Beaufort: Our families and teachers are so rich with talents and skills. Amongst our teachers and families are speakers of at least seven different languages and cultures, actors, musicians, dancers and visual artists. It inspired me to begin working on an organically grown enrichment program for our children. I’m presently in the process of surveying families and teachers regarding any talents and skills they would like to share. By the fall, we will have a complete roster of enrichment programs derived from the rich cultural resources embodied in the East Village Community.

Patch: Do you have any events coming up in your community?

Beaufort: We’ll be hosting Walk-In Wednesdays throughout the month of February. Families are invited to stop in between 7:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. to meet our teachers and center leadership team, tour our beautiful classrooms and learn more about enrollment opportunities. No appointment needed! Every family that visits during Walk-In Wednesdays will be entered into a raffle. Prizes include: a one year family membership to the Children’s Museum of Manhattan; stroller cleaning from Tot Squad; and a gift certificate to Brooklyn Robot Foundry. Winners will be drawn at the end of February.

Patch: How can Patch readers learn more about your work and business?

Check out our website or follow us on Facebook. You can email us here or call us at 917-985-3350.