The Goddard School

My family and I have been very happy with The Goddard School. My son is now in kinder but started Goddard when he was 20 months. He had a really hard time transitioning when he started, but he has grown to be a very intelligent and outgoing boy. My son is in kinder now and reading and writing past a kinder and 1^st grade level. My twin girls who are 3 have been in there since they were infants and they absolutely love it there. I think they are more advanced than other kids their age with all that they’ve learned there. I’m just sad that they will only be there for one more year for pre-​k and then off to kinder.
The staff in the front office and the classroom are very friendly. I would recommend The Goddard School to anyone looking for a day care with a structured program. It has changed my children’s lives for the better and it was the best decision we made.

In short, would we recommend Goddard? Absolutely!
Our daughter recently graduated from Goddard kindergarten after having spent a total of four years there. We started her out a couple days a week, then three and finally when she hit ‘kindergarten boot camp’ she went five days a week. Yes, there are cost factors to be weighed against other options, but when she graduated and moved on to one of Ladera’s wonderful public elementary schools, we looked back and said that we’d do it again, without hesitation.
The staff is wonderful and always accommodating. The day to day teachers are excellent. The sheer volume of learning that occurs is staggering. From pre-​school to kindergarten, the amount of knowledge our daughter absorbed blew our minds. By the time she graduated we felt she was at a level that exceeded our expectations (we weren’t doing most of this stuff until 2^nd grade!) Learning through play with an amazing grasp of concepts, reading at an exceptional level, manners, good behavior through positive reinforcement… all there. The staff will be the first to tell us that the foundation starts at home (ok, we’ll take that nod), but these folks are there day in and day out reinforcing many areas that have helped her excel. The teachers are always willing to take extra time to chat up what is going on, how things can be improved with learning at home. It takes a village! Also worth noting — there is a huge comfort level of safety that adds to a good drop off and pick up every day.
The front office staff is fantastic. Any larger issues we may have had, questions, concerns etc were always handled professionally. Yet again, can’t say enough positive things the relationship we shared with these wonderful folks. Bonus points for the cool music you’ll hear in the entrance lobby.
Finally, Mr. Mike is the owner. He’s absolutely hands on, runs a tight ship, definitely sets the bar very high for his staff (and they excel), built the building from the ground up and takes great pride in the service this school provides.
I’ll end it as I started it… do we recommend Ladera Ranch Goddard? Absolutely!

There are too many great things to say about this school, so I will try to keep it relatively short so people don’t get bored. We had looked at close to ten different schools for our 3 year old son before stopping by the Goddard school and meeting Mr. Mike and Mr. Tim. By the time we left an hour later, we had cancelled all of our future school visits and knew Goddard was the place for our son. Our little guy flourished at the school! He was excited to go to school every single day and learned so much. The most important thing for us however was the genuine love and affection our son was given by the teachers and staff there. They all knew his name within a day or two, and our little guy absolutely could not leave each day without stopping by and seeing Mr. Tim and Mr. Mike on the way out. No matter what business they were conducting they were eager to take 5 minutes out of there busy schedules to sit with him and talk about his day, give him high fives, etc. He could have been their own son for the attention they gave to him. The owner, Mr. Mike has a true passion for teaching children and it shows through immediately after just five minutes with this man. It continues by the staff he has put together and in particular the Director, Mr. Tim. You could not ask for a better Director! He knows every student, their needs and concerns, and can interact in a personal manner with each one of them and does so regularly. Likewise the teachers here are amazing and work hard to give each child personal time throughout the day. We were so fortunate to have a chance to attend this school, and now that we are moving to Seattle, we will be looking for something which can come close to the experience we had here. Thank you Goddard Staff!!!

