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What is the Goddard School philosophy?

The Goddard School’s philosophy is based on educational practices that are founded in experience, research and the understanding of how children develop and learn. The school’s commitment to the success of each child is rooted in its approach to child-centered learning.

This means that teachers nurture each child’s development and academic success through play-based activities that are both age- and developmentally-appropriate. Furthermore, they strive to create an environment where each child is accepted and appreciated to foster a sense of autonomy and open-ended exploration.

The ultimate goal of the school is to develop responsible, independent and lifelong learners who are prepared to make meaningful contributions to society. To achieve this, the school engages in a variety of initiatives, such as the implementation of consistent learning standards across all its locations, hiring of high-quality teachers, the implementation of the Creative Curriculum and the promotion of active, inquiry-based learning.

Finally, to support its educational practices, the school provides a robust and expansive network of resources, including family access to technology and services, expert-supported activities and communication systems, and certified on-staff faculty.

In summary, the Goddard School’s philosophy is committed to providing a safe, nurturing and stimulating learning environment that encourages children to develop into confident and successful individuals.

What makes Goddard school different?

The Goddard School is a highly-regarded early childhood education program rooted in a play-based curriculum that uses guided play to help children grow socially, emotionally, cognitively, and physically.

From the infant and toddler program through the private Kindergarten, the Goddard School curriculum is designed to nurture a lifelong love of learning in each child that enters a Goddard classroom.

Goddard also stands out in its commitment to the well-being of each child and encouragement of parental involvement. Teachers are experienced, create rich learning environments and genuinely care about their students.

State of the art security systems are used to ensure a safe and secure environment and parents are kept informed through regular communication during school hours and access to classrooms to oversee daily activities.

Goddard staffs classes small relative to other alternatives, with higher teacher to student ratios than typical for private and public preschools. This allows for more individualized instruction, children being able to learn at their own pace, and for teachers to assess children for any developmental delays that might need addressed.

Goddard also requires ongoing, rigorous professional training for instructors, as well as comprehensive ongoing training programs for administrators and facility personnel to ensure curriculum, meeting guidelines set by national accreditation bodies like the National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA) and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Goddard’s curriculum offers a strong foundation in the areas of literacy and numeracy through the use of project-based and problem-solving activities. it also focuses on fine motor development, physical education, nutrition, and foreign language instruction, with an eye for the future in teaching children 21st century skills like fractional problem-solving, coding, research, and more.

All of this, combined with their authentic commitment to the well-being of each child and encouragement of parental involvement, make the Goddard School a unique and powerful choice in early childhood education.

What is Goddard style of teaching?

Goddard style of teaching is a holistic approach to teaching and learning, developed by John Goddard, a professor at the California State University, Fullerton. It emphasizes collaboration, the development of communication skills, and the integration of life skills at the same time.

The approach is based on the concept of students being active participants in their own learning rather than passive recipients of knowledge.

Goddard’s approach stresses active learning as a process for gaining knowledge, with classroom activities designed to build upon what students already know, encouraging creative personalized pathways for individual students.

Small group work, debates, seminars, and field trips are common. Teachers are expected to serve as facilitators and coaches, promoting student autonomy and making sure that each student’s needs are met.

Organizational skills and good study habits are also an important part of the Goddard style of teaching, as is a focus on personal development and growth. The approach emphasizes data-driven instruction and evidence-based practices, with teachers providing feedback to the students that allows them to reflect on and adjust their learning.

Goddard’s style of teaching is a democratic and connected approach to education, focused on respect and appreciation while opening students up to collaborative learning and more effective communication.

What are the themes of Goddard School?

The Goddard School is committed to providing a high-quality preschool and childcare program rooted in play-based learning. Through a blend of early childhood research, best practices and personalized instruction, the school offers developmentally appropriate curriculums and a comprehensive range of enrichment programs tailored to each child’s interests and learning styles.

The Goddard School curriculum is designed to encoura ge children to explore and investigate their world, learn to apply critical thinking, develop problem-solving skills, think creatively and gain positive social and emotional skills.

The school focuses on the four key areas of childhood development: social, cognitive, physical, and emotional.

Some of the core themes of the Goddard School include:

• Cognitive Development: The school encourages the development of a strong academic foundation in literacy, math and science through activities such as hands-on project-based learning, story-telling and art.

