The Goddard School opened its first location in downtown Nashville, bringing its inquiry-based learning experience to the area. The Goddard School of Nashville Yards is the sixth location for seasoned Goddard School franchisees Leisa Byars and Del McSpadden, who own five other Goddard School locations in Middle Tennessee. The new 20,000 SF early childhood education center has 16 classrooms to provide care for and educate approximately 250 children aged six weeks to six years old. Additionally, the school adds 50 teaching jobs to the community. The new center is located adjacent to the Pinnacle Tower at 191 10th Ave. N.
“We are thrilled to bring The Goddard School experience to Nashville Yards, offering a safe, nurturing environment for our students in a convenient location close to so many employers and residences,” said Byars. “Our team of dedicated educators is committed to preparing our students socially, emotionally and academically, setting them up for success in their next steps in school and in life.”
The Goddard School of Nashville Yards offers flexible indoor and outdoor play areas, state-of-the-art equipment, and train-themed design elements in celebration of the site’s history as a rail yard. Additionally, the school is equipped with hospital-grade sanitization equipment to ensure a healthy environment. BELL Construction served as the general contractor for the project.
Byars and McSpadden looked for a location in downtown Nashville to open a Goddard School for a decade before connecting with Southwest Value Partners (SWVP), the developer of Nashville Yards. Recognizing the need for more high-quality childcare options in the downtown core, the SWVP team designed an early education space into the master plan for the site, which is home to major employers. Byars and McSpadden quickly came on board as the ideal partners.
“Opening the Goddard School is a major milestone for Nashville Yards, our tenants, residents, and everyone who lives or works downtown and now has access to high-quality childcare,” said Cary Mack, managing partner of Southwest Value Partners. “Leisa and Del are phenomenal partners. They are focused on delivering an excellent experience for families in a caring, safe, and healthy environment. The school is beautiful and engaging and secure – an incredible space in a unique setting that helps meet the tremendous need for childcare in downtown Nashville.”
The Goddard School’s exclusive inquiry-based education program, Wonder of Learning®, embraces how children learn best—through their innate curiosity—because research confirms that when wonder leads, learning follows. Wonder of Learning features a cutting-edge curriculum developed by a diversely skilled group of educators, researchers, physicians and early childhood experts, as well as built-in assessment of academic and social-emotional progress and family communication via a proprietary app.
The program also incorporates STEAM enrichment activities, including yoga, art, music and outdoor play that embed concepts such as community, design thinking, communication and critical thinking, which support children today and in the future.
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