Big Blue Marble Academy Nashville

Meet Big Blue Marble Academy

Every family deserves to feel comfortable leaving their littles ones in the hands of others. If you’re looking for a “home away from home” for your kids, we invite you to meet Big Blue Marble Academy! With three locations in the Nashville area, these team of educators are passionate about what they do. The family environment they create is unlike any other. The staff will protect your little ones while enhancing their skills. Additionally they provide a global perspective for a diverse experience and have programs for every age and stage. If you’re ready to nurture and grow your little one’s mind keep on scrolling to find out more!

Tell us about your business! How long have you been in business?

Kim: This month we officially celebrate 10 years of Big Blue Marble Academy! We’re so proud of all we have accomplished — from opening new locations across several states to raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for causes close to our hearts. Most importantly, we’re proud to serve the many families within the BBMA community, and we look forward to many more decades of nurturing little minds and growing big hearts. Big Blue Marble Academy, we understand what developing minds need to be successful in preschool and in life. Research shows that the first five years of a child’s life are transformative for growing children’s minds and developing their social-emotional skills. Whether you’re looking for early care, daycare, preschool, or after-school care, we’ve designed our programs around what your child needs for their age and stage of development. At the core of our curriculum is a focus on global education, which enhances children’s perspective and understanding of the world outside their community. We teach children the importance of giving back and helping others in need, through hands-on activities and “Heart Projects.” We provide the structure children need, while also encouraging their natural curiosity and love of learning. Big Blue Marble Academy provides a true home away from home for your child.

What made you want to work with parents/families/kids/babies?

Kim: It’s More Than Just a Job—It’s a Career Big Blue Marble Academy empowers educators to teach children to celebrate differences and appreciate diversity around us. We also know it is never too early to start teaching children the value of becoming good citizens in our communities and throughout the world. Our team is comprised of self-starters, great communicators, and individuals with a passion for making a difference in children’s lives. Big Blue Marble Academy is a growing company, and our workplace culture has a special ‘family feel’ where employees feel appreciated and engaged. We understand that happy employees contribute to success in meaningful ways, and it is our goal to foster that passion and celebrate accomplishments. From your first day, to your work anniversaries, we celebrate YOU, and the valuable contributions you make to the BBMA family. We’re committed to providing a work community where everyone feels empowered to reach their career goals. Our on-the-job training can pave your career path and development from Assistant Teacher all the way to Center Director. Each member of our team arrives each day with a sense of purpose to make a difference in the lives of the children we serve. Our team knows the importance of nurturing relationships and helping each other achieve this goal. Part of our mission is to focus on and teach children character development at an early age. Throughout the year, our Heart Projects give back to children in need both locally and throughout the world. At BBMA, you will experience the impact we are making and—through the eyes of children—you will see the world in a whole new way. Not only are diversity and inclusion the foundation of our curriculum values, but we also practice what we teach by making sure ALL team members have a voice and the opportunity to contribute ideas. You will come to work each day knowing your work matters —from nurturing children, to supporting your peers, to making a difference in your community. If you are seeking purpose and meaning in your life, this job will help fulfill that calling.

What is the philosophy behind Big Blue Marble Academy?

Kim: With a mission to Nurture Little Minds and Grow Big Hearts, Big Blue Marble Academy celebrates creativity and respects the role teachers play in making learning come alive for children. All programs are developmentally and age-appropriate to cater to the specific needs of each child and foster early academic growth.

What are your strengths compared to others in your category?

Kim: Our commitment to safety. There is no priority more important than the safety of your children. Our 10-Point Safety Checklist goes above and beyond state and federal school and childcare safety standards, and illustrates our commitment to transparency with our parents. We keep your child safe from the moment we open our doors until the last child leaves. We have put together a resource to ease any concerns you may have as children return to or continue to be in BBMA’s care. We encourage you to learn more by visiting our Safety FAQ page. Our 10 point safety first checklist: 1. Extensive background checks-At every BBMA location, each member of our staff is required to complete mandatory background checks. We require extensive background information from anyone who will be working with your child. 2. Key code facility access- Access to each facility is strictly controlled by electronic entry codes. Only parents and vetted staff members receive entry codes, and each individual person receives a unique code. No one else can enter our centers without being admitted and then accompanied at all times by a staff member. 3. Biometric “fingerprint” check-in- Biometric safety protocols provide an additional layer to our advanced security. In each center, parents and registered relatives and friends are required to check into our schools with their fingerprint at the front office before picking up their child. This allows us to verify and track anyone who enters and exits our facilities. Visitors and vendors are also asked to sign in with our front office staff. 4. Stringent headcount protocol every 30 minutes -As an extra measure of security beyond the vigilant eyes of our teachers in each classroom, BBMA administrative staff conducts classroom head-counts every 30 minutes and infant sleep checks every 15 minutes. 5. Teacher training -All BBMA teachers are required to complete annual training for fire, health and CPR protocols. 6. Safe and purposeful building layouts -All new BBMA buildings are designed specifically for child-safety standards and are purpose-built for childcare with age-appropriate playgrounds accessible from each classroom. 7. Monthly safety checklists and detailed emergency plans- Each BBMA facility is required to have a detailed emergency plan, which is regularly reviewed and rehearsed by staff. Each month, our teachers also run through our classroom safety checklist to ensure standards are met. 8. Food safety- BBMA kitchens follow a strict USDA food program, which protects our children against harmful bacteria, contaminants, and improper food preparation. 9. Bus child scans- As part of BBMA’s transportation regimen, our bus drivers are required to conduct a child safety scan and headcount after each morning and evening route to ensure each child is safely off the bus. 10. Coordination with community first responders- BBMA works closely with local police departments, fire departments, and emergency technicians to ensure they are familiar with our school layout and procedures, and have a working understanding of our school standards.

What attracts parents to work with you?

Kim: Family Environment: When your child is not with your family, they’re with our family. We know that caring, responsive, and nurturing environments are a critical part of the learning and development of children. We understand the difficulty of leaving your children in someone else’s care, so we do everything we can to provide a true home away from home the minute your child walks into our facilities and treat them as if they were our own. From sleep schedules, to potty training, to new learning discoveries and behavioral patterns, we keep track of each child’s activities and report back to parents.

What are some cool new and innovative trends you’ve seen in your area of expertise?

Kim: BBMA CleanPlay is an industry-leading initiative aimed to protect the health and safety of everyone in our facilities. The health and safety of our students, families, and staff has always been our #1 priority at BBMA, and our CleanPlay initiative incorporates rigorous protocols and precautions we implemented and maintained during the pandemic. The safety of our families, our staff, and our communities are of utmost importance to us at Big Blue Marble Academy. We understand the added concerns about health and safety related to COVID-19. We are committed to providing you the necessary resources and information to make the best decisions for your family during this unprecedented time. We have created this initiative to keep you updated on the measures we are taking in our schools to ease any concerns as your children attend BBMA. Depending on the level of community spread and other state-specific requirements, additional procedures may be required. Our team is committed to ensuring the health and safety of each of our families.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about Big Blue Marble Academy?

Kim: We have 3 locations in the Nashville area, located in Murfreesboro, Spring Hill and Franklin. Our hours of operation are Monday-Friday 6:30 AM- 6:00 PM. We are currently enrolling new children at all locations and looking for amazing teachers!

Thanks so much for sharing, Kim!

If you’re interested in having your family be a part of Big Blue Marble Academy community, be sure to head to their website to find out more information!

Credits

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