The Goddard School

As first-time daycare parents, choosing where to leave our son was one of the hardest decisions we’ve ever made. Handing your baby to someone else for the first time requires an incredible amount of trust, and from the moment we joined Goddard Hickory Flat, that trust was earned.

Our son started here in June 2025, and tomorrow is his last day as we transition to a school closer to our new home. Leaving is bittersweet because this school has been such a meaningful part of our family’s journey.

Ms. Charlene has been nothing short of a gift from God. She was our son’s very first caregiver outside of our family, and I truly cannot imagine a better person to have filled that role. She loved him so gently, celebrated every milestone, comforted him through hard moments, and helped him grow into a confident, happy little boy who loves school. Her patience, kindness, calm spirit, and incredible intuition are qualities we’ll always remember. She didn’t just care for our son, she cared for our hearts as first-time daycare parents, too.

We’re also so grateful for Ms. Jacie, Ms. Sydney, and Ms. Priyanka, who, over the past year, each played an important role in his days. Every interaction with them reflected the same warmth, care, and professionalism that made us feel confident our son was exactly where he needed to be.
Ms. Erica and Ms. Jenna on the Leadership team are the kind of administrators every school hopes to have: Professional, compassionate, responsive, and wonderfully intuitive, they always made us feel heard and supported. Whether it was answering questions, helping us navigate transitions, or simply greeting us with kindness each afternoon, they made a lasting impression on our family.

No school is perfect, and that’s okay because children aren’t perfect either. Throughout our time here, we experienced many of the typical challenges that come with toddlers and preschoolers learning to navigate the world together: occasional child-to-child hitting, biting, and pushing, as well as falls, bumps, and the everyday mishaps that happen in a classroom full of young children. What mattered most to us was how those moments were handled. The staff consistently communicated with us promptly, approached situations with professionalism and compassion, and always made us feel informed and confident that our son’s well-being was their priority. We never expected perfection. We simply wanted a team that cared deeply and partnered with us, and that’s exactly what we found.

If you’re reading reviews because you’re anxious about sending your child to daycare for the first time, I understand exactly how you feel. We were there too. Looking back now, I can honestly say choosing Goddard Hickory Flat was one of the best decisions we made for our family. Our son has been loved, encouraged, challenged, and cared for in ways that have helped shape the little boy he is today.

We will always be grateful to this incredible team, and especially to Ms. Charlene, for giving our family such a beautiful beginning to our daycare journey.