The Goddard School of Redmond

Local Parent Reviewer in the last week

We had a positive experience with the infant room and a couple of toddler-room teachers. Unfortunately, our experience changed significantly after our daughter transitioned to a toddler room shortly before turning one, especially after a caring teacher went on leave. Communication and management issues further worsened the situation. One concern was the toddler room’s policy against bottle feeding. Despite practicing with sippy and straw cups, our daughter was still unable to use them, and we did not believe she was developmentally ready to stop bottles, particularly since she was born three weeks early and she was transitioned a few days before turning 1 year old. We asked to delay the transition or allow temporary bottle use, but our initial requests were declined without a clear alternative. We ultimately escalated to the owner, who allowed bottle feeding as an exception in another room. This raised concerns about whether the transition was developmentally appropriate. Washington regulations state that children should transition from infant care to cups when developmentally appropriate. The center focused on the toddler-room ratio, but our concern was whether our daughter was actually being treated as a toddler when she still needed infant-appropriate feeding support. Bottles were not permitted, there was no refrigerator or bottle warmer, and the materials were primarily designed for toddlers. We were also told the favorable ratio during her first week was simply because enrollment was low. We were told she had to transition earlier than one year old because there is no space in the infant room in September - they enrolled more infants. We were additionally told that it was important to let children “suffer sometimes” so they could learn. Different families may have different views on this philosophy. The final trigger for us was how our daughter’s crying was handled. After being out sick for several weeks, she returned needing extra comfort. At pickup, we found our 12-month-old crying alone on the floor in a different room after 4:30pm when her room was closed. Two teachers were just occupied cleaning and there were no other children around that needed their attention but my daughter. Yet they were indifferent to her crying alone. Her eyes were visibly puffy, and she looked exhausted. The experience was deeply upsetting and made us question whether she was receiving the responsive care she needed. That evening, she also appeared unusually thirsty, had dry diapers, and drank a significant amount of water at home. This was especially concerning given the inconsistent communication we had already experienced regarding her food, fluids, and naps as on that same day there were no daily updates sent through the school app. When we withdrew, an office staff was apologetic and acknowledged the teacher-turnover challenges. The owner was defensive and maintained that the bottle accommodation addressed our concerns. We also requested that October tuition be waived since our daughter would not attend a single day after withdrawing in mid-September, but the request was denied based on the enrollment agreement. Ultimately, every family has different expectations for childcare. As two busy working parents, we need to trust that our child’s developmental needs are recognized and that basic information about her care is communicated consistently, without repeatedly having to advocate for it. We are grateful to the teachers who cared for our daughter warmly, particularly in the infant room, but based on our experience, we decided this was no longer the right environment for our family.

ASHWIN AP a month ago

We are incredibly grateful to everyone at The Goddard School of Redmond for the wonderful experience our child has had over the past few years. A heartfelt thank you to the directors, faculty, and every teacher for the amazing care, patience, and dedication you show each and every day. It is evident that this is much more than a job for you. You truly pour your heart and soul into helping every child learn, grow, and become confident, curious, and kind individuals. Thanks to your guidance, our child is more than ready for kindergarten, both academically and socially. What makes Goddard truly special is the thought and effort that goes into every learning experience. The children do not just read about nature. They experience it. Whether it is learning how a chick hatches from an egg, understanding how ants build their homes, or exploring the world through hands on activities, the lessons are engaging, memorable, and spark genuine curiosity. The celebrations throughout the year are equally meaningful. For Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, the teachers spend so much time helping every child create beautiful handmade gifts that become treasured family memories. You can see the care and attention given to each child so that every parent receives something truly special. A very special thank you to our wonderful teachers, Addison and Ramiza. Your patience, kindness, encouragement, and genuine love for the children have made such a positive impact on our child’s growth and confidence. We will always be grateful for the care and attention you gave every single day. We would also like to recognize Parmila, Binal, and Anitha for always being warm, caring, and supportive. It truly takes a team to create such a positive environment, and each of you has played an important role in making this school feel like a second home. A special thank you to Brandi, the Director, for always responding promptly to our emails and questions. As parents, it gave us great peace of mind knowing that any concern or question would be addressed quickly and thoughtfully. Your leadership and commitment to both the children and families are greatly appreciated. We have visited and heard about many preschools in the area, but we have not seen another school that consistently goes above and beyond the way The Goddard School of Redmond does. The nurturing environment, the creative learning experiences, the strong sense of community, and the genuine love shown to every child make this school truly exceptional. Thank you for giving our child such a strong foundation, wonderful memories, and the confidence to begin kindergarten. We will always be grateful to the entire Goddard family and wholeheartedly recommend this school to any parent looking for an outstanding preschool.

Arti Kansal 4 months ago

The facility is always clean, safe, and welcoming. What we love most is how much our child is thriving socially and academically—they come home every day excited to share what they learned and talk about their friends. The communication from the staff is excellent, providing wonderful updates that keep us connected to our child's day. We have had all lovely teachers -(Hope, Susanna, Binal, Alison, Mansi - thank you for the care you give to my kiddo. I am missing some teachers for sure)

Samatha Kaza 4 months ago

We have had an incredible experience with The Goddard School (across from Alcott Elementary). What sets them apart is a curriculum that genuinely focuses on skills advancement and preparing children for the real world—it goes well beyond just keeping them 'happy and healthy.' The growth we’ve seen is amazing. When my daughter joined last October, she didn't even recognize the letter 'A.' Her previous teachers were super awesome and laid a fantastic foundation for her learning. For the past three months, Miss Monika and Miss Andrea have been her class teachers, and they have built on that foundation so beautifully that she is now in an advanced state academically! The school's hands-on approach is incredible. A perfect example is the science station prepared by Mr. Paul. He set up live displays for the kids to witness the growth of chicks, ants, butterflies, and fish in practical, real-world ways. The communication here is exceptional. I always know what to expect in advance, allowing me to prepare myself and my daughter. I especially appreciate how Miss Brandi, the center director, handles every interaction. Whether in the hallway or the office, she is incredibly patient and answers every question with a sense of fun, all while keeping the focus on education. Managing a room of 10+ toddlers is unimaginable to most, but the staff here makes it look easy through clear structure, planning, and execution. My daughter is so incredibly lucky to have this team!

Liya Yang 4 months ago

We’ve had a wonderful experience with this childcare center. Our daughter started here when she was just 6 months old in the infant class, and her teachers, Sunitha and Amelia, were incredibly caring, patient, and loving. They made us feel comfortable as first-time daycare parents. Now she is in the toddler class with Ms. Alexis and Shaila, and they have been amazing as well. They are attentive, engaging, and truly care about the children’s growth and happiness. We’ve seen our little girl become more confident, social, and excited to learn every day. We’re very grateful for all the wonderful teachers.