Bradenton’s Bright Futures Daycare & Preschool goes on growth spurt

Bright Futures Daycare & Preschool grew out of Taniel Macy’s desire to be a stay-at-home mom when her first child was born.

Her business has grown steadily over the years. Fifty children are now enrolled at Bright Futures, 1617 26th St. W., and there are more on a waiting list.

The idea for Bright Futures, which was recently selected as a Manatee Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year finalist for companies with $250,000 to $1 million in annual revenue, was born about six years ago after her son was born, and another mother called Macy looking for childcare.

“At that point I decided that maybe this was my calling. I took her child in,” she said.

Initially, Bright Futures was licensed for six children, and it quickly filled up. The daycare enrollment grew steadily to 12, 32, and finally 50, plus the waiting list.

“It has really been wonderful,” said Macy, a 2000 Manatee High School graduate who embarked on a singing career before marrying and starting a family.

“At 5 years old, I wanted to be a singer and a teacher and now I have done both,” she said.

Her husband, Shawn Macy, a fire inspector for the City of Bradenton, came up with the daycare’s name, Bright Futures, without realizing it was also the name of a Florida college scholarship program.

“My husband is from Seattle and he hadn’t heard about the Bright Futures program. We just wanted a name that sounded happy,” Macy said. “Everything has developed organically.”

The Macys chose their 3,000-square-foot location on 26th Street West three years ago because it is near their neighborhood and is along a main business corridor.

“We are rocking and rolling. We went from a staff of one – myself – to a staff of 10,” Macy said. “It has been a whirlwind and has been inspiring to us.”

There likely will be more growth in the future.

“We would like the business to grow, but we also want to make sure we are giving the best product to the community,” she said. “We are not going to sit still. Whatever we do will be very well thought out.”

Bright Futures believes that every child is unique and should grow at his or her own pace.

“Our curriculum encourages physical, emotional and intellectual growth while encouraging children to explore and use their imaginations. We foster learning through play,” according to the company website.

Assistant director Jen Smith is certain that Bright Futures will grow and that it will be successful.

“Taniel is very determined and had a plan before she opened the doors. She has picked a great staff,” Smith said.

Bright Futures Daycare & Preschool is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday. For more information, call 941-251-5436 or visit brightfuturesdp.com.

This story was originally published August 20, 2017 at 8:30 AM with the headline "Bradenton’s Bright Futures Daycare & Preschool goes on growth spurt."