PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 18, 2002--Today, Mayor John F. Street unveiled a first-in-the-nation initiative to support homeless children throughout Philadelphia. In a unique partnership, McNeil Consumer & Specialty Pharmaceuticals, Bright Horizons Family Solutions and their Foundation for Children, and the City of Philadelphia will be developing Bright Spaces in all 20 of the city's homeless family shelters at no cost to the city.

The Bright Spaces are unique, educational, nurturing environments that provide developmental opportunities for homeless children from infants through 6 years old. The Bright Spaces will also include "School Lounges" where older children will have access to computers and libraries to assist them with homework and school projects. This project represents a groundbreaking approach to support homeless children that encourages their educational and academic progress to ensure they develop critical skills for success in school and life.

"I extend my sincerest thanks to the Bright Horizons Foundation and McNeil Consumer & Specialty Pharmaceuticals for their noble efforts to improve the quality of life of Philadelphia's most precious and vulnerable resource, our children," said Philadelphia Mayor John F. Street. "As the program's name implies, Bright Spaces bring light, hope and a fun playful atmosphere to children living in shelters. I commend the Bright Horizons Foundation and McNeil for sharing my commitment to making life better for our children. We look forward to seeing many more Bright Spaces throughout the city in the coming months."

The first two Bright Spaces were opened today at Stenton Family Manor and Woodstock Family Center. These shelters serve roughly 150 children each day. An additional 18 Bright Spaces will be opened over the next two years and will serve more than 7,000 children annually when completed. Bright Spaces is a program of the Bright Horizons Foundation for Children, a nonprofit organization run by Bright Horizons Family Solutions, the nation's leading provider of employer-sponsored child care. The Philadelphia project will double the number of Bright Spaces nationwide and will serve as a model for cities throughout the U.S. to address the needs of young children and families facing homelessness.

"We find great inspiration in this partnership with McNeil and the City of Philadelphia to provide safe and educational environments for children who are in such great need. The difference you can make in a homeless child's life by providing them a small haven for learning and for play will last a lifetime, helping them succeed on their journey through school and through life," said David Lissy, Chief Executive Officer of Bright Horizons and Member of the Board of the Bright Horizons Foundation for Children.

McNeil Consumer & Specialty Pharmaceuticals, maker of Children's TYLENOL, is supporting Bright Spaces in all 20 homeless shelters in the City of Philadelphia over the next two years. This program will assist families in providing an educational and social environment for their children during difficult times. In addition, a partnership with McNeil and Bright Horizons will provide child development resources and expertise for the Bright Spaces for years to come.

"McNeil is proud to partner with the City of Philadelphia and Bright Horizons to provide Philadelphia's homeless children a better opportunity to play and develop," said William L. McComb, President of McNeil, which is located in nearby Fort Washington, "McNeil believes that all children deserve the best educational and emotional tools to support their future growth and development."

The initiative makes Philadelphia the first to provide a citywide solution to address the developmental needs of homeless children. While older children attend school, children under age 6 living in shelters often have no place available for quality play. The Bright Spaces program not only dedicates a place for the children, but also provides resources to help their parents meet their youngest children's developmental needs.

Bright Horizons Family Solutions and the Bright Horizons Foundation for Children

Bright Horizons Family Solutions (NASDAQ: BFAM) is the world's leading provider of employer-sponsored child care, early education and work/life consulting services, managing more than 460 child care and early education centers in the United States, Europe, Canada and the Pacific Rim. Bright Horizons serves more than 375 clients, including 84 FORTUNE 500 companies and 54 of the "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers," as recognized by Working Mother magazine. Bright Horizons is one of FORTUNE magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work for in America." The Bright Horizons Foundation for Children was founded in 1999 to help forward the corporate vision of Bright Horizons Family Solutions. Through the Foundation, Bright Horizons Family Solutions supports nonprofit organizations in the areas of children, child and youth education, and child care. To learn more about Bright Horizons and the Bright Horizons Foundation for Children visit www.brighthorizons.com.

McNeil Consumer & Specialty Pharmaceuticals

McNeil Consumer & Specialty Pharmaceuticals, headquartered in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, is North America's leading producer and marketer of over-the-counter pharmaceuticals. The product lines manufactured by McNeil include TYLENOL(R), the number-one pain reliever/fever reducer in the world; Motrin(R) ibuprofen, St. Joseph(R) aspirin and prescription products including CONCERTA(R) (methylphenidate HCL) for ADHD.