My boys started Goddard in May. We moved from Washington state where they were previously in military child care centers and were very worried about the transition for them. From day one the staff at Goddard has taken so much care with our guys and are truly compassionate to military families and what our kids go thru. If you are looking for a compassionate loving team of caregivers this is the school for you. I will not put them back in a military on post daycare if I can avoid it. My oldest is not an easy child, Goddard doesnt label him bad. They work with him and help him thru his rough days, instead of calling me everyday and complaining about my child. And the staff is amazing with them, they can get them to do things that they will it do for me. There is no crying when I take them in, they are excited to go play and learn. My.23.5 month old is singing parts of the ABC and loves going to play.

I would not recommend this school. At first, the owner seemed so supportive and interested in us bringing our child here. We even took a tour with his secretary. We then meet with the owner in person and told us all the great things we wanted to hear! After a while I called back for a couple of things to finalize our decision and he told me so many weird and negative things on why our child should not go to his school. He literally told me, his own words “You would be making a mistake bringing him here”. He also proceed to tell me how public school is so much better for him and that they would put more attention to him then his school would. That his school was not good for for him? Like how do you get all this out of meeting a child once? Thank God that conversation took place bc I would NOT want my child to go to a school where the owner things like that. There was more to the conversation, we talked twice within a period of an hour. I was shocked and confused. Im sure there is a main reason he did not want my child going there, but he did not bothered to tell me.

I do not recommend this location.My stepson got tested positive for covid about a month ago. He was out of school 2 weeks and then tested negative. His mom gets a voicemail that “there is no place for him” so the owner of the school says he cannot return and his spot has been offered to someone else that “is sure to accept it”.Meanwhile, teachers are going around asking parents about him and calling him “patient zero”. Nothing has been done about that situation.What kind of precessional place does this?I’ve been in childcare for 6 years and I’ve never heard something so sad.I’ve always heard good things about Goddard schools. It’s disappointing and disgusting that this branch acts like that and singled out our little guy.We will be reporting for non-confidentiality.

My son was recently removed very unprofessionally by the director Steven. Steven allows his staff to gossip about children and allows them to call children patient zero. My sons mother tested positive for Covid my sons test was negative. According to Steven he was supposed to not come back to school for 29 days per Steven’s request. I called the health department and was advised that information was incorrect and he was only supposed to quarantine for 14 in which after his test he came and stayed with me. Well 2 weeks go by and we hear nothing from Steven. He leaves a voicemail on my sons mother’s phone telling us he’s not allowed to come back and his spot was given away with no explanation at all . His staff talks with other parents about other children without the law of confidentiality of a minor. I also have Steven on recording saying he will “talk” with his staff even though the damage has been done . I’m very unsatisfied with the way he runs that school and I wouldn’t recommend this school to anyone ever in a million years they are terrible and will single out any child and you will hear about from other concerned parents . Please save yourself the headache and find a different school than this one .

We loved the fact that our kids loved the Goddard School! From the leadership through the teaching staff, Goddard School was excellent to partner with to raise our two boys. They did a great job of being flexible, communicating with us, and trying to get to know us on a personal level. I recommend the Goddard School to anyone looking for top quality childcare service. We are sad to have had to leave such a great school and area of the country! Thank you Steven and Team, you will be missed.

We have been at this Goddard School for almost 3 years and have had nothing but positive experiences. We LOVE the stability and consistency they offer, as well as superior care and education. Ive been very pleased that they have low staff turnover, the staff know my child and I by name, and they are passionate about their work. We have seen our son grow socially educationally by leaps and bounds.Directors Stephen and Nichole are helpful, easy to work with and well plugged in to the local community and resources.As a .mil family trustworthy, flexible and consistent care is especially important. We are happy to have landed in such a great school!

I cannot say enough good things about Goddard. Absolutely amazing staff and facilities. Couldn’t ask for a better environment for my kids!

