The Goddard School is set to open its first location in Peoria, 8348 W. Deer Valley Road, bringing an inquiry-based learning experience to local families in early 2026.

The Goddard School of Peoria will be the second location for Goddard School franchisees Kimberly Camarillo and JoEllen Johnson, who have supported the community and families in the greater Phoenix area via The Goddard School of Goodyear since 2009.

The more than 11,000-square-foot early childhood education center will have 10 classrooms to provide care for and educate about 150 students from ages six weeks to six years old. Additionally, the school will add 30 teaching jobs to the community.

“We’re thrilled to bring The Goddard School experience to the vibrant Peoria community and look forward to partnering with local families to create a safe, nurturing environment where children can thrive,” Camarillo said. “As longtime Goddard School owners, we believe deeply in the power of nurturing young minds during their most formative years, and our goal is to develop a lifelong love for learning in our students, while supporting working families who need access to the highest quality childcare.”

The new school will feature an indoor gymnasium and multiple outdoor playgrounds. Additionally, the school will be equipped with hospital-grade sanitization equipment to ensure a healthy environment.

The Goddard School’s 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 curriculum developed by a 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.

Inquiry-based learning, which guides the Wonder of Learning curriculum, is a teaching and learning approach that focuses on the natural curiosity and sense of wonder children bring into the classroom. With teacher-guided inquiry topics, children learn about themselves and the world around them by exploring their interests, investigating concepts and asking questions.