The Goddard School???

blueyez09 · March 2011

I know that each location may run a little differently but is it worth the $$$$.

We toured the Waldorf Location yesterday and REALLY like it...had sticker shock, but then we toured another center nearby and it was a night and day difference in terms of organization, cleanliness, staff etc. Really hit the "you get what you pay for".

Nathan is currently at an In Home provider and we are looking to switch within the next month or so.

TIA

Cytina · March 2011

One opened near us when I was DC shopping while pg with DS1. I called for their rates and just about fell on the floor. Based on what I saw online, it seemed awesome though... That's why I didn't visit there b/c I knew we couldn't afford it and I had a feeling the other places we could afford would be overshadowed by it.

blueyez09 · March 2011

Good Point, I may swing by a couple of the Chain type locations near us and see what I think.

Pesky · March 2011

Depends on what you like. I know several people who send their kids there and LOVE it. I don't for a few reasons: you have to bring lunch for your kids (that is not included in the price for the locations around here); their idea of "discipline" doesn't really jive with what I believe works for that age; they have a freakin' 27 step process to change a diaper (a former Goddard school teacher shared that with me -- may have changed). I found myself happier with a local chain.

blueyez09 · March 2011

Pesky:
Depends on what you like. I know several people who send their kids there and LOVE it. I don't for a few reasons: you have to bring lunch for your kids (that is not included in the price for the locations around here); their idea of "discipline" doesn't really jive with what I believe works for that age; they have a freakin' 27 step process to change a diaper (a former Goddard school teacher shared that with me -- may have changed). I found myself happier with a local chain.

Can you explain further on those items?

MelissaS5338 · March 2011

Our DS (just turned 2) goes to the Goddard School and we absolutely love it! He has been there since he was an infant. The turn over rate is great too. Our next little one will have the same teachers that DS had. We live in GA so I am sure it would be a bit different though.

I personally like the idea of bringing his lunch instead of having it provided because then I know what he is eating and the quality of the food that I provide. Our facility also offers a catered menu both vegetarian and non vegetarian for an additional monthly cost. I did look at a few others to compare prices/programs about 6 months ago and decided that I was not willing to move him. I was not sure it was worth the money until looking around. Like you said, you get what you pay for I suppose. He loves his teachers, and is always so happy when I pick him up. And he learns so much each day...always has new words and songs for us.

I know each facility is different but overall as far as the school goes it is worth the money to us.

jteneback · March 2011

I liked the one we toured here and the price was more reasonable than I expected. But there is another location a few towns over and their reviews were terrible so I think it really depends.

worleygirl · March 2011

We have been at ours for 18 months and love it. They provide morning snack, lunch, and afternoon snack. I pay about 300 more a month than the average for 2 year olds in my area, but it is well worth it. I love the Director and his teachers and he has learned so much. They are always coming up with fun events (just had a reading party to celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday). Our facility is spotless with tons of great toys. I also love that there is no tv. I haven't encountered any issues with discipline so I can't speak on that matter.

aluminium · March 2011

Like any franchise, what you get will vary from location to location. I know a couple people who send their kids to Goddard because the name and the price tag seem to promise higher quality, but I know the one by my house smells like poo and that didn't impress me one bit. The one 45 minutes from me gets great reviews from parents, but I know two former employees of that particular location who have told me horror stories... You have to trust your feelings more than the school's reputation. If you like it more than other places you have visited, and the price is right for you, then you should go with that.

TarzansWife · March 2011

I toured the one by us out here when we were switching daycares due to moving closer to my work. It was beautiful, absolutely beautiful but I ended up going with a cheaper older daycare down the street. As beautiful as it was I had some real issues with the way they ran things and the way they "preached" their lesson plans. On my tour the Assitant Director went on and on for about 30 minutes about the importance of the lesson plan and their 27 steps to changing a diaper (and the repercussions for employees if they don't follow the 27 steps). I liked the idea of lesson plans and appreciate good hygiene but I felt the 27 steps were ridiculous (seriously, I don't follow 27 steps!!). Once we toured the room though I didn't like the class size, it was huge. They had 18 kids in the room and 3 teachers. Plus there weren't that many toys in the room, I found myself thinking, how do they plan on occupying these 18 kids all day?? I also didn't see that much art up on the walls nor did I see lots of supplies for art based activities or music.

