Goddard School Wins 'Best of Readers' Choice' Title

We asked you to help us name the best preschool or day care in Wayland and you absolutely rose to the challenge.

When the dust cleared, emerged as the readers' favorite based on votes, comments and reviews left on Wayland Patch.

In this "Best of Patch Readers' Choice" poll, 859 voters had cast their ballots by the time the poll closed at 9 a.m. Friday. But what really made this contest impressive was the number of you who took the time to explain -- no, gush -- about what made each of the preschools on our list fantastic.

Jennifer Rice said the staff at The Goddard School is "like our second family."

Mom to 3 concurred, commenting, "They [The Goddard School] are more than a school, they are our family."

But The Goddard School wasn't the only preschool or day care getting some comment love.

S.P. said the JCC Early Learning Center, "is a stimulating, nurturing, clean, colorful environment where children learn self confidence and begin to explore their interests."

Tiffany Williams had high praise for Toddler Loving Care: "I feel so blessed to have found TLC and couldn't imagine going anywhere else!!"

Abby Larson commented, "Throwing my feather in the Little Dove hat! Bar none the best preschool for 2-year-olds in Wayland. My daughter thrived here."

And Amari Harrison said, "We love Little Lamb. Wonderful care, great value. This is a school that really fosters a sense of community and relationship building among the kids, the staff, and the parents."

In all, there were more than 40 comments by the time the poll closed, so this is just a sample of what readers had to say.

While the final decision was based on votes, comments and reviews (since the voting isn't scientific), here are the voting numbers in descending order:

• The Goddard School - 292 votes (33 percent)
• JCC Early Learning Center - 140 votes (16 percent)
• Longfellow's Children's Center - 109 votes (12 percent)
• Community Nursery School - 75 votes (8 percent)
• Bright Horizons - 54 votes (6 percent)
• The Children's Way - 49 votes (5 percent)
• Little Dove Early Childhood Center - 44 votes (5 percent)
• Wayland Creative Preschool - 28 votes (3 percent)
• Toddler Loving Care - 28 votes (3 percent)
• Little Lamb Preschool & Child Care - 20 votes (2 percent)
• Barat Montessori School - 20 votes (2 percent)