Elephants are socially and emotionally complex animals and their tradition of raising their young is positively inspiring!

Baby elephants are taken care of by a network of older elephants referred to as Allomothers. Allomothers offer nurturance, guidance and stability to babies--while also serving as support systems for their parent(s). The Allomother concept parallels our own beliefs in strong family systems and the importance of community. The Allomother is an embodiment of healthy individual development through community support. We hope that when you see our logo you will know that our elephant symbolizes the expression of the guidance and support you can expect at Bright Beginnings.

We welcome children ages 6 weeks to 48 months. Our programs are tailored to meet the developmental needs of each age group, ensuring a nurturing and educational environment for every child.

We use the Brightwheel app for daily updates, including your child’s progress, activities, and any important announcements. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to chat in person with your child’s teacher every day. Our teachers and director provide in-person conferences and assessments to keep you attuned to your child’s development.

We encourage families to apply as early as possible, as we typically have a very small waiting list. We keep our list small, as we require all parents to first attend a tour and pay a $75 waitist fee.

All rooms are named after rescue elephants in Africa that Bright Beginnings Early Learning Center has adopted and sponsors.

KIASA was rescued at the age of 6 months, where she was found being taken care of by two young male elephants after her family had fallen victim to the effects of a severe drought. She is now thriving in the Nairobi Nursery and Bright Beginnings is proud to be contributing to her continued care and recovery.

MALKIA was orphaned and rescued at a very young age. With the aid of our sponsorship, she has assimilated well to life in the nursery and has formed strong connections to her fellow orphans and human caretakers.

KORA is our oldest adopted elephant, as he was orphaned at a young age due to poaching. After being in the safe and loving care of the nursery, Kora was successfully reintroduced to the wild in a protected national park. He frequently stops by the nursery to say hi to his old friends and caretakers.

Yes! In early 2025, Dr. Bob and Martese made Ms. Elin, our Director, an offer to join our ownership team. She excitedly said yes and is now a proud co-owner! The children and families of Bright Beginnings are rewarded with the consistency and stability that comes with her additional role.

All children aged 12 months and up receive our full catering service, including breakfast, snacks and lunch. Catering is provided daily from Healthy Organic Kids. Prior to catering, parents are responsible for providing breast milk, formula and solid foods.

We are a private center and are not part of the Illinois Action for Children program. However, please know, many families in our program use our Brightwheel invoices to apply for FSA and other tuition reimbursement programs. For more information about FSA please visit their website here: https://www.fsafeds.com/explore/dcfsa. We also encourage families to check in with their employers about any tuition reimbursement programs they might offer.