About Bright Bears Child Care
A licensed, play-based in-home daycare rooted in community, creativity, and genuine care for every child we serve.
Our Story
Bright Bears Child Care was born from a simple but powerful belief — that every child deserves a safe, nurturing space where learning feels like an adventure and every day brings something new to discover.
Founded in 2019 by Ashley S., Bright Bears grew out of a decade of hands-on experience in early childhood education and a lifelong passion for helping children build the foundational skills they need to thrive. What started as a dream became San Jose’s most trusted licensed in-home daycare — a place where families feel at home from the very first visit.
Meet the Bright Bear Team
Miss Ashley
Owner & Lead Educator
Ashley’s journey into early childhood education wasn’t a straight line — and that’s exactly what makes her approach so well-rounded. Before opening Bright Bears, she worked as an early childhood educator in preschool and elementary settings, served as a golf coach for an afterschool program, and even studied nursing — each experience adding a new layer to her understanding of how children learn, develop, and grow.
Growing up helping her family run Lonnie’s Shishkabob — a beloved Bay Area restaurant group with three locations throughout the ’90s — Ashley developed an entrepreneurial spirit and a deep appreciation for community, hard work, and the bonds that form around a shared table. Those values are woven into everything Bright Bears does.
In 2019, she channeled her education background, her family roots, and her genuine love for children into opening Bright Bears Child Care. Today, she continues her studies in child development while leading a program that collaborates with licensed therapists, maintains open communication with every family, and creates a classroom where no child ever feels invisible.
Miss Kristen
Assistant Educator
Kristen Martin is a proud San Jose native and San Jose State University graduate, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts with an emphasis in performance. One production that left a lasting mark on her was She Kills Monsters — a memorable highlight of a theatrical journey that continues to fuel her creativity in the classroom every day.
Kristen holds 18 units in Early Childhood Development and is both CPR certified and a mandated reporter — bringing real credentials to go along with her natural gift for connecting with kids. She leads with patience, structure, and an outgoing energy that children respond to immediately. Fair, supportive, and clear in her expectations, Kristen creates a classroom environment where children always know they are safe, valued, and encouraged to grow.
Outside of Bright Bears, Kristen enjoys singing, dancing, and creating miniature art — and if you’ve ever watched her lead an activity, you’ll see exactly where that passion shows up. Her long-term goal is exactly what you’d hope for in an educator: to keep showing up for children and making a lasting, positive impact in their lives.
Miss Jazzy
Assistant Educator & Martial Arts Instructor
Jazlyn “Jazzy” Auen brings something truly unique to the Bright Bears team — a black belt in MMA and nearly two decades of martial arts experience that started at just two and a half years old. Growing up in a family-owned martial arts business, Jazzy spent her childhood learning not just technique, but the deeper values that martial arts instills: respect, self-control, discipline, and resilience. Now at 19, she brings all of that experience into a fun, safe, and encouraging classroom where every child feels supported from day one.
With five years of hands-on experience teaching and mentoring students of all ages, Jazzy knows how to meet kids exactly where they are. Background-checked and a certified mandated reporter, she leads every class with high energy, genuine patience, and the kind of outgoing personality that makes children excited to show up and try. In her classes, students can expect to learn self-defense skills, how to follow directions, how to treat others with respect, and how to believe in themselves — one class at a time.
Jazzy is passionate about helping children grow not just physically strong, but mentally and emotionally confident too. Miss Jazzy is thrilled to be part of the Bright Bears family — and she can’t wait to meet your kids.
Miss Elizabeth
Gymnastics Instructor
Elizabeth has been dancing and tumbling since she was a toddler — so it’s safe to say movement has always been in her blood. A San Jose native with over a decade of personal gymnastics experience and four years of coaching under her belt, she brings a rare combination of deep technical knowledge and genuine heart to every class she leads at Bright Bears Child Care.
Miss Elizabeth’s teaching philosophy centers around what she calls the “Three Cs” – Coordination, Confidence, and Connection. Every class is built around developing strong physical foundations while also helping each child believe in themselves and feel genuinely supported by the peers around them. She is committed to creating a positive, high-energy environment where kids feel safe to try new things, challenge themselves, and celebrate every win big or small without hesitation.
Whether your child is attempting their very first tumble, finding their footing on the mat, or learning what it means to cheer for a teammate, Miss Elizabeth meets them exactly where they are and walks with them every step of the way. She loves being part of each child’s journey and watching them grow into strong, confident individuals who carry that belief in themselves far beyond the gym floor. Miss Elizabeth cannot wait to meet your little athletes and to get moving together.
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