I dont have any children young enough that Goddard School could help, but if I did I would definitely use them. I work closely with Stephen and his staff on an annually basis. Each year for my visit Im reminded that this Goddard School is unique. These are phenomenal people. Their number one interest is each child. You can see it when they teach, care, and talk with them. This is a five star school. Again, if I had young children I wouldnt hesitate to bring them here.

My daughter attended Goddard from the infant room with Ms. Vern through the two year old room with Ms. Sonja. Had we not moved out of state she would still be there. Everyone from the owner down to each teacher my daughter had was amazing! The staff is professional and loving. The education is top notch and that is coming from a teacher. Nicole, the director, is professional and caring. If you have a question or concern she is open and welcoming. She knows each family and you can tell she loves her job. Everyone knew my daughter and I when we entered the building, saying hello and genuinely happy we were there. I cannot praise them enough for the family they gave my daughter when my husband and I were at work. We all truly miss going there.

I have been here for 3 years idk but I was kalia there

Goddard is amazing! We are military and moved from Germany to Virginia. We had to scramble fast for school and child care. Stephen at Goddard squeezed us in and our child has attended school there ever since. The teachers and ownership are the nicest people and we love the daily emails we get about our childs day. Cant recommend them enough for any family!

I share this review not as a parent of a student of the school but as contractor who has worked at the school many times. I have had the opportunity to get to know Stephen very well over the years. He runs one of the best maintained facilities I have ever been in. His staff is top notch. If you have school age kids I suggest dropping in as he says and checking the place out. You never need an appointment

One of the many things we love about the Goddard School is we can always count on them to provide us with a wonderful environment for our son. Not only are we pleased with their service but our son LOVES going. He has attended the Goddard School in Chester for the past 6 years. The teachers as well as the owners, Stephen and Paula, have provided an educational experience that has enriched our sons life. As a teacher it is fun to see that he is learning while attending but doesnt even realize it. We would highly recommend the The Goddard School of Chester to any parent that is looking for a quality child care provider.

All the staff were always very welcoming, friendly and really got to know my children. I really enjoyed the e-mailed daily updates from the preschool program, especially since my son is low-verbal. The school aged program kept my daughter well entertained throughout the summer.

{Handwritten thank you note from a parent, Feb. 2013}Stephen and The Goddard School Staff,Thank you so much for everything youve done for Quinn and Reagan. You all have made a positive impact on their lives, and that is truly important. Please continue to do the GREAT things you do through your teams and values. Your school is Excellent and I will pass on the word of how great you and your team are.Thank you again,~Quinn and Reagans mom and dad

It was so hard to say goodbye... my story is similar to many others.. due to this crazy economy we had to find a new home in Chester VA .. my family relocated from Atlanta and overnight we had to find a solution for both our boys..after checking all the schools in the area i drove by the Goddard school and called for help on my first day at my new job in a new state... The owners of the school were so understanding and flexible.. it was better than any Goddard or other privet child care facility i have ever put my kids in.Real family owned school by parents who know how to help. The school is stunning, clean and spotless at any given time. The teachers are AMAZING ! many times i was left stunned by how they can make all the little kids play and work together with perfect discipline and real love!!! i could sleep at night knowing my kids are getting the best possible care !!!!we lived in Chester for 1 full year before we moved to a different side of town, during this time both my boys took part in the fantastic family created by Mr Stephan and His wife Paula. .. i left with tears in my eyes knowing it was possibly the best school my kids ever had and probably the hardest choice we made when we found a new place to live in..there was a real part of me that considered staying in Chester for one more year before relocating .. but the distance did not make sense.if you find yourself in the area, dont waste your time looking elsewhere, you will know it in your heart that this is the place for your child.. i am not a Goddard brand fan i am a Goddard Rivers bend Fan!!

There are so many things that we LOVED about the Goddard school:The friendliness of EVERYONE that worked there, even teachers we didnt know would make it a point to speak to us every day.The open door atmosphere that Stephen created for parents was wonderful - we felt as though we could discuss anything with him.The daily reports with lots of details about what my children were doing every day, as well as pictures, sometimes multiples a day.I had the highest confidence in the staff I was leaving my children with every day.

