We love Bright Minds Preschool. Our daughter likes all her teachers. They're very patient and receptive. We enjoy the field trips and family events they host throughout the year. read more

We are absolutely thrilled with our daughter's experience at BMPS and we are so grateful to be part of this school community. The teachers are all incredible, the school is amazingly well run, the curriculum is a perfect balance of learning and play, and our daughter is thriving. In addition to getting the kids outside as much as possible, the school is constantly finding new ways to engage the kids in little field trips and adventures and our daughter has loved all of these experiences. We cannot thank Miss Cookie and her talented team enough for all the support they've provided to us and our daughter on this learning journey. While we know she will be incredibly well prepared to move to kindergarten next year, we will be very sad to leave this place and all of the loving teachers and staff who have brought so much joy to our daughter and family. read more

We love Bright Minds Preschool! Our 3 year old daughter started attending in July this year and we've been so impressed by how much she's already learned in just a few months. The teachers made sure it was a welcoming environment where she was able to make new friends quickly. There are art projects and activities every day in addition to open playtime. In the summer there were pool sessions and in the fall they often visit local parks and libraries! There's also an app that keeps every parent up to date on daily routines with photos and descriptions of what the kids had for lunch! It's my new favorite app! Truly a perfect environment for toddlers and we could not be happier we chose this school. Thank you BMPS team! read more

Bright Minds is truly a diamond in the rough. As with any 3rd party child care there will be issues. But HOW the facility's management team handles those issues, in my mind, is what DEFINES that facility. Cookie is the current manager of this facility and she is truly amazing. She openly welcomes feedback and if parents have any questions, concerns, issues, etc, she ENCOURAGES those be shared with her so she can address them immediately. Her caring and genuine nature cannot be overstated. Latest example of Cookie's unflinching character: our 4yo came home & over dinner she included in her prayer that people would stop shooting each other. We shield our youngsters of such concepts & emailed Cookie that night of our concern & possibility of our child overhearing adult conversations while at Bright Minds. The VERY next morning Cookie emailed us back & stated she had already talked to her entire staff to verify such adult conversations were not occurring & further explained for our peace of mind. There were 3 kids that were playing 'shooting' and talking about people being shot. The relevant teacher noticed the actions/talk and immediately interceded to explain that's not appropriate behavior. I was impressed (and that's hard to do in any circumstance). We are not 'helicopter' parents and allow our 4yo to experience life & ask as many questions as possible. However, we recognize the developmental aptitude of negative concepts. Cookie's staff acted, in my opinion, appropriately to the situation by consulting the kids & not reprimanding them for- well- being kids. You cannot control other parents, their judgement, or the judgement of a daycare's staff. The only thing you can control- is which daycare. As long as we're in VA we will be utilizing this facility for this very reason. Impeccable people, amazing management style, and an all-encompassing staff that genuinely cares about the future of the lives they hold in their hands. read more

Our son has been at Bright Mind since Sept 2020 and has thrived there. We've loved his teachers, the school handled COVID extremely well using evidence-based policies, and he will be more than prepared for kindergarten. We recommend it to everyone we know. read more

Our daughter has flourished at Bright Mind. the small class size has been just what she needed. many days the updates they share with me about what the kids are up to makes me want to quit my job and work with them because they have to much fun! my child at 3 years old is showing mastery of skills that are expected for children in first grade. This is all thanks to the amazing experience she is having at Bright Mind. read more

Our daughter has recently graduated from Bright Mind Preschool (BMPS) after almost two years, and I have to say that she has mastered everything she has been taught so far in Kindergarten! She just learned so much at BMPS! Before we joined BMPS we were at a large center, and we were very happy with the transition. The communications are frequent and consistent, the learning while having fun approach is terrific, the way all the teachers work together is admirable, and the many activities, events, and filed trips are very enriching for parents and kids! One thing I really loved, and miss now, is the app used daily to send pictures and record everything our daughter did/eat throughout the day. Our class built a very close bond and to date, most of us get together for playdates, birthday parties, and the kids love being together again. I highly recommend BMPS to anyone looking for a safe and nurturing preschool! read more

BMPS is great at communicating and dealing with difficult behaviors. The teachers are so loving and understanding of these years where kids are learning how to deal with emotions and teaching them in a fun environment. My child was beyond ready for kindergarten and could even start reading if they wanted to. : ) read more

I wouldn't recommend this place. We asked a simple question and request and rather than answering it and handling it, the owner, Cookie Balcha rather dismiss my child. What kind of daycare.... read more

