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November 2023 by Toni Eubank
Absolutely love the teachers and staff and the interaction as well as education my child receives is phenomenal! Everyday they are doing something creative, fun, and educational!
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June 2023 by Lily Wicks-Forman
Prior employee. Don't take your babies here. Trust me.
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December 2022 by Darin Lupini
We were offered and accepted a spot for our 3 month old. We scheduled our virtual walkthrough prior to our start date. When they never contacted us at the agreed upon time we called them. They said they didn’t call us because they gave our reserved spot away to someone else.My wife had accepted a job after accepting our offer for child care.
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December 2022 by Paula Lengle
Please read these reviews and trust your instincts when deciding if this is the right fit for your family. The owner of this facility is only out to make a buck, which you might expect from a business, but it is NOT what I expected from a business with whom I am entrusting my child. During my maternity leave, both my spouse and my work hours changed significantly and we no longer needed the full time care we had originally registered for. Per the extensive contract, I submitted the required 30 day notice to disenroll, and received a call later that day (Friday at 2pm of a holiday weekend) asking me to come pick up my son, as the owner had decided they do not give "temporary" care, and he was no longer welcome back. I was later told there was a sibling on the wait list, so essentially someone did the math and decided my family's tuition money was worth less than the next family down the wait list. We were completely left in a bind with no care for 30 days. To add insult to injury, per the contract, the $150 registration fee is non-refundable, so they kept that too, even though my child literally attended this daycare for less than one day. I called corporate, and although they seemed empathetic, I was told they have no say in tuition issues, but they would attempt to have the owner reach out to discuss. I wasn't the least bit surprised when I never heard a word. You'll also notice that every poor review here comes with a very copy-paste response from the owner or administrators. Child care in this area is extremely difficult to come by, and this daycare is absolutely taking advantage of that, legally toeing the line but ethically making choices with absolutely no regard for customers.
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October 2022 by Leah S.
We have had two children go through the Goddard program in Mechanicsburg. Our eldest son just entered first grade, but returned to Goddard for the summer program. We have seen a lot of transition in the time we have been there and we couldn't be happier. Our youngest is there everyday. He is welcomed by everyone and the teachers are quick to let us know how he did and celebrate his accomplishments. The owner is extremely responsive and we have had a number of families sign up at Goddard under our reference. We have also noticed that our older son is excelling in public school. He's ahead of some of the other kids and it's noticeable. We credit his Goddard experience to his success. We would recommend this school over and over. We have a number of friends enrolled and they are all just as happy as we have been.
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January 2022 by Jennifer B.
Our two year old son started attending Goddard in August 2021. He was not in daycare prior, due to the nonavailability of openings. At pick up the FIRST DAY, the director informed me that my son would not sit for any activity or lunch and would not sleep on his mat. This same director was the one who had our initial meeting and was told this was his FIRST TIME. She then proceeded to say that they recommend parents to get their own table and chairs to work on sitting at home, which we ALREADY had. When he started, he did become ill three times, which is not abnormal. He was NOT consistently in daycare to become used to the expectations. We received a message from his teacher, whom we NEVER met in person. She stated concerns they had regarding our son. She did ask what we do at home, which I provided. After messaging back and forth, I asked if we could have a meeting with the teacher. Our meeting was set up with the teacher and director. During our meeting, our son's teacher informed us that they had tried EVERYTHING I provided and said that it did not work. Also, the teacher could not handle a meeting with us. She had the director speak for her the majority of the meeting. Our son's teacher did say that he was NOT horrible or had behaviors like the others and that they would give his transition time a chance. We also had issues with nap time. We asked if nap time would be shorter for our son. At first, they agreed; however, when it was brought up again, we were told that it is group care NOT one to one care, our son woke up the other kids to play (which is NORMAL), would cry if woken up, that all the kids need a two hour nap to be successful, and THEY WOULD BE OUT OF RATIO!! Daycare facilities should be in ratio AT ALL TIMES!!! If it is not one to one care, why ask us what we do at home with our son to use in his classroom with him! Also, our son's pediatrician said that a two hour nap is TOO LONG for his age group. Our final email, regarding our son's behaviors, was the last straw. The director provided us with a list of concerns of his behaviors, which are AGE APPROPRIATE! We asked his pediatrician about it. The director also proceeded to say that there were complaints from parents that our son is hurting their children. How the heck do they know our son's name to be discussing this with you? Why were we not informed if these concerns were so prominent? Since there was a lack of communication and documentation of the concerns, inability to adhere to our son's dignity, his privacy and lack of cooperation with us, we LEFT! More information before we left:Our son had his finger stepped on, which broke skin. NO incident report was provided. A report from their QA was provided. The report was shoved in his bag. The report noted that the assumption was his finger got stepped on. NO band aid was on his finger and NO report of care after was provided. On the final day, I received our son's items. I checked his bag at home. We still had things missing. I emailed the director regarding the missed items and that I would pick them up when they reopen after the holidays. The director informed me that they did not check above the cubby and to see if we would like the items to be dropped off at our house. AT OUR HOUSE!! I told her that I do not feel comfortable with that, and we would wait. The director was EXTREMELY UNPROFESSIONAL, especially in her emails. She is young and needs a course in communication. Goddard NEVER asked what our son's likes/dislikes or strengths/weaknesses were. Goddard NEVER seemed interested in working with us or communicating anything, good or bad. For the amount of money we spent to send our son here, it is a JOKE!