I liked the lesson plan adherence but I felt they made too big of a deal of them. I appreciate you guiding my child but he's a two year old, he needs time to play, with toys and explore the world around him. Knowing my sons personality I just knew it wouldn't be a good fit for him. Plus, I didn't feel like they did enough music and art which are really big on my sons "to do" list right now. I found a local center that has a class size of 5 kids with a full time teacher and an assistant. It's not the newest place but it is clean, organized and the staff has been there forever.

They have lesson plans but let the kids dictate as well what they do. For instance, one day they found a caterpillar on the wall outside and all the kids were very interested. They spent the day painting pictures of caterpillars and making caterpillar's out of pipe cleaners and my son loved it. He talked about it for days and we even went to the zoo that weekend to find some caterpillars. It was then that I appreciated the fact that I am sure his teacher had a lesson plan, she was able to bend the lesson plan to what interested the children.

I recommend really looking around in your community and visit as many schools as possible. I went to all types, Montessori, etc.. and found one that really fit the bill for our family. The Goddard Schools are nice and expensive but that doesn't always mean it's that they are right for your child. Good luck on your search!

vagirl06 · March 2011

My oldest started Goddard when she was 6 months old. My youngest now goes there as well. They take great care of their employees - retirement, benefits, etc. It shows. My youngest has the same teachers that my oldest had.

No one has quit although one teacher was let go (didn't keep up to date with training) since we've been there.

We have the option of paying additional for catered lunch. I prefer to pack my own - then I can control what my kids are eating on a daily basis. It is expensive but my theory is that you get what you pay for.

Luv2Run1st · March 2011

Our LO has been going for 2 months and we love it. He is really happy there and loves his teachers. Even with the little babies they do such fun activities including daily art projects and music time. They are expensive, but I trust them and know that they will provide the best care and they are only 2 blocks from my work which makes it great. We plan to keep him there through kindergarten since the local public schools only offer half day (2.5 hours) of kindergarten so that was something else we considered when choosing them.

lewis514 · March 2011

My daughter has been going to the local Goddard since she was 3 months old. The quality depends on the individual location and the owner. For us, it was an incremental increase compared to the others in the area but the quality was much higher. There has been little turnover and I think they have a nice balance btwn lesson plans and free play time. We are very pleased.

Whoo · March 2011

My child does not go to a Goddard school but does go to a very pricey daycare in our area similar to Goddard. Sometimes I second guess our choice because of the price. Had I not visited the facility, I probably wouldn't know what I was missing, but I did so here I am. We don't have high paying jobs so we do feel the pinch due to the price difference. However, it is a wonderful place, with a wonderful staff. My oldest was there until K and now my 2nd is there and the staff is the same. I rationalize it with myself by saying that this is their most vulnerable time in their life, they are there for 8-9 hours a day 5 days a week and it is only until they enter kindergarten where they will be going to a public (free) school for the next 12 years so that makes me feel a little better. But I feel your pain.

marciejbee · March 2011

I am in the midwest so it may be different but I visited over 14 places in my area before I decided on in home daycare vs. a "school" like Goddard. I am going with a Christian daycare at a church once DS turns two after additional research.

Goddard in my area has a LOT of turnover in teachers b/c they are not well paid or treated very nicely (and I live in a very nice area of the city). I actually knew a Goddard teacher who could not afford her rent b/c she was only paid $8.50 an hour and worked a 2nd job at Starbucks to make ends meet.

While she loved the students,she was oftentimes pulled too thin and felt a lot of pressure from parents and again, treated poorly by her bosses.

The owners of our Goddard School have no children background experience. They just own the three around here...and when I called about enrolling my son *6 months before he was born* they told me there was a waitlist ...18 months out. This made no sense to me. I wondered how it could be possible people were on a waitlist if they weren't HAVING a baby at the same time as me (or before). He said that parents hold their spot even BEFORE they are pregnant. I thought this was ludicrous, snobby and a bit unrealistic.

Once I started touring additional schools, I realized I have a lot of options and agree that while they "sell" themselves, they were not a good fit for my son. We opted for in home for the first two years of his life and this fall he will begin a well organized low key, laid back, flexible church daycare program that gets great reviews in my area and has an amazing unconditional staff.

I agree that all are different and you just have to find what is right for your baby.

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