Preschool choices expand with Celebree School of Estero and The Goddard School of Estero

By D. K. Christi | Photos Courtesy of Celebree School and The Goddard School

 

The day a parent entrusts a child to a preschool for the first time can be an emotional milestone. In Estero, early childhood education options recently expanded through locally owned franchises of the Celebree School of Estero and The Goddard School of Estero.

Families already praise both schools for strong communication, detailed daily updates and nurturing learning environments. These preschools provide children with opportunities to develop age-appropriate skills while parents are at work or engaged in other activities.

Early childhood education specialists increasingly emphasize that preschool years are critical for both social-emotional growth and early cognitive development. Research indicates that structured early learning may help children develop language skills, emotional regulation, peer interaction and early problem-solving habits before kindergarten.

“It was time to return to work, and I wanted my child, who was born early, not only to receive loving care but also to thrive,” said Natalie Mountain, a parent at Celebree. “In just a few months, she is obviously thriving and benefiting from the learning environment that I observe through their transparent communication system.”

Mountain said the school’s emphasis on whole-child development and strong relationships among staff, children and parents is what stood out to her in selecting the school.

Located at 10351 Corkscrew Commons Drive, Celebree School of Estero serves children from 6 weeks old through pre-kindergarten and offers flexible scheduling from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The local owners are educator Karen Callahan and pediatric dentist Dr. Tracy Bowden. “We use the nationally recognized Creative

Curriculum framework together with Conscious Discipline, a behavioral approach that teaches emotional regulation and conflict management in young children,” said Callahan.

Classrooms are designed to encourage sensory learning, dramatic play, literacy, art and collaborative discovery activities. The school places emphasis on parental involvement through what it describes as a “school family” philosophy. Daily communication systems, family events and parent participation are promoted as central to the school culture.

“We invest in our teachers, and they provide continuity for our children,” Callahan said. “According to our motto, ‘We grow people big and small.’”

Samantha Lewandowski, director of Celebree School of Estero, said parents should visit schools personally because each location develops its own culture.

“Each school has its own vibe based on the relationships among staff, students, parents and the surrounding community,” Lewandowski said. “It is important for parents to feel that a school is appropriate for their child and family.”

A coffee bar near the entrance has become a gathering place where parents and staff members interact, reinforcing what Lewandowski described as a family atmosphere throughout the facility.

The Goddard School of Estero, located at 10100 Arcos Avenue, is owned by local residents Autumn and David Horell. Friends involved with other Goddard franchises encouraged the couple to open a school in Estero, and they are partnering with experienced franchisees who have management and educational program success. “Having their knowledge and history available to us has been a special benefit,” said Autumn Horell.

The two-story building has classrooms for younger children on the first floor and older students upstairs. Classrooms are intentionally structured to allow children to make independent choices while still maintaining routines and consistency. This design helps children build confidence and security simultaneously, according to the curriculum.

Melissa Birt, a Goddard parent, said that Goddard is special in many ways. “The director and assistant director and the staff members are the kindest, loving people,” she said. “They create a warm, home-like feeling.”

“This is not child care,” she added. “My child is brilliant and is being challenged. Teachers cater to each child’s needs.”

The inquiry-based “Wonder of Learning” curriculum emphasizes learning through curiosity while incorporating regular student assessments and live communication updates for parents throughout the day. Frequent communications with parents through digital reporting systems document activities, meals, naps and classroom experiences.

“My own child attends our school,” said Autumn Horell. “We have exceptional teachers who know the curriculum well and are amazing with the children.”

Parent Jennifer LeVan praised the school’s environment and flexibility.

“I feel that Goddard is the Ritz-Carlton of daycare,” LeVan said. “The facility is beautiful and welcoming, the scheduling flexibility is wonderful, and the teachers create engaging activities that help with socialization.”

LeVan said the staff carefully managed her child’s transition into a new school environment, and she advises parents to thoroughly research any preschool before enrolling a child.

The Goddard School leaders said the building design was intentionally created to support early childhood learning, from paint colors to playground layout.

“The original horse-head logo was inspired by a carousel horse and suggested by the founder’s wife,” Horell said. “Over time, it evolved into a more modern design.”

Horell said the children’s book “Curious Blueberry, the Carousel Horse” was created on behalf of the school and is often donated to pediatric offices.

Crystal Page, assistant director and curriculum adviser at The Goddard School of Estero, emphasized the school’s thorough onboarding process for teachers and its partnerships with educational institutions, including Florida Gulf Coast University.

“Our goal is to meet the needs of both the child and the parent,” Page said. “We offer flexible programs and scheduling options to help make that possible. We want to encourage passionate learners.”

Rapid residential growth in Estero, particularly in the east area, is increasing demand for early childhood education programs. Planned development includes the Kingston community with approximately 10,000 homes and future K-12 educational facilities.

Both of the new preschools offer non-religious programs focused on early childhood development. While they share similarities, differences remain in educational philosophy, classroom structure, parental engagement requirements and learning emphasis.

The atmosphere inside a classroom matters as much as the curriculum. During school visits, parents may benefit from observing whether teachers interact calmly and attentively with children, whether classrooms appear organized but welcoming, and whether students appear comfortable and engaged.

Making comparisons can be complex. Although one program may appear to emphasize emotional development and another academic readiness, both schools incorporate elements of each approach while adapting to individual student needs.

Researching national franchise systems also reveals that individual school experiences can vary significantly depending on local leadership and community culture.

Observing teacher-child interaction during a normal school day may provide guardians with more meaningful insight than marketing materials alone, parents say.

Both schools emphasize teacher development, staff continuity and active owner involvement. Leaders at each school said administrators regularly step in when needed, and they encourage staff members to pursue professional development.

Communication transparency between teachers and parents can help ease the transition between home and school for young children.

Tuition at both schools varies according to program and scheduling options selected by families.

Parents touring any preschool may also want to ask about teacher retention, classroom ratios, discipline methods, outdoor play opportunities, meals and snacks, and how emotional or behavioral concerns are addressed during the school day.

Ultimately, school leaders agree on one informal measure of success: when children do not want to leave at the end of the day.

Contact Information:

Celebree School of Estero (239) 310-0002

The Goddard School of Estero (239) 667-4555