My son started attending Goddard Preschool in Cedar Park at the end of September 2025 in the private kindergarten class with Ms. Celeste. I tried to overlook several red flags early on, but ultimately could not continue due to how my child was treated. The first concern arose within the first two weeks. When I simply asked how my son's day went and whether she needed help with his transition, Ms. Celeste responded rudely and said she didn't have time to answer questions because she needed to return to class--despite it being after 3 p.m. when the class was already transitioning to after-school care and the children were playing independently. As a parent trying to support both my child and the teacher, this interaction was surprising and discouraging. The second major issue was deeply concerning. During a class birthday celebration, my son was not allowed to have a cupcake because he did not eat his lunch. Ms. Celeste was fully aware that my son is in occupational therapy for an eating disorder. Denying food as a consequence is not a teacher's place, and it was damaging to his progress and self-esteem. We even had a parent-teacher conference where I paid for his occupational therapist to attend specifically to help Ms. Celeste understand his needs and how to better support him. The third issue was constant discipline for minor, age-appropriate behavior. My son is five years old, energetic, and developmentally typical. Ms. Celeste is extremely strict, shows clear favoritism, and seems to lack patience for children who are not "perfect." If your child doesn't fit her narrow expectations, they are repeatedly punished for small things rather than guided or supported. The final and most upsetting issue was when my son told me he was being made to sit alone throughout the day, including at lunch. I emailed the school explaining that isolating a child--especially one in food therapy--is inappropriate and should never be used as punishment. While the director assured me they would monitor the situation, nothing improved. A few days later, Ms. Celeste confronted me aggressively in front of my son and other students. She accused me of blaming her for being a bad teacher and labeled my child as having a "behavioral problem" in front of him and the class. This was completely unacceptable and unprofessional. She attempted to twist my words and escalated the situation instead of addressing concerns appropriately. The next day was my son's last day. While Ms. Celeste may be effective at teaching academic kindergarten material, that does not excuse her attitude, lack of compassion, or inappropriate handling of children she deems "problematic." Young children are not robots. They deserve patience, understanding, and emotional safety. For context: my son has never been labeled a behavioral problem by any other teacher or school. He is loved by educators, and his previous school welcomed him back immediately with open arms and excitement. If you are considering Goddard's private kindergarten--specifically with Ms. Celeste--be cautious. If your child is not perfectly compliant at all times, this may not be the right environment. There are far better schools that will prepare your child for kindergarten without sacrificing kindness and respect. read more

Both my kids have been raised at this school for almost 4 years now. The teachers are amazingly nurturing, with clear boundaries, and the office staff truly cares and are passionate about their careers here. I think it's the perfect balance between learning through play and academics. I wish I sent my kindergartener there instead of rushing her to a public school where there's less support. Highly recommend Goddard Cedar Park! read more

We enrolled with the Goddard School when our daughter was two years old. As with most children that start attending a daycare / school, she was stricken with a little separation anxiety. Within a week, she was looking forward to seeing her teacher and new-found friends each day. Our daughter progressed through several class promotions as her intellectual and social skills flourished under the amazing teachers at the Goddard School. We couldn't be more pleased with the level of education and socialization that she has received. We also appreciate that her teachers were always watching her progression and recommending her advancement. Getting the pictures and updates during each day really helps our peace of mind each day when we could see that she was having a good time and participating in activities that would have been impossible for our Nanny. After several years with the Goddard School, our daughter is now moving on to public school. It was a painful goodbye but my wife and I were completely surprised and brought to tears when we were presented with a notebook from Goddard that cataloged each class, teacher, and milestones that she achieved through the years. It just reminded us of how our daughter's life was shaped during those formidable years by such a wonderful group of teachers and staff. I can't say enough good things about the Goddard School in Cedar Park! They are, and always will be, an extension of our family and they will be greatly missed by my wife and I, but mostly by our daughter. read more

A situation happened with my daughter and the teachers and management kept telling me that they refuse to write an incident report, when I reported them to state regulations they were baffled. The staff kept reassuring me that her teacher was "nice" and "a good teacher" but her actions spoke louder than their words. If you want your kid to come home crying because the teacher has neglected them, send them here. It is really sad that your response to my review is that she "never went to your school". Even my five your old knows that lying is never nice. read more

