The Goddard School of Manhattan has locations on both the Upper West Side and Upper East Side. We are a school, not a daycare center. We are committed to providing the highest level of stimulating development and warm nurturant care for Infants, and an age-appropriate curriculum for One Year-Olds and up in our Toddler, Preschool, and Pre-Kindergarten classrooms. Our schools are state-of-the-art facilities with many large sun-filled rooms. Our degreed teachers utilize our unique curriculum to teach your child in a fun and loving environment. As a parent, you stay connected with daily activity reports emailed to you, with photos and videos! Contact us for a tour of our Infant/Toddler Center and our Preschool Center. Bill Swan Ph.D., Onsite Owner

Sandra Sa has a Master's Degree from Teachers College, Columbia University and has NYS Teaching Certification. She started her tenure at The Goddard School in January 2012 as Education Director after working 8 years in leadership in another successful preschool. She has supported the growth of The Goddard Schools over the years, and she heads the Kindergarten Exmissions Program for the schools. Sandra's passion lies in supporting the education of young children while being a resource for families and teachers during this important time in a child's life.

Alexandra earned her degree in Travel and Hospitality. Previously, she worked as the Office Manager for an Infant/Toddler school in Gramercy Park, where she managed the day to day of the school. She also has seven years’ experience as a dance teacher in the Bronx, where she taught toddlers and preteens. Working in early childhood education has helped her grow as a professional and has allowed her to see life through the eyes of a child. She has a passion for creating a fun environment that children want to come back to and values the importance of building children’s confidence and giving them a community in which they feel safe.

Ms. Maritza is the Executive Assistant for the Broadway location. Maritza had been a Lead Teacher in our Infant classrooms since the program opened in 2013. She has a National Child Development Associates. Maritza has extensive experience working with children, and particularly enjoys working with infants. She finds the teaching profession very rewarding. She feels her greatest accomplishment has been helping children to become confident individuals. She especially enjoys helping children to feel safe and loved. Her favorite children’s song is ‘If You’re Happy & You Know It’

Ms. Katherine is an assistant teacher in our Toddler program. She has her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Hunter College. She has always loved working with children but her experience as a Paraprofessional is where she fell in love with teaching. She has decided to pursue her Masters in Early Childhood Special Education. She enjoys helping children express themselves through art, music, and play.

Ms. Candi is a Lead Teacher in our Preschool program. She has her Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Borough of Manhattan College. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education/ Special Education. She has been working with children from ages infant to preschool since 2020. Ms. Candi enjoys working with children, seeing them grow and achieving all of their milestones. She is a mother of three children and takes care of each child in her classroom as her own. The activity she enjoys the most is creative arts where the children can express themselves freely.

Ms. Naretha is a Lead Teacher in our Infant/Toddler Prgram. She has been working with children from the ages of 3 months to 5 years old since 2014. She also has experience working with children with special needs as a teacher's assistant, in her previous role. Ms. Naretha has a 15-year-old daughter of her own and takes pride in caring for the babies in h er classroom, as if they were one of her own kids. A fun fact about Ms. Naretha is that she has an idential sister, who is also a teacher! She enjoys doing art with the infants and taking them for walks to the park for music or morning meetings. Her teacher approach is to create a loving environment for the children to feel safe and grow every day.

Ms. Florentina is an Assistant Teacher in our Infant/Toddler Program. She holds an Associate's Degree in Applied Science from LaGuardia Community College, equipping her with a strong foundation in education and child development. She has been working with children since 1998 and brings warmth and creativity to the classroom. She has a deep passion for teaching and strives to create engaging, hands-on learning experiences that foster creativity, find motor skills, and mindfulness. Her patient and positive approach allows children to explore, grow, and develop confidence in their abilities. Ms. Florentina loves singing, dancing, and having fun with the children, making the classroom a lively and joyful place.

Ms. Claire is an Assistant Teacher in our Preschool Program. She is currently a school psychology doctoral student, specializing in preschool psychology at Fordham University. Ms. Claire has her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Educational Studies. She has worked with children since 2020, most recently, at another Goddard School in South Carolina, as a preschool teacher. Ms. Claire loves to travel and has visited eight countries. She also loves to cook and go on walks through Riverside Park. She is looking forward to being a part of this amazing school.

Ms. Shareeka is a Lead Teacher in our Preschool Program. She graduated form Hunter College with a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education and Women and Gender Studies. She is currently pursuing her Master's Degree in Literacy Education. Ms. Shareeka has always been passionate about fostering a love of learning in children. She has been working with preschool age children since 2021. She is thrilled to bring her knowledge and passion to The Goddard School, where she looks forward to helping each child grow, explore, and develop a strong foundation for lifelong learning. Outside the classroom, she enjoys cooking, painting, and crocheting. Ms. Shareeka hopes to further inspire creativity within the classroom.

Ms. Karinel is an Assistant Teacher in our Infant/Toddler Program. She has worked with children ages from six weeks to 2 years old since 2018. Ms. Karinel has a deep passion for early childhood development. She specializes in creating a nurturing and engaging environment where infants can grow, explore, and thrive. She believes in supporting children's cognitive, emotional, and physical development through age-appropriate activities and responsive caregiving.

Ms. Valene is a Lead Teacher in our Preschool Program. She has a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education and Special Education from Grand Canyon University. She has been working with children since 2009, most recently as a Special Education teaching assistant. Ms. Valene is a mother of one and is passionate about teaching. She believes that children have great minds and imagination. She likes to create a safe and comfortable environment where children can explore and accomplish tasks, allowing them to grow.