• Social Development: The Goddard School focuses on teaching children the importance of developing strong interpersonal interactions. Through practice, children learn to collaborate and be respectful of others in a safe and nurturing school environment.

• Physical Development: The school provides active learning opportunities such as play, dance and sports to promote fine and gross motor development.

• Emotional Development: At The Goddard School, children learn to understand their emotions, recognize the emotions of others and express their feelings in appropriate ways. Through the use of creative activities, children learn to cope with their emotions and make decisions with confidence.

What do Goddard employees wear?

Goddard employees typically wear professional attire that is compliant with the organization’s dress code. For instance, men typically wear a collared shirt, dress pants, and shoes. Women typically wear a dress, skirt, or pants.

In most locations, ties are expected for men and dresses for women are also acceptable. Additionally, a jacket may be worn in cold weather. Every Goddard location has its own dress code and the attire may vary from location to location.

Most importantly, employees should ensure that their attire is neat and presentable at all times. At some locations, employees may wear company-specific attire (like Goddard polo shirts, hats, or other branded items) as part of their work attire.

What is Goddard College known for?

Goddard College is a private liberal arts college located in Plainfield, Vermont. It is known for its model of individualized and experiential learning, which emphasizes close relationships between students and faculty, and for its’ low-residency model, which allows students to pursue their educational goals from any near or far distance.

All degree and certificate program students must complete work in areas relating to the Five Pillars of Education and Social Change: Self-Authorship, Social Action, Transformative Learning, Critical Inquiry, and Creativity and Innovation.

In addition to its well-regarded individualized and experiential approach to education, Goddard College is also known for its commitment to serving the local community, including a strong reputation for supporting public education causes.

The college also provides myriad service learning and internship opportunities to connect students to their local communities while furthering their own educational goals. Additionally, Goddard College was the first higher education institution in the United States to develop and certify an LGBTQ certificate program.

Finally, Goddard College is renowned for the high quality of its faculty, most of whom hold doctoral degrees and have a wealth of experience in the professional and academic arenas. Faculty is known to support learning through dialogical exploration and student-generated inquiry, employing a variety of creative teaching approaches of their own choosing.

Moreover, Goddard College’s faculty is committed to student growth and development as a learning community.

Is Goddard College reputable?

Yes, Goddard College is a highly reputable institution. Founded in 1863, the college is one of the oldest in the country and has a long history of academic excellence. As of 2020, Goddard College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education and all of its programs are recognized by the U.

S. Department of Education. The college has also earned several recognitions, including the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, the Princeton Review Guide to The Best 379 Colleges, and Schools of Distinction.

Goddard College has a strong commitment to providing its students with a high-quality education that meets the needs of modern learners. The college offers various academic programs, ranging from undergraduate and graduate degrees, certificates, and endorsements.

It’s faculty consists of highly qualified individuals who have experience in their respective fields and a passion for teaching.

Students attest to the reputation of the college, too. Reviews are overwhelmingly positive, noting the strong sense of community, challenging programs, and supportive faculty and staff. In short, Goddard College is a reputable institution that has earned national recognition for its educational excellence.

Who founded The Goddard School?

The Goddard School was founded by Edwin J. Goddard and his wife, Sylvia R. Goddard in 1986. The Goddards had the vision to provide quality preschool education and child care that nurtures a lifelong love of learning and helps children develop their full potential.

Drawing upon their combined educational and professional backgrounds, they created the Goddard Developmental Curriculum, which has been adapted and implemented throughout many Goddard School locations around the United States.

The curriculum combines academic learning with a nurturing place to explore, create and grow. They also strive to create an infinite learning environment to develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

Today, the Goddard School system includes more than 400 locations in 36 states and five countries with the corporate headquarters located in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.

How long has The Goddard School been around?

The Goddard School, a franchised network of private preschools, has been around since 1986 when it was founded by educator and entrepreneur, Jack Breiner. Jack Breiner was inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education and opened the first location in King of Prussia, PA.

Since then, the Goddard School has grown to become the largest franchised preschool system in the United States with nearly 500 locations operating in 35 states. In addition to the United States, the Goddard School has locations in China and India.

