The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light the challenges within early childhood education, childcare, and early learning programs. Changes are needed in early childhood to create a system that supports every child, families, and the teachers who guide young children. It takes a cohesive, and ongoing, partnership between federal, state, local, private, and public resources to create the best early learning system possible for all kids, families, and the employees who we serve. Young children need consistent caregivers and loving educators they can depend on to nurture individual development through learning and play. In order to attract, and retain, the best teachers for the ever-changing needs of today’s families, Bright Horizons® is answering the call to excellence by providing innovative solutions within an award-winning early learning environment.
The Childcare Crisis: Attracting and Retaining Early Childhood Employees at Bright Horizons®
Disclosure: this post and others within the blog contain affiliate, distributor, and/or sponsored content and links. Please see our updated privacy policy for full disclosures, and more information. The following is sponsored by Bright Horizons® – all expressed views are my own.
It is estimated that three million women left the workforce during the pandemic to care for their children at home. Many parents tried to work remotely full-time, while also caring for their families and children at home. The result was a fragile balancing act that forced an entire nation to heed the necessity of childcare and early learning programs for families with children. While many companies today are rapidly adjusting to offer flexible schedules, and other valuable benefits for workers, the job market continues to tighten. Early childhood, childcare, and early learning programs are not exempt from a tight hiring market. Bright Horizons® is stepping up to the challenges with meaningful employee benefits, such as FREE Early Childhood Education degree programs, in order to attract and retain employees with the skills, the passion, and the loving dedication to serve young children.
Why Should YOU Choose to Become an Employee at Bright Horizons®?
What makes Bright Horizons® an amazing career opportunity for those seeking to teach and care for young children in a high-quality early learning environment?
- AWARD WINNING WORKPLACE: In 2021, Bright Horizons® was honored for the 20th time as one of “Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For®.” Based on an analysis of confidential survey responses from employees, the company was assessed on how employees’ experiences varied with job roles, gender, race/ethnicity, payroll status, and other characteristics to ensure the company is creating a great workplace environment for all.
- EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS and FREE ECE DEGREES: Bright Horizons® offers a nationally recognized eCDA Child Development Associate credential, and FREE Associates and Bachelor Degrees through the Horizons Teacher Degree Program. The company continues to invest in the early childhood teaching profession to provide the best for children, and the teachers who nurture them.
- CAREER PATHWAYS and ADVANCEMENT: Opportunities, encouragement, and support exist for growth and upward mobility within the company. Career pathways in Bright Horizons® centers include support roles, teaching staff, and leadership teams. Whether you begin your journey as a substitute, an administrative assistant, preschool teacher, or a center director, employees have many avenues for advancement. See what a director, also a former part-time teacher, with Bright Horizons® has to say here.
- BENEFITS: Full-time employees working 30 hours or more each week, are offered a benefits package that sets an example for the early childhood industry as a whole. Employees have options for medical, vision, dental, vacation and sick time off, life and accidental death insurance, short and long-term disability, an employee childcare discount and back-up care options, and more. Full-time and part-time employees who work at least 20 hours each week have the ability to enroll in a 401(k)-retirement plan with a percentage of funds matched by the company, tuition reimbursement for work-related education and training, and additional supports for home and family services.
While none can predict how the future of COVID-19 might evolve, Bright Horizons® is working diligently to attract and retain passionate, dedicated individuals for their high-quality early learning centers. Childcare, early childhood education, and early learning programs will continue to adapt to the ever-changing landscape as all seek to empower families, young children, and the hard-working employees who serve the nation’s youngest children.
JOIN THE EXCELLENCE in EARLY CHILDHOOD at BRIGHT HORIZONS®!
To locate a Bright Horizons® center near YOU, please click here. To learn more about becoming an integral part of the amazing Bright Horizons® team visit www.brighthorizons.com/careers
Questions? E-mail the Bright Horizons Talent Acquisition team here.
More About Bright Horizons®:
Bright Horizons® partners with more than 1,100 employers around the globe to provide high-quality education and care, operate with integrity and empower employees to thrive. Solutions include early education and preschool, back-up care, a College Coach program for families and adult learners, and FREE degree programs for employees who come to work with the company. The company has been named 20 times as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For®” by FORTUNE magazine, as well as recognized on the FORBES annual list of the “Best Employers for Diversity for 2021.”