Our Founders

Early childhood education pioneer, Joe Scandone and former educator and operations executive, Kristen M. Waterfield, founded The Malvern School in 1998. Scandone’s history in the field began when he founded The Goddard School in 1986. It was his unique and successful approach to early childhood education that catapulted The Goddard School to nearly 75 franchised schools during his time as President and CEO and until his departure in 1997. Waterfield started her journey in the classroom but quickly advanced her career at The Goddard School as center Director, franchise consultant and Director of Corporate Operations. Waterfield and Scandone have dedicated their careers to providing children and families with superior quality and excellent care. Waterfield based the foundation of The Malvern School on the educational philosophy to deliver a high-quality program that is grounded with a strong emphasis on early childhood development and educated teachers that focus on the physical, emotional and cognitive growth of the ‘whole’ child. All curriculum at the schools are designed to meet or exceed the standards established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the nation’s largest early childhood accrediting organization.