The Goddard School of Cedar Park - Preschools Near Me - Cedar Park, Texas

Our daughter has really thrived through the love and kindness of some amazing teachers at Goddard. (There were several great ones over the years but wanted to especially shoutout Ms Charolette and Ms Audrie who have really taught her how to blossom these last several months). She comes home happy everyday which has been the most important thing to us. read more

DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD HERE. Our 4 year old forgot her water cup at home, and when she asked her teacher for water she was told no. It was a hot day yesterday and they were all outside playing. When I picked her up, she begged me for a drink right away because she hadn't had anything to drink ALL DAY. When confronting staff about it, all they said was sorry and did not allow us to write a formal incident report. No one had any excuse for what they did to her. We also found out that on their yearly inspection, they failed in all areas regarding CHILD NEGLECT. Such as leaving a child unattended in classrooms and outside while playing. Do. Not. Send. Your children here. read more

We moved across country and I was super nervous about my children adjusting. The teachers were great about making them feel comfortable. They did have a bit of change over in the teachers but I've experienced this in other schools before moving. Sometimes life changes. Even with this, my kids were well cared for. The teachers and administration were responsive to my requests (I called a lot initially and requested my child stay in a class when it was time for her to move). The teachers were also very responsive when I shared that my older child was having an issue with some classmates. Overall it was a great experience. I really liked working with the staff. They were great. read more

My child was here for only a few months about three years ago. My experience was awful and I hope that they have improved. Advice: Please tour all the schools you can and go with your gut ... but never be afraid to change shcools if things start to go downhill. Kids will adjust faster than you think to a new school. Good luck! read more

When it came time to find a preschool for my little girl, like most parents I got down and dirty doing my research into area schools. I ended up sending her to a Montessori school, only to pull her out a few months later because it just wasn't a good fit for her. Our second try was the Goddard School, and it was the absolute right choice. She was having fun at school again, enjoying herself, and learning! Her teacher, Ms. Amber, is amazing. For example, I picked my girl up one day and on the ride home I heard her singing to herself, as she often does. I turned her radio kid's show down a little so I could hear her better and just about crashed the car in shock. She was singing the months of the year. And when we got home, she showed me the dance that went with it. It was the Macarena. How fun is that? From the owners to the receptionists, the staff there know my kiddo, they know me, and they are always helpful and interested in how we're doing. Whenever I go to pick her up, I see a classroom of happy kids, but it's never out of control or crazy. She's had the same lead teacher since she started this past summer, and the student-teacher ratios are great. The school also has plenty of festivals, special visitors to the classes and extra-curricular programs to keep things fresh. I really can't say enough good about this school. If you're looking for a great preschool, schedule a tour and check it out for yourself! read more

(this is a modified review, written with a misunderstanding corrected.) We had my son here for a little while before he went into public school. They were really nice and treated our son pretty well, in fact they were the first daycare to really make him feel welcomed. We had been to The Children's Courtyard, and they didn't even say hi to him when we went in. At Goddard, we actually had the owners say hello to us every day, and the teachers took great effort to make us and him feel welcome. They also have very tight security, thumb print scanner with a pass code ..... the fingerprint scanner is sensitive so if you have dry hands you should rub the finger over your hairline, or behind your ears to pick up a little moisture. They also make anyone who isn't the parents (they WILL know your child and who he belongs to) sign for him, this included my mother-in-law when we asked her to pick him up for us, and we introduced her that morning ... this is a safety thing, and I really appreciated it. What we didn't particularly care for was the fact that they have high turnover of teachers. The other irritating thing was that whenever we would drop our son off we would get the surprise .... your teacher isn't here .... whats more is that it was rarely the same teacher that we would drop him off with .... this caused us some angst while dropping off my little man. Anyway, I don't regret using them, they are the best of the business that we have found, it is irritating that there is a shortage of really good daycare out there, and after Children's Courtyard ignoring us, and my friend's children picking up ringworm from La Petite, I wouldn't go anywhere else. I heard from one of the teachers (I bump into a few of them with surprising frequency) that turnover is getting better, and I learned that they are working to teacher retention .... another one of the teachers has her child in public preschool with my son instead of at the Goddard school and that made me a little suspicious, until I found out that the teachers have to pay to have their children there as well ... and she takes her son to Goddard after Pre-K at the public school. read more

