Goddard School Arvada - Ward Road

Center · Arvada · 12720 W 54th Drive

What kind of place is this?

Size 186 children licensed Larger than the middle half of Denver centers, where the middle half licenses 40–113. Measured across 1,156 Denver centers, 2026-08-17.

Who runs it

Chain The Goddard School
Owner Sycamore Partners Franchisor (Goddard Systems) acquired by private-equity firm Sycamore Partners in June 2022. Individual schools are franchisee-owned; the brand/franchisor is PE-owned. prnewswire.com

The Goddard School runs 24 licensed locations in Denver.

How this compares

Colorado Department of Early Childhood cited something at 4 of the 9 visits below. Across Denver centers it cites something at about 55% of visits. Each state decides what gets written up, so this compares Denver with Denver and never with another state.

Will it fit our family?

Not yet reported: ages served, hours, days / week, schedule, holiday closures.

What will it cost us?

This provider does not publish pricing.

What Shortlist has verified

State quality rating Colorado Shines Level 2
License status Active

State record — Colorado Department of Early Childhood

Last visit
February 20, 2026
On file
9 visits since April 2024 — 5 cited nothing
Fixed?
The latest correction deadline was February 27, 2026. Colorado Department of Early Childhood does not publish whether it was made.
Most serious
Colorado Department of Early Childhood does not publish a severity level for a citation, so there is no most-serious to name.

Colorado’s Department of Early Childhood lists each program’s complaints on its Colorado Shines page, with the department’s verdict on each and a report behind it, going back about three years. Older complaints are released only on request. The department does not rank complaints by severity in either place.

Feb 2026 Supervisory visit 4 findings

Supervisory visit · February 20, 2026

2.229.L · Correction due February 20, 2026

In the Get Set classroom, broken crayon pieces were on the art shelf and accessible to children.

Required correction: Immediately, all materials that pose a choking hazard must be inaccessible to children at all times. Corrected at time of visit, the broken crayons were removed from the art shelf making them inaccessible to children. No Response Needed. Correct by 02/20/2026

2.222.A.1.b · Correction due February 20, 2026

In the Toddler 1 jack & jill bathroom, diaper changing supplies were on a low cabinet and accessible to children.

Required correction: Immediately, diaper change supplies but be inaccessible to children at all times. Corrected at time of visit, the supplised were moved up to a high shelf by center director. N.R. Needed. Correct by 02/20/2026

2.230.A · Correction due February 20, 2026

In the First Steps classroom a 'rabbit in the hat' stuffed toy was labeled for children ages 3+. In the Toddler 2 classroom, Melissa and Doug puzzles were labeled for children ages 3+. Both classrooms are toddler rooms with children under 3 years old.

Required correction: Immediately, play equipment must be appropriate for children's ages at all times. Corrected at time of visit, the toys were removed from the classroom by the center director. N.R. Needed. Correct by 02/20/2026

2.218.B.3 · Correction due February 27, 2026

Reviewed 4 medications and health care plans stored in the classrooms. One health care plan missing a date of authorization from the parent(s)/guardian(s).

Required correction: Immediately, health care plans must be signed and dated by the parent(s)/guardian(s) and documentation must be available for review at all times. Submit a written statement of compliance to the licensing specialist. Correct by 02/27/2026

Individual employees are shown by initials. The state’s report, linked above, names them in full.

State records file

Apr 2025 Supervisory visit 1 finding

Supervisory visit · April 4, 2025

2.213.B · Correction due April 4, 2025

Reviewed forty (40) staff files and observed Jennifer V., file to have an expired Department-approved standard precautions training. The certificate on file was dated: 2.19.2024

Required correction: Obtain a Department-approved standard precautions training for Jennifer V. Send verification with written response to Specialist. Correct by 04/04/2025

State records file

Mar 2025 Limited Supervisory visit nothing cited State records file
Mar 2025 Limited Supervisory visit nothing cited State records file
Feb 2025 Limited Supervisory visit nothing cited State records file
Jan 2025 Limited Supervisory visit nothing cited State records file
Dec 2024 Limited Supervisory visit 1 finding

