Goddard Systems, Inc. Welcomes Dr. Lauren Starnes as Senior Vice President and Chief Academic Officer

Prominent child development expert joins premier early childhood education provider to lead proprietary curriculum development and implementation

Dr. Lauren Starnes named Goddard Systems, Inc. senior vice president and chief academic officer. (Photo: Business Wire)

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa.--()--Goddard Systems, Inc. (GSI), franchisor of The Goddard School, has appointed Dr. Lauren Starnes as senior vice president and chief academic officer, effective immediately. In this newly established role, Starnes will be responsible for leading the development of The Goddard School’s proprietary education program, driving research-based innovation and implementing new accreditation standards across the franchise system.

Starnes joins GSI with more than 20 years of experience in education, including curriculum development, evaluation and implementation, as well as teaching and consulting in the fields of preschool, special needs and elementary education. As senior vice president and chief academic officer, she will lead The Goddard School’s nationally acclaimed F.L.EX.® philosophy, which is used to educate over 70,000 students across the country. This curriculum uses the most current, academically endorsed methods in early childhood education so children can explore, learn and discover through many different subjects and enrichment classes.

Starnes will guide The Goddard School’s curriculum on social-emotional development, which educates children on how to be kind to themselves and others, further helping students become school, career and life ready. One way in which students experience this is through The Goddard School’s Life Lesson Library, a targeted curriculum built around great works of children’s literature focusing on social and emotional learning.

“I’m thrilled to welcome Lauren to the Goddard family! The breadth of expertise she brings to support Goddard’s focus on play-based learning will be paramount as we foster both academic and social-emotional growth in the little learners cared for and educated in Goddard Schools each day,” said Dennis R. Maple, chairman and CEO of GSI. “I look forward to Lauren’s leadership, passion for students and expertise in early childhood education to drive innovative, flexible programming and standards as we continue our mission to make the world a better place through early childhood development.”

Most recently, Starnes served as vice president of early childhood education at Primrose Schools Franchising Company, where she oversaw the continued evaluation, development and implementation of Primrose’s proprietary early childhood curriculum and research models, as well as served a subject matter expert and advisor to the executive team.

“I have always believed the role of a curriculum is to empower teachers to make the right decisions for the children in their classrooms. I’m proud to align myself with the leader in premier early childhood education as they accelerate their flexible, supportive educational programming to elevate their academic offering for Goddard families,” said Starnes. “Goddard’s reputation for high-quality, academic programming is truly what sets them apart in the early childcare market, and I’m excited to help them continue to provide a warm, safe and caring educational environment where students can thrive.”

A widely published author and lecturer, Starnes holds a doctorate in educational leadership, as well as a master’s degree and doctorate in child development.

For more information about The Goddard School and GSI, please visit goddardschool.com and goddardschoolfranchise.com.

ABOUT GODDARD SYSTEMS, INC.

Established in 1988, Goddard Systems, Inc. (GSI), the franchisor of The Goddard School, is the acknowledged leader in the premium early childcare and education market segment. Headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, GSI has been consistently named one of the top childcare franchises in the United States by Entrepreneur magazine and one of the Top 200 Franchise Systems (in worldwide sales) by Franchise Times. GSI currently licenses more than 570 Goddard School franchises that serve more than 70,000 students in 38 states. For more information, visit goddardschoolfranchise.com.

ABOUT THE GODDARD SCHOOL®

Learning for fun. Learning for life.®

Children learn best through experience. The Goddard School uses current, academically endorsed methods to ensure that children have fun while learning the skills they need for long-term success in school and in life.

The distinctive structure positions Schools to support the needs of families and helps ensure that children are known and appreciated for their individual talents and personalities. The Goddard School’s F.L.EX.® Learning Program (Fun Learning Experience) helps children explore and discover their interests in a safe, nurturing environment. And a team of acknowledged experts in various fields of early childhood education guides the course of study.

Additionally, this program has earned Cognia Accreditation and Middle States Corporate Accreditation for creating policies, programs and standards that help franchised locations meet high standards in early learning, child development and childcare. The Goddard School serves more than 70,000 students from six weeks to six years old in more than 570 Goddard Schools in 38 states. To learn more about The Goddard School, please visit GoddardSchool.com.

Contacts

Michelle Engro, mengro@goddardsystems.com, 484-801-4127

Andrew Moyer, andrew@reputationpartners.com, 608-213-6382

Contacts

Michelle Engro, mengro@goddardsystems.com, 484-801-4127

Andrew Moyer, andrew@reputationpartners.com, 608-213-6382