Lindsey Desmet
Short Answer — Bright Horizons’ tuition varies based on the child’s age, how many days of care you choose, and the individual location’s pricing and fees. You can usually expect to pay between $1,100 and $3,000 per month for one child attending five days per week and $600 to $2,250 per month for one child attending two to three days per week.
Bright Horizons Tuition Rates Explained
Bright Horizons offers age-specific programs for infants through pre-kindergarten, as well as after-school programs and summer camps for children up to age 12 at some locations.[1]
It also operates Montessori-style schools for up to fifth grade.[2]
Tuition at Bright Horizons varies based on several factors, including:
- The individual center’s fees
- The child’s age
- The child’s care schedule (full-time, part-time, or drop-in)
- The individual classroom; some classrooms feature additional programs and/or activities at a cost.[3]
Bright Horizons doesn’t post tuition rates on its website. Instead, the company recommends that you contact or visit your local Bright Horizons center to discuss your options.
We contacted several Bright Horizons centers across the U.S. to determine how much you can expect to pay in tuition.
Several of the locations we called were unwilling to provide tuition details over the phone, but others provided quotes.
We also researched price reports from parents with children currently enrolled in Bright Horizons programs.
Tuition Rates by Age Group
In the table below, we’ve listed average price ranges by age group based on our research.
Included are the approximate tuition costs for infant care, toddler care, preschool, and pre-kindergarten; we were unable to gather pricing for Bright Horizons summer camps and Montessori schools.
Keep in mind that every location is different, so it’s still best to contact the center you’re interested in for specific pricing and program information.
| Age Group | Available Schedules | Full-Time Tuition Range (Monthly) | Part-Time Tuition Range (Monthly) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infants | Five, three or two days per week | $1,500 to $3,000 | $700 to $2,250 |
| Two-Year-Olds | Five, three, or two days per week | $1,200 to $2,600 | $650 to $1,800 |
| Toddlers | Five, three, or two days per week; some centers offer half days | $1,500 to $2,800 | $700 to $2,000 |
| Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten | Five days per week; some offer half-day care or two- and three-day schedules | $1,100 to $2,200 | $600 to $1,600 |
Additional Costs
Though tuition plans vary by school and class, as discussed above, additional charges you may pay at Bright Horizons include the following:
Registration Fees
Registration fees vary by location and are non-refundable. The centers we contacted quoted charges ranging from around $75 to $150 per child.[3]
Bright Horizons requires you to register your child(ren) annually, so you’ll pay this fee each year. However, some locations offer discounted rates on registration fees for subsequent years.[3]
Activities
Tuition includes supervised outdoor play and the basic, daily classroom curriculum.
However, some Bright Horizons classrooms offer special activities like field trips, which the base tuition amount does not include.[3]
Fees vary significantly by event and location, ranging from as little as $4 to $20 or more per activity.[3]
Meals
Full-time Bright Horizons tuition typically includes either family-style meals cooked on-site or two daily snacks at no additional cost. None of the locations we contacted said that they sell meal plans.[3]
Vegetarian and allergen-free options may be available, and parents will receive the menu ahead of time.[3][4][5]
However, if your local childcare center does not offer meal service or you don’t approve of the menu options, you may also budget for and provide your child’s meals and snacks.[6]
Bright Horizons also requires that parents provide breast milk or formula for infants who are not yet eating solid foods.[7]
Tuition Discounts
You may be eligible to receive a discount on tuition at Bright Horizons. Keep in mind that availability may depend on your location and your family’s circumstances.
Here are a few options to consider:
- Sibling discount: Some Bright Horizons locations offer a 10% discount on tuition for the oldest child when you enroll more than one.[8][9]
- Tuition assistance for military families: Military families may be eligible for tuition assistance at more than 300 Bright Horizons locations through the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA).[10][11]
- Employment discounts: Some Bright Horizons locations offer a tuition discount to employees of certain businesses. Call your local childcare center for details.[12][13]
Payment Methods and Schedule
Tuition payments are due monthly on the 25th prior to each month of childcare.[14][3]
You can pay with a check, money order, or automatic payment through ACH. Bright Horizons does not allow credit card payments.[15]
Price Comparison
For more information on childcare costs, see our article on the average daycare costs per week by state and age group.
We also have tuition information for Little Sunshine’s Playhouse and Preschool, KinderCare, La Petite Academy, and The Goddard School.
William Lipovsky
Are you referring to the U.S. only? Because the fees you are mentioning in the article do not reflect the U.K. fees, which are double the ones you’ve presented in this article.
Hello, Dimitra! Yes, we are based in the U.S., and our article reflects the tuition prices for U.S. childcare centers.