Bright Horizons Family Solutions Employee Reviews

I have worked for the company for several years and personally share the same values and ethos as I feel the company delivers The pay bandings have increased massively making the pay very fair My voice is heard and the company offer great benefits We are always evolving and looking for ways to improve and the company is in support of this. They offer a wealth of training and I feel valued Overall I am really happy at my workplace!

Was this review helpful?

Official response from Bright Horizons Family Solutions

25 January 2023

Thank you for sharing your review; we are so glad to hear that you are enjoying being a Bright Horizons employee! We strive to provide a positive and family-like work environment and it sounds as though you are definitely having that experience. Thank you for your contributions in making Bright Horizons a great place to work.

Amazing

Nursery Practitioner (Current Employee) - Aberdeen, Aberdeen City - 29 September 2023

I love working here, its amazing! Team spirit is great and there are always chances to improve on your practice. Can be mentally challenging but is 100% worth it as you see the children grow and develop.

Was this review helpful?

Insights into Bright Horizons Family Solutions

Based on 177 survey responses

What people like

Clear sense of purpose

Areas for improvement

General feeling of work happiness
Overall satisfaction
Trust in colleagues

Worst place I’ve ever worked!

Chef (Former Employee) - Longfield, Kent - 11 September 2023

One of the worst places I have ever worked! The management are awful at (Longfield) and are very clicky with certain staff members. The pay was awful and payrises are chosen by the management who like to give friends a better pay rise than others. So unwelcoming and if you have a problem don’t bother to bring it up as they will just ignore you. I would never work at this location or company again!!

Pros

None

Cons

Everything

Was this review helpful?

This nursery is not friendly, supportive or welcoming.

Nursery Practitioner (Former Employee) - Aberdeen City - 5 September 2023

Long term staff are adverse to you highlighting best practice. Change is not easy to encourage or implement. Lots of sick absence, and I mean lots. Pressure to stay when your shift finishes is there every day, as so much same people absence.

Pros

Lovely location

Cons

Long hours, five days, and no support from manager

Was this review helpful?

Ok but wages not so good

Nursery Deputy Manager (Former Employee) - London, Greater London - 4 September 2023

Everyone is paid the lowest in their banding regardless of experience or knowledge. Some people been there years and know more but paid the same as new people

Was this review helpful?

Rate your recent company

Share your experience to help others

Work

Nursery Nurse (Current Employee) - East Midlands - 29 August 2023

The work is reliable. The manager is very supportive and the staff members are also supportive. Even though the working hours are long, I can see some of the benefits of working in my company.

Was this review helpful?

Very Corporate

Nursery Manager (Former Employee) - Bristol - 26 August 2023

Overall BH are a good company to work for. Unfortunately they have a very corporate outlook, so not much room for new ideas etc. The paperwork is overwhelming

Was this review helpful?

Damaging, toxic, something needs to change

Nursery Manager (Former Employee) - Rather not Say - 23 August 2023

Bright Horizons is a huge company that has expanded fast and quick, however this is at the detriment to their employees, they can’t keep up with the demand and the lack of staffing . For a company who preach about well-being and mental health this is seriously lacking, in fact I would go to say in my experience it’s non existent. Early years is in crisis but BH seems to have little regard for how the staff are treated and are okay with a high turnover . Policies and procedures are not fully in place and are bent to suit on how liked or how senior the employee is, it’s is most definitely one rule for one a different rule for others and this is so evident. Grievances are ignored and not dealt with. Toxic work culture that is unbearable and made me very unwell, often times annual leave and days off are canceled due to staffing, overtime isn’t paid even though you have to do it to comply with legal ratios . Everyone is doing anything to one up or destroy others to get higher and backstab those they work with, there is little team work . Concerns aren’t listened to and then it’s just too late. It’s a shame as BH does have a few people that do care for you however this is so far and few between. Bright Horizons need to slow down and really focus on what they have got and the amazing people that give so much everyday, they should put time into the settings and make them the wonderful places they could be. Something really needs to change.

Was this review helpful?

Not a nice place to be

Nursery Nurse (Former Employee) - Lancaster, Lancashire - 17 August 2023

This is not a nice place to work. You have to do overtime even if you don’t want to due to staffing issues. Made to feel guilty if you are unwell. Treated like a child. Staff gossiping is awful. Felt more like a high school than a workplace. Glad to have gotten out. I have worked in many educational settings but I’ve never known a place like it

Was this review helpful?

Unpleasant vibes

Nursery Assistant (Former Employee) - Sawbridgeworth - 17 August 2023

It was not a pleasant work experience for me primarily, I was made to feel like staff were out to get me alot of the time. There were some people I did get on with and I wish them all the best but I didn't feel liked, supported or accepted. Just barely tolerated. No one should be made to feel that way.

Pros

Work location is nice

Cons

Too many liberties taken with hours

Was this review helpful?

Jobs at Bright Horizons Family Solutions

See more jobs

Early Years Apprentice

Shoreham by Sea

17 days ago

Early Years Apprentice

Wokingham

30+ days ago

Early Years Apprentice

Liverpool

4 days ago

Early Years Apprentice

Romsey

30+ days ago

Early Years Apprentice

Bristol

18 days ago

Very unsupportive management, understaffed and toxic work environment

Nursery Practitioner (Former Employee) - Shoreham by Sea, West Sussex - 9 August 2023

Extremely poor management, who are rude and expect you to do the everything with zero recognition. Very toxic work place, management didn’t care about children’s needs.

