BrightPath Mansfield Child Care Center
BrightPath Mansfield Child Care Center
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28 Wilbur Cross Way Mansfield, CT 06269
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Open 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
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Call for Enrollment:
860.580.5328
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Licensed for 152 children
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NAEYC Accredited
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Welcome to BrightPath Mansfield Early Learning & Child Care, a NAEYC-Accredited child care center conveniently located in the heart of Storrs Center, near UConn and E.O. Smith High School. Our beautifully designed and spacious facility offers exceptional daycare, preschool, pre-k, and school-age programs for families living or working in Mansfield and the surrounding communities.
Families visiting BrightPath Mansfield are immediately drawn to our stunning building, featuring an impressive entrance and lobby area. Our classrooms are spacious, bright, and thoughtfully arranged, creating engaging environments tailored to support children's cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. Our location offers convenient parking directly outside our doors with additional garage parking
Center Programs
Our age-specific programs provide enriching experiences tailored to each stage of early development. Click on the program below to learn more information.
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 (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
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
Pre-K (4-5 years)
The pre-K program prepares children for kindergarten through hands-on, inquiry-based learning experiences. Children develop literacy and math skills, engage in STEM activities, and practice self-regulation and collaboration. Our play-based approach ensures learning remains joyful and meaningful.
Key Focus Areas:
- Strengthening pre-reading, writing, and numeracy skills
- Hands-on STEM exploration (science, technology, engineering, and math)
- Fostering independence, confidence, and self-regulation
- Encouraging social responsibility and problem-solving skills
From Our Families
Our families know us best. See directly from them about what makes our center a place where their children thrive.
Explore Our Center
Center Director
Before joining BrightPath, Catherine Schaefer worked as the Director of another childcare center. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Eastern Connecticut State University and she also has a CDA.
Catherine has been in the field of early childhood educational since 1999. She started her career as a preschool teacher and worked her way through different management roles to the position of Director. Catherine loves playing with the children and getting to know each family. She considers
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Virtual Tours:
If you would prefer a virtual tour, please call us to schedule one.
Award-Winning Culture
We’re proud to be recognized as a winner of the 2025 Culture at Work Award , a 2025 Silver Stevie® Award in Consumer Services recipient, and the winner of the 2024 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.
