Bright Horizons Offers Confidence And A Passion For Learning

This Patch article is sponsored by Bright Horizons Family Solutions.

Erica Morales, center director at Bright Horizons at West 53rd, has a passion for education. “I started teaching about 15 years ago,” Morales says. “I make it a priority to get to know every individual child.”

Morales joined Bright Horizons in 2018 as the director of the 90 Washington center in lower Manhattan. These days, she’s helping guide children through the early years of their education in Midtown.

Patch had the chance to chat with Morales about her background and Bright Horizons’ emergent curriculum approach.

Patch: How long have you been doing business in town/how long has the organization you represent been around in the community?

Morales: 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 beginning stages of licensing for our West 53rd location and plan to open our doors this spring!

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

Morales: I knew I wanted to be a teacher or child psychologist because I am fascinated with how all children learn and develop differently. I started teaching about 15 years ago and have worked in all types of schools and programs - elementary, Catholic, public, private, non-profit, and Montessori. I joined Bright Horizons in 2018 as the director of our 90 Washington center in lower Manhattan. Most recently, I was the director of our DUMBO location in Brooklyn before accepting the opportunity to open our new center on West 53rd.

Patch: Sum up your business mission statement to a stranger in five words?

Morales: Early education for working families.

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

Morales: The most difficult moment is definitely when children age out of the program because you get so attached to them!

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

Morales: Working with teachers, children, and families for sure! It is so important to me to build strong family partnerships so that children and their parents feel supported, informed, and cared for. I make it a priority to get to know every individual child by going into the classrooms to observe learning while it’s happening. I also take pride in growing my teachers into future leaders and giving them the tools and guidance they need so that this becomes a reality for them.

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

Morales: We’ve been in business over 30 years; we have industry-leading COVID-19 health and safety practices; we have a proven, emergent curriculum that reflects the latest research on early education; and we have thoughtfully created environments.

Our teachers are also supported to grow professionally and stay current on the most effective education techniques. Bright Horizons offers an additional education benefit: our Horizons Teacher Degree Program, which pays full tuition so teachers can earn an early childhood education degree completely for free!

Our locations and hours fit the way parents work, and our well-balanced programs focus on the whole child (social, emotional, physical), and prepare children for success in school and life. Our centers 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?

Morales: Celebrate your success and use that as a motivator to keep setting the bar higher.

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

Morales: There are a few ways to learn more about the center and about Bright Horizons. Definitely check out our center website for information on our curriculum and follow us on Facebook to stay up to date on what’s happening here at the center. We are currently offering both in-person and virtual visits so we invite you to schedule a time to come by and check us out! You can also email us at west53rd@brighthorizons.com or call 646-348-9013.