New Early Education Center Opens in Raleigh
The Goddard School offers a new inquiry-based program for children up to age six with space for 210 students.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Child Care
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The Goddard School has opened a new 15,000-square-foot early childhood education facility in Raleigh at 3803-B Computer Drive. The center serves children between the ages of 6 weeks and 6 years, providing a new option for local families seeking childcare.
Why it matters
The opening of this facility adds capacity for up to 210 children in the Raleigh area, offering an inquiry-based learning environment. It addresses a need for early childhood education resources by providing 13 classrooms and dedicated play areas for young children.
The new facility features a 210-student capacity across 13 classrooms, as reported by the school owners. While the site is now open to the public, the specific timeline for reaching full enrollment remains unknown.
The players
The Goddard School
A national network of early childhood education centers focused on inquiry-based learning for children through age six.
Rachelle Lay Hughes
The owner of the new Raleigh facility who previously served as a director of operations for the brand.
Jon Seier
The co-owner of the new Raleigh facility alongside Rachelle Lay Hughes.
The details
The facility features a 15,000-square-foot space designed with 13 classrooms, an indoor gymnasium, and three outdoor playgrounds to facilitate physical and social development. The school employs a Wonder of Learning inquiry-based curriculum, which focuses on student-led exploration. To maintain a health-conscious environment, the facility uses hospital-grade sanitization equipment.
Timeline
The North Hills school location opened in October 2026.
Rachelle Lay Hughes became the director of operations at the Ridge Road location in 2018.
Health Landscape
The expansion of the Wonder of Learning curriculum in North Carolina reflects broader efforts to standardize early childhood inquiry-based education models. This site adds to the existing landscape of structured, play-based learning environments available for families in the region.
Families in the area may consider visiting the site to observe the indoor and outdoor play spaces that support early physical activity. It is worth discussing with local facility directors how inquiry-based curriculums align with your child's specific developmental needs.
The takeaway
Early childhood education centers provide critical social and cognitive stimulation that supports long-term development. If you are selecting a provider, inquire about their specific sanitization protocols and curriculum focus to ensure the setting matches your expectations.
Further reading
For tips on evaluating learning environments, visit Child Care.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS17.
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