Goddard School to Host Open House at New Location in Moon

Carol Maier taught for 21 years in the Seneca Valley School District and was not looking to change jobs, but when a business opportunity came along to do something new in education, she couldn’t pass it up.

Maier is now the owner-operator of the area's newest Goddard School for Early Childhood Development in Moon Township. 

The Goddard School will host a “meet and greet” open house from 5 to 8 p.m. today, June 25 at its new location at 800 Commerce Ave.

The public is invited to come out, tour the school and meet the teachers and administrators, including the education director, Angela Caracciolo.

“A lot of parents obviously want to see the facility and this will be a great chance,” Maier said. “We think the building is just beautiful, and we’re so excited about showing (the public) around.”

But it's more than just a new building. Maier said the open house will also offer parents a chance to learn more about the program and what the school offers.

The school officially opens on July 1.

“I think that everybody is recognizing that education starts way before kindergarten and I believe Goddard does the best job when it comes to the younger levels…and educating the whole child,” Maier said.

That’s what attracted Maier to The Goddard School. Her friends opened the Cranberry Township location five years ago and wanted to expand, but needed an owner on-site because they were unable to split between the two. Maier agreed to partner with them, and left a job she loved to embark on a new course in life. 

“I decided I wanted to do something different,” said Maier, who previously taught high school Spanish. “It had to be something in education and something I believe strongly in,” she said.

Maier said the core of the Goddard School curriculum is FLEX, or fun learning experience, with the belief that children learn best through play. The school is open to children ages 6 weeks to pre-K, with hopes to eventually offer a kindergarten program depending on the demand.

Goddard offers a variety of curricular resources starting at the infant level. Kids could start out doing yoga and sign language and take on new resources, such as Spanish, art appreciation and music appreciation, as they become developmentally appropriate. Math and science curriculums are incorporated as children get older.

Other Goddard schools in western Pennsylvania include locations in Cranberry, Wexford and Peters.

Tony Padulo, vice president of franchise development for The Goddard School, said there are nearly 400 schools throughout the United States and growing. Goddard is celebrating 25 years, he said.

"Really what differentiates us from many other child care centers is we are education based...Our objective is to teach our children that learning is fun. We don't want it to be something that's intimidating, especially as they prepare to enter into elementary school," said Padulo, who helps determine new markets for franchise schools.

Other Goddard schools in western Pennsylvania include the Cranberry, Wexford and Peters locations.

The Moon school is attracting interest from other towns, including nearby Beaver County and Sewickley, as well as from parents who work in the area. Maier said they are also partnering with the community as a member of the local chamber and working with the Moon Area School District and the pre-kindergarten transition team.

Registration is currently open and all classrooms have space. For more information or to schedule a tour, call 412-262-1821. 

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