Limited Supervisory visit · December 11, 2024

2.229.C · Correction due December 11, 2024

In the First Steps classroom on top of the sink by the changing table a bottle of Ajax dish soap accessible to children, posing a safety hazard. Also, in the Toddler 1 classroom it was observed a Dawn Platinum Foam dish soap on top of the sink and baby wipes on top of a child size stool accessible to children, posing a safety hazard. In the Preschool 2 classroom it was observed a large bottle of Palmolive dish soap inside an unlocked cabinet under the sink accessible to children, posing a safety hazard.

Required correction: Items labeled "keep out of reach of children" must be inaccessible to children. Correct immediately. The Director corrected the violation at the time of the inspection but placing the Ajax dish soap, the Dawn Foam dish soap the Palmolive dish soap and the baby wipes in a place where the children cannot access. No response is necessary. Correct by 12/11/2024

State records file

Nov 2024 Limited Supervisory visit nothing cited State records file
Apr 2024 Supervisory visit 12 findings

Supervisory visit · April 30, 2024

2.212.G

Reviewed forty (40) staff files and observed the following staff members files to be missing a medical statement signed and dated by a physician or other health care provider: Jennifer V. - 11.1.2022, Maddison W. - 1/27/2023, Isabella D. - 5/24/2021, Aana P. - 6/29/2022, Nicole D. - 7/11/2022, Emely F. -1/22/2024, Brianna F. - 2/6/2023, Sheila G. - 12.5.2023, Reagan G. - 9/25/2023, Dan R. 5/24/2024, Attna C. 1/16/2024, Hailey C. - 1/16/2024, Cyah D. -6/2/2022, Allyson M. - 9/25/2023, Lean R. - 1/28/2022, Rebecca S. - 9/17/2023, Jose G. - 2/27/2023, Madeline H. - 1/9/2022, Autum G. -9/25/2023, Hayley K. - 9/1/2023.

Required correction: Obtain a medical statement dated and signed by a health care provider for staff members Jennifer V. Maddison W. - Isabella D. Aana P. Nicole D., Emely F. Brianna F. , Sheila G. - Reagan G. Dan R. Attna C. Hailey C. Cyah D. Allyson M. Lean R. , Rebecca S. Jose G. Madeline H. Autum G. Hayley K. Send verification with written response to

2.213.L · Correction due May 30, 2024

Reviewed forty (40) staff files and observed Sadie M. file to be missing at least one hour of child development training. Sadie M, hire date was 8.20.2023.

Required correction: Obtain at least one hour of child development training for staff members Sadie M- Send verification with written response to Specialist. Correct by 05/30/2024

2.213.B · Correction due April 30, 2024

Reviewed forty (40) staff files and observed the following staff members files to be missing a Department-approved standard precautions training Catherine W., Makayla M.

Required correction: Obtain a Department-approved standard precautions training for staff members Catherine W., Makayla M. Correct immediately. Send verification with written response to Specialist. Correct by 04/30/2024

2.213.F · Correction due April 30, 2024

Reviewed forty (40) staff files and observed the following staff members files to be missing a Department-approved introduction to First Aid and CPR module: Danielle H. -6.11.2021

Required correction: Obtain a Department-approved introduction to First Aid and CPR module for Danielle H. Correct imediately. Send verification with written response to Specialist. Correct by 04/30/2024

2.213.H · Correction due May 30, 2024

Reviewed forty (40) staff files and observed Cassandra U.'s file to be missing a Department-approved training course: Introduction to the Early Intervention. Cassandra U. hire date was 6.21.2021

Required correction: Obtain a Department-approved training course: Introduction to the Early Intervention for Cassandra U. Send verification with written response to Specialist. Correct by 05/30/2024

2.213.I · Correction due May 30, 2024

Reviewed forty (40) staff files and observed Isabel D.'s file to be missing a Department-approved Recognizing the impact of Bias on Early Childhood Professionals training. Isabella D. hire date was 5.27.2021.

