The Goddard School Opening January 2026 in Watkinsville, GA

Exciting news for local families! The Goddard School of Athens/Watkinsville, a state-of-the-art early childhood education center, is set to open its doors in January 2026. Conveniently located off of Virgil Langford Road, the school is now accepting enrollments for children ages six weeks to five years old. Classes will offer a safe and innovative environment where children can grow, learn, and explore from their very first days at school.

The 12,000-square-foot facility is designed for 160 students and will offer creative spaces for learning and play both indoors and outdoors. Inside, children will enjoy dramatic art centers, an indoor gymnasium, and individual classroom Learning Centers that allow children to explore science and mathematics, home living, visual arts, writing, technology, and reading. Outdoors, students can engage in active play with multiple playgrounds, a multi-sport court, plus a school garden.

What Families Can Expect 
At the new Goddard School of Athens, families can look forward to a nationally recognized curriculum, dedicated teachers, and a play-based approach that helps children build confidence, make friends, and discover new skills. Parents will also receive daily communication from the school, including a detailed activity report with photos and videos from their child’s day, lesson plans, and helpful suggestions for extending the learning experience at home.

Take a look at how lesson plans and daily family updates will appear:

• View sample Infant Daily Sheet here.
• View sample Preschool Lesson Plan here.

“Our goal is to create a better world through early childhood education, and every day we embrace this mission by working to create a safe, nurturing environment where children can learn, grow and thrive,” said Brittany Buttrey, an Oconee native and current Managing Partner of the Athens location. “We are so excited to offer the high-quality experience of The Goddard School to local families in the Athens and Watkinsville communities.”

Parents can also anticipate a wide range of special programming throughout the school year, plus exciting opportunities during the summer months to keep students active and engaged year-round.

Program Offerings
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, and early childhood experts, and provides parents with built-in tools to track their child’s academic and social-emotional growth through a dedicated app.

This innovative approach is offered across all early childhood stages, creating a nurturing and stimulating environment for every age group:

• Infant Program (6 w - 12 m): Designed for children as young as six weeks, focusing on sensory exploration and building trust.
• Toddler Program (12 - 24 m): Encourages language development and motor skills through play-based activities.
• Twos (2 - 3 yrs): Teaches expressive language to promote both emotional and speech development.
• Bridge (2.5 - 3.5 yrs): Supports children's development as they prepare for success inside of a classroom.
• Preschool Program (3 - 4 yrs): Prepares children for kindergarten with a curriculum that includes early literacy, math, and social skills.
• Pre-Kindergarten Program (4 - 5 yrs): Emphasizes readiness for elementary school with advanced learning activities and self-regulation skills.

Interested in Learning About Enrollment?
Parents can simply fill out a quick informational form, and a member of the Watkinsville location will personally reach out to you the very next day. It’s an easy way to connect, ask questions, and discover how The Goddard School can be the perfect fit for your family. Click the button below to submit your form. 

Visit GoddardSchool.com to view FAQ or call 706-251-8240 to speak to someone directly.

 Access and Submit Your Form Here 

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The Goddard School of Athens is a trusted extension of your home—a vibrant Goddard Village where kindness, play-based exploration, and a love of learning empower children, families, and educators to grow together and improve our world.

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1100 Research Parkway Watkinsville, GA 30677 (706) 251-8240

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