Bright Horizons selected as operator of new child development center
SMUD, Sac State, UC Davis Health expand childcare services
Today, SMUD, Sacramento State and UC Davis Health announce the selection of Bright Horizons as the operator for the partnership’s new child development center in East Sacramento, which is scheduled to open later this year.
The 17,000-square-foot center along Folsom Boulevard will offer childcare and education services for infants and children through 6 years of age. The new center will also have more than 15,000-square feet of outdoor space, a new playground and children’s garden designed by UC Davis with sensory and edible plants. The new center meets a need for high-quality childcare in the Sacramento region.
Bright Horizons was selected following an extensive evaluation process. It operates more than 700 centers across the United States, including the Hutchison Child Development Center on campus at UC Davis. With a proven track record of retaining educators, the operator commits to quality early education programs that follow standards set by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
SMUD’s Lighthouse Child Development Center, located on the SMUD campus on S Street, will close, having served families for more than a quarter century. All children currently enrolled at Lighthouse will be guaranteed a space at the new facility, which will double enrollment capacity to 200 when it opens later this fall.
Priority for childcare placement will be given to employees and affiliates of the partnership followed by the community at-large. Enrolled families will enjoy quality care with low teacher-to-child ratios and market tuition rates.
Construction of the new child development center began last August. Sacramento State’s University Enterprises, Inc., selected SW Allen Construction, Inc. for renovations of the existing Folsom Boulevard property, which SMUD leases.
Bright Horizons will soon begin to reach out to staff and families of the current facility to provide enrollment information and updates on the transition. For more information and frequently asked questions, please visit the center’s website here.
