Here’s How Bright Horizons Is Offering Early Childhood Education Teaching Degrees for FREE
Bright Horizons is best known as a provider of high-quality child care and early education, and it's demonstrated its dedication to both in a big way with its groundbreaking Horizons Teacher Degree Program.
These days, many who aspire to become teachers in early childhood education find themselves putting their dreams on hold because getting degrees can be so expensive—but now, there's a path to that goal without building up student debt, thanks to Bright Horizons. They've created a program allowing their full-time staff to earn their Early Childhood Education (or ECE) degrees for free. Curious about how it works? Here's what you need to know.
The Horizons Teacher Degree Program
The Horizons Teacher Degree Program is the first-of-its-kind, where full-time staff who work at Bright Horizons centers in the U.S. can earn a free college education toward an ECE degree. For many caregivers and teachers who love working with kids, this can be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to pursue their biggest passion and earn a degree that might otherwise be out of reach. You can click HERE to check out their jobs page and see what opportunities are available near you.
Staff can start their programs immediately once they're employed, with full-time teachers eligible for Early Childhood Education (ECE) degrees, and part-time teachers can earn a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. These degrees are highly specialized, training educators to teach kids under the age of 8 to foster their growth and guide learning during one of the most critical times in their life, with Bright Horizons offering coaching every step of the way to ensure success.
This program is a great opportunity to get a jumpstart on your future
without incurring student loan debt. More than 1200 educators are currently enrolled in the program, and more than 500 associate and bachelor degrees have been awarded, with many more set to graduate this year. With Bright Horizons centers hiring all over the country, the opportunities truly are endless for anyone who's always dreamed of teaching kids.
Want to get a jumpstart on your future with no student loan debt? Make money? Have an impact on young children? Then check out these inspiring teacher stories who changed their lives.
(via Unsplash)
Mayra Pena
Mayra Pena has been passionate about early education since before she even graduated high school. As a student in Paramount, California, she helped with after-school programs at her former elementary school, assisting teachers with tutoring. Even after high school, she pursued work in a local child care center before moving to Illinois with her husband, and though she remained in the field, being a new wife and mom meant putting her dreams of furthering her education on pause.
Her most recent role, however, is as a Bright Horizons lead educator for a kindergarten prep program in Abbott Park, Illinois, and thanks to their Horizons Teacher Degree Program, she's finally making her goal of many years come true. Through the program, she's currently earning her associate's degree in Early Childhood Education at Rasmussen University, free of charge, and is set to graduate in June of this year.
"Receiving my degree in June will mean so much to me," Mayra shared. "I want my kids to learn that it's never too late to follow their dreams and that anything is possible with perseverance and commitment."
(via Bright Horizons)
Sidra Azam
When a newly married Sidra Azam moved from Pakistan to the United States when she was 19, her first work was a part-time job at a daycare, and she quickly found her calling in early childhood education. She continued that work for many years, but being a mom in addition to working full-time made it challenging for her to make the time to earn her bachelor's degree. However, in her most recent role as a lead educator for the infant and toddler program at Bright Horizons in San Ramon, California, the Horizons Teacher Degree Program finally made that possible for her.
The program allowed Sidra to take online courses for The University of Arizona Global Campus' Early Education Administration program, so they could fit right into her busy schedule. She graduated from the program with her bachelor's degree in 2021, making her the first in her immediate family to earn a degree.
"Achieving a bachelor's degree was a lifelong dream and the Horizons Teacher Degree Program made it possible to work full-time and still achieve that goal," Sidra shared. "The fact that I was able to graduate debt-free was a major factor in deciding to utilize the program."
(via Bright Horizons)
Kelsey Campbell
Bright Horizons has been an important presence in Kelsey Campbell's life since she was a literal infant. She started attending a center managed by Bright Horizons when she was just six months old, all the way through kindergarten, and loved her time there, making lasting memories even as a pre-K kid.
When Kelsey was 17, she was invited back to the center to celebrate its 20th anniversary and something clicked. She remembered how pivotal it had been in her own development and wanted to bring that same positive experience to other growing kids. She immediately started working there part-time, and when she graduated high school, she was able to move up to a full-time role. The position even saw her working alongside her beloved former teacher, Miss Meg.
But, perhaps most importantly, she was also given the chance to pursue degrees in Early Childhood Education through the Horizons Teacher Degree Program. She received her associate degree from the University of Arizona Global Campus before completing her bachelor's degree there.
"Getting my degree represents a lot to me," Kelsey explained. "It represents my future, opening up more career opportunities—opportunities that I wouldn't have if I didn't have a degree."
(via Bright Horizons)
Kelly and Carol Krueger
When Bright Horizons teacher Kelly Krueger learned about the Horizons Teacher Degree Program, she didn't just think about the opportunity it could provide her, but also how it could benefit her mom and fellow teacher, Carol Kreuger. After all, Kelly's mom had inspired her to become a teacher in the first place, and she knew it would be a great path forward for both of them—especially because they could go through the whole process together and support each other every step of the way.
Both enrolled in Rasmussen University's Early Childhood Education associate of science child development program and pushed each other to succeed and thrive, graduating with honors.
"Receiving my degree was a big accomplishment," Carol explained. "Not only did I pursue this in my later years, but I had to adapt myself to the different style of teaching. So this has made me very proud!"
(via Bright Horizons)
Want to make your story just like these? Click HERE to learn all about the Bright Horizons jobs available near you.
This article is sponsored by Bright Horizons.