Our family absolutely loves the Goddard School at River’s Bend! Our daughter participated in their Summer Camp this past summer and absolutely had a blast. The weekly activities and field trips offered her a chance to have fun, make new friends, and learn throughout the break. She is already asking about participating in the camp this coming summer! Our son started attending the Goddard in July. We were nervous about moving him to a new daycare since he had only ever been to one daycare. What a pleasant surprise it was to see him quickly adapt and become part of the Goddard family! The care for students and passion for education that his teachers, Ms. Monica and Ms. Meg, display is wonderful. He is learning and growing each day. It’s so exciting to hear him tell us what he learned in school that day, whether it is something new in Spanish, Sign Language, or even a new yoga pose! Each month, his teachers provide an overview of the lessons they will be covering. That makes it so easy to re-enforce the specific letters, numbers, colors, shape, etc. with him at home. The owner Stephen and his staff are excellent as well. Our family has felt welcomed at the Goddard since our first meeting. My husband and I comment to each other on a weekly basis about how much we love this school!

Loved the school for my daughter. Sadly she moved on to kindergarten this week. Steve the owner is always available. Caring and friendly staff!! Worth the money for your peace of mind.

Stephen and Paula Graham have been personal friends for many years. I have visited their school several times, and have been impressed with the atmosphere, with the joy I see on the childrens faces, with the level of care that the teachers have, and with the quality and extensiveness of the facility. This Goddard School is top-of-the class. And you dont need an appointment to visit. Stephen and Paula want you to visit when they least expect it, so you can see how they routinely operate.

This Goddard School offers the best child care in our area. From babies to after school care they employ great people who are there because they love kids. They are also very involved and care for their community. I appreciate a business such as theirs who gives back by participating in local events and supporting students.

I went on a tour of the school and was very upset about how rude the owner of this school, Stephen was. He criticized me for spoiling my son and made me feel like a horrible mother. My son is only 19 months and was a bit cranky and the first thing Stephen asked was why I brought an unhappy child on the tour. He also mentioned that he was not developing well because I was holding and comforting him when he cried. Moreover, he suggested that I put him down and let him cry. He also argued about not allowing me to watch him while he was in class for only a few days. After this tour, I refuse to send my son to this school. Please be cautious before sending your child here. I have read other reviews about possible child abuse and the owner blaming the child instead of taking any positive action to resolve the issue.

We relocated to Virginia from Ohio. Moving is never easy. But when I came to the Chester Goddard, I was very relieved to say the least. Stephen is one of the most amazing, kind and calm directors I have come across. My youngest had not started pre-school prior to this. I still remember his first few days and the change I see in him now. He is happy to run out of the car and eager to get to this turtles class. The school has a lot of space/area, which is great. Very neat and organized. Stephen is always there and available. Nicole, the director, and Ellen, the assistant director, along with other staff are also amazing.

We were with the Goddard School for 4 years and loved everything about it. The staff is amazing! It is a wonderful, caring, fun environment where our son learned more than we could have imagined. We will miss being a part of the Goddard family and plan on returning for summer camp

I absolutely loved my experience at the Goddard School! Stephen and Paula are the best and the staff were all very nice! I definitely recommend The Goddard School Rivers Bend to ALL! I promise you will be pleased and they will far exceed your expectations! Thank you for taking such great care of Kennedi!