Bright mind is like a home away from home . The teachers and owner are very personable there . They genuinely care for your children and make sure that the child and parents are comfortable . The curriculum allows the child to be creative and learn while having fun , I personally love to see the Friday folder where my child can showcase a weeks worth of art work and classwork that they have done . My daughter loves to discuss the wide variety of topics that they cover and the dialogue they have around it . Her vocabulary has tremendously improved as well as her interest level in varies topics . I can go on and on about all the wonderful things and Care that Bright Mind provides to the children , from the field trips to celebrations they do it all. I am so happy that we chose this school and would highly recommend to anyone . read more

It is hard to put into words how grateful we are to have found this preschool. Ms. Cookie instills a very loving and trusting community between the teachers, kids, and parents - you truly feel like a family. This was one of the most difficult years for an administrator to navigate and we continue to be impressed by her leadership and communication to ensure a safe place for the Bright Mind family. The teachers are wonderful- the bring so much love, energy and passion to the classroom. Additionally, the small classroom size provides an opportunity for a more individualized approach and we saw our son thrive in this environment! As a mom who has had her child in a school/early child development setting since 3 months old, BrightMind is the best!! As he heads off to Kindergarten, I can only hope we have as positive experience at the Elementary school as we did here. Bright Mind sets the bar very high! read more

This is long overdue but I wanted to share my experience with Bright Mind Preschool in Old Town. When I was in search of transitioning my LO (2yrs) from an in-home daycare to a preschool, I wanted to ensure I picked the right place. I found Bright Mind through here and was skeptical because there were no reviews and I also saw that the open availability postings were quite regular. I wondered why there were so many openings. I chose to explore it further and I am so happy I did! Bright Mind is a new school that opened last year and was posting often for that reason. During my meet and greet with them, I met with the teacher and director. They asked that I bring my child so I could see how she interacted. They were so thorough and did not seem like many of the "big centers" I had previously visited. They want to get to know the parents and children. After having been here since December I can honestly say that I have seen a complete difference in my LO. She has excelled in so many ways and seems to learn something new every day. The curriculum and structure is spot on and the culture is so warming. The children are always so happy. You will never go home wondering how your child was today or what they did. I highly recommend Bright Mind Preschool to anyone looking for a new school. I promise you will not be disappointed. I wanted to share my experience because as all moms do, we want to ensure we choose what's best. read more

We have enjoyed our time at Bright Minds. Mrs. Ebony and Super Sarah in the Super Heroes classroom are AWESOME.

Ms. Ebonie and Ms. Super Sarah have been the nicest teachers to my son. The have made his first school experience a very good and memorable one. He has learned so much at Brightmind and it has definitely helped him with his social skills. I really wish I would have started him here way sooner. read more

We could not be more grateful for our son's time at Bright Mind. From the first time we met Ms. Cookie, we knew that our son would be in excellent hands. He started at ~2.5 years old after we had a negative experience with another local school, and we have been impressed with the strides he has made socially and educational in a short time. Ms. Cookie is always available and is incredibly responsive to any parent concerns. Our son's teachers have made him feel like family and have been always available to talk to us and discuss any concerns or questions we may have. The school is well run top-to-bottom. We are sad to be leaving such an excellent community! read more

My daughter started attending Bright Mind preschool in October. It was not easy for us to let her go, since she had been home with me since birth. My husband and I could not be any happier with our decision to send her here. She has bloomed so much and has learned so many things that I could not teach her at home. We love the ratio of students to teacher and feel that she gets very specialized attention to her specific style of learning. It's been a real treat to have seen her creativity so nurtured and for it to really run wild. The staff has been so incredibly wonderful as well and I am able to drop my daughter off without any doubt that she will be very well taken care of when I'm at work and that makes a huge difference. Not to mention, she is always raving about how much she loves her teachers too and I think that says a lot! We look forward to the preparedness she will have for kindergarten when she starts and sending our younger daughter here as well when she is old enough. Thank you Bright Mind Preschool! read more

I am so happy to have found Bright Mind Preschool. My son is typically not good with change, and so we were all really nervous about moving from his wonderful school in California. We chose BMP because of it's small class size; we felt it would make the transition smoother if he had direct interaction with the adults in the room. It was totally worth it. After the first day he felt a part of the school, and the transition was seamless. read more