Required correction: Obtain a Department-approved Recognizing the impact of Bias on Early Childhood Professionals training. Isabel D. Send verification with written response to Specialist. Correct by 05/30/2024

2.229.L

In the toddler classroom 117 a bucket with sand and many small plastic bugs accessible to children under three (3) years of age, posing a potential ckoking hazard.

2.216.B.1.c.1 · Correction due April 30, 2024

Reviewed forty (40) staff files and observed the following staff missing an infant/toddler orientation: Emily F. - 1/22/2024, Ashlyn M. - 4/8/2024, Makayla M. - 3/28/2021, Hailey C. - 1/17/2026.

Required correction: Obtain an infant/ toddler orientation for toddler orientation for Emily F. Ashlyn M. Makayla M. Hailey C. . Correct immediately. Send verification with written response to Specialist. Correct by 04/30/2024

2.213.G · Correction due April 30, 2024

Reviewed forty (40) staff files and observed Jose G.'s files to be missing a Department-approved training about child abuse prevention. Jose G. hire date was 2.27.2023.

Required correction: Obtain a Department-approved training about child abuse prevention for Jose G. Correct imediately. Send verification with written response to Specialist. Correct by 04/30/2024

2.121.J.1 · Correction due April 30, 2024

Reviewed forty (40) staff files and observed Dan R.'s file to be missing documentation of Out of State background check/ Out of State Clearance Letters.

Required correction: All individuals requiring a background check must review Navigating the Background Check Investigation Unit's (BIU) Webpage powerpoint. Submit verification that staff member Dan R.. have reviewed the powerpoint within 24 hours. Submit documentation of Out of State background check/ Out of State Clearance Letters for staff member Dan R. with written response to Specialist upon completion. Document compliance to Specialist Correct by 04/30/2024

2.209.B.4 · Correction due May 30, 2024

Reviewed twenty-four (24) children files and observed two (2) files to be missing a copy of the child's health statement completed by a health care provider.

Required correction: Obtain a copy of the child's health statement completed by a health care provider for two (2) children. Send verification with written response to Specialist. Correct by 05/30/2024

2.209.A.7

Reviewed twenty-four (24) children files and observed three (3) files to be missing a dated written authorization for emergency medical care signed by the parent (s)/guradian(s).

Required correction: Obtain a dated written authorization for emergency medical care signed by the parent (s)/gardian(s) for three

State records file

Where this record comes from

The Department of Early Childhood keeps about three years of complaints on a program’s public page. Anything older is released only on request, as a single file covering the whole state. Shortlist asked for that file under the Colorado Open Records Act and renews it yearly; it is what this page shows for complaints older than the department’s own window.

The file this page is built from arrived on September 13, 2026 and covers complaints the department publishes today, and complaints back to January 2023 obtained by records request. The next request goes in September 2027.

The department publishes a report for each of these visits. Shortlist has not read those reports yet, so this page shows when the state came and not what it found.

Ask for this program’s record now

The department will also review one program’s complete file on request, which is more than either source above contains. Leave your email and Shortlist will ask for Goddard School Arvada - Ward Road’s file specifically, instead of waiting for the next one.

Before you tour

Goddard School Arvada - Ward Road hasn’t published

Cost, hours and late pickup, a typical day, sick and biting policies.

Ask which of these findings were serious, and what changed.Colorado Department of Early Childhood publishes a correction deadline, never whether the work was done or how serious it was.

Sources and dates

Where every fact on this page came from, and when Shortlist last checked it against that source. Anything Shortlist could not source is named here rather than left blank.

What kind of place is this

Not yet reported: established, teaching approach.

Who runs it

Licensing and contact

State record

Every state visit and complaint on file, shown in full and never edited. Open a date to read what the state wrote.

Do you run Goddard School Arvada - Ward Road? Shortlist has no tuition, hours or ratios for it, because the state does not publish that. Add what is missing. It is free and takes about ten minutes.