For 30 years, The Goddard School® has been a trusted name among families. Its classrooms are safe, nurturing environments for children six weeks to six years, offering age-appropriate opportunities to explore and discover. Trained teachers lead each child to reach developmental milestones, preparing the children for social and academic success.
At The Goddard School® located in Waukee, IA, the on-site owner, Liz Smith, works to make sure every family enjoys a warm, positive experience. 
“More than just daycare, we strive to provide the highest quality education program for each child,” she says. “Our play-based F.L.EX.® Learning Program ensures that we meet high standards specific to early learning, development, and care.”
The F.L.EX.® Learning Program (Fun Learning Experience) is grounded in research on how children learn best. Children experience the deepest, most genuine learning when they are having fun. It’s designed to help build each child’s emotional, academic, social, creative, and physical skills. This includes 21st-century skills such as communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. The result is a well-rounded experience that helps each child become school-ready, career-ready, and life-ready.
Gloria, the school’s Education Director, works with the teachers to implement the program effectively.
“We provide a true play-based learning environment,” Gloria says. “Our teachers are actively engaged with their students on a daily basis. Because they have strong relationships with their students, they are able to leverage what they have learned about each child to ask students questions that stimulate their critical thinking skills.”
According to the answers the teachers receive, lesson plans are tailored to each child’s individual needs and interests. Hands-on learning experiences filled with sensory activity comprise the majority of the program. Many of the activities have multiple learning objectives, such as giving children PVC pipes and tape and asking them to create a structure that will move water. Children think they are just having fun building, but they are actually developing math, engineering, science, and collaboration skills all in one lesson.
The curriculum begins in the infant classroom and builds all the way through the transitional kindergarten class. Teachers use their own creativity to enhance the curriculum. The assessment tool allows teachers to collect photos and notes every day so the children’s progress can be shared during parent conferences. Students are assessed academically, developmentally, and socially/emotionally.
Analysis of Children’s Progress Academic Assessment (CPAA) data shows that Goddard School students score 45% higher on math and literacy assessments than their non-Goddard peers. These findings were verified by Hanover Research, an independent third-party research firm. The CPAA is an early childhood assessment system that assists teachers in making informed and individualized instructional decisions.
Connect with The Goddard School® of Waukee
For more information or to schedule a tour, please visit www.GoddardSchool.com/WaukeeIA or call 515-297-6555.
The Goddard School of Waukee is located at 80 NE Carefree Lane, Waukee, IA.