I didn’t know much about the Goddard school when we went to check it out here in Ladera Ranch, but it only took a few minutes to realize that it was the only place I wanted my son to be. We’d been to all the other local preschools and trialed a couple of them, but walking into Goddard, I knew it was perfect. The security is the first thing you notice – locked entry, codes and a front desk person there at all times to control entrance and exit. Very safe set up. We met with Tim, the director, and he instantly won over our then three year old. Tim engaged our son with building blocks, asked him about himself, and within a few minutes our son was saying that he had a new best friend. There is a sincere care for children in all the staff members that we’ve been fortunate enough to interact with. The daily reports with photos we receive tell us everything we need to know about our son’s day, including what he learned, what he ate for lunch (they detail what he ate and how much of each lunch item he consumed – invaluable!), along with a daily photo of him having fun, playing and learning. This place is one of a kind, and coming from a childcare background (growing up with an in-​home daycare and having parents who are educators), I tend to be mighty picky about everything from cleanliness to curriculum. Goddard scores 12 out of 10 on every category. They communicate well with parent updates via email, which is convenient and informative, and the staff is very diplomatic when it comes to enforcing the rules. I know my child is safe, genuinely cared for, and is learning what he needs to learn. We’re leaving the state and based on this experience, I will find another Goddard school if I can, though I don’t know if I’ll ever find one with such an amazing staff. Tim, the director, and Mike, the owner, are two of my son’s favorite people ever, and they go out of their way to make him feel like they are his buddies. It’s rare that adults do that for kids, and even more rare in my opinion that it is so sincere and genuine. And they seem like they love their jobs and love being there! It seems like they enjoy every minute of their jobs, and how many people can say that? I don’t often make recommendations to people because I always wonder if their experience will be as good as mine, but I can confidently say that Goddard is the kind of school that will consistently provide that quality and positive experience to any family. We will miss the Ladera Ranch Goddard school, the staff, and will hold any future preschool we enroll our son in to that standard.

After doing a lot of research and shopping for preschools, we couldn’t be happier with choosing Goddard as my daughter’s first school. Here are a few key points:
1. The management staff are superbly efficient and reliable. They know their jobs and do them well. But aside from that, they are the kindest, most compassionate education staff I’ve ever encountered. They know every child, and every child loves them all. I’ll never forget how my daughter would sprint out of her classroom to go give Mr. Tim a giant hug. They make my daughter attending this school easy, comfortable and fun!
2. The security measures when picking up/​dropping off are matched by no one. You sign the child in and out every day. And the inside front door is always locked. The management staff lets you in, with a smile, of course.
3. The teachers are patient, kind, and loving towards the children. They know how to teach children and how to handle confrontation. They provide a safe, secure and organized learning environment, every day. Daily routines were easy and predictable. And the daily emailed updates that highlight their activities and learning goals (as well as what the child had for lunch) are easy to follow and provide wonderful information so that I am able to continue the lesson at home. The occasional pictures are always wonderful to receive!
4. The summer activities are matched by no other. The horse rides, the magic shows, the bubbles shows, etc… Wonderful activities my daughter will always remember.
5. The weekly school «fun» functions are great for the children, as well. They are innovative and applicable to the learning environment. And my daughter always loved do something a little different each week.
Thank you, Goddard Staff, for making my child’s first school experience so very memorable!

My husband and I feel very fortunate to have had such an incredible experience with The Goddard School. Both our daughter and son started in the infant rooms and eventually graduated after pre-​K. Our kids were very well prepared for Kindergarten and continue to blossom as students and individuals. The staff at Goddard is phenomenal. They work so hard to maintain the highest standards for safety and compliance and are consistently awarded for their excellence. One thing that truly impressed me is that every member of the staff knows every child by name, regardless if they teach their specific class or not, and make everyone feel loved and special. The technology in the classrooms, hands-​on learning centers and the exposure to new curriculum (i.e. sign language, Spanish) at early stages was fantastic. We made lifelong friends during the years at Goddard and will always look back on our time there with thanks and appreciation.

Best decision we made!!! I am that mom. That mom that researches everything. When it was time to send my son to pre-​school I scoured all of Southern California for the best school. I interviewed and visited dozens. I stumbled upon Goddard and set up a visit. From the second I stepped foot into the school I was hooked. The administration staff is just unbelievably amazing. I cried along with my son for the first few days of school and they took my calls into the classroom so I could check on him. They are always available to answer questions. The teachers are so kind and on point with the kids. The school is very clean. And most of all I just love how my son has grown. Goddard lets the kids play and through it they teach. It is important to us that our son gets to be a kid. We have been with Goddard for a year now and I already have my one year old on the waiting list to start next Fall.
PS. I live in San Clemente and drive to Ladera Ranch to take our son to school. Would not go through all that trouble if this wasn’t the best school around.