I am writing my review based on my meeting with Butch and quality of care, I believe, them to offer. I decided not to enroll my child solely based on geographic location from my home. Full time $210/wk: Secure entry with code and fingerprint, enrichment programs, 4 year college educated teachers. 2x per year assessments, parent/teacher conference. Cons: Hours are 7am-6pm or pay extra $30 per month for 6:30a-6:30p They do not provide lunch but have a catering company that will bring your child lunch for $3.25 per day. You can also mix/match caterer/home made lunch. 12:1 ratio with a teacher's aide assigned at 13th child. (so they say) Very simple outside playground, no big attraction. Safety does seem to be a priority at this facility. Both Butch and his wife work on site and have 2 children attending the school. Seems like a bit of a conflict of interest to me but.... make your own decision. read more

We enrolled our daughter at Stepping Stone and a few months after enrollment, we had an issue with a bite our daughter received and them not filing an incident report (BIG bite that broke the skin and left teeth marks on our daughter's back). So, we insisted on finding another school. We looked at this Goddard location and the other one in Round Rock but felt this location would suit our daughter's needs better. Butch (the owner) really made a good impression on us and continues to do so over a year later. Our daughter has been there for 2 years now and been in several classes while there and we have enjoyed the teachers, the child to teacher interaction, and just the overall experience. I would recommend this Goddard location to any of my friends and family. read more

I toured the Goddard school in Cedar Park yesterday. Very impressive down to the small details, with such safety features as no-smash finger guards on all auto doors, and tarp-covered outdoor playgrounds with a rubber safety surface that is impact dampening, durable, and can't be eaten. :-) Large windows throughout the facility allow both parents and administrators to monitor all classes, and provide a noticeable and natural feeling of openness and ambient light throughout the halls and classrooms. The facilities and technology are top notch. Check-in requires a code and a fingerprint swipe. Students can take advantage of an interactive whiteboard tool so state-of-the-art that most high school seniors that graduating this year have not seen its like. (I used to sell education technology to public schools.) I've got four kids whom my wife and I homeschool. I would not hesitate to entrust them the Goddard school. Their FLEX learning system reflect's Piaget's "learning through play" philosophy, and in the Goddard School all kids follow a daily (but teacher influenced - not canned) curriculum with individualized instruction and daily status (!) reports provided to parents. Owner Butch Aggen has a long background in education and education administration, as well as in technology, and seems to be a genuinely caring and capable operator of the school. Highly recommended. read more

Teachers are rotated through at an alarming rate - sometimes only staying weeks in a classroom. Example: My son was in a classroom for 3 months with 5 different teachers. 50/50 on if the teacher actually wants to be there and work with children on a daily basis. Many are apathetic and rude to parents. The administration isn't much better. They don't meet children where they are - instead they push them to the next classroom and hope things will be fixed on their own. When you try to talk to them about development or issues, they come back with "well my child did this." If I wanted to hear about other people's children, I would do so with my friends over wine - not at a "parent/teacher conference." Would NOT RECOMMEND to anyone, especially for the cost. read more

We loved this place when we first started. However after only 8 months, my son has had quite a number of teachers come and go. Really frustrating. His last teacher was so great and so interactive with the kids and now it's just...a let down. The owners are very friendly, and the office staff are very nice too, but it's just not worth the cost to us. We spend all of our money (literally) for him to go here and are just not happy about it at this point. read more

We came back a year+ later and see that the staff is still the same and that's very reassuring! the teachers are so incredibly sweet and helpful. The Catered lunches are really nice I just wish we could maybe do a catered breakfast too.. because my boys are used to eating breakfast at 9 o'clock with a small one before. But! I am glad that they do give snacks here. my boys seem like they're actually happy and like they're being engaged instead of just left in a room to play. read more

