The Goddard School

Nearly every parent believes play is important for their child’s overall growth and development, according to a survey we recently conducted. The average child spends about 10 hours playing with their parents, others and on their own on any given day, but three-quarters of parents believe that isn’t enough and want their child to spend more time engaging in creative, free play time. “Young children are naturally curious, and it’s imperative to nurture this curiosity to help them develop socially, emotionally and academically,” said Dr. Lauren Loquasto, our chief academic officer. “To do this, parents, caregivers and educators can ensure the children in their care are consistently engaging in creative play and exploring their interests through questions, experimentation and experiences.”  To learn more, check out all of the survey’s findings here: https://lnkd.in/ec9Ru6kD

Parents preparing to send their infant or toddler to a childcare provider for the first time might be feeling uncertain or anxious. In this Consumer Reports article, Dr. Lauren Loquasto, our chief academic officer, shares guidance for parents to help ease the transition. 

One of the greatest joys of being a parent is watching children learn, grow and discover. Using playtime to create a supportive environment and gently guiding children as they lean into their natural curiosity is a proven way to help them learn and enable their creative talents to flourish. Leisa Byars, co-owner of four Goddard Schools in Tennessee, including the recently opened Goddard School of Brentwood, joined Nashville’s WKRN News 2 to share some activities that parents can try at home to spark their child’s imagination and foster their creativity. 

In this ever-changing world, is your preschool doing enough to fully prepare your child for the future? Join us on July 31 at 1 PM ET for a free Parenting with Goddard webinar about how cutting-edge early childhood education can robustly prepare your child for the world they live in today and the world of tomorrow. This live event will be an engaging and exciting discussion about the future of education and how The Goddard School can set your child up for success. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gnbqDbjY

Bill and Wendy Kim, owners of The Goddard School of Ramsey, NJ, and The Goddard School of Paramus, NJ, have been recognized by Franchise Business Review as 2024 Franchise Rock Stars. The Kims were honored in the Family-Owned category and chosen from hundreds of nominations.   “We are truly thankful and honored to be named Franchise Rock Stars by Franchise Business Review and proud to represent The Goddard School brand,” said the Kims. “We thank our incredible faculty and staff, our families and our students for allowing us to do what we love every day—providing the highest quality care and early childhood education for our community.”   Congratulations, Bill and Wendy! Learn more about this accolade here: https://lnkd.in/e8bGJyfA

The Goddard School of Brentwood, TN, is now open! This is the first location for co-owners Brian and Marie Hairston. The Hairstons are partnering with seasoned Goddard School franchisees Leisa Byars and Del McSpadden, who also own The Goddard School of Hendersonville, The Goddard School of Gallatin and The Goddard School of Murfreesboro, with another school in development at the Nashville Yards campus in downtown Nashville. “We are thrilled to bring the Goddard experience to Brentwood and the surrounding communities where there is such a need for high-quality early childhood education,” said Marie. “Our mission is to offer peace of mind for working parents by ensuring their children are in a safe, nurturing environment where they can develop socially, emotionally and academically.” 

Are you planning a family trip to see grandparents this summer? If you are, be sure to check out this Psychology Today article by Dr. Kyle Pruett, a member of our Educational Advisory Board. As Dr. Pruett shares, by being proactive, parents can limit stress and make the most of grandparent visits. https://lnkd.in/dwGJwmYq

As graduation season comes to a close, we congratulate all graduates and wish them well in their future endeavors. In particular, we are thrilled to celebrate Goddard School graduates, including these children of our Goddard Systems colleagues. #GoddardFamily #GoddardGrads

The Goddard School of Alexandria (Old Town), VA, is now open! This is the second Goddard School in Alexandria and the fourth for co-owners Akhil and Madhu Govil, who also own The Goddard School of Ashburn, The Goddard School of Leesburg and The Goddard School of Waldorf. “Our goal is to build a strong and balanced foundation of social, emotional, cognitive and physical skills for each of the students trusted in our care,” said Akhil. “Our program fosters each child’s innate curiosity and creativity in a safe, nurturing environment, setting them up for success in school and in life.”

Summer is a great time for outdoor play. There are many fun things to do that help support sensory integration, language development and fine and gross motor skills. Of course, there’s also all that fresh air and sunshine, which is the best part! Lee Scott, chairperson of our Educational Advisory Board, shares these fun activities to enjoy in the summer sun.