Forest Lakes Renovation

Hip hip hooray for June and BIG NEWS from Bright Beginnings!

Hello friends and families

We are excited to share with you some amazing and exciting changes coming your way! We
know you and your family will be pumped up about our news and innovative and creative
improvements we are undertaking. So sit back and grab a latte and read on for all the latest!

We will celebrate our 33rd birthday this August and are so excited to tell you that we have
confirmed plans to renovate the interior of all three buildings! We are making beautiful changes
to update our look, add more safety features and completely redo all classroom interiors
including new furniture, learning materials and cabinetry. Can we hear a WOO-HOO?!

Here’s the scoop:

Forest Lakes is up first as our elder sister school. (Built in 1985, this location has only had two small makeovers in 33 years!) Our official kick off celebration is Monday evening when we unveil our plans to our full teaching staff. Look for kick off celebration pictures to be posted on Facebook. (You’ve LIKED our two Facebook pages, we hope! Bright Beginnings Charlottesville and Bright Beginnings Forest Lakes) If not, please LIKE and follow so you can stay up to date on photos and summer promotions- we are even GIVING AWAY 6 free months of tuition this summer to one lucky family, so hop to it to hear more about it!

Drum roll please…Here is a list of some of the changes we will be making at Bright Beginnings Forest Lakes:

• All new wood-like flooring- luxury LVT flooring product
• Installation of two way tempered glass windows in hallways for easy supervision, better natural light and updated look
• New classroom doors will allow better lighting into classrooms and hallways, better supervision
• New safer electrical plug covers throughout
• Security cameras installed for training and security purposes- we will be under video and audio surveillance at all times. Please note these cameras are not accessible by anyone but
  administration and will not be shared or reviewed unless necessary, most likely for training
  purposes. We strongly believe in our staff and trust them with our children. Your child’s privacy as well as the privacy of our staff is our priority; therefore camera footage will not be shared. Footage will be deleted daily.
• Parent communication signage installed throughout to communicate core values and goals.
• All new cabinetry in classrooms and kitchen for updated and beautiful look, more functionality and storage for teachers. All cabinets have magnetic locks as added safety feature.
• New step treads to upstairs will provide safety improvement for snowy and rainy days
• Lobby will have director desk and cozy family seating area, new rug and lovely look!
• Director office will have one way window installed so director can see anyone entering the lobby if she is in office.
• All classroom furniture will be replaced and classroom learning materials upgraded. We are
  using Kaplan Furniture to purchase most of this. We are seeking a new look for our classrooms- a updated Reggio-Montessori home like appearance that will be calming and beautiful!
• 51 lighting fixtures updated to LED bulbs with dimmer switches- again we are seeking a lovely and cozy environment
• Window treatments for all rooms will accentuate our new look
• Utilize new technology DNA Softwash products on all buildings to remove mildew, mold and grime so little lungs breath easy
• Full building interior repainted with low/zero VOC product which is safest paint for children
• As much as possible we are seeking to use natural materials such as baskets to store
  classroom materials

The awesome news about this construction is that we’ve hired a firm out of Atlanta that will work after hours and throughout the weekends in the evening and throughout the night so we will have minimal disruption for our
children and staff. With fingers crossed for good weather, we will spend time outdoors and improvise while still continuing our regular daily schedule and curriculum.

Outdoor Classrooms

As you know we are working with The Outdoor Classroom Project group based in southern California. Kathe Petchel has completed Level 1 Outdoor Classroom Specialist training and is working with colleagues to bring this concept to Bright Beginnings. We will ask for your help this summer on continuing to implement this wholesome and joyful concept. Initial goals involve staff training and development and encouraging staff to be outside as much as possible with their class. Almost anything we do inside (short of potty training and diapering) can be do well outside! Think back to your childhood memories and consider how many of them involve the great outdoors. Please refer to The Outdoor Classroom Project here for an overview about this fantastic program and to see why we’re so excited. They also have a short Youtube video that shares the research and benefits of providing children with as much time outdoors as possible.

Mill Creek and Crozet Renovation Plans

After we complete the Forest Lakes renovation, we plan to begin the other two schools as soon as possible. We’ll evaluate the process, make necessary changes and be ready to go hopefully late summer. If you have ideas and input please see your director.

Summer Camp

This is the time of year when children and families come and go and we hope all of you stay for the summer camp which starts on Monday! We have so many fun activities planned and can’t wait to get started. Please let your friends know we have openings for summer and fall and we’ll thank you with a $100.00 cash gift or tuition credit. If you refer a friend who signs up for a full time schedule- we will thank you with $300.00 cash or tuition credit!

Director’s Contact Information and phone

Forest Lakes- P. J. Gilbert 434-973-8414

Mill Creek- Alison Casey 434-979-8585

Crozet- Myriah Pirhala 434-823-7129

Nuts and Bolts

Mon. June 5 Kick off Staff Celebration and Champagne/Sparkling cider toast

Wed. June 7 Construction starts (evenings/nights and weekends)

Wed. June 21-23Welcome Summer with Kona Ice visiting each school- 10:30am- twos and older (free)

Thurs. June 29 International Mud Day! Mud Kitchens and Mud Play all day! Make sure your little one is dressed for messy play!

Mon. June 26 – Fri. June 30 Used classroom furniture and cubbies available for purchase, first come first served, pre pay only

Sat. July 1st Open to Community Yard Sale to purchase used classroom furniture and materials

M- July 3, W-July 5, Th.- July 5 and F-July 7th- Forest Lakes closed for final touches, students may sign up first come, first serve for care at Crozet and Mill Creek. Teachers from FL will be placed at Crozet and Mill Creek and be with their students as much as possible. We have a super fun week planned to make it a camp- like adventure!

Tues. July 4 All Bright Beginnings locations closed in honor of July 4th

Mon. July 10th Reopening date!

Sunday July 16th Big Reveal Community Party! Mark your calendars now! We’re giving away 6 months free tuition, Apple Watches and many other awesome prizes. Must be there to win!