The Goddard School Emphasizes Both Education and Fun in Newington, CT
December 31, 2017
Franchisees Ron and Seema Mavumkal bring fun, individualized learning to the Newington community.
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The Goddard School of Wesley Chapel Makes Learning Fun for Preschoolers
December 8, 2017
Franchisee Dinesh Patel brings The Goddard School’s play-based curriculum to Wesley Chapel, FL.
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The Goddard School Names Renee Benedict as Vice President of Information Technology
December 1, 2017
The award-winning preschool franchise brings on a new hire to lead its Information Technology department.
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The Goddard School Emphasizes Both Education and Fun in Rocky Hill, CT
December 1, 2017
Franchisees Harpreet Bath and Seema Sabarad bring fun, individualized learning to the Rocky Hill community (pages 31-33).
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Five Nuggets of Wisdom from the CEO of The Goddard School
November 28, 2017
CEO Joe Schumacher uses his business expertise to provide his “Five Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Became CEO.”
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The Surprising Benefits of Failure
November 20, 2017
Paul Koulogeorge, Vice President of Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations for Goddard Systems, Inc. (GSI), draws on decades of marketing and advertising experience to explain the benefits of failure.
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THE 10TH ANNUAL GODDARD SCHOOL PRESCHOOLER-APPROVED TOY TEST NAMES MELISSA & DOUG® STAR DINER RESTAURANT PLAY SET AS THE WINNING EDUCATIONAL TOY OF 2017
100 Units Will Be Purchased and Donated to Toys for Tots
November 13, 2017
KING OF PRUSSIA, PA – November 13, 2017 Goddard Systems, Inc. (GSI), the national franchisor of The Goddard School® preschool system, proudly announces that the public has selected the Melissa & Doug® Star Diner Restaurant Play Set as the winning toy in the 10th annual Goddard School Preschooler-Approved Toy Test. To promote learning through play for all children, GSI will purchase and donate 100 units of the Melissa & Doug® Star Diner Restaurant Play Set to Toys for Tots, a program run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve that distributes holiday gifts to less fortunate children.
Established in 2008, the Preschooler-Approved Toy Test aims to determine the best educational toys on the market by enlisting the help of the most discerning toy critics, preschoolers! Each year, The Goddard School Toy-Testing Committee evaluates dozens of submissions from the leading toy manufacturers around the globe. The top 25 educational toys that support child-initiated play, collaboration and other criteria proceed to the next round where preschoolers from 50 Goddard School preschools nationwide are given the opportunity to play with and critique the toys. The children and their teachers work together to select their favorites, which are compiled into a list of the Top 10 Educational Toys. These, then, are put to a public vote to determine the winning toy of the year.
The Top 10 Educational Toys for 2017 were named as follows in the suggested age-range order of the children:
- VTech - Lil' Critters Shake & Wobble Busy Ball (Suggested Age Range: 3-24 months);
- Fat Brain Toys - Oombee Cube (Suggested Age Range: 10+ months);
- SMARTMAX - My First Safari Animals (Suggested Age Range: 1–5 years);
- Peaceable Kingdom - Monkey Around - The Wiggle and Giggle Game (Suggested Age Range: 2+ years);
- VTech - Go! Go! Smart Wheels - Race & Play Adventure Park (Suggested Age Range: 1–5 years);
- K’NEX - KID K’NEX Budding Builders Building Set (Suggested Age Range: 3+ years);
- Melissa & Doug Star Diner Restaurant Play Set (Suggested Age Range: 3+ years);
- Learning Resources Lil' Lemonade Stand-Off - A Memory Matching Game (Suggested Age Range: 4+ years);
- DuneCraft - Bucket of Balls (Suggested Age Range: 4+ years);
- Learning Resources - Let's Go Code! Activity Set (Suggested Age Range: 5+ years).
“Through our Preschooler-Approved Toy Test, children continue to engage in the most genuine form of learning by playing with the best educational toys like the Melissa & Doug® Star Diner Restaurant Play Set,” says Dr. Craig Bach, Vice President of Education at GSI. “Play-based learning is known to be the most effective way for children to develop the skills necessary for social and academic success early on and later in life. We are proud to continue with this program through its 10th year and beyond.”