The Goddard School continues to be focused on providing the highest-quality educational experience for children ages 6 weeks to 6 years, based on the Reggio Emilia philosophy, as well as their own enrichment and project-based learning programs.

How many Goddard Schools are there in the US?

As of April 2021, there are over 500 Goddard School preschools and kindergartens located in 36 states across the US, as well as one school in Beijing, China. Originally founded in 1986 by Dr. Goddard and his wife, the chain has grown to include more than 500 different locations throughout the nation.

Each Goddard School follows a proprietary curriculum that is designed to nurture children in their overall development, both academically and socially. In addition to the educational program, they offer a variety of services and experiences, such as extracurricular activities, music classes, and parent seminars.

Lastly, the schools have received numerous awards and accolades for providing excellence in education, helping to create a safe and secure learning environment for students and families.

What is the difference between Montessori and Goddard?

Montessori and Goddard are two different methodologies of early childhood education. While both are based on the premise that children learn naturally through self-directed exploration and experiencing the environment, they differ in their approaches.

Montessori is a system of education that respects the natural development of a child. It emphasizes self-directed activity, hands-on learning and collaborative play. Students are encouraged to make their own learning choices and explore their interests.

They also learn to develop social skills and values. Montessori classrooms are typically structured with specific materials organized in different areas such as practical life, sensorial, language, and mathematics.

The Goddard Method of education is an extension of Maria Montessori’s philosophy and builds upon this approach. It is founded on the belief that children should be exposed to a variety of activities and experiences that are based on their individual abilities and interests.

In a Goddard classroom, learning is tailored to each child’s natural development and curriculum reflects their interests. Characteristics of the Goddard Method include self-directed learning, hands-on activities, play-based learning, and small group exploration.

It also emphasizes the importance of relationships with adults and peers, as well as the importance of positive discipline.

In summary, while both Montessori and Goddard are based on the principles of learning through self-directed exploration and experiencing the environment, they approach the subject in different ways. Montessori focuses more on traditional classroom activities, while Goddard emphasizes self-directed learning, play-based learning, and small group exploration.

Who owns Goddard Systems Inc?

Goddard Systems Inc is owned by Entrepreneurs for Education (E4E), a private investment group focused on the early-childhood education industry. Entreprenweurs for Education was founded by a group of five individuals with backgrounds in venture capital, law, and business.

The group was formed to invest in innovative companies and strategic expansion opportunities in the early childhood education and care sector. Goddard Systems Inc is the largest provider of early childhood education programs in the US, serving more than 70,000 children and their families.

The company has more than 57 company-owned and franchised centers across the US, as well as a network of more than 500 partner centers. E4E has become a leader in the early childhood education industry and Goddard Systems Inc is positioned to help families access the highest quality early learning programs in the industry.

How many locations does Goddard School have?

The Goddard School currently has over 500 locations throughout the United States. Operating in 36 states and the District of Columbia, there are Goddard School preschools, kindergarten and before- and after-school programs available in many regions.

The company’s growth has been steady since their first school in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania in 1988 and Goddard School can be found in all major metropolitan areas, including Austin, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Phoenix, San Antonio and Washington DC.

With a mission to provide the highest quality early childhood education, Goddard Schools offer an established curriculum that helps students reach important educational milestones appropriate for their age and developmental level.

They often offer programs for parent/child activities, field trips and educational special events in addition to the traditional academic curriculum. With a focus on both academic learning and social-emotional development, Goddard School is a leader in premier early childhood education.

Is Goddard play based?

Yes, Goddard play is based. Goddard play is teacher-developed, research-based, and classroom-tested. It is designed to provide meaningful play experiences that help children learn and practice important skills.

The materials are designed to enable adults to guide play so children can express themselves and explore their world. The activities include games, art projects, music, science, books and other activities that stimulate imagination and creativity, as well as help children to become more confident thinkers and problem solvers.

Goddard play also helps adults to support children’s learning environment by providing developmentally appropriate activities that support healthy growth and development.

Resources

  1. Preschool Teachers & Philosophy – The Goddard School
  2. The Goddard Difference – Your Child’s Education
  3. Goddard vs Montessori: Preschool Curriculums Compared
  4. Goddard School – Wikipedia
  5. The Goddard “Philosophy” | Megan Peters – Sites at Penn State