The Rivers Bend Goddard School in Chester, Virginia is amazing!!!! The owners, teachers, and staff are top notch and first class in my familys eyes. I highly recommend this school to all my friends because they truly care about each child and their families. I also am very cautious who I trust my child with and I have never been worried one day since she started. They do make you a part of their family. We moved to Virginia in 2011 and new to the area, with Rivers Bend Goddard School we were able to find a place to call home again.If you are considering sending your child here, dont hesitate and schedule a tour. You will be thrilled you did and your child will love all the fun they have while also learning something new every day and making new friends.Thanks for making us a part of your family Stephen, Paula, Samantha, Miss Sarah, Mr. Lawrence, Mr. Michael, Mr. Josh, and the list goes on and on :)~Wendy and Dan Byerly (Sydneys mom and dad)

The Goddard School in Chester at Rivers Bends has been amazing to our family, Our son enjoyed going there for After School care along with Summer Camp, the teachers and staff are amazing and so understanding they truly will be missed by our family. We highly recommend them to our friends that are still living in the area!

Great school and great staff! Worked here for over a year and loved the families that came in. The Goddard company provided great trips and supplies for the children making my job easier to make a difference in the childrens lives!

My two children have been in this Goddard School since they were infants. Now, one is in first grade and attends the after school program and my youngest is in Pre-K. The staff at this location is fantastic. Stephen and Paula are very involved with the daily operation of the school and they are truly committed to deliver excellence. I recommend this school to any parent that wants the best care and education for their children.

Has anyone else had a similar experience as us??My 3 year old child attended this school for about 3 months or so.. At first everything was fine.After about a month of attending this school, my child began having rage outbursts at home, and did not want to go to school. I would ask her why, and she would tell me that they were mean to her. I asked her who was being mean ( because there is a difference between children and teachers), but she would not tell me. I brought it to her teachers attention.I was very concerned.We took a family vacation and I told my child that she would not be going back to school for a couple weeks. A day before we left for vacation, she told a close (and trusted) family member that one of her teachers in the Rocking Rabbits class hit her on the head and squeezed her neck. As a mother, I was horrified.I then called the Goddard and first spoke with Nicole, who I set up a meeting with to discuss what my child told us and the concerns that I had. I explained that I was not trying to accuse anyone of any kind of neglect or abuse, but that I wanted to ensure that my child was safe. Nicoles response was very short.I then called Stephen and decided we should first discuss over the phone what my child was saying, and her behavior. He went on to basically call my child a liar, and made it clear that NO investigation would be made. He said that I could put my child in any other school and she would act and say similar or exact things to me in order to manipulate me (keep in mind that I did NOT accuse anyone of anything, I was simply stating my concerns and the remarks my child had made). Ultimately, Its my job as a MOTHER to trust my child. I did not send my child back to this school after speaking with Stephen. It was outrageous to me that anyone would disregard comments made like this by a child.It has been about five months now since my child has been enrolled in a different school. After about a week and a half of attending the new school, her behavior improved amazingly, and she LOVES school (this is how it should be). She loves her friends and her teachers, and is excited to go to school. She has NOT said anything near what she said about her teachers at Rivers Bend, according to Stephen she would have already been trying to manipulate me. Shes improved socially, educationally, and behaviorally since being at the new school.I am positive that what my child was saying was true.My question is, did any other parents go through something like this with this school?

We love Goddard! My sons have been attending The Goddard School at Rivers Bend for the last four years. Goddard is a warm, loving, safe environment where the teachers really care about your child. At pickup, there was always a full-time teacher there ready to tell me about his day. They also provided a “daily sheet” so I knew exactly what he learned that day in school, how long he napped, and how he ate at lunchtime. These really helped us stay involved and up to date with our son’s learning and progress. (At pickup at our previous daycare, the classroom teacher had already left for the day, leaving my son with someone who hardly knew his name or what they had learned during the day) Soon after moving to Goddard, our 2 next door neighbors switched there also.Our sons are now in 3rd grade & Kindergarten and continue to go to Goddard after school. We live in the Wells district, and Goddard School at River’s Bend provides after school pickup all the way out near us! Each day I know that my kids will have the homework completed, a healthy snack, and active playtime (regardless of the weather since they have a large indoor gym). Stephen & Paula are both very approachable, and address any questions or concerns I have immediately. I highly recommend The Goddard School at River’s Bend.