For more information on The Goddard School and the Preschooler-Approved Toy Test, please visit www.goddardschool.com/toytest.
The Goddard School Opens Third Location in Katy
November 9, 2017
Franchisees Asli and Kirk Remlinger celebrate the opening of The Goddard School located in Katy (Cinco Northwest), TX, which is their third School in Katy.
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Partnership for 21st Century Learning Announces Hillsborough, NJ as an Exemplar School
November 5, 2017
The Partnership for 21st Century Learning designated The Goddard School located in Hillsborough, NJ as an exemplar school. The School received this honor for exemplary 21st century learning practices in preparing students for success in college, career and life.
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New Goddard School Combines Safety, Creativity While Inspiring Young Minds in Lithia
November 2, 2017
Franchisees Shekar Laveti and Souji Chalumuri bring The Goddard School’s unique play-based learning program to Lithia, FL.
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GODDARD SCHOOL PRESCHOOLERS SELECT THE TOP 10 EDUCATIONAL TOYS IN TIME FOR THE 2017 HOLIDAY SEASON
The Nation’s Leading Preschool System Chooses Top Toys That Support Playful Learning and Skill Development
November 1, 2017
KING OF PRUSSIA, PA – November 1, 2017 - Goddard Systems, Inc. (GSI), franchisor of The Goddard School® a play-based, preschool system, has given children the chance of a lifetime to test the most innovative educational toys on the market through its 10th annual Preschooler-Approved Toy Test. Preschoolers from 50 Goddard Schools located across the United States voted for their favorite toys, and GSI is proud to announce the Top 10 Educational Toys they chose for 2017.
This summer, dozens of submissions from the world’s leading toy manufacturers were reviewed by The Goddard School Toy Test Committee, a team of early childhood education experts. The committee judged each submission by how much the toy encourages interaction and child-initiated play and by the toy’s ability to promote creativity and collaboration while maintaining the child’s creative interests over time.
The children, who range from six weeks to six years old, were sent 25 toys to play with and critique. With the help of their teachers, the preschoolers selected their favorite toys, and GSI compiled the results.
Following are The Top 10 Preschooler-Approved Toys for 2017. They are listed in the age-range order suggested for the children:
- VTech - Lil' Critters Shake & Wobble Busy Ball (Suggested Age Range: 3-24 months);
- Fat Brain Toys - Oombee Cube (Suggested Age Range: 10+ months);
- SMARTMAX - My First Safari Animals (Suggested Age Range: 1–5 years);
- Peaceable Kingdom - Monkey Around - The Wiggle and Giggle Game (Suggested Age Range: 2+ years);
- VTech - Go! Go! Smart Wheels - Race & Play Adventure Park (Suggested Age Range: 1–5 years);
- K’NEX - KID K’NEX Budding Builders Building Set (Suggested Age Range: 3+ years);
- Melissa & Doug Star Diner Restaurant Play Set (Suggested Age Range: 3+ years);
- Learning Resources Lil' Lemonade Stand-Off - A Memory Matching Game (Suggested Age Range: 4+ years);
- DuneCraft - Bucket of Balls (Suggested Age Range: 4+ years);
- Learning Resources - Let's Go Code! Activity Set (Suggested Age Range: 5+ years).
“Fun, interactive programs like our annual Goddard School Preschooler-Approved Toy Test are successful because they allow children to think critically while developing their social, creativity and collaboration skills,” said Dr. Craig Bach, GSI’s Vice President of Education. “This experience provides children the opportunity to engage with the top educational products on the market that are aligned with The Goddard School’s philosophy of learning through play.”
Voting to select 2017’s winning toy is now open to the public. The public can vote by visiting The Goddard School’s Toy Test page from November 1 to November 10, 2017. GSI will purchase one hundred units of the winning toy and donate them to Toys for Tots, a program run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve that distributes holiday gifts to less fortunate children in the community.
Past Preschooler-Approved Toy Test winners include Laser Pegs, K’NEX Brands, Learning Resources and John Deere’s Gearation Board. For more information on The Goddard School and the Preschooler-Approved Toy Test, please visit www.goddardschool.com/toytest.
Rethinking Your 2018 Marketing Calendar
October 13, 2017
Paul Koulogeorge, Vice President of Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations for Goddard Systems, Inc. (GSI), provides his top five tips for crafting a winning marketing calendar.