My 2 year old daughter was supposed to start in this school on September 2^nd, class «busy bees». Back in April I visited a lot of schools and finally decided for the Goddard. They are the only school that wants you to pay several fees and also a full month of tuition (for a total of $ 1300…not even fancier Montessoris do so). In July I decided to bring in my daughter for 45 min: best decision of my life. Everything they do in the class is for parents, not for the kids: they keep taking pictures with their mini iPad, do art project in 3 minutes (and they all look the same) and put a name on them «for parents»…they don’t speak with the kids, never. Those were not people I want my kid to grow up with, that’s it. I felt I was «parking» my daughter there and I knew that was not happening. On July 27^th I went to the office and said I changed my mind. The lady at the office told me «Good for you, you came 30 days before Sep 2 so you will get a full refund!» and she made me write and sign a dated letter, saying I was getting a refund in a couple of weeks. On Aug 26 I called because I didn’t receive my refund yet. The owner, Mike, called me back a few hours later: I have never been treated so badly from the moment I picked up his call! He said I was a liar because there is no refund policy and his personnel is well trained… beside denying me a previously promised refund he was so unbelievably impolite and rude I couldn’t believe it. At some point he offered me to hold my deposit for next year, when my daughter will be enrolled. Seriously? Do you really think I will bring my lovely daughter to your school, surrounded by people like you??? Not even if the Goddard school was the last place on Earth.
Also, be aware that negative reviews on the Goddard disappear quickly from Unilocal.I decided to bring my daughter to visit in July after reading a very bad review regarding «Busy Bees» teachers… now I can explain why they have such a good rating.

When my son first attended Goddard he was shy and really didn’t participate in play time with other children. After attending Goddard he has absolutely blossomed.
Here are just some of the things I adore about this school:
1. The Management is top notch. They have extremely HIGH standards that create an environment of excellence for the entire school.
2. The staff is amazing. My son is now 4 years old and has had the pleasure of moving through most of the classes at Goddard. The teachers are organized, caring, and adhere to the high standards set by management.
3. Daily Reports — I know what the goals are each week, each activity, and I get pictures of my son participating in art projects, activity centers, and free play.
4. Summer Activities — This summer alone Goddard has provided bubble shows, balloon shows, petting zoos, train rides, and more! It is amazing to know that not only is my son getting an excellent education, he thinks he is playing all day long.
Recently, my love for the Goddard school has grown after an incident that occurred in our local community. A car crashed into 6 gas meters and the homes in the immediate area were evacuated. Goddard management and staff couldn’t have handled the situation better. I now believe Goddard is one of the safest places my son could be in emergency situations.
Thank you Goddard for your service and all that you have done for our son!

This is an amazing preschool and kindergarten. My 5 yo has been attending since he was two and is now in their kindergarten program. I am an incredibly picky and overprotective parent and since day 1 they have made me feel at ease. The staff is fantastic and really care about the kids. Needless to say, there was no question when deciding where my second son would attend preschool. I cannot say enough great things.

How do you leave your precious peanut in someone else’s hands? This is the question that every parent must face. Being the overly anal OCD mom I am I would not accept any preschool. I had to have the best and only the best. My busy bee was too busy to be at home with a nanny and my husband and I wanted him to be in a school environment rather than at home. He needed structure and that is when we found Goddard.
We lived in suburbia and are surrounded by countless preschool options each one claiming theirs is better than the last. We visited each and every one but the only one that made me feel like home was Goddard. It takes ten seconds of talking to anyone in the staff to know why they are different. Mr Mike (owner) will always take a phone call, email, and meeting with you. He is never too busy to say hi. I can’t even count the number of times he has put a call on hold when my son barges into his office to give him a high five. He cares and is involved which is more than I can say for a lot of business owners that I deal with on a daily basis.
The front staff is amazing. Trust me-​I bothered them every second Aiden’s first week of school. They put me on hold, checked on him and even sent pics and emails to ease my mind. They can help you out with anything and will do so with a smile. They make you feel at ease and really part of a family.
Want to know everything about your kids day from who changed their diaper to how much of their lunch they ate? You will know everything. Your child’s entire day is reported back to you and I think this is a great for a family dinner discussion.
As far as the teachers go, we have had some amazing teachers at Goddard. Once in a while you meet a teacher who you can tell loves teaching and it comes from within. We have had the pleasure of meeting 4 in the last 1.5 years. These teachers have shaped my son into the little person he is today and for that I am very grateful.
The last 1.5 years has not been without incident. However, I can say that anytime I had a concern it was addressed and handled immediately to my satisfaction. Mr Mike always make himself available to discuss and has been 100% open and honest. You have to admire blatant honesty.
Go spend 10 min at Goddard and you will see why they are the best.

