Growing Place - Marine Park Children's Center, The

Growing Place is an early childhood education center with three campuses in Santa Monica serving infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. The school follows a Reggio Emilia-inspired philosophy emphasizing child-centered learning, collaborative inquiry, connection to nature, and development of confident, compassionate, creative problem-solvers.

Philosophy

Learning is a collaborative adventure where skilled educators act as guides and co-investigators supporting children's natural curiosity. The school follows child-centered learning through project-based exploration, authentic problem-solving, and reflection. Core beliefs include: children are competent learners; teachers implement intentional daily practices promoting cognitive and social strategies; and strong parent partnerships contribute to a vibrant community. The approach is inspired by Reggio Emilia schools.

Ages served

Birth - 5 years (Infant & Toddler Program: birth - 36 months; Preschool Program: 30 months - 5 years)

Outdoor

Abundant natural light and lush outdoor classrooms at Marine Park Campus nestled beside a city park; outdoor exploration areas at Ocean Park Campus; outdoor environments designed to invite curiosity, wonder, and connection to nature

Not stated on their website: Tuition, Hours, Teacher-to-child ratio for preschool, Meals, Summer programs, Holiday schedule. Ask the preschool directly.

Summarized by AI from the preschool's own website (Jun 23, 2026). Not written or verified by PreschoolWise — confirm details directly with the program.