We just started our three year old daughter at Bright Mind in April. We were beyond nervous as she is very reserved and has been at an in home day care since she was one. We even tried to move her to another location in Alexandria with a very well-known, well-respected center and had a bad experience so we removed her and brought her back to her in home location. I really didn't know if we would find the right fit for her ever. I had seen signs for Bright Mind in Old Town but didn't see many reviews. I was suspect. As a parent who works in education and researches child care option 24/7 it seems I am skeptical of any place we consider. I begrudgingly agreed to visit with my husband because they were so kind and responsive over email, and I am so happy I did. What we found at Bright Mind was a small, child-centered, loving school. After months of looking at centers in Old Town and getting the bleached, disconnected, "You need us more than we need you" feeling from many of them, I was over the moon to find a place like Bright Mind. The staff asked about our daughter and encouraged us to bring her so she could decide that Bright Mind was the best fit for her too. They answered all of our questions (I had about 200) and they provided every piece of information I asked for. Since we have started there my daughter has flourished. She loves her school and even gives hugs at the end of the day (something she very rarely does). The staff clearly work to make her feel safe and comfortable and because of that she is learning and growing so much in so many ways. I am thankful to the staff at Bright Mind for creating a child-centered school where it is clear that every person who works there is there for the kids. read more

I cannot say enough good things about Bright Mind Preschool. Our daughter who just turned 4 has been going now for about 6 months and we couldn't be happier. The teachers at Bright Mind are loving and kind, while also following a fantastic accelerated curriculum. After two months at the school our daughter was writing her full name and also reading and recognizing words. She loves going to school everyday and talks about her teachers all the time, particularly Mrs. Cortinzia who has really made a loving and positive impact on our child. The location is fantastic and when weather permits they walk to the park everyday as well as take local field trips to the many museums and historical sites that old town has to offer. We love sending our daughter to Bright Mind! read more

We have been at this school for years now, both of our kids love it here. Cookie the administrator is fantastic and her teachers are equally remarkable. We moved our kids from another center and coming to BrightMind was the best decision and we have no regrets! I highly recommend this Preschool if you are in the area. read more

Bright Mind is an excellent preschool. Miss Cookie, the owner, is very dedicated to creating a preschool that she wanted when her daughters were little, but that didn't exist then. While focusing on the play, learning, and academic part of school, the staff really is like a family. My daughter has an excellent relationship with all the teachers. While other preschools around town seemed to me to be glorified daycares, Bright Mind focuses on all the aspects of being a great preschool. I highly recommend Bright Mind Preschool! read more

Bright Mind was highly recommended by a dear friend when we relocated back to Old Town Alexandria. When I went for a visit, I was struck by the warmth of the owner, staff and teachers. The student-to-teacher ratio is excellent and the curriculum is innovative. Meals, made onsite, are balanced and healthy. There are opportunities for parent participation including mystery readers, parent volunteers and field trip chaperones. The staff goes out of their way to make the holidays throughout the year feel special. Feedback is welcome and the staff works to address any concerns you may have. We are so happy to be part of the Bright Mind family! read more

I cannot recommend higher Bright Mind, we are so happy that our daughter attended this preschool! The school has a an exceptional curriculum that includes not only language and math, but most importantly natural science. The kids spent a considerable amount outdoors, exploring ecosystems and discussing what they have seen. My daughter used to attend one of the "elite" Montessori schools in Old Town where the director was withholding information from parents which was a nightmare during CoVID. In Bright Mind the school was very transparent and keeping families informed and great with their COVID protocols- daily disinfecting, mask wearing, testing when symptoms, all teachers vaccinated. Between April 2022-June 2022 when we attended, there were only ever individual cases where kids got from their own families, there has not been any transmission within the school not once. This was huge for us, because we have immunocompromised people in the family. Not least, the owner, Ms Cookie, is always available and easy to reach for parents, the school is very organized and well run. It just felt like a small community school, and my daughter formed wonderful friendships with her classmates because of the great environment and kindness the teachers promoted. read more

Bright Mind Preschool has provided a safe and nurturing environment and we couldn't be happier. We came here looking for a program that would provide a more challenging and diverse array of learning opportunities and styles and they have delivered on every aspect. The teachers are engaged and truly care about the kids and the success of the school. They communicate, listen and provide valuable feedback, at the same time being open to feedback from parents as well. They've taken the time to study our LO and adjust the curriculum accordingly while still making it fun. Overall, we are incredibly pleased and would recommend Bright Mind without hesitation. read more