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The Goddard School Featured on a List of Franchises for Every Budget
September 12, 2017
Business News Daily named The Goddard School as one of 50+ franchises for every budget.
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Back-To-School Marketing in the 21st Century
September 5, 2017
Paul Koulogeorge, Vice President of Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations for The Goddard School Franchise, describes three ways back-to-school marketing has evolved with the modern era.
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A Family Legacy Expands with The Goddard School located in Avon Lake, OH
August 28, 2017
Franchisee Eric Baker, a former attorney, followed in his father's footsteps by opening The Goddard School located in Avon Lake.
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The Goddard School’s Dynamic Learning-Through-Play Curriculum Makes Its Debut in Newtown Square, PA
August 9, 2017
Franchisee Kavita Ghai details her passion for education and how that passion led her to open a Goddard School in Newtown Square.
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The Goddard School Brings Play-Based Learning to Wesley Chapel, FL
August 4, 2017
Franchisee Dinesh Patel celebrated the grand opening of The Goddard School located in Wesley Chapel, which offers a play-based learning program that focuses on STEAM learning.
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The Goddard Way – How Two Franchisees Brought Play-Based Learning to Skokie, IL
July 31, 2017
Franchisees Mary and Andrew Fratini detail their journey from working in the corporate world to opening The Goddard School located in Skokie.
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Turn Millennial Insights Into Actions That Expand Your Brand Reach
July 31, 2017
Paul Koulogeorge, Vice President of Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations for The Goddard School Franchise, shares advice on how businesses can market to millennials.
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The Goddard School Named a Hot Property
July 14, 2017
Fresh off its exhibition at the International Franchise Expo in New York City, The Goddard School Franchise has been named a top brand.
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Starting a Business After College? Advice for Entrepreneurial Grads
June 9, 2017
Joe Schumacher, CEO of The Goddard School Franchise, imparts his wisdom to college students looking to start a business after they graduate.
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The Goddard School’s Dynamic Play-Based Curriculum Comes to Newtown Square
June 1, 2017
Franchisee Kavita Ghai emphasizes the importance of providing fun, individualized lesson plans at The Goddard School located in Newtown Square, PA.
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Goddard School Franchisee Named Rockstar Franchisee of 2017
May 30, 2017
Leisa Byars, franchisee of The Goddard School located in Hendersonville, TN, is named a Rockstar Franchisee of 2017 for her hard work and outstanding business practices.
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Small Business Snapshot: The Goddard School
May 25, 2017
Goddard Systems, Inc. CEO Joe Schumacher explains how The Goddard School’s play-based learning program prepares children for success.
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Goddard School Embraces Preservation and Innovation
May 22, 2017
The much-anticipated opening of The Goddard School located in Denver (Highlands), CO provides a look at the exceptional restoration of a historic building in northwest Denver.
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Play-Based Preschool to Open in Rochester Hills
April 25, 2017
Franchisee Sandeep Chada emphasizes the importance of providing fun, individualized lesson plans at The Goddard School located in Rochester Hills, MI.
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Advice CEOs Wish They'd Gotten Before Their First Job
April 10, 2017
Joe Schumacher, CEO of The Goddard School Franchise, draws on his own experience to share important advice about how to suggest improvements in the workplace.
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The Goddard School Named a Smart Business Opportunity
April 3, 2017
The Goddard School was selected as one of the top twenty education franchises in the U.S.
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Goddard School Nationally Recognized as 21st Century Learning Exemplar
March 12, 2017
The Partnership for 21st Century Learning (P21) designated The Goddard School located in Concord Township, OH as an exemplar school for its 21st century learning practices.
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The Goddard School Located in Lake Forest, CA Opens Its Doors
March 10, 2017
Parina Mehta, franchisee of The Goddard School located in Lake Forest, explains the positive impact that The Goddard School has on the lives of its students.
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Why Now is the Right Time to Invest in a Franchised Childcare Business
March 6, 2017
Joe Schumacher, CEO of The Goddard School Franchise, outlines why now is the perfect time to invest in a franchised childcare business (pages 52-53).
