Brighten Academy Preschool

I just had the most awful experience. I am really disappointed. I called various sites in Clovis area to find this Austin site had 3 full days. I told them that my son is three and still has a hard time transitioning to pooping on the toilet. He doesn't feel comfortable. He literally is outta diapers and then begs me to put a diaper on so he can poop. Working on that with him. He doesn't have issues at night for 9-10 hours or during naps. He poops once a day. I told them that he's getting better and I expect him to be out of diapers completely by one month. They were so understanding on the phone. Told me they have a class of 19 with two teachers and since he's not 4 yet they would help and it wouldn't be an issue. I drove here today and I am literally guessing but more than likely this is true. Everything they told me over the phone was not true. They did not have the three full days open, she told me to start when he's fully potty trained and I felt so very uncomfortable the entire time. I felt as if it was due to his religion/ race I got some special unwanted treatment. I myself grew up experiencing racism but not like this. I was born in England and lived most of my life in the states. I have immigrant parents and I felt some racism here and there but not like this or maybe I don't remember. I was hurt that the conversation on the phone one day before was different than what I experienced. One of the girls working there told me that should would put a hold on the days for me for 24 hours. Today I drove here for a completely unknown experience that was full of run around statements. I have worked with kids and I was a nicu nurse for years. I been busy with grad school and he's just having pooping issues. He doesn't have accidents and he's still learning. I know their statements were all excuses. This was so sad to experience for me. I expected better. I will never recommend this place to family and friends. They loss some business. I hope they read this and will do better. There are no excuses for this behavior for kids. I checked out another day care who were way nicer in town. If I am an adult and you treat me like I am an idiot then I can't imagine how you would treat my son when I am not there.

This review is for the Shaw location but I can't find a page for it on yelp. I LOVE this preschool! I've had nothing but pleasant experiences with the staff and my girl loves going here and all her teachers and friends. The ladies who work in the front are the absolute nicest people I have ever met and all of the teachers are very sweet as well. I enrolled her when she was 2.5 and the first few weeks she cried literally every time I dropped her off lol, the staff never made me feel weird about it and always made an effort to comfort her. I would watch on camera and she was always relaxed a few minutes after I left. They do a good job at giving extra love and care to the kids having a hard day and will hold them and comfort them. I love watching the cameras to see what my kid is up to and always see the kids having fun and behaving surprisingly well, I haven't seen any hitting or aggression other than knocking down block towers lol. They all seem to do what they're expected to do most of the time like sitting on the rug at reading time, sitting at the table for food, sleeping at nap time. If they want to do their own thing like lay on the floor or stare out the window, the staff doesn't force them into doing something else they don't want. During crafts they can play with toys instead or hang out with other kids. At this age need that freedom of choice and they don't need to be tough on them as long as they aren't a disruption. Preschool should be fun not serious! I don't get a TON of personalized info on my kids activities and progress but they give me a slip every day with some basic info on her mood and engagement level and what they learned about, and what she ate/if she slept, etc. and honestly I check the cams throughout the day and can see what she's up to. I've never been called regarding any issues except once when she was obviously feeling sick and complaining about her ear. They said it was just an fyi and since she didn't have a fever it wasn't necessary to pick her up (I did anyway so she could rest at home). When she first started she was shy and a little anxious around other people but she's so outgoing now and loves being around other kids! She has a couple little buddies she gives hugs to when she says bye, and one of the kids she calls her "best friend" lol. I like that they get outside twice a day for quite a while, they do crafts every day, read books, dance, sing, and all the fun stuff toddlers love!

Our daughter attended Brighten from age 2 and its been wonderful! I love that they have cameras so we can see her anytime. She always loved her teachers and came up excited to share her day.

The teachers at this location are amazing!! We felt very fortunate to be accepted after waiting for 6 months. We have an only child who attended this location for 2 months. She does not get any opportunity outside of preschool to socialize with toddlers her age. Our daughter is 2 1/2. She was kicked out today unfortunately for 2 biting incidences in 1 day. We have been informed of previous close calls as well. We feel like they have given up on our little girl. We understand the liability a child that bites creates for a preschool. Also don't want to put anyones child in a position where they come home with bite marks. But how is a child to learn or a parent to correct when this doesn't happen at home? We feel the policy is a little harsh but also understand know body wants their child to be on the one being bitten so someone else's child can learn a lesson. Makes you think about how vigilant are the people around you child each day. Sad day for us as parents. We feel fortunate for the progress we have seen in our little one from the help of the teachers at this location but feel like the management has given up on a wonderful little girl.

My son goes to Brighten Academy. He has been going their for a year. We started him about 3 months after age 2 due to the wait list.There are a couple of great things I would like to highlight.1. They learn things in themes which is so cool. He came home this week and was telling me about camping and the stuff we would need. We have never been camping but he comes home with new information.2. He didn't have to be potty trained. They helped us and we tried at home. Personally I think he took longer because his little brother was born when he was 2 1/2 so it was a huge transition in life for him.3. I don't have to pack him a lunch. Some schools I looked into I had to pack a lunch. Honestly I am so busy that adding one more thing before I go to bed or to do in the morning is rough. I already pack all my pumping supplies daily in order to feed his little brother.Now here is the thing that makes the school truly exceptional... they know everyone's name. When I walk in the door, the front desk and the teachers all know my son and every other kids' names. That is just awesome. There is a reason why they are the people's choice. (We go to the Villa campus)

I feel bad giving 2 stars because the staff is friendly. However, recently I had to remove my son because I feared for his well-being as well as the well-being of my family. There was always some sort of illness/disease circulating through this facility. To name a short few, Covid 19, Corona Virus, RSV and Hand Foot Mouth Disease. My son would bring these illnesses home to my infant. It was a constant problem in our home and my 6 month old was even hospitalized. Something to consider if you have other children in the home. RARELY do they send sick children home. YES PARENTS BRING THEIR SICK kids constantly because you still have to pay whether your child attends or not...there are no sick days and no vacation/makeup days. The staff is ALWAYS changing...teachers are constantly coming and going which is never a good sign and I don't think it's beneficial for the children. It's unsettling because the kids do not understand and they really need consistency. Lastly, I question the learning aspect of this preschool. A former teacher told me that it's all kind of for show if you will to keep the parents happy. Sure they have cameras here and they send the kids home with cute drawings and handprints etc but that's the extent of it. Brighten is more like a daycare/babysitting service rather than a preschool.

Love this school and the staff!!! My child has learned so much in 3 years that I am confident in his educational foundation. My child loves to come to school here. It is so popular that they are doubling their size and until now have always had a waiting list. Enroll with confidence!!!

Unprofessional staff!!! They hire very young, unexperienced, uneducated staff to care for the children. Due to lack of education and training, they deliver poor results. They have no idea to handle kids. They just charge extra for the location. No love and kindness by staff. Very cold!

No stars given. Worst experience my child ever faced. Hopefully he doesn't have permanent damage from the emotional experience he faced there. The staff has zero compassion for kids. Inexperienced stuff they probably pay them peanuts.

Love this school! The staff are so kind and wonderful with the kids. Ms. Annie was my son's teacher and he absolutely loved her. Highly recommend Brighten Academy! :-)