Goddard in Silver Spring Experiences?

[Anonymous]

Can folks please share their recent experiences with The Goddard School in Silver Spring? I am interested in learning about the school overall as well as the difference between their pre-k and "accelerated pre-k." I have a 4 year old very active boy with an August birthday. With the status of school up in the air for 2021 (when he would normally be starting kindergarten) combined with his birthday being so close to the deadline, we are considering an extra year of pre-school for him, and heard that Goddard has a program for kids who aren't quite ready for kindergarten (the "accelerated pre-k" option.)

What kind of environment is it there? Are the teachers experienced, kind, patient, etc? Is it play based?

Thank you for any info!

[Anonymous]

We live nearby and have considered it. Based on online reviews people seem to like it, though when we visited we were not super impressed. I got the impression based on the answer the Assistant Director gave me when I asked, that they have a lot of turnover. And when we visited the infant/toddler classrooms the teachers seemed unhappy (may have just been the time of day). Also, they don't have playground or outdoor space onsite - they go to a nearby playground offsite - which I wonder if it limits outdoor time. DD is currently at a center that is not as convenient for us but is much less expensive and which we love, so we decided not to move her for the above reasons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We live nearby and have considered it. Based on online reviews people seem to like it, though when we visited we were not super impressed. I got the impression based on the answer the Assistant Director gave me when I asked, that they have a lot of turnover. And when we visited the infant/toddler classrooms the teachers seemed unhappy (may have just been the time of day). Also, they don't have playground or outdoor space onsite - they go to a nearby playground offsite - which I wonder if it limits outdoor time. DD is currently at a center that is not as convenient for us but is much less expensive and which we love, so we decided not to move her for the above reasons.

I should add - I am not anti-Goddard. We have friends with their child at another Goddard location and they absolutely love it.

[Anonymous]

My kid is currently in accelerated k program at Goddard but in different location. So, I am speaking of different location experiences. He has been in Goddard since he was 3, and we are satisfied so far with everything, from teacher, director open communication, program, activity etc..

Accelerated k program is pretty much a simplified version of kindergarten program to me. It is really structured and a bit play based. It is not fully play based, but they try to make it fun for kids to learn academic through some games & crafts & activities. They do stress on academic, and my son loves it. Not much outdoor or exercise time, and I wish they have bigger playground or yard. But it is not bad to prep for going to public school k.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid is currently in accelerated k program at Goddard but in different location. So, I am speaking of different location experiences. He has been in Goddard since he was 3, and we are satisfied so far with everything, from teacher, director open communication, program, activity etc..

Accelerated k program is pretty much a simplified version of kindergarten program to me. It is really structured and a bit play based. It is not fully play based, but they try to make it fun for kids to learn academic through some games & crafts & activities. They do stress on academic, and my son loves it. Not much outdoor or exercise time, and I wish they have bigger playground or yard. But it is not bad to prep for going to public school k.

DP...is that for 4 years old (aka pre-k)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is currently in accelerated k program at Goddard but in different location. So, I am speaking of different location experiences. He has been in Goddard since he was 3, and we are satisfied so far with everything, from teacher, director open communication, program, activity etc..

Accelerated k program is pretty much a simplified version of kindergarten program to me. It is really structured and a bit play based. It is not fully play based, but they try to make it fun for kids to learn academic through some games & crafts & activities. They do stress on academic, and my son loves it. Not much outdoor or exercise time, and I wish they have bigger playground or yard. But it is not bad to prep for going to public school k.

DP...is that for 4 years old (aka pre-k)?

Yes, that is for 4 year old, and pre-k accelerated is $200 something more expensive than pre-k program monthly. I forgot to mention kids attending accelerated k program does not nap anymore, and they do some stem activities. Their accelerated pre-k program uses the same curriculum of kindergarten program, but just the daily timetable structure is a bit different.

[Anonymous]

My kid "graduated" from Goddard Silver Spring. We loved it there. They do a great job hiring teachers - all very kind and patient. My kid was extremely prepared for public K. There is definitely turn over but I think that's typical for large center-based daycares. While they say play based, it really emphasizing learning. We didn't mind, my kid was happy, but if you are looking for fun>learning, it's may not be the right fit. Also, they really lack on outdoor time, which is a big negative. And the tuition is high and goes up every year. But I would definitely recommend it if your goal is a preparing your kid for kindergarten.

[Anonymous]

I don't have any experience with Goddard, but my kids are at an elementary school that draws heavily from Goddard and other pre-K programs that bill themselves as being for kids who are "academically advanced."

Here's the thing I will say from the perspective of someone with older elementary kids - none of that matters. Yes, maybe your child enters kindergarten already reading chapter books and doing two-digit addition, but they still need to wait for the other kids to learn those skills.

Then, once the other kids learn those skills, the kids with natural aptitude sometimes outpace the kids who were just well-prepared.

Basically, choose that model if you think it is right for your child but don't think you are doing them any favors or getting them ahead of their peers. At best, you are helping them learn some stuff a little early. At worst, you are setting them to be bored while the public school curriculum repeats those skills for kids who didn't have the benefit of expensive pre-K.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't have any experience with Goddard, but my kids are at an elementary school that draws heavily from Goddard and other pre-K programs that bill themselves as being for kids who are "academically advanced."

Here's the thing I will say from the perspective of someone with older elementary kids - none of that matters. Yes, maybe your child enters kindergarten already reading chapter books and doing two-digit addition, but they still need to wait for the other kids to learn those skills.

Then, once the other kids learn those skills, the kids with natural aptitude sometimes outpace the kids who were just well-prepared.

Basically, choose that model if you think it is right for your child but don't think you are doing them any favors or getting them ahead of their peers. At best, you are helping them learn some stuff a little early. At worst, you are setting them to be bored while the public school curriculum repeats those skills for kids who didn't have the benefit of expensive pre-K.

Interesting point. My child finishes k curriculum, like how to read chapter books and doing two-digit addition that you mention above, before he graduates from Goddard and plans to attend kindergarten in public school in the fall. At one point, I was worried that he might be bored, and still need to wait for other kids to learn those skills. However, my child won’t have a normal kindergarten year even we go back in person learning. And, his comfidence level goes up by feeling “academically advanced” and I plan to continue to supplement on reading and math at home to keep him entertained. I thought someone tell me once that the most important things for kids to learn from kindergarten year are to follow classroom rules and social skills. My child has problem on these 2 areas, so he can concentrate to work on these 2 areas in his public kindergarten year if go in person. I don’t have to worry about his academic at least for k year.

[Anonymous]

My early reader with a late birthday never got a spot in the pre-K class at her daycare. It was actaully the best path. She was much better off in a play based setting. She did not nened that eary academics. She still made progress on her own and was very prepared for K.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My early reader with a late birthday never got a spot in the pre-K class at her daycare. It was actaully the best path. She was much better off in a play based setting. She did not nened that eary academics. She still made progress on her own and was very prepared for K.

Goddard School is play based learning. They just intertwine Creative Curriculum into the program.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know current tuition rates for the Silver Spring location?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know current tuition rates for the Silver Spring location?

For full time next year it's between $1,900 and $2,500 depending on the age.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know current tuition rates for the Silver Spring location?

For full time next year it's between $1,900 and $2,500 depending on the age.

Thank you!