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THE GODDARD SCHOOL’S DYNAMIC LEARNING THROUGH PLAY CURRICULUM COMES TO HIGHLANDS AREA OF DOWNTOWN DENVER, CO
March 2017
Play Based Preschool Now Open For Enrollment
DENVER, CO (March 2017) — Goddard Systems, Inc. (GSI), the franchisor of The Goddard School® preschool system, announces its latest school in Denver, CO is open. Located at 3914 King St. in the Highlands region of downtown Denver, the new school is operated by husband-and-wife franchisees, David and Allison McMurtry.
David, a veteran of the educational and foster care systems with nearly two decades of teaching and admissions experience, met Allison in 2013. Prior to their meeting, Allison’s son attended two different locations of The Goddard School as a young boy. With David’s educational background, and Allison’s first-hand experience watching her son Colin benefit from The Goddard School’s holistic learning philosophy, the McMurtrys began considering ownership of their own location of the preschool franchise in 2015. They ultimately chose to occupy a historic building just northwest of downtown Denver that has been utilized for more than 100 years to serve the youth in the area. In fact, the couple was so touched by the building’s unique history, they are planning to install a “history wall” within the school that will showcase old community newspaper clips, photos, and letters which pay tribute to the people and stories that make up the area’s rich past.
The Goddard School preschool system prides itself on its unique dual-management system, a distinguisher in the early childhood education industry. Franchise owners are onsite at each location and work alongside an educational director, whose focus is to communicate and work with teachers, as well as to implement The Goddard School curriculum. This system ensures a hands-on, community-focused approach when it comes to early childhood education. With each school opening, The Goddard School also has a local economic impact, creating an average of 20 to 25 jobs within the community.
The Goddard School’s play-based approach, called Fun, Learning Experience (or F.L.EX.®), is grounded in research on how children learn best: children experience the deepest, most genuine learning when they are having fun.
At The Goddard School, the focus is on building each child’s emotional, academic, social, creative and physical skills to provide a well-rounded experience and ensure each one becomes confident, joyful and fully prepared in school and in life.
“With nearly 30 years of experience in early childhood education, The Goddard School’s unique dual-management system creates lasting community bonds as owners are on-site at the Schools to provide support to the communities they serve,” said Joe Schumacher, Chief Executive Officer of Goddard Systems, Inc. “One area that truly sets us apart from other childcare systems is our philosophy based on learning through play, designed to teach and reinforce 21st century skills, including social behaviors such as communication, critical thinking, creativity and collaboration. This philosophy fosters a lifelong love of learning and creates meaningful connections at an early age.”
Jobs relating to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) are currently the fastest growing segment of the U.S. economy, and a focus on developing 21st century skills such as creativity and innovation, as well as the abilities to collaborate, communicate and think critically, is expected to increase over time. By introducing 21st century skill concepts early on, children develop a strong foundation and a passion for STEAM at the very beginning of their education.
“Having experienced the positive impact that The Goddard School made on Colin’s successes in and outside of the classroom, Allison and I knew this was the only childcare franchise we were interested in pursuing” said owner David McMurtry. “The Goddard School is more than just a preschool; we are a community and a family. We look forward to becoming a greater extension of the Denver community.”
The Goddard School located in Denver (Highlands), CO can be found at 3914 King St., Denver, CO 80211. Please call 303-800-0225 or email Denver3CO@goddardschools.com. For general information and franchising opportunities, please visit www.goddardschoolfranchise.com.
ABOUT THE GODDARD SCHOOL® FRANCHISE
The Goddard School Franchise, franchisor of The Goddard School preschools, is consistently named one of the top childcare franchises in the United States by Entrepreneur magazine, and one of the Top 200 Franchise Systems (in worldwide sales) by Franchise Times. Headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, The Goddard School franchise currently licenses more than 460 franchised Schools with more than 65,000 students in 36 states. The Goddard School's AdvancED- and Middle States-accredited F.L.EX.® Learning Program (Fun Learning Experience), a comprehensive play-based curriculum developed with early childhood education experts, provides the best childhood preparation for social and academic success. With a proven system in place and a strong network of dedicated franchisees, The Goddard School Franchise is the acknowledged leader in franchised childcare and a premier educational childcare provider.
For more information, visit www.goddardschoolfranchise.com.
