6000 Castor

Hours

Monday - Friday
6:30 AM - 6 PM
Saturday - Sunday
Closed

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Programs

Free, publicaly-funded, high-quality early preschool education for all families living within the city limits of Philadelphia, eligible for children ages 3 and 4 before September 1st.. We believe every child deserves a strong start, regardless of family finances.

  • PHL Pre-K available with no income requirement
  • Nationally recognized Creative Curriculum®
  • Small ratios and individualized attention

A federally funded program providing comprehensive early childhood education, health, nutrition, and family support services for children ages 3-5 from low-income families.

  • Comprehensive curriculum & school readiness
  • Health screenings & nutritious meals
  • Family engagement & support services

The birth-to-age-3 companion to Head Start, offering early learning, health, and family support services for eligible infants, toddlers, and expectant families.

  • Relationship-based care for infants and toddlers
  • Health, developmental, and nutrition support
  • Family engagement and support services

Infant Toddler Contracted Slots is a state-funded program that provides free, high-quality full-time care for eligible infants and toddlers (ages 6 weeks to 36 months). 

  • Provides free diapers, wipes, and formula 
  • Eligible for any family who has ELRC
  • Family engagement and support services

About Us

Brightside Academy – 6000 Castor Ave is an accredited Philadelphia child care and school readiness provider in Germantown. We service children from 6-weeks- to 12-years-old and are conveniently located near Burger King, Family Dollar, Dunkin’ Donuts, and Castor Pizza. Our caring staff provides nurturing care in a safe, modern, state-of-the-art learning environment. We proudly accept CCIS and offer the Head Start quality program.

Our Facility

A waiting area with navy blue lounge chairs beneath a Brightside Academy mission poster describing the organization's core values, next to a small table and elevator door in a hallway with green-and-white checkered flooring.
An indoor play space with colorful foam tile flooring, a small wooden climbing and slide structure, tricycles, and a navy padded wall featuring the Brightside Academy logo.
A long school hallway with yellow and green walls, a large interior window looking into a classroom, bulletin boards with certifications and notices, and a colorful floor mat, leading toward classroom doors in the distance.
A welcome table with a navy Brightside Academy tablecloth displaying parent handouts and flyers, set beneath a window decorated with a paper star and chain garland, children's books, and a scarecrow figure on the windowsill.
An interior stairwell with blue metal railings, cinder block walls painted cream, a blue door, and paper flower and sunflower decorations, leading down to green-and-white checkered flooring.
An open classroom area with hanging paper lantern decorations, a round support column, tan cabinets and a sink counter, small tables with blue chairs, and a colorful alphabet rug near a low bookshelf.
A school entryway with a colorful balloon garland framing a "Bright School Year, Wishing You a Wonderful Year Ahead" banner, next to a navy blue entry door with posted notices, on green-and-white checkered flooring.

Meet the Team

Juana Ramos

Regional Manager

Frequently Asked Questions

We serve children from 6 weeks to 12 years old across our various programs, including infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children.

Our academies are open Monday through Friday, with extended care available from 6:00  a.m. to 6:30 p.m. depending on the Academy location to support working families. Hours may vary slightly by location, so please check your local center’s page or contact us to confirm.

Yes. We accept child care subsidies and vouchers, and we partner with programs like Head Start, Pre-K Counts, PHL Pre-K, and ELRC to make quality early education accessible. Our team can help you determine what you may qualify for.

We maintain low student-to-teacher ratios to give every child individual attention, with ratios that follow state licensing standards and vary by age group. Our infant and toddler classrooms have the smallest ratios, and ratios increase as children get older.

Getting started is easy. You can enroll online, call us, or schedule a tour to visit in person. Once you reach out, our enrollment team will walk you through availability, program options, and any paperwork needed to secure your child’s spot.

Yes. We provide three nutritious meals a day  plus snacks that meet USDA nutrition standards, and they’re offered free of charge to families who qualify. Our menus are designed to satisfy both the dietary needs and the tastebuds of growing children.