We love Goddard! My sons have been attending The Goddard School at Rivers Bend for the last four years. Goddard is a warm, loving, safe environment where the teachers really care about your child. At pickup, there was always a full-time teacher there ready to tell me about my childs day. They also provided a “daily sheet” so I knew exactly what he learned that day in school, how long he napped, and how he ate at lunchtime. These really helped us stay involved and up to date with our son’s learning and progress. (At pickup at our previous daycare, the classroom teacher had already left for the day, leaving my son with someone who hardly knew his name or what they had learned during the day) After my sons moved to Goddard, our 2 next door neighbors switched there also.Our sons are now in 3rd grade & Kindergarten and continue to go to Goddard after school. We live in the Wells district, and Goddard School at River’s Bend provides after school pickup all the way out near us! Each day I know that my kids will have their homework completed, a healthy snack, and active playtime (regardless of the weather since they have a large indoor gym!). Stephen & Paula are both very approachable, and address any questions or concerns I have immediately. I highly recommend The Goddard School at River’s Bend.

I highly recommend The Goddard School. My son went to The Goddard School for preschool and pre-kindergarten. We had the BEST experience there and his teachers were compassionate, creative, respectful and just absolutely amazing people. His teachers always greeted us with a smile and kept me up to date on what was going on in class. He also meet some great new friends while he was there. He learned so much and was beyond ready for kindergarten. I have a background in child care/preschool, so I knew what I wanted and what I did not want, and Goddard was exactly what I wanted.

This is a great school with awesome staff. My daughter loves all of the teachers she has here.

We LOVE the Goddard School at Rivers Bend. Stephen, Paula and the staff are terrific. They truly know and care about what they are doing. I would recommend this school to anyone!!

Horrible experience with the Goddard School in Chester, VA. I spoke with the owner Stephen 3 times prior to our tour and to sign our son up for school. Each time he said he had a spot and would save it for us. We discussed the program, pricing, classroom he would be in etc. Once we showed up he didnt even let us in for a tour he just said oh your the lady from____sorry we have no space for you. He told us to go down the street and check out another school (which had horrible reviews) I told him no thank you I had done research and it had horrible reviews.. his response was yes, thats right well, why would you suggest I send my child there?I would not seen my child to a school where they profile children. I am outraged at the way we were treated. I have reported the owner to the Goddard corporate and will reach out to the state as well.We decided to go with Primrose and had a much better experience over there!

My oldest child attended their PreKindergarten program, and I have been so impressed at the progress he has made! His teachers are so enthusiastic and kind and have truly instilled a love of school in him. In addition, the director clearly takes great pride in his school, and was extremely helpful in finding the right classroom for my child. Next year my child will be going to Kindergarten, and I truly believe that he is as prepared as he is thanks to Goddard. I plan on enrolling my two younger children when the time comes for them to go to PreK, as well.

I am amazed at the professionalism of the Chester Goddard School and their staff. Its no wonder why this school has so few openings! I am also very surprised at the negative reviews that have been posted here.. especially the lady who obviously was upset that there was no room for her child. I applaud Stephen and Paula at the Chester Goddard School for not accepting applicants that would over-crowd the classrooms and compromise the quality of the teaching to the students that are already registered. This is such a well run facility that REALLY cares about each and every child they teach.

The Goddard School offers a wonderful experience for day care or after school care for children of all ages. We trust the Goddard School with our family and have been so happy with the care and wonderful experience they have given us.

If you are looking for the perfect place for your child. Stop by this school. There is no better.

I can not say enough good things about this school! My husband and I moved to the area temporarily as we are a military family and he is currently taking a course at Ft. Lee. We moved to Chester from Savannah, GA and had always put our children in the CDC on post. After having a less than desirable experience at Ft. Lee, we decided to check out other options for our two children. After touring several daycares we fell in love with The Goddard School. Our daughter is in the Friendly Frog class and our son is in the Rockin Rabbits class. Both children LOVE going to school! We get reports every day with details about what activities the kids did and what they learned. We love being able to discuss their days with them at the dinner table. Their teachers are kind and loving and are passionate about teaching. Mr. Stephan, the owner, has been a pleasure to work with. He was even able to help us use some military benefits we didnt even know we were entitled to! His knowledge of these benefits helped reduce the tuition and make the price comparable to the CDC. We will miss this school and the incredible staff when we move!