My child has been attending Goddard for over eight months. I could not be happier! The moment we hit the front door we are greeted with warm welcomes, friendly waves and smiles, and an extensive security system. I love that visitors must have a standing appointment, are escorted through the school, and have to sign in/present ID before being buzzed into the building. With all the craziness in the world, it puts my mind at ease that they are doing their best to keep my little one safe. The teachers are amazing. They take time to talk to you, updating you on all the little milestones your little one reached, and the big ones too. Every day is packed with activities! Before my child was two they were able to count to 10, knew their colors, knew 20+ animals and the sounds they made, and could sing a garbled version of ABC and twinkle twinkle. I am over the moon with this school. I recommend them to all my friends and family, and look forward to sending our next one here! read more

Best daycare in Sugar Land. My daughter attends this school since she was 2 months old and she loves it. We love it too. They really love my daughter. I can see it in their eyes and smiles. Not only do they meet all the required criteria in every checklist (as many schools in the area do) you can find but, they are warm. Many schools in the area are top schools and meet any criteria you can find, but this is the only school in the area that I felt offered love and care. I felt warmth coming from the director and the teachers. You cannot fake the glow they get when you arrive and they see your child. Mrs Mehri (the lead teacher) and Mrs. Bao are such educated and caring people. They get excited when they see my daughter. I really could not ask for better care. I had a nanny in my home before but I felt that it lacked in structure and that they follow their own guidelines, I do not work there or are affiliated with anyone there, I just love it. I'm not wealthy and it is an effort to be able to afford for it, but it is worthy it. We wouldn't take her anywhere else to save a few dollars. Couldn't recommend more. read more

I LOVE The Goddard School! As a first time mom, I did all of my research. I checked the state's website for violations, reviewed inspection reports and made appointments to visit the ones that were at the top of my list. When I walked in, I automatically felt like I could trust the staff. Everyone was so nice and it was really important to me to have very little turnover. All of my friends told me that would be impossible in this industry, but Goddard takes care of their staff. I absolutely loved the teachers in my son's classroom. I was a little sad when he moved up to the next room, but the teachers in the next classroom are just as great. While not everything is perfect in life and everyone make's mistakes, Goddard is up front about everything. They don't try to hide anything and are honest with the parents. Goddard is definitely out of our price range, but the financial struggle is worth it to have someone we can trust take care of our precious son. read more

Loved everything about Goddard when my daughter attended last year from the professionalism of the staff to the excellence in the curriculum. I couldn't have provided my daughter with a better education for kindergarten. Definitely worth every penny you pay to have them attend there. read more

We LOVE the Goddard School in Cedar Park! We appreciate the organization, the cleanliness, the friendly staff, the qualified teachers and wonderful activities. Stephanie and Heather at the front desk are amazing. Always polite, friendly and accommodating. Whenever we need something they provide the information promptly with a smile. Ms. Valerie is extraordinary in the classroom. Our son really enjoys school every day! I love dropping off my son in the morning to a cheerful, friendly classroom! We love the extra touches Goddard provides such as the photo days for the kids, the graduation ceremonies, Dr. Seuss day, etc. All the events are very well organized and exciting for children and parents. read more

My 3 yr old daughter has been going here for a year now, and we are honestly very pleased with Goddard. We had her in another, larger chain before that and there is really no comparison. My daughter thrives here, seems very happy and both the teachers and admin. staff are always very pleasant. I love that every time I watch her in the class, through the window, with no one watching me, I can see that there is never any unsupervised chaos, but thoughtful, structured activities and happy kids. So glad we gave Goddard a try! read more

We love this day care / school. We spend less here than we did at a prior daycare that had horrible churn, and had left our child oustide! This place however is full of caring committed individuals that really take an interest in our children. They ramp up structure as the child matures, and experiment with so many cool projects to get them interested. I really like their STEM like approach and can't give this place enough kuddos. Well done Goddard Cedar Park! read more

