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Preschools/CA/Santa Monica/Growing Place, Ocean Park, The
Preschool / Day Care Center

Growing Place, Ocean Park, The

No reviews yet — be the first to share your experience.

Ages
Ages 2–5
Teacher ratio
1:12 (CA min)

401 Ashland B, Santa Monica, CA 90405

Visit website ↗(310) 399-7769Directions ↗Licensed for 100
Own this preschool? Claim your listing →

Licensing & safety record

✓ Clean licensing record

No citations or complaint visits on file with state licensing as of 2025-09-29. Last licensing visit: 4/29/2025 (1 total).

Source: California Dept. of Social Services, Community Care Licensing (updated 2025-09-29). View official inspection reports →

About this preschool

Growing Place is a Reggio Emilia-inspired early childhood education program with three campuses in Santa Monica serving infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. The school emphasizes child-centered learning, collaborative inquiry, connection to nature, and helping children develop into 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 children's questions and interests through project-based exploration, authentic problem-solving, and reflection. Children are viewed as competent learners capable of engaging fully with the world around them.
Ages served
Birth to 5 years (Infant, Toddler, and Preschool programs)
Outdoor
Abundant natural light and lush outdoor classrooms with nature-based learning opportunities; outdoor exploration areas; connection to nature through outdoor environments that invite curiosity and wonder

Programs

  • •Infant & Toddler Program (Birth - 36 months)
  • •Preschool Program (30 months - 5 years)
  • •Early Childhood Lab School

Highlights

  • ✓Reggio Emilia-inspired approach with child-centered, project-based learning
  • ✓Three distinct campuses including Marine Park, Ocean Park, and Early Childhood Lab School on SMC campus
  • ✓Intimate teacher-child ratios: 1:4 for infants, 1:6 for toddlers
  • ✓RIE-inspired respectful caregiving practices and family partnerships

Not stated on their website: Tuition, Hours of operation, Meals and snacks, Teacher qualifications and ratios for preschool, Enrollment process details, Calendar and holidays. 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.

Parent reviews

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Helpful guides for parents

What age does preschool start?Typical ages, readiness signs, and state cutoffs.Is my child ready for preschool?The readiness signs to look for.Preschool vs. daycareHow they differ and which fits your child.Preschool vs. pre-KWhat comes when, from ages 3 to 5.

Listing facts from public CA child-care licensing records. Reviews are the opinions of individual contributors, moderated before publishing; they are not endorsements by PreschoolWise. Always visit and verify a program directly before enrolling.