GODDARD SCHOOL

Our son was at Goddard for the last eight months and prior to recent events, we have had an extremely positive experience there. This review is in regards to their business practices. If you are looking for a company that empathizes with family circumstances, Goddard is not the place to choose. We submitted a deposit check coming out of quarantine for $778 and due to circumstances related to COVID-19, needed to change our plans. My wife was laid off due to the pandemic and was fortunate enough to start new employment this week. Prior to the new job, we had child care covered for the summer. However, due to the new job and my recently changed work schedule, we needed help very quickly. I called Goddard thinking they would be able to help because of our relationship and they told me they were full through August. After taking my son to work and realizing the stresses that encompassed, I called again for help but there was nothing they could do, which is not their fault. I then decided to call around to other daycares to see if we could solve this problem quickly. We found one and committed due to the urgency of the situation. Here lays our concern with Goddard and their ethics. We submitted a $778 check last Friday for August tuition. I spoke with an employee there that day and on Monday to ask for help. Tuesday we committed to another daycare and I immediately called Nancy, the owner. She said she would see if the check had been cashed and needed us to provide it in writing that he would not return. Wednesday I emailed to provide what they needed and they told me that the check was non-refundable. I thought there was a mixup because we only occupied the vacancy for two business days and provided ample opportunity for them to fill the spot. They assured us that it's not their policy pre-pandemic. I explained that there was just a mixup and we needed to take him somewhere else. They were completely unwilling to hear us and told us the money is now theirs, though we will not benefit from the enrollment. They, a corporation, will make twice the money from the one spot and we, as an individual family, will pay twice the tuition for August. We tried to beg and plead that we really needed the money and they responded that they, a corporation with locations across the country, were in a financial bind as well. Nancy and Jeff tried to compare our individual family situation dealing with unemployment, to their situation being business owners. This seems completely unethical and morally wrong, given that they truly will not lose any money giving us back what is ours. Goddard does not stand for family nor do they look out for those that are enrolled. They are strictly a business first and then a childcare provider second. It is very unfortunate that this happened because the teachers in the infant room were so excellent. I hope that other families will not be exploited during this unprecedented time and recession. Another win for those too big to fail

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The Goddard School in Hudson is top-notch. Their management and faculty is incredibly professional and consistently proving that they have your child's best interests in mind. The faculty is enthusiastic and friendly and really form close bonds with the kids. The facility itself is kept in excellent condition and they have two beautiful playgrounds. But best of all, we're continually amazed by the amount of learning that takes place here. Our 3-year-old is doing many things that we wouldn't have expected to see until kindergarten. Prices are high but I firmly believe that you get what you pay for when it comes to childcare.