Is The Goddard School Franchise Right for Me? Owner Reviews & Testimonials from Franchisees

When evaluating an investment in early childhood education, listening to franchise owners who are running the business is a great way to find the answer to: Is The Goddard School® Franchise the right fit for me?

If you're looking for a business that combines purpose, a proven model, and ongoing support, The Goddard School may be the right early childhood education franchise for you.

In this article, we’ll dive into real testimonials from current franchisees to see why they chose to own a Goddard School franchise.

The Short Answer

Franchisee testimonials featured in this article describe The Goddard School franchise as an opportunity to build a business with heart: one that offers meaningful work, a proven system, strong training & support, family-friendly balance, and the chance to make a lasting difference in their communities.

The Goddard School is positioned as a premium early childhood education franchise with continued growth and comprehensive support, including guidance from site selection through marketing and daily operations.

But beyond the franchise model itself, what stands out most to these franchisees is the experience of running a business that feels both personally rewarding and professionally sustainable.

Learn more about the pros and cons of owning a childcare franchise.

Why Franchisees Choose The Goddard School

Franchisees come to The Goddard School from a wide range of professional backgrounds, including finance, human resources, healthcare, engineering, marketing, real estate, and education. Some were first introduced to the brand as parents when their own children attended a Goddard School.

Bobbie Doe, co-owner of The Goddard School of Novi, Michigan shared, “Our son attended a Goddard School when he was an infant, and we fell in love with that experience. I mentioned that a Goddard School would be a fun business to own, and my husband thought that was such a great idea he decided to pursue it.”

Despite their varied career paths, these franchisees describe similar reasons for choosing The Goddard School franchise opportunity, such as:

• Looking for work that felt purposeful and rewarding
• Wanting a model supported by strong systems and guidance
• Seeking an opportunity that could support both family life and long-term goals

A Mission That Goes Beyond Business

One of the strongest themes across these franchisee reviews is the mission-driven nature of the work. This aspect is a major reason these franchisees say leading a Goddard School feels especially rewarding.

Owners talk about the opportunity to inspire the next generation, lay the foundation for children to be successful in school and in life, and make an impact that extends well beyond the classroom. They describe their schools as places where they can support children during critical developmental years while also serving families in a meaningful way.

Mona Shah co-owner of The Goddard School of Lyndhurst, New Jersey explains, “When I opened a business, I wanted to focus on measuring it through the quality of education, the relationships that we build with the families, and the amazing environment we have for our teachers.”

Franchisee Reviews Frequently Highlight Support

Another reason many franchise owners give for choosing The Goddard School franchise is the level of ongoing training and support they receive.

Owners describe support from the earliest stages of the process through opening and ongoing operations. Kristen Bodenstein, co-owner of two schools in Connecticut, says “Goddard was right there with us from the start. It was evident pretty quickly that Goddard is a well-oiled machine. They know what to do and how to do it well. And because of the national perspective, they bring a wealth of knowledge on best practices from everywhere for us.”

That support appears especially valuable for franchisees who are new to either business ownership or early childhood education. Naomi Janowiak, owner of The Goddard School of Arvada, Colorado, began her Goddard School career as a school director and then became a school owner, “The corporate team has supported me in many different ways. Coming into the role of franchisee from an education background, I’ve received support learning the business side of operating a school.”

The Power of the Goddard Franchisee Network

In addition to corporate guidance, you'll notice these franchisee testimonials point to the strength of the Goddard franchisee network.

Franchisees describe the broader system as collaborative, welcoming, and generous with knowledge. Whether they are opening their first school or expanding to multiple locations, owners say they benefit from sharing best practices, learning from experienced peers, and having access to a community that genuinely wants to see each school thrive.

One owner said conversations with other franchisees helped provide a roadmap for scaling from one school to several. “I went from one school I opened back in 2021 to now being the owner of six schools,” notes multi-school owner, Leisa Byars. “Goddard truly has some of the leading authorities on staff and they are part of my extended family. It’s not just Goddard corporate… it is also my fellow franchisees. I get so much support and guidance, and we really help each other.”

Work-Life Harmony Is a Meaningful Benefit

The franchisee testimonials also speak to a practical benefit: work-life harmony.

Franchise owners were specifically looking for a business that would allow them to remain present for their families while still pursuing entrepreneurship.

In their review, one franchisee shared that owning a Goddard School has allowed them to build a thriving career while maintaining family priorities, including being home for dinner, spending time with their children, and creating a more balanced day-to-day lifestyle.

Multi-school owner, Kristin McNulty says, “Owning a Goddard School is important to me because it provides me with an opportunity to be a mom and run a business. I’m always able to have dinner with my family. It feels like a great balance.”

For parents and professionals seeking both purpose and flexibility, that balance is an important part of the value proposition. Learn more about a day in the life of a Goddard School owner.

Check Out These Additional Resources

We hope this article has given you insight into whether The Goddard School franchise is a time and investment commitment that is right for you.

If you’re exploring how The Goddard School stands out as a franchise where purpose and performance can go hand in hand, these resources can help you take the next step:

• How Much Does a Goddard School Franchise Cost?
• 10 Best Childcare Franchise Opportunities From This Year
• What's an FDD? A Guide for Childcare Franchise Candidates

If you’re ready to explore childcare franchise ownership with The Goddard School, take the first step by submitting your information on this initial inquiry form.

From there, you can connect with your regional franchise director and learn more about whether this opportunity aligns with your goals, background, and vision for ownership.