The Goddard School Franchise Names Amy Williams Director of Real Estate
February 14, 2017
The Goddard School Franchise announces the hiring of seasoned real estate professional Amy Williams as its Director of Real Estate.
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Best Franchises - Owners Talk about Their Franchise Business of Choice
February 9, 2017
Jason Pullukat, franchisee of The Goddard School located in Chicago (Lincoln Park), IL, explains what transitioning from high-powered corporate powwows to owning a school franchise was like and how franchising has impacted him.
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Networking for Entrepreneurs – Seven Ways to Make a Connection
February 7, 2017
Paul Koulogeorge, Vice President of Marketing, Advertising and PR for Goddard Systems, Inc., offers spot-on advice for building strong relationships with local media outlets.
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The Goddard School Opens First Iowa Location in Waukee
January 30, 2017
Franchisee Liz Smith emphasizes the importance of providing fun, individualized lesson plans at The Goddard School located in Waukee, IA.
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The Goddard School Recognized at Governor’s Small Business Forum
January 24, 2017
The Goddard School located in Cedar Park, TX was recognized by Texas Secretary of State Carlos Cascos at the Governor's Small Business Forum for its outstanding achievements and contributions to the community.
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AWARD-WINNING PRESCHOOL FRANCHISE NEARING 500 LOCATIONS NATIONWIDE
January 16, 2017
KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. (January 16, 2017)— Goddard Systems, Inc. (GSI), the franchisor of The Goddard School® preschool system, announces that 2016 was another year of successful expansion, opening 23 new Schools nationwide. With 27 Schools in planning stages for 2017, the leading early childhood education franchise system continues its path toward achieving a five-year development goal of opening 150 new schools by 2020.
Since its inception in 1988, The Goddard School has opened 462 locations with a commitment to developing 156 more units within the next five years, giving 156 families the opportunity to take control of their futures and own their businesses. This rate of growth will result in up to 3,900 new jobs and will benefit approximately 20,000 new students throughout the country.
In 2016, The Goddard School experienced a 100% franchisee renewal agreement rate, a major driver in The Goddard School’s growth, indicating that current franchisees are satisfied and want to continue operating Goddard Schools. The Goddard School awarded more franchise license agreements to existing franchisees in 2016 than in 2014 and 2015 combined. These licenses represented 40% of total licenses awarded in 2016 compared to 24% of the total in 2015, signaling that franchisees have experienced first-hand a continued rise in demand for superior early childhood education in the United States.
Key areas of growth for the brand in the coming year will focus on bringing The Goddard School’s play-based curriculum to new markets across the country, including its first school in Arkansas, coupled with a continued commitment to open schools in major metro areas that will accommodate Millennial parents living and working in their respective state’s city centers.
“With more parents in the workforce than ever before, the need for high-quality childcare has never been higher. With this in mind, we continually seek enterprising, hard-working entrepreneurs to help expand our system across the country in order to provide premium early childhood education to more and more families,” said Joe Schumacher, Chief Executive Officer of Goddard Systems, Inc. “The Goddard School experienced tremendous growth in 2016, and we plan on surpassing those openings in 2017 in an effort to ensure that more children have the opportunity to receive education that helps prepare them for success in school and in life.”
The play-based preschool franchise also plans to encourage more of its Schools to obtain P21 (Partnership for 21st Century Learning) exemplar status, which demonstrates that schools use exemplary 21st century learning practices in preparing students for success in college, career and life. In 2016, The Goddard Schools located in Concord Township, OH, Ladera Ranch, CA, Mooresville, NC and Redmond, WA were awarded P21 exemplar status. Other exemplar Goddard Schools include Cedar Park, TX, Cranberry Township, PA, Fort Mill, SC, Hendersonville, TN and Rock Hill, SC. These nine Schools represent 75% of the nation’s preschools that have earned this distinction.
Long recognized as an industry leader, The Goddard School franchise has been consistently listed in Entrepreneur magazine’s “Franchise 500” ranking as one of the top childcare franchises since 2002.
For general information and franchising opportunities, please visit www.goddardschoolfranchise.com.
Learning Through Play is a Priority in Concord, NC
January 4, 2017
Franchisees Malvika and Basant Maheshwary emphasize the importance of learning through thoughtful, play-based activities at The Goddard School located in Concord (Coddle Creek Market), NC.
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