I have sent my three children to Goddard at Ladera. Each of our children has loved their time at the school and have been well prepared for kindergarden. Goddard always had creative lessons and inspired teachings that have created a thirst in our children for learning and curiosity. At Goddard, we have been blessed to see Ethan learn about the countries of the world, delighted at seeing Ryan’s zeal for dinosaurs and entertained at Kate understanding the importance of vehicles in her world. Aside from teaching them their A-​B-​Cs and 1−2-3s, Goddard has prepared them for the social and emotional challenges of childhood, including simple things such as sharing, empathy and responsibility. The Ladera branch of Goddard is truly a wonderful institution and in our opinion superior to all of its peers. THANK YOU for everything!
The Nguyens

The Goddard school staff are amazing! My daughter is always excited to go to school and looks forward to seeing her teachers each day. We are very grateful to have such a fine establishment so close to our home.

The Goddard School in Ladera Ranch lives up to its reputation as the top preschool in Orange County. Our son has been enrolled at Goddard for the past 7 months and has loved every day he has attended school (except maybe the first couple classes due to separation anxiety).
My husband and I are amazed at the clean and safe facility. We are so happy with all the teachers, who are caring and devoted to the development of all the children. They’re not just babysitting kids, they’re actually teaching them skills they need to know as they get older, from learning to write their names, recognizing their letters and numbers, and every day social skills like taking turns, sharing and waiting. We are always amazed at how the staff and the owner knows all of the children’s names and make an effort to know all of the names of the parents and even the siblings who don’t yet attend the school.
Our son did cry the first two weeks of school, but that was only because he was so attached to us and has never been to preschool. The only way he got over it was with the care, love and attention his teachers gave him. They sat with him and were so patient with him as he adjusted to being without his parents. Eventually, literally after about 4 classes, he was forgetting to give us a kiss goodbye — too excited to be at school.
Goddard is amazing — and you can’t go wrong with this school.

This school does a tremendous job every day with our son. The teachers, staff and overall development programs are second to none in the country. Each and every person is devoted to higher learning and making the environment fun for the kids and their parents! Great job Mike!
Craig Taggart

Goddard Ladera Ranch is like a second home for us and the staff we encounter on a daily basis is like family. Our youngest is currently enrolled there and we hope to find the same results as we’ve experienced with his older sibling who attended the school for 2 ½ years to prepare for kindergarten. Our older child was most definitely well equipped by the time he entered kindergarten and we couldn’t be happier to share the credit with his teachers at Goddard. The owner has implemented high standards and it’s evident with the way the staff performs. We are treated very warmly every time we go through their doors and I always feel confident that my children are safe when I leave them there.

We signed my daughter up when she was just over 2 years old because she had MAJOR attachment issues and a difficult time connecting with other children. After visiting several different schools, we knew when we first walked in the door and met the staff that this was the place for her! The facility is amazing and every single staff member feels like family. My daughter has been there 8 months now and I just can’t believe the positive change The Goddard School has made for her! I noticed the change in just 2 weeks! She has lots of friends, she LOVES the entire staff and she is excited to go to school! They provide daily activity reports, which I love, and every week there is a different topic they learn about! Now we can’t wait to send our 2^nd child there!!!

We’ve been at the Goddard School for almost four years now and love it! The staff loves the kids so much, the place is impeccable and the owner is so invested that he’s on site almost every day. The kids love being there and I would recommend it to anyone (and I have)!