The Goddard School of Orange Park

If you're cool with blatant discrimination, this is the school for you!! In January of 2016, I inquired about after school care for my daughter. I was told there was availability and that I should come by and tour the school and pick up an application. Sweet! Oh until I mentioned that my daughter was in a wheelchair. ::record screeeeeech:: Then I was told there was actually a small wait list....it must have slipped the front office administrator's mind...but hey it happens. So we get on the wait list and call to check in from time to time only to be told "there's just one more child ahead of her" time and time again.After several months we talk directly with the owner and straight up ask her if there's an issue with my child being admitted because she's in a wheelchair. She assured us this was absolutely not the case and our child would be the very next one admitted once an opening became available. So TWO YEARS (because apparently this is the Harvard of after school care) go by and within that time we managed to find another place for her until that spot opens up. We actually let it go for a while since we found a nice program that had no issue with meeting her needs, and ultimately that's what we were looking for, but kept her on the list just in case.However today we randomly saw the owner again and asked her about it. She ACTUALLY said no child has been admitted in the LAST TWO YEARS. Like those words actually came out of her mouth. I don't know about you, but that sounds awfully suspicious.I'm bringing this up now in the hopes that they will take a look at themselves and ask what they are getting out of denying kids with disabilities. That and so they can thoroughly brush up on the rules and regulations of the ADA Act. Just in case they need a resource, here is a link to show just how illegally discriminatory they are.https://www.ada.gov/childqanda.htmWe are also in the process of working with ADA advocates in regards to this so you can also ask them any questions you may have once they contact you.Have a blessed day. I mean that as sarcastically as possible.

My son has been attending the Goddard School since he was 1. We absolutely adore each teacher that we come in contact with. We feel like family when we walk into those doors. My son will be 4 this year and we are almost to the end of the building and i don't know what we will do when it's time for kindergarten. Each classroom is very welcoming and loving to him and we thank them enough! You rock Goddard!

My daughter has thrived at this school! It's well-managed, the teachers are friendly and communicative, and it's all curriculum aligned. I would so much rather know my daughter is working on relevant skills than to think she is in a "play all day" environment. They ARE playing... but it's directed in such a way that they learn what they need for success in school. So smart! Expect to pay for it. We made the decision to invest in our daughter's education, and we are not sorry one bit for it!!

Every parent wants the best for their child and as a result can have very high expectations for childcare. The Goddard School in Oakleaf exceeded our expectations time and again over the 7 years that our 2 boys attended. It was very important to us that the school provide a safe environment, a calm learning atmosphere and nurturing teachers. The Goddard School hit the mark on all counts. The teachers truly care for each and every child and foster an environment where they feel safe and loved. As a parent, the communication between parent and teacher/Director was a great comfort. I have been very grateful for Miss Jen's open-door policy. She has always made me feel comfortable to come in and chat about concerns, provide feedback and discuss my children's progress. This partnership philosophy permeates throughout the school and makes the world of difference.

I enrolled my children in The Goddard School approximately two and a half months ago. My daughters are 1 and almost 3. Both of them stayed at home previously, so this was our first experience with child care / preschool. The Goddard School is absolutely not child care, it is preschool regardless of the child's age. I was impressed with the immediate results that my children displayed and my eldest wants to go to school every single day now. My one year old's fine motor development from all of the activities in class is incredible. The staff is friendly and always helpful with any request or accommodation you may need. The thing I found best is that they will help you guide your child in however you currently parent them so there are no conflicting messages. How they interact and teach the children is exactly what fell in line with my vision. While the school is on the higher end in terms of tuition rates, the old adage is that you get what you pay for, and the Goddard School is worth every penny.