We are so glad that we chose Bright Mind in September 2021 for our son's first year of preschool. Ms. Cookie answered many questions during our school search, made us feel very comfortable in making our decision, and is always prompt in responding to calls and emails. The entire staff was extremely helpful with our son during his first few weeks when he needed some extra attention to help with the transition from home to the school setting. The school has navigated COVID very well by maintaining important protocols and communication to keep everyone healthy. We appreciate the information provided in the parent app and the variety of extracurricular activities, field trips, and parent events the school plans. Our son absolutely adores his teachers, Porchia and Zhala, and we can tell how much they care about him. He has made lots of friends and looks forward to going to school every day. He has improved socially, academically, and behaviorally this year and most of all he loves his Bright Mind family. We could not ask for more! read more

I wish there were enough words to describe how grateful we are to have found Bright Mind: an absolute perfect school, and how devastated we are to leave (we are moving states). Every single staff member couldn't be more wonderful. My son had never been to school prior to enrolling when he was 2.5 yo because of Covid and they did everything they could to help him transition beautifully. Cookie, the Director, is so understanding, professional, and warm; his teachers: Porchia, Karla, and Zhala, I am convinced are actual angels. The entire Bright Mind family is full of kind, loving, intelligent, fun, caring people who genuinely love what they do. Our son comes home having learned amazing new things everyday! He loves showing us his art work, telling us about the books he read, the fun he had, and everything he did with his friends and teachers. If I could bring Bright Mind and their staff with me wherever we moved, I would. They deserve ALL the stars in the world. We could not have asked for a more perfect school for our 3 year old. If there is an opening, grab it! read more

I highly recommend this school. My daughter switched from a larger preschool to Bright Mind and she is much happier and engaged in the activities at school. The director is very experienced. The owner is very friendly and is on the premises often as she truly cares about the children and listens to the parents opinions. The school has been open only a few months but is more structured than other larger known schools in the area. The classes are smaller and the children are having fun learning. My daughter is excited to get up every morning to go to school. read more

Great school!! The teachers were amazing the atmosphere was great. Secured environment near a church. My daughter was out of care after previously ya omg issues with the on-base cdc and they took her right in and treated her like family. I was a bit nervous starting out there but the staff made me feel very comfortable! They sent updates and pictures throughout the day and my daughter loves it. I give this place and it's staff 5 stars! read more

My son attended a much larger daycare center in Alexandria for two years before transferring to Bright Mind Preschool. I am so glad we made the switch. At the previous daycare center, the staff were very loving and my son was well cared for, but their communication with parents was very limited, and many of his teachers did not speak English themselves. In addition, their daily structure was such that my son would spend hours each day sitting in a chair, or having to sit perfectly still on the floor. Bright Mind, by contrast, has a daily structure that allows my son lots of age-appropriate exploration time and outdoor time, but also balances this free play with very focused academic lesson periods throughout the day, using a curriculum that is strong in developing early literacy and numeracy skills. The staff all have bachelors or masters degrees, and the student-teacher ratio is much more favorable than the maximum 8:1 ratio that is mandated by the state. The school owner is a parent herself, and extremely involved in the day-to-day operations of the school. The staff go out of their way to accommodate my son, whether it be cooking him a special food, or letting him choose a favorite activity. All of this for the SAME weekly price I was paying at the previous daycare center. read more

My son is 4 years old, and we've been so pleased with our choice to start him at Bright Mind this year! I hope that hearing about our experience with this preschool will be helpful to others looking for a quality early learning program for their little ones. During our initial visit, I asked a lot of questions and not only was the director thorough and knowledgeable when answering each one, I was pleasantly surprised to find that they met all of my criteria for the kind of preschool we were looking for. I honestly hadn't expected to find a school that fit my expectations in the ways that this one seemed to right off the bat. Since starting at Bright Mind early this year, we have been consistently amazed at the skills they are helping my son to develop. He is voluntarily writing letters and coloring and drawing pictures at home (before this he would very rarely choose to color, pretend-write, draw, etc.), and he surprised me a few weeks ago with his new reading skills. I had expected a good curriculum, but I didn't expect him to develop these kinds of skills so quickly or to enjoy it this much! Possibly even more important to me is that the children get plenty of time to play each day, indoors and out, and have a solid rest time in the middle of the day. It's clear to me that the director and teachers genuinely enjoy being with the children, are dedicated early educators, and that they go above and beyond to pursue quality in the program. This program has been the whole package for us, and I hope others will be encouraged to visit and see if it might be a good fit for their family! read more