Today's visit confirmed an exceptional preschool in our own backyard! Teachers are well organized and understand the importance of working as a team when teaching young children! Multiple layers of skills are being taught simultaneously and behaviors are dealt with proactively. Outside professionals feel welcome as the school successfully sets the tone for collaboration. Parents, pay attention to the effective teaming of the school staff. Let it be your mirror. Awesome learning environment! read more

I looked into the Goddard school for my 2 year old son, who has sensory processing disorder, after being told by his previous school that they could not meet his needs. Despite choosing to go with a specialized preschool, I was very impressed with the Goddard schools' staff and facility. The staff went above and beyond to make my son and I feel comfortable and allowed him to visit multiple times to determine their ability to manage him in their program. The staff were honest about the difficulties my son presented and their abilities to help hm. They ultimately decided that they could accept him into their program and I felt like they were thoughtful and conscientous in their decision making. In any other situation, I would have felt extremely comfortable having my child in this program and appreciated their consideration. read more

My son has been attending the Goddard School in Cedar Park for a little over a year and has had 1 classroom change during this time. We could not be more happy with the teachers, staff, and owners. Everyone seems to genuinely care about the children and the classes are structured but fun and my son LOVES it. He is learning so much everyday and quite often surprises me with what he has learned and retained. They all work together to keep the parents very informed and involved. It is a very clean and organized school and a bonus that it is THE ONLY private preschool in Texas fully accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and National Accreditation Commission. They are definitely doing things right. read more

If I could give a thousand stars, I would! My children have been at this school for about 3 years and we have loved every minute of it. My children have never been so loved and cared for better. The attention to detail from every single teacher, director and Butch and Maria (who are the onsite owners) is something you don't get at other schools, but you will definitely get here. The administration is always so friendly and welcoming. Either Butch or Maria are always at the school and they are both extremely friendly. I have been fortunate enough to have my children here since they were infants so I have seen every classroom. Each time my children transition to a new classroom, There is always a letter letting us know before so we can prepare. Each teacher my children have had have been so great. They love coming to school and look forward to seeing their teachers and playing with their friends. I love that past teachers make it a point to greet them with a warm hug and a smile each morning. One of my children who is more on the shy side loves to come in and say hi to her old teachers and gets so happy when she gets to see them. I love that the school cares about how clean and safe everything is. You can tell that they care about the children's health and safety. There is constant communication between the school and families. During this whole pandemic the school has gone above and beyond to make everyone feel safe and normal. From Zoom meetings to parades to an extremely touching virtual graduation, they have done a phenomenal job! I love this school and everyone there and I would highly recommend this school to anyone who wants a high quality, loving, amazing preschool experience for their young children!!! read more

I was very very disappointed in our 12 day stay here. My son had been in another center since he was 18 months and when my husband and I were finally able to afford Goddard we were not happy with our sons care. They prided themselves on teachers with degrees in all areas and education and individual learning. Our son was 4, he had a hard time adjusting (which they knew might happen). After a few days of "having some fits" we starting being called to come get him early. We worked hard with the teachers, had a conference with the director and we were made to feel like they were on our side and wanted to help our son. Had a meeting on a Thursday morning. Then by that Monday, we were called to get him and informed that, " This just doesn't seem like a good fit for your family." It was devastating. We paid less money to another center who could handle him and was booted out of the "fancy, expensive, upscale, center after 12 days! So, with that said, just because your pay a ton, doesn't make your child special or that they will try any harder to work with you... We are now at another center and although our son has had a few issues, they aren't giving up and throwing us out. Such a disappointment!! read more

There are way too many children jam packed in the classrooms. There is limited room space for the children without running into each other. I agree with Michelle's comments about the high teacher turnover rate. They do not seem to be appreciated at all. They only provide snacks and are typically frozen fruits or crackers. This school charges at least 25% more than other places but I don't see the value in the education, development of teachers, or the condition of the classrooms. read more

