The Goddard School of Lakewood Ranch - Lakewood Ranch, Florida

Betsy S.

The staff is incredible! Everyone has been very helpful and friendly. They have assisted with my child transitioning from home to a more structured learning environment. My child is happy and learning. I see positive changes in him when he’s home and evidence of what he is learning. Staff is responsive and provides adequate feedback. I am very happy with the Goddard experience!!

Ashish D.

As a parent, choosing the right preschool for your child is pivotal. I am thrilled to share our positive experience at The Goddard School, which has exceeded our expectations in fostering our child’s growth in numerous key areas.

Social and Emotional Development:
Since enrolling, I’ve observed significant strides in my child’s social and emotional development. Initially shy, she now eagerly looks forward to school days The teachers use thoughtful activities that promote sharing, empathy, and self-expression, which helped my child develop strong interpersonal skills and emotional resilience.

STEAM Curriculum:
The Goddard School’s STEAM curricular is another area where our expectations were surpassed. The hands-on, integrated approach to science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics has sparked a love of learning in my child. For instance, a recent project on simple objects not only taught them the basics of physics but also encouraged critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Teachers’ Attention and Discipline:
The full attention that teachers give to each child is remarkable. They are adept at recognizing each child’s needs and adapting their approach accordingly, ensuring that no child feels overlooked. This individual attention has been crucial in reinforcing healthy, positive habits and discipline. The structured routine at The Goddard School has taught my child the importance of time management and responsibility, invaluable skills that extend beyond the classroom.

Friendliness of Staff and Teachers:
The warmth and professionalism of the staff and teachers have been consistently impressive. They are not only approachable and responsive but also genuinely invested in each child’s well-being and development. For example, during daily reports and parent-teacher meetings during pickups, they provide detailed insights into my child’s progress, strengths, and areas for improvement, demonstrating their commitment and care.

Conclusion:
Choosing The Goddard School for our child’s early education was one of the best decisions we could have made. The school’s emphasis on social-emotional learning, robust STEAM curriculum, and the exceptional staff have played a crucial role in our child’s development. I highly recommend The Goddard School to any parent looking for a comprehensive, caring, and dynamic educational environment for their child.

Melanie Z.

Our son started at Goddard a month ago in pre-K 3 and to say he LOVES it there is an understatement! He has never been more excited to go to school! He says it is because of all the activities he gets to do throughout the day! 🙂 Also, he loves his teachers and his friends! We've noticed such a change in him since he started. (Note that he was at another LWR daycare of the last 3 years.) At Goddard, he comes home super excited to share about his day. He talks continuously about all the things he did, what he did in gym class, what activities he did and what he and his friends did during outside time. We've noticed that his speech has further soared through the roof; he is even more articulate and communicative than he was before; and even more willing to do things on his own b/c Goddard focuses on empowering kids to learn their own capabilities. The staff and directors are friendly and very communicative. They are also very fast with responding to in-app messages and emails. We love the daily updates on the app with what he learned each day along with pictures. Overall, we are extremely happy that our son is at Goddard and only regret that we didn't start him here sooner.

Sarah J.

Safe, welcoming, supportive-- amazing staff and outstanding curriculum. Thank you for all that you do for our child (and us)!

Hannah W.

Totally worth the wait! I am so happy we decided to go with Goddard for our two children and we could not be happier with the teachers, Directors and the Owner who are always very responsive and communicate well with parents about everything. We were with another preschool before our spots opened up at Goddard and the difference is like night and day.

Jessica T.

The best child care in the Lakewood ranch area! Loving and caring staff, great communication, truly feels like family. We left at one point during a time where we had to adjust our budget, but no other center compares. We came back to Goddard and are soooo thrilled we were able to do so. Amazing quality care!!! So grateful we found this place for our son.

Anelis A.

I'll never forget my son's first day at Goddard. He was two years old and I dropped him off nervous as can be. He received a lovely welcome from his teacher, sat on the table and began to draw with crayons. A few hours later I got a picture of him happy as can be. Now, 3 years later, I know that dropping him off at that school was the best decision I could have made. He is excelling in kindergarten and has developed as a smart, happy, loving child. There is no better school for your child than Goddard School. The teachers will love your child more than you could imagine. I come to work completely assured that my child is beyond well taken care of. The experts they have on hand or through corporate ensure that your child gets the best in class education and development. This is why when I became pregnant with my daughter, I knew there was no question, that Goddard was the best place for her. I am able to come at my lunch break and nurse her and play for a bit. The teachers are all amazing!! Don't waste your time looking anywhere else.. if you want the best.. this is it. period.

Crystal R.

I am a very picky (crazy?) mother who toured every preschool in Lakewood Ranch, memorized every school's kindergarten readiness test scores for the past three years, and spent months trying to decide where to send my kids when I went back to work. I had stayed home for 4 years and was afraid my kids would get sick all the time and that they wouldn't be happy without me all day. I decided Goddard was THE place for us for many reasons (consistently awesome test scores, close to home, cost was the same or less as other high-quality LWR preschools, loved the classrooms), but because they are so exceptional, there was a wait list and my little girl didn't have a spot.

Dianne to the rescue! If other schools go the extra mile, Dianne runs a marathon. She spent countless hours on the phone with me trying to help me arrange schedules so that my kids could both attend, and when a spot opened I was elated. And the school hasn't let me down. My 4 year old daughter often cries when she has to leave at the end of the day because she loves it so much. My 2 year old loves it too, and he never loved anywhere I left him up until this point. They both love their teachers, who are warm, comforting, friendly, and fun. We've had no trouble with sickness like we did at the preschool my daughter was at as an infant, and they have listened to my concerns, acted on them, and have been supportive, communicative, and helpful. I love that they offer the "school day" prices for moms like me who don't work full time, and their classrooms are so educational and fun. I can't recommend them highly enough! If you can get in, it's your lucky day!

2 years later UPDATE: My youngest will have to say goodbye to Goddard this month as he sets off for kindergarten, and we couldn't be more thankful for our experience here. Every teacher has been exceptional, every year has been better than the last. My son loved the way the school incorporated superheroes, pirates, Star Wars, sharks, and other "awesome" things into the curriculum, and my kids learned so much while still having tons of opportunity to play and socialize. My son never wants to leave, and neither do I. Goddard has become a family to us. My children will have many years more of schooling, but it is hard to imagine that any will be as wonderful as our time here. Thank you Goddard, for all that you have done for my kids!