The Goddard School is extending its franchise into Wesley Chapel, with the early childhood education provider hoping to open a new location by the end of the year across Bruce B. Downs Blvd. from Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel (FHWC).
According to local owner Dinesh Patel, the new school could soon be opened, weather permitting. He says the summer rains have slowed down construction of the 10,000-sq.-ft.- learning facility, but he is still pushing the company building it.
“We have broken ground, and it looks like we should be able to open by the end of this year in the last quarter,’’ says Patel, a businessman who lives in Punta Gorda but is planning to relocate his family to Wesley Chapel.
Goddard Systems, Inc. (GSI) is a successful franchisor of The Goddard School, with more than 400 locations in 35 states. It was established in 1986 in Malvern, PA, by AAMCO Transmissions founder Anthony A. Martino. Using its proprietary F.L.EX (Fun Learning Experience) program, a play-based curriculum, the school focuses on early education, from the age of six weeks to six years old.
“One of our friends was involved in it, and we liked the concept,’’ Patel says. “”We did a little more looking into it and thought it was a really good idea.”
Patel feels modern day daycares have their place, but don’t work as well as they could. The Goddard School, he adds, takes the daycare model and adds a strong developmental education thrust to it, using the most current and academically-endorsed methods of teaching, while collaborating with parents.
“Nowadays, daycare doesn’t work,’’ he said. “It’s the 21st century. Young children’s brains are like sponges at that young of an age, and child development should be an important part of it.”
Goddard School, however, isn’t a dreary, regimented academic facility. It stresses learning in a fun environment, for best results, whether that is through physical activities like yoga or music and languages. “The children work at their own pace,’’ Patel says, adding that the curriculum is “very advanced.”
In site plans issued to Pasco County, the main learning center will be flanked by two playgrounds – one 7,950-sq.-ft. for toddlers, and another 5,068-sq.ft. playground for infants.
Patel says he expects to hire at least 25 teachers – who must hold degrees in early childhood education or related fields and also must complete an exclusive Goddard School training program — and will maintain a low student-to-teacher ration.
The Wesley Chapel location will be the fifth in the Tampa Bay market. Other locations are in Lakewood Ranch, Lithia (Fishhawk area), Temple Terrace and Westchase.
For more information, call Patel at 603-6100, or visit GoddardSchool.com/tampa/wesley-chapel-bruce-b-downs-boulevard-fl.
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