We started our infant daughter at 14 weeks old at this Goddard campus while on the wait list for the owners' other school which is under construction in South Tampa. We had issues starting on Day 1 when we arrived and teachers were not wearing masks in the infant room. I told my concerns to the Director at the time who assured me they would wear masks moving forward. From then on we always saw her teachers in masks. We had several other issues including a lead teacher who did not provide our daughter any tummy time for several weeks, which we only noticed was happening after she stopped rolling over at home. On several pick up days, the fill in teachers in the afternoons were also using the iPads to show videos to our daughter. We also had some communication issues with her initial lead teacher Re later to scheduled and feeding. When the school director changed from Michelle to Ashley we had a discussion and Ashley addressed all of our concerns. They also brought in a new lead teacher for the infant room - Ms. Jessica - who we really loved and still think is a great infant teacher. The final straw for us, though, was 10 weeks after enrolling when we received the attached notification via the school's app on a Monday evening without any prior notice or warning. When I went to drop off our daughter the next morning, the director confirmed that vaccinated staff and parents would not be required to wear masks although they may still choose to. From what I experienced no one was checking vaccination status at the door. I told her we weren't comfortable with it, and she said that the decision was made by the owners the day before without any warning to anyone - teachers and staff as well. We weren't comfortable with this abrupt policy change, and I took our daughter home. I wrote to the director and asked that they reconsider requiring masks for teachers and parents in the infant room, otherwise we'd have to withdraw our daughter. I don't think this is an unreasonable request. They also already require you to clean your hands and put booties over your shoes to enter the infant room - why is a mask out of the question? The owner wrote me back and said they wouldn't be changing the mask policy and understood our decision to leave the school. The abrupt policy change without warning really put us in a horrible position. Thankfully we have grandparents who live close by and can help care for our daughter while we look for another solution, but if we didn't we would have no choice but to leave our daughter in a situation that we feel is too risky at this point. As a daycare which is intended to provide childcare for working parents, the school's actions have affected my job. Their actions certainly lost my trust and confidence that their school is managed and operated with my daughters best interests in mind. I am giving the school two stars because I do think the director and many teachers mean so well and do care about your children, but I think this school is experiencing several growing pains and that their management has some learning to do re: parent communication and relations. The same owners will be running the South Tampa campus when it opens as well and so we will no longer be attending that campus. read more

The Goddard School of Tampa - Temple Terrace - School Communication - Preschools Near Me - Tampa, Florida

We love this school so very much. They work hard to accommodate our toddler's food allergies and speech therapy needs. The owner even recommended an on site therapist to us when he was diagnosed. Colleen, the owner, is so organized and direct with every detail, there are no surprises. Our child is happy, hugs and loves in the staff like they're family. We are SO thrilled to be a Goddard family! The school is quick to notify if there are health concerns like Covid or RSV. This has allowed us to keep our son safe in times of higher transmission. It's true the staff doesn't wear masks, but we personally prefer that to assist with ensuring our child can communicate effectively with staff members. His previous school wore masks and that seemed to delay his learning. This school was recommended to me by a friend who's child also attends and raves about her child's teachers. Lastly, the school isn't covered in gross carpet. They have tiled / laminate flooring that can be easily sanitized. I'm a big believer that this helps keeps the kiddos safe and healthy. Tuition is paid monthly and again, everything is very up front and directly communicated. Colleen is available for any parent any time. What more could you ask for? read more

We had our child there when my wife was in school. He loved it! A bit of turnover when it comes to teachers but we can tell Sam and his daughter love to what they do. The owners are very responsive to parents via email or phone. They have parent's night out, that's an awesome plus! It's not cheap we looked at several places. You can see where the money is going so you get what you pay. They should really have a meal option for the kids. No preschool is perfect but they fit our most needs. Pros Curriculum Spanish word Daily summaries Pictures of activities Parent's night out Very clean environment Teacher bio Customer care Great potty training for little one Friendly teachers Cons No breakfast or lunch Price Not individual for nap time read more

The teachers are very kind. The managers and owners are genuine and helpful. The tadpole app is nice to have. Here are the issues though They don't lock the front door. Major issue This is not run like a normal Goddard school. Any research says that kids under 2 should not have television watching time, yet they routinely have kids watching iPads. They strap the babies and toddlers into high chairs so staff can clean at the end of the day and have them watch movies instead of paying staff to clean after the children have left. This is supposed to be a school and watching the iPad is not why we pay tuition here. They also watch the iPad during the day as well. They make the toddlers take 3 hour naps, even if they don't need or want them! So 2 hours watching tv and 3 hour naps! Is this really a school? Why are we paying Goddard School tuition rates? You have to pack a lunch. At first this seems like a small issue but when you realize how much you're paying it really is inconvenient. They advertise fresh fruits and vegetables as snacks but rarely provide that- more like raisins and graham crackers. Overall like I said everyone is very nice but this is a daycare, not a school. It doesn't comply with Goddard School principles. If they actually ran it like a Goddard School, tightened up security, cut the tv time and provided lunch, they'd be busting at the seams. We are looking elsewhere and many have left due to these issues that matter to parents. read more

My nieces, ages 4 and 1 have attended the Goddard School in Tampa since they were born. I love that the school has the preschool2me application. I can get daily emails to keep up to date on what the girls are learning in school. The app also provides friendly reminders for upcoming events. They have learned so much being at the school, and I am grateful for their teachers and program directors. read more

Both of my children were students at the Goddard School with these same owners. My son is now in 2nd grade, and consistently ranks in the top percentiles for math, & reading. Our daughter is in Pre-K and is also ahead of the other kids in her class. This is not day care or babysitting; the teachers and owners make an emphasis on a learning curriculum. Like another reviewer said, the daily reports are an awesome way to know how your children are doing and give you something more to ask other than "How was school today?" read more

Both of our children attend this school and we could not be more pleased! The teacher staff has always been wonderful, and the management is second to none. The classrooms are always clean and inviting, and our children truly love being there as their home away from home. There really aren't enough words to say how much we love and appreciate this school. You really do get what you pay for! read more

Goddard school is such a welcoming environment from the moment you enter the building your greeted with smiles. They have an awesome curriculum. My 2 daughters has been enrolled with Goddard in 2010 and 2015 and my son will attend it in this coming year. I love the way Goddard school is always introducing different activities for the kids to be involved in as well as encouraging the parents to be apart of it. every day I know what my kids did and learned at school by opening my e-mail to see my kids picture in his classroom doing different activities and crafts...... I would definitely recommend this daycare, great staff and great environment. I really love this place. the staff is simply amazing from the owner Mr. Sam (amazing and caring person) to the office Mrs. Ashley ( caring and qualified sweet person) to the teachers. Always kind and smiling and helpful and genuinely kind people. I feel so comfortable leaving my kids here. I never worry when I drop them off in the morning because i know they are in good hands. they are a blessing. My daughter still talks about Ms. Angie, Ms.Brandi & Ms. Jessica I recommend this daycare to anyone. ~ Posted by Madani Lbida read more

This is a wonderful day care and educational institution. I started with my 1st born in the baby room, and my youngest is now in the VPK class. All you need to do is look up the VPK scores that compare all the programs, and you'll see how great Goddard compares to other day care options in the area. I know my little one is not only getting a good education, but good care at Goddard. read more