I wish I would have found Goddard when we first moved here! We've had some issues with my 4 year old son and his potty training which was a big problem with his previous preschool and they "uninvited" him. Shocked and upset, I wasn't sure where to turn when I picked up the phone and started calling other pre-schools. I called Goddard and explained the situation to the owners. They were more than willing to help and I could not have been more gracious. That was only 2 months ago and already my son has gone 3 weeks without an accident. His teachers Brooke and Amy are so amazing and in working with them, he has made huge improvements. I also love that I am able to pack him a lunch - having that control over his diet has been a tremendous help as well. I just cannot say enough wonderful things about this school, they have been such a blessing to our family! read more

We have been at GS Cedar Park for a year now and we love it! Ms Melissa has been a wonderful teacher! She loves the children like they are her own. Our daughter adores her . The schools staff it outstanding, the facility is safe and well maintained. The owners, director and staff make all attempts to meet the needs of the children and parents. They really make you feel like you are welcomed on a daily basis..always with a warm greeting. My daugther runs or skips to her classroom everyday....that should say more any anything else. Thank You Goddard! read more

We love this place! We moved from California late last year and transitioned our 4 year old and 5.5 year old into their program in the middle of a school year. They made what could have been a tough transition, seamless! Our youngest got right into the groove there and is thriving there to this day. Our oldest, had a tougher time with our move and needed that extra TLC which the staff at Goddard provided. They are loving, creative, secure and all the other things you would want in a school. The owners are wonderful and clearly very giving. I actually loved the fact that their children went/go to the school. it shows they know their program is solid! We've been really happy with Goddard. We drive an additional 15 mins per day to drive our son there and it's worth the drive. When I pick him up I always see a BIG smile! read more

My daughter attends the Goddard School in Cedar Park and has since September 2011. We absolutely love it there - feel like family. They make me feel like my child is everyone's favorite and I KNOW they all love her. I'm always pleased by the details they make sure to handle to make it that much better. The owner will even walk you to your car with an umbrella in the rain! The facility is clean and organized, security is great, the teachers and staff are always friendly and prepared. I'm very happy with this choice of schools for our child and HIGHLY recommend it! read more

I called today to get information and for some reason the owner is the only one that gap can give you information and he was in a meeting. I was told I would get a phone call back and a email as soon as he got out the meeting but I got nothing. I will not be taking my daughter there. read more

They are dishonest and made me feel like I was a used car dealership. How can I trust you with my child when you can't keep your records straight read more

they removed my kids from the school, went through doctor have doctor to figure out if something was wrong with them (because of their suggestion) and nothing was wrong with my kids read more

This school holds a special place in my heart. I really feel like we have found the best preschool out there and I feel confident each day I drop her off that she is safe and truly learning important skills. Our daughter has been attending since she was 2 years old, and we plan to keep her here until she begins public kindergarten. When we first decided to enroll our daughter in a preschool, I toured several schools in our area, and this one really stood out. The owners, a husband and wife team, are very friendly and professional, are almost always at the school, and seem extremely involved with the day to day operations. This seems to be different than the majority of other preschools out there that are owned by a corporation. All the teachers my daughter has had have been great. The building itself is very nice, modern, clean, bright, and well maintained. It also has a very nice security system. Currently an additional building is being added on to the campus, so there will be even more classrooms along with other amenities like a gym with a basketball court soon. I think they have a great educational curriculum, because I have been pleasantly surprised several times by the things my daughter has said at home, things I hadn't mentioned to her so I know she's learned them from the school. I really just can't say enough great things about this school. If you're looking for a place to enroll your child be sure to give them a visit. read more

Both of our sons (3yo and 1yo) attend Goddard and we have been overwhelmingly happy with our experience there. Our 3 year old takes part in the Soccer Shots program and loves going to School each week. Our one year old started this August and after a short transition period (two or three days) he too looks forward to school. Our two year old is extremely bright and we often get comments from other parents about his speach and development. This is in no small part thanks to Goddard and the great exercises they do to stimulate the curiosity and immaginations of their students. We have almost always had great experiences with their teachers and the two times when we did voice concerns the response from the owners was quick and the issues were addressed. The programs that they have to engage the children are, as stated above, outstanding and the engagement of all of the staff and teachers make Goddard a place I would recommend to anyone. read more