Kent ISD Bright Beginnings

About Bright Beginnings

Bright Beginnings serves families in Kent County with children from birth through kindergarten. We also offer home visits and playgroups in Spanish. Program services are free.

In 2024, Bright Beginnings completed the Parents as Teachers Quality Endorsement Improvement Process and earned the highest designation: Blue Ribbon Affiliate status. Being named a Blue Ribbon Affiliate affirms that Bright Beginnings is among the highest quality members of the home visitation and parent education field, implementing the evidence-based Parents as Teachers model with fidelity and quality.

We believe that young children learn and grow in strong families where parents are able to successfully face the challenge of caring for their children while meeting their work and other responsibilities. Bright Beginnings is a support program that nurtures families allowing their children to thrive!

The Bright Beginnings program includes the following services:

Personal Home Visits

Have you ever wished that you could have someone walk side by side with you in your journey of parenthood? Do you have questions about your child's development or think that life would be easier if your child would have come with an "Owner's Manual?"

There is good news! Kent ISD Bright Beginnings can help.

Parent Educators are available to journey with you through the early years of raising your children. A Parent Educator will help you to understand your child's development and how they learn best. We offer parenting tips and strategies on parenting topics such as temper tantrums and sleepless nights.

A Parent Educator will visit with your family monthly or bi-monthly with personalized information focused on your family's needs, concerns, and goals. Home visits typically last for one hour per visit depending on the size of your family. Virtual or outdoor visits are available as well.

Parent Educators will focus on these three areas during your home visit:

Parent-Child Interaction and Play
Parenting Challenges
Family Well Being

Baby Buddies Group

Baby Buddies is a group facilitated by a Parent Educator. It is a delightful setting for babies who are pre-walkers and their caregivers to engage in activities together. Developmental activities include circle time with songs and activities as well as a special topic related to development.

Babies and their caregivers also get the opportunity to engage in free play in our age-appropriate playroom at Kent ISD.

North Kent Baby Buddies is located at Cedar Springs Early Childhood Center in Cedar Springs at 204 E. Muskegon Street. Contact Kristi Webber at 616-439-4118 for more details.

South Kent Baby Buddies is located at Townline Elementary in Kentwood. Contact Sherry Reinbold at 616-320-0884 for more details.

Developmental Screenings

Bright Beginnings offer screenings for families through our home visiting program. These screenings include:

Health
Hearing and Vision
Child Development
Social and Emotional

Hearing and Vision screenings are also available at a different playgroup location each month

Playgroups and Field Trips

Upcoming Playgroups

Visit our online Playgroup Calendar for an easy-to-read listing that allows you to sort playgroups by school district and/or date.

What is a Playgroup?

A Playgroup is a great opportunity for parents or caregivers and children birth – 5 years to experience fun and focused play together in a safe and educational setting.
Groups are facilitated by a Parent Educator and are typically held at local school districts, libraries, parks, community centers, or on Facebook live.
Parent Educators support families by offering developmentally appropriate activities, fun ideas, stories, songs, and health and nutrition tips.

Who attends Playgroups?

Unless age is specified, playgroups are appropriate for children ages infancy through Kindergarten entry. Baby Buddies is designed for children who have not started walking yet and their caregivers.
Caregivers attend the playgroup with their children and are encouraged to play alongside their children.

Where are Playgroups located?

At this current time, Playgroups are typically held at local preschools and elementary schools, libraries, parks, community centers, or on Facebook live. When it is recommended by Kent ISD and the CDC, we may have to cancel in-person groups, and will resume virtual groups more often. If the weather is not cooperating, outdoor groups will be canceled.
Throughout the year, we also offer several field trips to places such as Frederik Meijer Gardens, local farms, or community centers.

Is there a cost?
Unless specified, playgroups are provided at no cost. There may be a small fee included for field trips.

How long does a Playgroup last?
Playgroups typically last one hour but some may be longer depending on the group.

What is a Playgroup Theme?
You may notice that some playgroups have themes such as Winter Wonderland or Happy Hearts. This indicates that some of the activities may be based on the theme for that day.

Do I need to pre-register?
Pre-registration is only required if you see an indication of RSVP on the calendar for a specific group.

Cancellation Policy

If the local school district in which the Bright Beginnings playgroup is being held cancels school, then the playgroup is also canceled. Typically, a playgroup that is canceled due to weather will not be rescheduled. School delays may affect playgroup scheduling. Please contact your Parent Educator for information. Be sure to follow Bright Beginnings on Facebook for cancellation information too!