Answers to your questions about The Goddard School® early childhood development programs: Infant, Toddler, Preschool learning, Pre-K, Kindergarten, School-age Childcare and Summer

Looking for answers about The Goddard School, your child's care or our learning programs? Start here with these common questions.

The following questions and answers cover many of the topics parents have asked about our preschool learning programs, daily schedule, childcare guidelines, early childhood education curriculum, school safety and other topics. It's very likely that your question may be answered here.

Locate a school near you if you wish to speak with the school owner or schedule a tour.
How will I know what is happening during my child's day?
You are always welcome to visit or call during the day, and when you pick up your child, you will receive a Daily Activity Report. Your child's teacher will note how long she napped, what portion of her lunch she ate and how well she is doing with her potty-training. Her teacher will also describe all of the fun activities that your daughter and her friends participated in, and there will always be a little note from teacher to parent regarding a special moment of her day.

May I visit my child during his day?
Absolutely! Feel free to join him at lunchtime, playtime, anytime!

Why is it so important to have an Owner and an Education Director on-site?
A Goddard School® Owner is often someone like you. He or she has decided to pursue the opportunity of owning a small business and contributing to their community. Goddard School Owners are hands-on: they are available to the faculty as well as the children and their families every day. Each Goddard School also has the benefit of an Education Director who is responsible for the curriculum and programming. This dual management system gives the Director the freedom to observe classrooms, mentor faculty and develop a healthy learning environment for your child.

How flexible are Goddard School programs?
You may choose the schedule that works best for your child. Children can come to Goddard for either a half-day or a full-day, as few as two or as many as five days a week, and many Schools also offer before- and after-school programs.

How will I know that my child is safe while I am at work?
Goddard School Owners are committed to the safety and security of the children and teachers in their Schools and choose security systems that work best for their individual locations. In addition to formal security, School Owners and their Directors provide the most effective security - that of a personal nature. Visitors are required to present identification and register in Visitor Logs. Alternate caregivers, authorized by children's parents, must present identification and password information. In addition, GSI developed the Goddard Quality Assurance (QA) program to monitor health and safety policies and procedures, curriculum guidelines and program standards at all Goddard Schools. Well-trained Corporate QA Representatives review each School several times every year. These comprehensive reviews are unannounced and are in addition to state licensing visits.

Will my child be challenged academically at Goddard? I want to know that he is prepared for elementary school.
Yes. At The Goddard School®, we think the best academic preparation is to encourage your child's enthusiasm for learning. Teachers who have a keen interest in your child's success create lesson plans based on Goddard Developmental Guidelines and monthly themes. By providing individual attention in a small group setting, Goddard teachers nurture each child's confidence. Learning to ask questions, discovering cause and effect, negotiating fair play and making new friends are all academic building blocks at Goddard.

How do Goddard School teachers prepare for the classroom setting?
Each Goddard School's faculty is made up of warm and nurturing teachers with a combination of formal education and experience.
Goddard School teachers are:
  • Selected for their ability to engage children warmly in the learning process through the use of effective and unique lesson plans.
  • Required to fulfill education and/or experience requirements.
  • Provided opportunities to participate in Goddard Systems University (GSU). GSU has been approved as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).
  • Required to complete an exclusive training series developed specifically for Goddard School teachers. This unique program coaches teachers in the areas of health and safety, curriculum, developmental guidelines and enrichment programs.

Do children go outside every day?
Goddard School playgrounds are considered an extension of the classroom. In addition to running, jumping and climbing, teachers plan nature walks, picnics and other learning opportunities. Weather permitting, children play outside every day!

What security measures are taken when releasing children?
Goddard Quality Assurance requires all Goddard Schools to have a written sign-in / sign-out log and password procedures. With a parent or guardian's permission only, a child may be released to an alternate caregiver who presents two forms of identification (one must be a picture ID).
 
Start here for answers to your questions about The Goddard School® preschool programs and childcare.