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“It’s all about how we help children reach their full potential, so that when they go to school, they’re right where they need to be.”
United Way Bright Beginnings center director

 

United Way Bright Beginnings

 

United Way Bright Beginnings, a partnership between United Way of Greater Houston and ExxonMobil, is an innovative early education program designed to help children from lower-income families achieve social, emotional, physical and cognitive milestones and enter school ready to succeed. Bright Beginnings’ hands-on curriculum and child-centered approach make a measurable difference in preparing children to start and succeed in school.

Read about the difference United Way Bright Beginnings has made in its first two decades.

 

Highlights of United Way Bright Beginnings’ impact over the last 20 years:

 

  1. More than 15,000 children engaged in high-quality early childhood education programs
  2. 51 center-based programs and 26 home-based programs
  3. 300+ providers have earned a Child Development Associate certification
  4. Alumni have consistently higher STAAR achievement test scores, higher attendance rates, and lower disciplinary rates than their peers

How Bright Beginnings Supports Our Community


Bright Beginnings Program – Now Accepting Applications

Applications are now open for licensed child care homes and centers interested in joining the Bright Beginnings Program. Providers located in Harris, Montgomery, Waller, and Fort Bend Counties are encouraged to apply.
 
Bright Beginnings is an innovative partnership between United Way of Greater Houston and ExxonMobil, designed to support high-quality, child-centered early learning environments. The program helps children from lower-income families reach key developmental milestones and enter school ready to succeed.

Download the Application Learn More About the Program Attend an Info Session

For details on how to apply, please see the instructions below.

How To Apply

Deadline for Submission: Friday, July 31, 2026

  • Step 1: Watch the Pre-Recorded Information Session

    Watch pre-recorded information session for centers/home providers interested in joining the Bright Beginnings Program

  • Step 2: Connect With Us

    Attend the optional Technical Assistance (TA) Sessions for application support and additional questions:

    TA Session #1

    • Topic: Bright Beginnings TA Session #1

    • Date & Time: Saturday, July 11, 2026, | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

    • Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88300820185 | Meeting ID: 883 0082 0185

    • Time: Jul 11, 2026 10:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)

     

    TA Session #2

    • Topic: Bright Beginnings TA Session #2

    • Date & Time: Wednesday, July 22, 2026, | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

    • Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87170034669 | Meeting ID: 871 7003 4669

    • Time: Jul 22, 2026 12:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

     

    Special Interest Event: UWBB Montgomery County Community Meeting

    • Date & Time: Friday, July 17, 2026, | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

    • Location: Montgomery County United Way, 1600 Lake Front Circle Spring, TX 77380

  • Step 3: Submit Your Application

    Complete the application and submit it electronically to Shauna Harris and Jennifer Smith.

    Submit Your Application
     

    Checklist: Ensure all materials are included:

    • Completed application form

    • Fee schedule

    • Brochures/family materials

    • Two-year Licensing Compliance Summary

    • Health Department report

    • Fire Marshal report

    • Staff and Director credentials

    • P & L Statement

Phase 2

Tour will be communicated via email if your program is selected.

United Way Bright Beginnings Centers & Partners

United Way Bright Beginnings Child Care Centers

  • Bear Boulevard – SBISD
  • Building Rainbows
  • Chinese Community Center
  • Little Giants – GCISD
  • Lion Lane – SBISD
  • Mon Petit Learning Center
  • NASA Kids Academy Too
  • Scribbles Academy
  • Star of Hope
  • The Bridge for Kids
  • Tiger Trail – SBISD
  • Tiny Toes Academy
  • Wildcat Way – SBISD
  • Zebra Zone – SBISD

United Way Bright Beginnings Family Home Care Centers

  • ABC Home Child Care Center
  • Angelitos Child Care
  • Betty’s Playhouse
  • Catita’s Mini Daycare
  • Fals Home Daycare
  • Gloria’s Childcare
  • Guadalupe Becerril Child Care
  • Kitty Daycare Home
  • La Casita de Muñecas
  • Little Rainbow Child Care
  • Nana’s Home Childcare
  • Nelly’s Daycare
  • Rainbow Learning Center
  • Silvia Rojas Child Care

Other United Way Bright Beginnings Partners

  • Brazelton Touchpoints Center

Learn more about the impact of Bright Beginnings

Leticia Herrera from ABC Home Child Care, a United Way Bright Beginnings Child Care Center, talks about how Bright Beginnings helps her best serve children and families.

In United Way Bright Beginnings, Laura’s social and emotional skills blossomed, and she built the foundation to be a star student.

United Way Bright Beginnings helped Joseph develop, grow, and prepare to start and succeed in kindergarten.

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