Construction for The Goddard School, an early childhood education facility, is underway in Kent.

Local representatives and community members joined on-site owner Chelsey Milton for an Oct. 4 groundbreaking ceremony at the school’s site, 24116 132nd Ave. SE.

The school – Goddard’s first franchise in Kent– is scheduled to open in the winter of 2020.

When completed, the two-story, 10,192-square-foot building will serve about 138 children, ages 6 weeks to 6 years old.

“Helping children and their families is the most rewarding job that I can think of,” Milton said. “It makes me so fulfilled and ecstatic knowing that my job is to help kids of all ages grow, learn to their fullest potential, make new friends, and be happy.”

When ready, the school will be open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday.

For more than 30 years, The Goddard School has used the latest, academically endorsed methods to ensure children have fun while learning the skills they need for long-term success in school and in life. The Goddard School’s AdvancED- and Middle States-accredited F.L.E.X. Learning program reaches more than 65,000 students in more than 500 Goddard schools in 37 states.

For more information, visit goddardschool.com/KentWA.