Was this review helpful?

Awful place to work

Room Leader (Former Employee) - Portswood, Hampshire - 5 August 2023

You are basically a number and if you dont do what is asked of you then they find a way to get rid of you. Stressful enviroment way toi much overtime and most of the time you dont get paid for it. Find a better job this place isnt worth your time or sanity.

Pros

None

Cons

Everything

Was this review helpful?

Good People

Bank Nursery Assistant (Current Employee) - Dartford, Kent - 4 August 2023

The hourly pay rate is above industry average, which is a positive. Opportunities for everyone, whether you have level 2,3 qualification, or are unqualified.

Was this review helpful?

If you want an environment that you feel supported and has progression routes, it’s here.

nursery practitioner and senco (Current Employee) - Worthing - 4 August 2023

What is the best part of working at the company?The team, I literally have the best most understanding team and manager and the fact that it’s reflected in my wages is greatWhat is the most stressful part about working at the company?The bright horizons curriculum, there’s nothing wrong with eyfs. But also getting used to how a chain works and operates.What is the work environment and culture like at the company?Oh fab, I’ve spent so long finding a nursery I’d like to work in and finally found it. Supportive, wants you to achieve within.What is a typical day like for you at the company?Depends on the person, they are so flexible and will do their best to work around you. So my day is never stressful and constantly busy

Was this review helpful?

Understaffed stressful

Nursery Nurse Level 3 (Former Employee) - Canterbury, Kent - 26 July 2023

I worked with bright horizons for a few years I was always made to feel like it was my own fault I'd I was to ever phone kn sick, it is understaffed and u don't feel appreciated. The pau is shocking for the work u are expected to do you never get out in time as there is no staff. They hire anything that walks through the door as they think it will fix everything it doesn't. Over all I would never work here

Pros

None

Cons

Too many to list don't apply

Was this review helpful?

Reasonable place to work

Nursery Nurse (Current Employee) - Cambridgeshire - 24 July 2023

Typical day at work is very busy and can be mentally hard but it is a rewarding job getting to see the children grow and develop knowing you helped them along the way. BH are hot on safeguarding and making sure you know your knowledge in the job role, however can be very difficult and well being is not always considered. For example, due to ratios with staff to children if you go into work and are unwell it is hard to leave if there’s no cover, meaning you have to stay. Lunch breaks are 1 hour and unpaid, if you have to take a half hour lunch (usually due to staffing issues) you do get paid the overtime however overtime gets paid to you every 2 months, this includes staff meetings, I have a staff meeting every month; Also if you work 15 minutes over time you don’t get paid, if you get called off lunch early and only have 45 minutes, those extra 15 minutes you work don’t get paid. You are expected to start 15 minutes before your shift starts for opening shifts but will not get paid this extra time that you “have” to do.

Pros

Hour lunch break

Cons

Don’t always get paid overtime

Was this review helpful?

Positive energy and Incredible setting

Deputy Manager (Current Employee) - Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire - 24 July 2023

By far one of my favourite places to work, a real family atmosphere, great work life balance. Exceptional training and support through my entire career.

Was this review helpful?

Fun and rewarding

Nursery Assistant (Current Employee) - Kingston upon Thames, Greater London - 23 July 2023

Great place to work rewarding and nice environment. Always feel supported and I never get anxious before work like I have in previous jobs.Would recommend to anyone!

Was this review helpful?

Rubbish pay and company

Nursery Practitioner Level 3 (Former Employee) - Farnham, Surrey - 18 July 2023

Company is over the top and unnecessary, aims to be different and inventive but at the children’s expense, Staff are over stretched and not given enough credit, Bright beginnings is unnecessary and takes away the importance of the EYFS. staff aren’t properly trained to show best practise and there are too many nurseries in one area and in general so the quality of each one is low, a company I don’t recommend to start off your career as the level your trained it is very low compared to others!

Pros

Higher management positions

Cons

No work life balance

Was this review helpful?

Staff that bully

Early Years Practitioner (Former Employee) - Brght horizons renfrew - 10 July 2023

Not a good work environment the staff and management treat you awful especially if you want to enhance your career. Staff bully you if want to further yourself. Management are aware of how staff are don't do anything to change it.

Pros

Pay, benefits

Cons

Staff that bully

Was this review helpful?

A future should you want it but if your face did not fit, it was lonely.

Chef (Former Employee) - London - 2 July 2023

What is the best part of working at the company?Weekday working. No evenings or weekends What is the most stressful part about working at the company?Lack of support or empathy from the management above the nursery management. (Area and above)What is the work environment and culture like at the company?Target driven. Be that capacity or spend budget. Slow to come out of how they holistically attempted to manage spend throughout covid resulted in extreme saturation of unnecessary resources leaving no ability to purchase things that were actually needed. What is a typical day like for you at the company?Bland but stressful at the same time. A very testing combination on the mental health.

Was this review helpful?