Frequently Asked Questions
Curious to know more about Bright Mind? Here are some of our frequently asked questions and answers about our preschool program.
At what age does the Bright Mind Preschool program start?
Students must be 2 ½ years old by Sept. 1st in order to be eligible to join the program. If our school year has already begun and you would still like your 2 ½ child to enroll, please inquire about availability.
Does my child need to be toilet trained to join Bright Mind Preschool?
Children do not need to be completely toilet trained to attend our school. However, as our school supports your child’s self-help skills, teachers will be committed to working with families to create a plan that helps your child become toilet trained at his/her own pace. Our teachers will communicate with you and offer observations about how your child is progressing in this process.
Does Bright Mind provide snacks and/or lunch?
Bright Mind provides morning snacks, lunch and afternoon snacks daily for all children. If your child has any allergies or food restrictions, it is important for families to inform our school immediately. Additionally, we send home food menus monthly so you and your child can see what is on the menu daily!
How do parents receive information about their child’s Bright Mind Preschool experience?
Our goal is for parents to be well-informed about their child’s daily experiences and special moments. Consistent two-way communication allows us to establish shared goals and provide the most supportive system for your child. We use the ProCare app to allow parents to see posts and photos of daily activities.
Additionally, conferences are offered for all students on November 11 and February 20. These are times for teachers to hear your "hopes and dreams” for your child’s year, learn how we may best support your child and for us to share work and assessments. We encourage all families to confirm a time for these conferences.
What time does school begin and end and how long can I leave my child in the school’s care?
Our school hours are 7:00 am-6:00 pm.
Drop off is 7:00-9:00 am and pick up is 3:30-6:00 pm.
Breakfast will be served from 8:00 - 8:45 am.
During the drop off and pick up periods children will be offered a wide variety of learning options during our Open Centers.
**PLEASE NOTE: According to VA state requirements, students may stay up to but not past 10 hours in their school program each day.**
What special events does the school have throughout the school year?
Throughout the year, we love to hold special family events such as ice cream days or school holiday performances. We will give notice to families on our upcoming plans. In our monthly newsletter, you will be informed of these events as well.
What are the child/teacher ratios and class sizes at Bright Mind Preschool?
We keep our class sizes small in order to be able to provide individualized attention and meet each child’s needs and interests. Our small class sizes are generally considered full with 12 children and 2 teachers.
What is the difference between the Treasure Hunters and Trail Blazer Classes?
Both the Treasure Hunters and Trail Blazers have their own dedicated classroom, daily schedule and teachers although children interact with each other at recess, open centers and during special events.
How does Bright Mind Preschool tackle the challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic?
The pandemic challenged schools all over the country and we were committed to finding ways to best serve our community. Mandatory workers needed a place for their children to learn where they worked. Bright Mind Preschool pivoted and was able to accommodate remote asynchronous elementary school learning for students up to 8 years old. Currently, we have returned to serving students aged 2 ½ to 5 years old and honor family choice for children to be masked indoors and/or outdoors.
When is tuition due each month?
Payment is due the 1st of each month. All payments are processed on auto pay once parents sign up on the Procare Tuition Express portal. We will provide information on how to create a Procare account if you don't have one already to see payment transactions. If you still have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us or call our office.
How does parent involvement work at Bright Mind Preschool?
At Bright Mind, we understand that it is important to have a supportive parent relationship within our school in order for our children to thrive. We do not have any requirements for parent involvement, but there are many opportunities that allow our school community to get to know one another: special events around Old Town, field trips and class celebrations.
What are the qualifications of Bright Mind teachers?
Our teachers and directors are very proud to be early childhood facilitators. They come from various backgrounds and experiences that make us proud to be part of our school. Teachers are nurturing, knowledgeable and all are continuing ongoing professional development. We offer our staff consistent supervision, mentoring and support them in taking courses and workshops to build upon their skills.
What is a typical day like at Bright Mind?
Bright Mind preschool maintains a schedule that is consistent and predictable for young learners. Here is a quick view of a typical day at Bright Mind:
- Morning Arrival and Open Centers
- Breakfast
- Circle Time
- Literacy
- Art
- Snack Time
- Gross Motor Time Indoors and Outdoors
- Lunch Time
- Nap (for Busy Bees and Trail Blazers)
- Story Time
- Music and Movement
- Open Centers and Pick Up
For our 4 to 5 year-old non-nappers, their afternoons will include:
- Rest Time
- Small Groups
- Adventure Time
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