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December 2021 by Marnie ODonnell
I became a financial donor to this school with NO SERVICES RENDERED when my summer plans suddenly changed before the program started. Due to a contract being signed for a summer program I lost nearly $700!!! To me that seems like a steep loss for a 2.5 months summer only program; rather the loss of a registration fee is reasonable. I completely understand that daycares need to have particulars as such for the regular daycare programs due to year long spots to fill, but it seems very unreasonable for a summer program.This is especially disheartening when my child's spot was already refilled before the program even started.It would be best to look elsewhere for these services unless you & your child's life plans never change and are firmly set in stone!At least I can rest assured that I supported a small business during the Covid 19 pandemic regardless of the large monetary loss to my family during this rocky time.
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December 2021 by Janet Leffler
*My experience with The Goddard School*please read before committing to childcare at The Goddard School-mechanicsburg.I’m sharing my experience regarding the neglect my 8 month old daughter was subjected to on June 28th 2021 at the Goddard School in Mechanicsburg PA. For the last four months she was enrolled at this facility, I have packed the same number of bottles and stored then in the same pockets, of the same backpack. This particular day, I sent 4oz of water as well in a supply cup because the weather was slated to reach the mid 90s.On June 28th I dropped my child off at 930 am. I received one update in their app at 11:00am stating my child was given 1 of her 3 bottles. My daughter has a strict feeding schedule of every 2-3 hours. I hadn’t seen an update when I checked again at 2, but their app that they use rarely works and is never accurately updated so I thought nothing if it. I arrived at 4:30 pm to pick her up and notice she is acting very out of it. Tears were streaming down her face and her lashes were crusted together from tears. They informed me that she “fell asleep on the carpet” which she has never done. I proceed to my car, but before I pull out of the parking lot I check her bag and notice 2 full bottles and her water cup were full inside of her bag. Worried, I called my husband and explained how weird she was acting and asked if he knew anything or heard anything from the school about her bottles. He said no.I proceed back in to ask what happened and why my daughter was not fed. I spoke to the assistant director who checked with her infant room teachers that explained “they thought I only sent one bottle” so she was only given one of three bottles she should have been fed. I proceed to ask “why didn’t you call me?” And she was unable to answer the question so I asked her to please assist me in getting Nancy Goss, the franchise owner so I could discuss the matter further.Nancy was unaware of the situation and let me know she was going to look into it and give me a call before she left for the day. I left to rush home to feed my child and received a call from Nancy.She reiterated that the teachers were not aware that I sent more than one bottle (which I obviously already knew), did not have an answer as to why they didn’t simply reach out to me and proceeded to argue with me that the temperature was “actually only 95” after I said “i was concerned my child was dehydrated because it’s close to 100 degrees out.”Her resolution for my family was to “not require a 30 day notice to leave”. I pulled my child out and picked her items up the following day. I have been scrambling to find a sitter until I have full time daycare for my child, as just about every full time school has an extensive waitlist. I was never asked by anyone at the school if my child was okay.I am very disappointed in the franchise, Nancy Goss, and the teachers who I trusted to meet my child’s basic needs. I am sad and disgusted thinking about my child crying for a number of hours that day, and not one of her three teachers (which have been with her since day 1), thinking “maybe she’s hungry” or “maybe I should reach out to her parents and check to see if they have more formula.”I am sure some people have had great experiences with Goddard, but unfortunately I am not one of them.
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December 2021 by Matthew Sourbeer
We have been very happy with the Mechanicsburg Goddard school! Communication is excellent! The Director and teachers are exceptional! My son looks forward to going to school each day. I also CANNOT rave enough about how helpful and patient they’ve been during potty training!! I officially have a potty trained 2 year old!! I am one happy mama!
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December 2021 by Katie Miller
We love the Goddard School in Mechanicsburg! The teachers are all top notch and and our sons just adore them. I’m always so impressed with the lesson plans they create. Our oldest has been enjoying summer camp and loves the field trips. We are so happy we found such a wonderful school home for our kids.
