The pandemic reinforced an important lesson for parents and educators - social aspects of school are often as important as academics to a child’s development. This approach is a core value at The Goddard School-Lakewood.
“Our team believes some of the best learning opportunities happen during everyday moments, which is why we have a flexible, play-based, hands-on curriculum,” owner Abby Hendren said.
Hendren and her husband, Shane, opened the school in 2020 after exploring preschools for their two young sons and seeing a need for additional educational options. “As a parent, you have to know your littles ones are loved and respected and in the safest hands when you leave them,” she said. “That’s what we practice every day at our school.”
Academic excellence, individualization and student safety are also areas of focus. “As a franchise, we have access to and incorporate every day the leading educational methods and safety precautions, and we are a local, Lee’s Summit family owned business,” Hendren said. “I’m here every day, and I personally get to know and love all of the students in our school. We’ve implemented methods to keep our building as clean as possible,” she said. “We still have teachers wearing masks in the classrooms, but face coverings have never been required for our students.”
Education is a team effort among teachers, students and families at the school.
“We set expectations with parents from the beginning that we are partners in their children’s learning experience,” Hendren said. “They can confer with their child’s teacher at any time. We also send electronic daily reports so parents can see every night what we are working on in the classroom and can supplement those lessons at home.”
Hendren and staff also partner with families whose children need additional educational resources. For example, one student attended Goddard part time while also receiving specialized care at another facility.
“After the first six months attending our school, thanks to our qualified teachers and our loving environment that encourages and values the way each child learns, that student tested out of the specialized care program and was able to start attending our school full time,” Hendren said. “It was truly remarkable. There were happy and proud tears with both our staff and the family on that one!”
When asked what they want the community to know, Hendren replied “At The Goddard School-Lakewood, we offer a nurturing, welcoming educational experience where children are treated with respect. Our goal is to instill a love for learning from the youngest age possible by making school a fun, safe and positive environment.”
Parents are invited to tour and see if The Goddard School-Lakewood is the right fit for their child. For more information, call (816) 293-9393 or visit www.goddardschool.com/schools/mo/lees-summit/lees-summit-lakewood.
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