BrightPath Farmington Child Care Center

"We love BrightPath daycare. Educators are great, very professional and responsible." - Margaryta Terentyeva

Welcome to BrightPath Farmington Early Learning & Child Care, formerly known as Educational Playcare Farmington, a NAEYC-Accredited center dedicated to excellence in early childhood education and child care services. Conveniently located on Route 6 in Camelot Commons - between Exits 37 and 38 off I-84 - our welcoming red brick center provides outstanding daycare, preschool, pre-k, and school-age programs for children aged 6 weeks to 12 years.

Families choose BrightPath Farmington for our warm, family-oriented atmosphere and dedicated, tenured teaching staff. Many of our educators have been part of our community for years - some more than two decades - bringing stability, experience, and compassionate care that families deeply appreciate. Parents frequently share that our center feels like family, highlighting our teachers' attention to detail, daily communication, and their children's genuine joy and comfort here.

BrightPath Farmington features 20 spacious classrooms filled with natural light and thoughtfully equipped with brand-new, natural learning materials designed to stimulate curiosity, creativity, and exploration. Our state-of-the-art indoor Motor Room - recently celebrated with a grand opening - provides children with ample opportunities to develop gross motor skills through engaging, active play year-round. Additionally, families frequently express excitement about our seven distinct playgrounds, each designed for specific age groups, and our newer infant and toddler outdoor play areas, offering exceptional spaces for safe and stimulating outdoor exploration.

Our educational approach is rooted in the holistic BeeCurious Curriculum, emphasizing children's innate curiosity and promoting critical thinking, social-emotional skills, and academic growth through play-based learning. Daily curriculum highlights include Math Discovery, Creative Discovery, Physical Literacy, Language and Literacy, and Building Connections, along with special enrichment opportunities such as cooking classes, karate lessons, family-involved literacy sessions through our "Read to Me" program, and engaging monthly classes in music, art, and sensory play.

Our robust American Sign Language (ASL) program enhances language development and communication, providing children with bilingual language skills from a young age. Through weekly introduction of new signs connected to curriculum themes, children develop stronger communication skills, improved memory, and reduced frustration. Families are encouraged to reinforce ASL at home, strengthening learning outcomes and family bonding.

At BrightPath Farmington, safety is a top priority. Our center maintains secure keypad entry systems on exterior doors, comprehensive identification checks for all visitors, proactive parent notifications regarding alternative pickups, and silent panic buttons connected to local law enforcement. Additionally, all educators hold certifications in First Aid and CPR, the center is equipped with Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), and staff members are trained in medication administration and the use of Epi-Pens, exceeding standard safety requirements and ensuring peace of mind for families.

BrightPath Farmington actively connects with the local community by participating in annual events such as the December Lights Parade and Fair, hosting a popular Trunk-or-Treat in October, and partnering with local organizations. Our community engagement includes supporting local sports teams and hosting seasonal weekend classes, fostering deeper connections between families, our center, and the community.

Choosing BrightPath Farmington means selecting an established, caring center deeply committed to your child's educational success, well-being, and safety - an ideal place to grow, explore, and thrive.

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  • 360 Colt Highway Farmington, CT 06032
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  • Open 6:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Call for Enrollment: 888.711.5437
  • Licensed for 281 children

Center Programs

Infant

Infant (6 Weeks - 18 Months)

Our infant program provides a warm, nurturing environment where caregivers form close bonds with babies, ensuring a secure and trusting relationship. Each infant follows their own schedule, with individualized care routines for feeding, sleeping, and play. Our educators support early development through sensory exploration, attachment-based play, and language-rich interactions, including the introduction of basic American Sign Language (ASL).

Key Focus Areas:

  • Building secure attachments with primary caregivers
  • Encouraging free exploration and movement
  • Facilitating play that supports sensory and cognitive development
  • Respecting each infant’s natural rhythms and routines

Toddler

Toddler (18 Months - 3 Years)

Toddlers are naturally curious, energetic, and eager to explore. Our toddler program fosters independence while encouraging language development and social-emotional growth. Through hands-on activities, play-based learning, and structured routines, toddlers gain foundational skills for future learning.

Key Focus Areas:

  • Supporting independence (self-feeding, dressing, potty training)
  • Expanding language and communication through ASL and verbal expression
  • Encouraging social-emotional growth through cooperative play
  • Sensory experiences, music, and movement to enhance cognitive development
Pre-Schooler

Preschool (3-4 Years)

Preschoolers are eager learners, exploring their world with curiosity and excitement. Our preschool program builds upon their natural interests, incorporating early literacy, math, science, and creative expression into their daily routines. Play-based learning helps children develop problem-solving skills, creativity, and social connections.

Key Focus Areas:

  • Developing early literacy and numeracy skills
  • Encouraging creative expression through art, music, and dramatic play
  • Building independence and confidence in learning
  • Enhancing social and problem-solving skills through group activities
Before & After School Care

Before & After School Care (5-12 Years)

Our school-age program supports children’s continued learning and social development through before- and after-school care. With homework help, enrichment activities, and recreational play, children have a safe and engaging environment to continue their growth.

Key Focus Areas:

  • Providing structured and free-choice learning experiences
  • Supporting homework completion and academic development
  • Encouraging teamwork, leadership, and character-building
  • Engaging in hands-on STEM, arts, and physical activities

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Center Offerings

CT Care for Kids
Yoga
Healthy Meals & Snacks
Music
Dance & Movement
Qualified Educators
Transitional Kindergarten
Military Discount

Our center proudly accepts CT Care for Kids. Our Center Director can provide more information regarding financial assistance and they can assist you with the process as well.

Our Yoga program enriches our preschool curriculum, fostering young minds and bodies for lifelong mental and physical well-being through fun, themed sessions.

All our centers are completely nut-free, and we work with families with children who have other food sensitivities and allergies to ensure their safety and well-being.

Our music program offers a researched, systematic approach to nurturing children's social skills and musical development, including singing in tune and rhythmic coordination.

Our dance programs blend solid technique with fun and creative choreography, fostering both technical skill and expressive, individualistic style in our little ones.

Our Educators are passionate about delivering early years education that empowers and inspires children to create their futures.

Our transitional program preps children for kindergarten with enhanced activities aligned with Connecticut's KEI, focusing on language, literacy, numeracy, and social skills.

We're proud to offer a standard 10% U.S. military discount for families in active duty as our way of saying thank you for your service!

Explore Our Center

Center Director

Kristie Nichols has been in the field of Early Childhood Education since 1996 and happily became a part of BrightPath in December of 2014. She started with us as a teacher for the preschool program at our school in East Hampton. Kristie has an associate degree, a CDA, a Head teachers’ certification, a CT Education Consultant Certificate, and she is trained in first aid and CPR.

In 2015 Kristie accepted the position as Curriculum Coordinator for our school in East Hampton. As coordinator she

Portrait of the BrightPath Farmington  Director
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Award-Winning Culture

We’re proud to be recognized as a 2025 Winner for the Culture at Work Award and the 2024 Winner of the Kudos Culture Leader Award. We strive every day to provide top-level support to our staff at over 250 daycare locations throughout the United States and Canada.

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