Chris Silva has been a member of the Bright Horizons team since its Providence location opened 25 years ago and now she was one of about 15 of 27,000 employees nationwide to have won the Janice Hill Memorial Award.

Silva, a Warwick resident, is the lead infant teacher at Bright Horizons, a corporate, employer-sponsored childcare center, predominantly offering childcare to employees of Rhode Island Hospital. Bright Horizons has locations across the country, with multiple centers in every state. Every year one teacher from each of the company’s 15 regions is recognized for “excellence in teaching” with the Janice Hill Memorial Award.

Each center submits nominations from current and previous families and co-workers to the regional office.

Jen Cardullo, director of Bright Horizons in Providence, said when she put out the flyer for nominations Silva received 35 from different people across the spectrum.

An anonymous former parent from early on in Silva’s career at Bright Horizons said Silva was their “mama bear,” assuring them about their infant was making progress.

“She would assure me that my child was doing fine. Ms. Chris would tell me every day at pickup time what my child had done that day. In few words, she was able to capture the eight-hour day, which made me feel less guilty leaving my child while I was at work.”

Another parent, who had both their children go through Silva’s infant room, said, “She often asked about my children’s time at home as a way to make connections with home and school experiences. Again, I feel so lucky that my children had the opportunity to spend their early years with such a wonderful person.”

Those nominating Silva characterized her as supportive, welcoming and caring with a “wealth of experience.” One of Silva’s current co-workers said she is everything an infant teacher should be, caring knowledgeable patient and dedicated.

They wrote, “She is an excellent resource for our families and faculty. The youngest infants learn trust and comfort in her caring arms, and their families are comforted knowing she is with them. She has a delicate touch when guiding families to understand the development of their children, and when guiding teachers to best practices.”

Cardullo and Silva were notified that she had received the award in June and both were able to take part in the national leadership conference held in Florida, where the company formally recognized Silva.

“They spoke so highly of teachers and how important we are to the company. It was amazing to know you are a respected part of a larger company,” Silva said.

Silva has always wanted to work with children and graduated from Roger Williams College in 1975 with a degree in education and psychology. She would go on to teach kindergarten for 12 years at a parochial school in Providence. When she saw they were building Bright Horizons and were seeking employees for their infant room she put in an application in January 1991. Silva has been there ever since.

Silva thought it was nice to be nominated by her peers and the center’s families but never expected to win. She was in “complete shock” when Cardullo handed her the phone and one of the vice presidents congratulated her on the award.

Silva said, “When I come into work every day I feel honored to care for these children. My biggest priority is to make sure they are happy all day long, and that’s what I tell parents the second they come through the door; it is my first priority.”

Cardullo said that Silva is the “baby whisperer,” naturally understanding the needs of each and every individual infant. Silva has also cared for many of the center’s employees’ children as well so she is “very special” to all of her coworkers.

There is a lot of competition for the Janice Hill Memorial Award, and Cardullo said it is a “big deal” to have someone at your facility to have earned it.

“It is an honor to have someone I’m close with win. We have known each other for a long time,” Cardullo said. “She’s just wonderful. She comes in every day with a smile on her face; she’s always so happy. No matter what’s going on there is never a complaint. The families love her.”

Silva said working for Bright Horizons is really like “coming home” every day because she truly feels like the community is “one big family.”

For more information on Bright Horizons visit www.brighthorizons.com.