Our son has been going to Goddard for three years now and we have no complaints at all. We pulled our son from another facility when he started to cry going there and tear out of there when it was pick up time. He never told us what happened. When we started to look at Goddard, I was very blunt with Mr. Stephen and wanted to know how they treated kids with special needs as well as kids who are aggressive. My son is neither but I felt it was a good indicator of how they were treating the children under their care. I received the answers that I was looking for and signed him up. Their Pre-K program is good and their private Kindy is WONDERFUL. My son is doing very well educationally in first grade this year and came into first grade reading at almost a 2nd grade level. He loves his teachers there, he bursts into the room in the morning and asks me to wait just moment mom so he can play a few minutes more at night. Great place, great people, glad we found it

My children have attended The Goddard School at Rivers Bend since my youngest was in the 3 year old class and my eldest was in Pre-K. What has resulted from their time spent at The Goddard School? To name only a few : an above average foundation for their educational futures, where opportunities abound for growth of knowledge, even in the youngest years; lasting friendships with classmates; and strong relationships with their teachers that emphasize mutual respect, appreciation for differences, opportunities for children to be children at all times, and caretaking that complements the childrens own families. In fact, everyone at The Goddard School has become like family to us. My children started at the school with only a 1/2 day Pre-School experience, and have progressed to scoring above average in the Kindergarten readiness tests, have adjusted remarkably well to the Kindergarten classroom environment, and continue to have learning experiences before and after school in the care of the Goddard teachers. The summer program (for pre-school children) and summer camp (for school-agers) the school provides was exceptional! Not once during the summer did I hear from my children Do we have to go? They experienced an enriching program which included guest visitors with experiences and stories from around the world, multiple field trips, and tons of fun activities thrown in weekly. The owners, Stephen and Paula Graham, as well as the outstanding staff they have assembled, continue to impress and amaze me. They know the name of every child and parent in their school. They make special times incredibly special, like the graduation from Pre-K to Kindergarten, and the first time a child boards the school bus as a Kindergartener, both of which are sure to bring a tear to every mothers eye. There they are, with a tissue and a cup of coffee if needed. They understand the needs and limitations of the working family and give great consideration to those needs. For example: dance classes and soccer coaching is available to children during the day, which undoubtedly frees up some after-school time for families to spend together. There is an opportunity for school agers to be tutored after school and their teachers are willing to help them with homework, but that it not presumed. They respect, always, the desires of the parents regarding after school assistance. Beyond the school day, The Goddard School also provides opportunities for families to enjoy themselves with the rest of the Goddard family. Just in the past year we attended a Flying Squirrels baseball game, visited with our school friends at the Chester Fest, participated in a 5k event, and participated in Trunk - Or - Treat last Halloween. Not once in the time my family has been with The Goddard family have I regretted the decision to send my children to them. On my initial interview, Stephen and Paula Graham described the philosophy of The Goddard School, which essentially is educating children in an atmosphere based on play. I had interviewed at another pre-school which had soft colored walls, a very quiet atmosphere and I remember thinking How peaceful it is here. Then I entered The Goddard School. What I saw was bright colors, childrens artwork adorning the walls everywhere I looked, pictures from events the children were involved with and a playroom in the lobby. What I heard was laughing and happiness. Then I thought Oh, yes, children at play. Thats good. This is where they belong! As a Registered Nurse (and a mother) who has basic knowledge of pediatrics, I know and appreciate that Play is the work of children. Thank goodness they are on board with this at The Goddard School, Rivers Bend. I challenge you to come see for yourself.

Our daughter attends this location and we have had a very good experience