South Jersey Preschool Teaches Children Through Community Service

MOORESTOWN, NJ — The owner of three South Jersey area preschools continues to push the value of introducing community service to some of the youngest members of society.

Jillie Staffiera is the owner of The Goddard School of Moorestown and two others in Philadelphia.

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Born and raised in Moorestown and now raising her family in the neighborhood, she said bringing this different take on early childhood education to her community was something that she and her husband could not wait to jump into.

"When the opportunity arose to purchase the school, we were all in!...Moorestown felt like a place where we could not only grow our school, but truly become part of the community and make a lasting impact," Staffiera said in speaking to Patch.

One of the pillars that she has built her schools around is offering ways for children from ages six weeks through six years old to be a part of family activities that give back to local organizations through philanthrophic initiatives.

"We believe it's never to early to teach children the importance of kindness, empathy, and giving back," said Staffiera. "Young children are naturally compassionate and eager to help, so we wanted to create opportunities for them to understand that even small acts of kindness can make a difference in the lives of others."

This includes events like the annual Art Gallery Auction, which lets the children see the value in giving back through something they themselves created.

To date, more than $45,000 has been raised for local charities through the Art Gallery by means of the showcase that displays more than 200 student-made artworks each year.

For Staffiera, it all comes back to raising awareness surrounding different life lessons that can start much earlier than is commonly realized.

These celebrations of childhood achievements and helping others also offer incredibly valuable opportunities for families to connect, Staffiera added.

"Ultimately, I want families to leave feeling that their time at Goddard was more than just daycare, it was an important part of their child's foundation and a community they will always remember," said Staffiera.

The Goddard School is located at 240 W. Route 38, and services families from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Contact (856) 235-7006 or visit the school's website to learn more about ways to be a part of the community.

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