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The Goddard Program consists of around 600 educational establishments around the country. These vary from nurseries to preschools and schools, allowing the program to accept children aged from six weeks until they finish school, when they can attend a Goddard supported high-school program to continue the method.
Goddard establishments are franchises, which are usually operated by local business owners. Each employs an educational director, who ensures the school meets the Goddard program guidelines, and follows its teachings correctly. For this reason, it is worth visiting a few different Goddard establishments before choosing one for your child, as the owners may differ greatly.
The Goddard Program uses a flexible learning technique, which involves observing and assessing children completing a range of activities before creating an individual learning plan for the child. This focuses on their own development, rather than averages or targets. The learning plan covers several subjects, and allows the Program to tailor lessons to suit each child’s personal needs.
Small numbers of children attend lessons in subjects such as Maths and English with a trained teacher who has read each child’s plan, and can offer different methods of learning alongside encouragement and support. These lessons are kept short, and spaced out throughout the day. The Program aims to allow the children outside for at least a short while every day, and arrange suitable trips for the children, depending on their age and requirements.
The Program encourages regular meetings with parents to keep them up to date on their child’s development, and typically offer longer hours of care then typical preschools or schools. Often, a centre will offer care starting early in the morning, and this will last until early evening. The Program encourages parents to help their childs development at home, including allowing the child access to a computer.
