named programs · 2 · from sources
What they call their work
Bright Star Camp
Summer camp program for children ages 18 months to 10 years, offering half-day, mid-day, and full-day options with extended hours, focusing on play-based learning and enrichment
Bright Star Program
Licensed preschool program for children 18 months to 5 years, following New York State Early Learning Guidelines and offering individualized, child-centered curriculum with social-emotional, cognitive, and physical development components
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Early Childhood Developmental Evaluation and Screening 1 activity
- Conduct ongoing child development assessments and family communicationMonitors each child’s progress through daily observations, portfolio reviews, written progress reports twice a year, and the Brigance assessment tool. Provides daily written updates to caregivers on meals, naps, and bathroom activity, along with weekly and monthly newsletters to maintain consistent family engagement.
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Play-Based Early Childhood Education 1 activity
- Deliver developmentally appropriate early childhood curriculum integrating arts, academics, and physical activityUses hands-on learning in art, music, movement, literature, math, and science to support cognitive, social-emotional, language, and physical development. Curriculum includes structured daily schedules with circle time, center-based learning, outdoor play, yoga, music, story time, and sensory activities tailored by age group and classroom.
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Youth Safety and Protection Programs 1 activity
- Maintain safe, healthy, and regulated childcare environment with qualified staffEmploys certified head teachers and trained teacher assistants in each classroom. All staff are fingerprinted, CPR-certified, trained in safety and health protocols, and designated as mandated reporters; several are trained in medication administration.
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Early Childhood Education & Development Programs 1 activity
- Operate licensed preschool and childcare programs for children ages 18 months to 10 yearsProvides full-day childcare and early childhood education for toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged children through a licensed facility operating Monday through Friday with extended hours from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm (until 5:00 pm on Fridays). The program serves 24 toddlers, 55 preschoolers, and 16 school-aged children across nine classrooms, following a school calendar that varies annually based on holidays.
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Summer Day Camp Programs 1 activity
- Provide summer camp programs for children ages 18 months to 10 yearsOffers half-day, mid-day, and full-day summer camp programs for children ages 18 months to 10 years, including specialized programs such as the Transition Program, Little Stars Program, and age-specific full-day options. The 2022 program ran for eight weeks from June 27 to August 19, with extended hours available from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm (until 5:00 pm on Fridays).
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.81M
Contributions & grants$92K5%
Program service revenue$1.72M95%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$1.79M
Program expenses82%
Admin / overhead18%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$1.50M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$744K
Cash$677K
Investments$0
Liabilities$3K
Net assets$741K
Liquid reserves4.5 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +3.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARILYN CAWAL | EXECUTIVE DI | 40 | $160K |
| LORELEI BADER | CIRRICULUM D | 40 | $159K |
board members · 3
- BRIAN BADER — DIRECTOR
- LESLIE SADOWNICK — DIRECTOR
- LISA CARNEVALE — DIRECTOR
relationships · 3
Who they work with
- Office of Children and Family Services Government — Licensing agency that regulates Bright Star Academy; the school follows its regulations and maintains a copy of them on-site.
- www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/ Partner — Provides storage guidelines for human milk.
- www.womenshealth.gov Partner — Provides informational resources on breastfeeding.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Child-Centered, Individualized Learningmethodology: child-centered_educationBy tailoring education to each child’s pace, interests, and learning style — including those with special needs and gifted learners — we produce deeper engagement and developmental progress because learning becomes personally meaningful and cognitively aligned.
- Experiential and Inquiry-Based Learningmethodology: experiential_learningBy grounding curriculum in concrete, hands-on experiences and encouraging trial, error, and problem solving, we develop critical thinking and lifelong curiosity because children construct knowledge through active exploration rather than passive reception.
- Multisensory and Structured Learning Routinesmethodology: multisensory_learningBy integrating art, movement, and language through structured daily routines and center-based activities, we support neural and social development in young children because repeated, sensory-rich experiences strengthen cognitive pathways and peer interaction.
- Whole-Child Development in a Secure Environmentmethodology: whole_child_developmentBy providing a safe, nurturing, and respectful environment that supports emotional, social, and cognitive growth, we foster holistic development and inclusion because children thrive when their basic sense of security and belonging is met.