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December 2021 by Jillian Tompkins
I have been taking both of my children to this Goddard school since they were about 6-7 months old (now 4 and almost 2). I have nothing but AMAZING things to say about each and every one of these teachers and directors! They have worked so hard through CoVid-19 to keep all of our children safe and healthy!! Both of my boys LOVE all their teachers. Truly, every teacher there deserves so much recognition for the care and safety they provide our babies. Both of my boys are so bright and well socialized. They surprise me every day with new things they pick up on and learn. We plan on sending our kiddos there for kindergarten as well. Daycare workers, who worked through this entire covid year and smiled through it deserve all the kudos! :) Thank you all!
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December 2021 by Darin L.
We were offered and accepted a spot for our child. Then they set up a time for a virtual walkthrough of the facility and when the agreed upon time came we never got a call. When we called to inquire about the missed time they told us they gave our spot away to someone else. My wife accepted a job based on having childcare there.
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July 2021 by Janet L.
*My experience with The Goddard School*please read before committing to childcare at The Goddard School-mechanicsburg.I'm sharing my experience regarding the neglect my 8 month old daughter was subjected to on June 28th 2021 at the Goddard School in Mechanicsburg PA. For the last four months she was enrolled at this facility, I have packed the same number of bottles and stored then in the same pockets, of the same backpack. This particular day, I sent 4oz of water as well in a supply cup because the weather was slated to reach the mid 90s.On June 28th I dropped my child off at 930 am. I received one update in their app at 11:00am stating my child was given 1 of her 3 bottles. My daughter has a strict feeding schedule of every 2-3 hours. I hadn't seen an update when I checked again at 2, but their app that they use rarely works and is never accurately updated so I thought nothing if it. I arrived at 4:30 pm to pick her up and notice she is acting very out of it. Tears were streaming down her face and her lashes were crusted together from tears. They informed me that she "fell asleep on the carpet" which she has never done. I proceed to my car, but before I pull out of the parking lot I check her bag and notice 2 full bottles and her water cup were full inside of her bag. Worried, I called my husband and explained how weird she was acting and asked if he knew anything or heard anything from the school about her bottles. He said no.I proceed back in to ask what happened and why my daughter was not fed. I spoke to the assistant director who checked with her infant room teachers that explained "they thought I only sent one bottle" so she was only given one of three bottles she should have been fed. I proceed to ask "why didn't you call me?" And she was unable to answer the question so I asked her to please assist me in getting Nancy Goss, the franchise owner so I could discuss the matter further.Nancy was unaware of the situation and let me know she was going to look into it and give me a call before she left for the day. I left to rush home to feed my child and received a call from Nancy.She reiterated that the teachers were not aware that I sent more than one bottle (which I obviously already knew), did not have an answer as to why they didn't simply reach out to me and proceeded to argue with me that the temperature was "actually only 95" after I said "i was concerned my child was dehydrated because it's close to 100 degrees out."Her resolution for my family was to "not require a 30 day notice to leave". I pulled my child out and picked her items up the following day. I have been scrambling to find a sitter until I have full time daycare for my child, as just about every full time school has an extensive waitlist. I was never asked by anyone at the school if my child was okay.I am very disappointed in the franchise, Nancy Goss, and the teachers who I trusted to meet my child's basic needs. I am sad and disgusted thinking about my child crying for a number of hours that day, and not one of her three teachers (which have been with her since day 1), thinking "maybe she's hungry" or "maybe I should reach out to her parents and check to see if they have more formula."I am sure some people have had great experiences with Goddard, but unfortunately I am not one of them.
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June 2021 by Nikki C.
The owner is rude and a liar. She would say that certain information had been communicated to us "multiple times" and, upon reviewing all communications we had from her or anyone else at the school, nothing had been received in ANY of our email accounts. The staff turnover is insane because people don't want to work for her. At one point a teacher asked parents to please consider not sending in peanut butter products because one child was allergic (if you know anything about peanut allergies, even peanut residue in the air can cause BIG problems) and was yelled at by the owner that they could not ask that of the parents.The classrooms are constantly at or over capacity because of the inability to keep staff, and thankfully the former director did have the foresight to shut down one day because they legally did not have the help to be open. There were plenty of other times this probably should have happened too. I haven't felt like my child was truly safe at that school for a while and started looking for other options once the ones I felt did keep him safe left.Oh there was also the COVID scare where they did not enforce their own policy that parents had to wear a mask to drop off and pick up their child(ren) which resulted in said parent coming in direct contact with teachers while infected, but also resulted in said parent sending the child (in my son's room) to school while infected. There were also two teachers infected by other sources and that fact was NEVER officially communicates to parents.There is also the mandatory super camp activities that are NOT in the enrollment agreement and add an extra $200 one month to the cost of tuition.I would recommend that anyone with other options steers clear of this particular school. If you like the Goddard curriculum, try to enroll in one of the other ones in the area, as they do have a different owner. This is school does not live up to the standards I had heard about for YEARS for Goddard.
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May 2021 by Jeremy Z.
Focused on play time not education. Big money for play time. They try to highlight technology but they do not use it to educate, just to sell.
