The Goddard School. It even SOUNDS exclusive, and expensive. But is it really worth the high tuition you would have to fork out monthly to send you kids there? I’m not sure of the exact current rate (the prices have went up at least twice in the first 18 months it has been open), but I can tell you that the infant room is priced at over $1000 per month and the prices descend based on age group. I believe that 3 and 4 year old preschool tuition is somewhere in the range of $700-750 per month. So, let’s discuss what you get for this price.
Let’s answer the most important question first. Do the teachers take good care of the kids and are they in a nurturing environment? The answer to both of those question would be yes. I believe the teachers really do care for the kids there. Also, being brand new, the building looks clean and well kept. Overall, these are great pros to the Goddard School.
Next question. Do they have nutritious meals for the children? This one is complicated. I think that they are strict about following state guidelines as to what they can and cannot serve, and the serving sizes. If that is the case, then sometimes I think the state is whack! Sometimes the children get great tasting meals and plenty of it. Sometimes the meals leave something to be desired-like MORE. Typical meals would be ravioli, chicken nuggets, fish sticks, spaghetti-o’s, ham sandwiches, chicken noodle or tomato soup, or meatballs (a kid favorite!). Side dishes would be fruit and vegetables of course. However, with soup the kids get crackers and a fruit. Keep in mind that the soup is served in the standard sectioned plate-a little inconvenient for a 3-year-old trying to eat that way. But think of the poor 18-month old that receives the same meal! I’m not sure how they manage that. Sometimes there is plenty for the kids to eat more, sometimes they complain that they are still hungry. Overall, the Goddard School doesn’t quite live up to their reputation in this area. The meals could have more of a variety and could have a little more flavor. I know that some meals (such as lasagna) were cut out due to expense.
Do they follow a good curriculum? They are very organized in this area. Each month has a theme that is broken into weekly themes. The kids learn about all kinds of different subjects-from dinosaurs and plants to food and nutrition to animals and countries. Now, they do learn a lot about these subjects, however, I would be more concerned about academic curriculum. I believe that the “traveling turtles” teacher runs a great pre-k class and her kids learn what they need to give them a great start for kindergarten. However, when it comes to the preschool program, they leave something to be desired. There is virtually NO academic curriculum in these classes. If you’re looking for daycare, it’s good, but if you’re looking for pre-SCHOOL, I’d suggest sending your kids elsewhere.
As for statistics, I can tell you, that since they’ve opened, the Goddard School has experience more than a 100% turnover rate. Of course people leave for a variety of reasons, but that rate is just a LITTLE high. I’ve seen other day cares that have had virtually NO turnover, which allows the children to form a lasting bond with their teachers. This is a definite negative at this center.
As for field trips, you won’t find any here. Not even during the summer program for the school age kids. Instead they have visitors come to the center. I think this is a big disadvantage. Remember how much fun field trips are?! For this, you’d have to go somewhere else.
Not liking to turn anyone away, there is also a slight overflow of kids at the Goddard School. There are several 3 year olds in the 2 year old room, because there is not room to move them up to the next room. And yet, there have been several new children placed in the 3 year old room. One of the pre-k programs has several kids in it who will not be going to kindergarten next year. For them, I’d say it’s a benefit. To the children that are going to kindergarten in the fall, hopefully having younger kids in their class does not hold back their accomplishments.
Overall, if you’re looking for a good daycare, I’d say that the Goddard School is a good place for children, although overpriced for what it is. If you are looking for a good academic start for your preschooler (remember pre-K is good here) try St. Paul’s Mother’s Day Out program in Belleville, IL. It’s not for you if you need full time care. It offers 2 or 3 day per week classes for 2-4 year olds and is only from 9-1 each day. However, the teachers there are WONDERFUL and the kids really learn a lot academically that is fitting to their age group. It is very affordable-somewhere around $100/month for 3 days a week.
So, now that you have some of the facts, you can decide if forking over the high tuition is worth sending your child to the Goddard School in Shiloh, IL. Atmospherically, it probably can’t be beat. Based on appearance, it’s a wonderful place, but sometimes I wonder if you should judge a book by it’s cover?
