The Goddard School of Reynoldsburg

Let's start by assuming this review will be up for a max of 4 days given the ownership here isn't actually present at the school but they really care about what people are saying about their school. I'm aware this is long but if you want the full story this is it. I've had my kids at this Goddard location since February 2017. After the almost 7 years there have been three different owners, the most current coming in November 2021. So we will keep it relevant. I'll start by saying we love the teachers here. Ms. Tessa, Ms. Alexa and Ms. Shayla are some of the kindest and nurturing people you will find in the field. They are the reason this place is getting 2 stars. Personally I think they are saints. When the new ownership took over they came in swift with a message to families about how they were here to bring a fresh change excited to be present and know all the families. In 25 months I saw them here 3 times - the week they took ownership, the kindergarten graduation when the director was sick so they had to sub in for her last minute, and one random day this past Fall.They also love sending info about their organic snacks. I loved dropped my daughter off one morning and seeing an 8 ounce cup of yogurt to be split amongst the 24 kids in the room. When I questioned this they added a note at the bottom of the snack email that their snacks adhere to dietary guideline sizes. 1/3 ounce of yogurt for a 4 year old definitely sounds correct, right? The old owners said tuition would never go up as your kid got older. The new ownership didn't mention any change in cost in their big introduction. A few months later we were told costs were being raised to give the teachers a raise. Fair. When my daughter was moved to an older classroom a few months early (we were told by directors she was ready and needed more of a challenge, but the teachers said there were too many kinds in the class and by JFS standards someone had to be moved) we signed a contract stating our tuition was staying the same. We got a surprise bill 6 weeks later with another increase and no explanation. When I questioned it I was told it was their error but it was increasing again. I had learned earlier about a 10% discount families received working at certain places (including hospitals). I've worked at a hospital for 11 years and was never told this. When I asked for the discount I was told I was a "new" family and couldn't be grandfathered in. I was also told the Lewis Center location with the same owners gives a 10% military discount but I wasn't allowed that either.I asked to speak to the ownership and I was given the run around, but finally got them on the phone. They didn't want to give me direct answers. I asked for a breakdown of classroom cost and was told it was at the bottom of my contact, but that was only MY cost, because no one here pays the same amount. I've talked to several families with a child in the same room, no other kids, no other differences, and the monthly tuition varies by a few hundred dollars. Mind you we've been here longer than the other families so you would assume we would get a decent price, but we actually pay the most. When I asked about cost and discounts they said their prices will raise with inflation and they can't give any more information. When I asked why I was never told this they said I was an "old" family with past ownership/ So I'm not sure if we are an old or new family, I guess it depends on how they can get the most money out of you. When I suggested they let "old" families know about their inflation raise rules they said they would "think about it." When I asked specifically where the increase goes they said teacher pay and a new app. I am all about teachers getting raises. Like I said they are saints. However I've had several teachers tell me they haven't gotten a raise. I don't know if it's true, but that's what I've been told. Tuition went up in August and I was told they were hoping to have the app in January. I was told I couldn't know what the app was called because they hadn't bought it yet. Then I was told it didn't matter because it was a social emotional learning app and I wouldn't understand. I guess my masters degree in child and adolescent mental health and 14 years as a child therapist would not prepare me for using a daycare app. To summarize:1. Your kids will have great teachers, learn and be safe.2. The cost you pay will not be the same as others at the school. It will increase frequently and by the rate of inflation. And apparently it goes to an app that 5 months later they still aren't using. 3. If you love to be insulted by ownership that isn't present despite their colorful emails about community because they love their Lewis Center so much they can't bother to show their face in Reynoldsburg, this is the place for you.

We love the Goddard school! Our son is in the pre-school class room and has been at the center for over 1 year. We moved him from another center we felt was putting too much pressure on us to potty train, too early on. We have nothing but good things to say. The staff is excellent! He has transitioned through 2 rooms over past year and mastered the potty along the way. All of the staff, regardless of the class they are mainly responsible for, work to learn the kids names and personalities as they progress through the classes and prepare for kindergarten. They are all friendly and attentive. My son is extremely comfortable with all of the staff and the children and really loves coming to school every day! The summer program is fabulous too! The children get a water play day once per week and the center brings in entertainment and fun activities several times a week!Check out the Goddard school!

If you're looking for a daycare with administration who will ask you to find a new center for your child after 13 days of being registered (note: less days than it takes for a child to get adjusted in the first place) with NO documentation, NO communication and NO ethical explanation as to why, then you've found the center for you! If you want teachers who are clearly out of their depth and believe that having a teacher who is studying to be a behavioral specialist makes them qualified to assess your child and put the word autism in the same sentence as your child then you've found the center for you! This center lures you in with the promise of care and compassion for your child but quickly makes you realize they're only in it for the money... just to make a quick dollar off of you then send you on your way. Save your money and energy and look for a Step Up to Quality rated center. Look for a school with teachers who are actually accredited. Find a center who uses ASQ to support fruitful conversation about your child's development and growth and leverages REAL professionals to help your child succeed if they're struggling. Seriously, look anywhere but here. The center may be pretty and newly built but their politics are horrid and made up as you go. Sincerely, a mother who had her children enrolled for exactly 14 days.

Our daughter has been going to Goddard almost her whole life. She is about to turn five, but Goddard has been helping us care for her since she was a one year old. The teachers at the school are very professional and so friendly. My daughter just loves them all and talks about them a lot. That hasn't changed over the years as my daughter progressed from class to class. She has loved every teacher, and perhaps just as importantly, the teachers love the kids like their own.I frequently tell my wife we are blessed that we are able to afford to send our daughter to Goddard. Before selecting Goddard all those years ago, we evaluated many schools. We heard about Goddard's positive reputation and when we had a tour of the local school, it was a done deal. It was just a great fit.Of course, as great as Goddard is, it is not perfect. About the only downsides I can think of are some schools we looked at provided diapers, wipes, and hot lunches as part of the tuition. Goddard does not do those things, but remains competitive on tuition. The only other thing I can think of is Goddard charges an annual enrollment fee for each child even if they have already been enrolled and attending for years. I am not sure why that is or if that is an industry standard practice, but I thought it would be fair to mention these things.If you are looking for a great child care facility providing top-quality education and child care, look no further than Goddard. Your child will love it!

Our daughter attended The Goddard School for 3 years. The staff were professional and friendly. They were responsive to any questions we had as parents. Our daughter was well ahead of her classmates when she transitioned to public school. We also took comfort in knowing The Goddard School goes above and beyond to ensure health and safety. All staff are trained in CPR, classrooms are designed with more fire protection than is required by code, they keep trained staff on hand to meet state requirement for prescribed emergency medicine administration needs and first aid. Overall, we felt very comfortable with all the teachers and staff. Our daughter looked forward to going every day. Which as we all know as parents is no easy task!