The Goddard School Vernon Hills

Enrolling our toddler in Goddard Schools has been a really great decision. The amazing teachers, the classrooms, the detailed curriculum, the different approaches they take to teach different topics are really impressive. My son loves going to school. We are beyond grateful for this institution.

We love Goddard! The teachers are amazing and our son is already excelling in areas he was behind due to their curriculum. I’m impressed with the number of activities and all of the facilities available to the kiddos - there is so much value for the price.

The staff is incredibly friendly; the teachers are all pleasant, educated, and approachable; the curriculum is highly effective; the building and class rooms are secure, their communication is top-notch; and most of all, our children love it there! I would highly recommend Goddard in Vernon Hills, IL to any parent with children ages 6 months to pre-K.

We’ve been with the Goddard School of Vernon Hills since June 2017 and have been very happy with our experience. My youngest is now in pre-k and will graduate in May. Throughout our entire experience (even through Covid) I feel we got a high level of care. Honestly it’s more than just a daycare. My kids really learn here. The Goddard School fully prepares kids for Kindy and beyond. The staff and teachers are loving and professional! Both my kids have loved going to school here!

My husband and I really wanted to love Goddard, but we were sadly disappointed. It did not live up to the standards that we heard about from other friends that went to other Goddard locations and was definitely not the right place for our kids. Here were our issues: 1. Teachers: The teachers are what disappointed us the most. There were exceptions, however many teachers lacked experience, commitment and passion for the work. We felt like a lot of the teachers were just going through the motions. There was a teacher who works in 2-3 year old age group who looked irritated to be at work. She was frequently barking orders at these little people. Not okay. There was also an older & more experienced teacher with a lot of attitude.. and not a feeling of warmth or compassion. We felt that the teachers seemed like they didn’t have to try, because they had the reputation of school to lean on or just biding their time until a full-time teaching position opened for them. 2. The rooms are small and no indoor play area or gym. The room size may be decent if the children had another indoor play room that they went to several times a day. In the Midwest, it is not uncommon for temperatures to be below 30 degrees for months and months at a time which means it’s too cold for the kids to be outside and play. Kids should be allowed to let loose and run around a huge open space a few times a day. That’s a lot of time just in that one small room; same 4 walls all day long & day after day. 3. Due to my profession, I know the importance of kids being kids which means; messy, silly, & sometimes loud. Creativity & imagination should be encouraged. It is so important for their sensory learning and development. Yes, we want them to learn manners and structure, but when the 2-3 year old room is not warm, silly & loving- somethings not right. Sensory play was very structured and didn’t leave a lot of room for creativity. 4. Communication was poor from the staff to parents. They have a texting system and often school closing notifications were late. One day, the school had lost power over night after an ice storm. We received a text ~5am noting the school would be opening late due to the storm but nothing about a closure or power outage. When my husband arrived at the rescheduled 9:30 opening time he was met with a hallway full of parents and their kids. They still had not regained power and there were no additional notices sent to the families via text until 9:45am, after the school was supposed to be open. This simply cannot happen when working parents depend on day care for their children. We are thrilled with our transition to a new daycare. The teachers have been there for years and years, there is a lively kid-friendly energy, they are learning a ton, the communication between teachers and parents is superb. The rooms are much bigger, and there is an indoor play gym that is large with mats & climbing structures, bikes, scooters, etc. My kids, who cried going to Goddard (very unlike them!!), are now excited to go to there new daycare...and sometimes don’t want to leave at the end of the day!! We are happy with our transition away from Goddard. We wanted to let parents know that they should look beyond the name and the reputation of a brand.