Growing Place

Growing Place includes small group work, outdoor play, co-operative play, quiet indoor activity, and sleeping at school as part of the day. Children take part in hand washing, toileting, managing their own snack and lunch, waiting for a turn on a tricycle, using words to ask for a turn, playing in the sandbox, gardening, using art materials, and playing on large motor play equipment. Families can read the documentation that provides glimpses of the life of the classroom.

• Ages: 0–6 years old
• Schedule: Open 8:00 am–5:00 pm with small groups and outdoor play in the morning and afternoon, and meals, transitions, and rest time in the early afternoon

Growing Place is a nonprofit, NAEYC-accredited, Reggio-inspired early childhood program. Its mission is to create a better future by helping children develop into confident, compassionate, and creative problem solvers. Growing Place was founded in 1985 and has been serving Santa Monica families for nearly forty years. The Marine Park Campus was established in 2000. The leadership team includes Founder Ellen Khokha, Executive Director (2010–2024) Pauline McPeake, and Third Executive Director Dr. Cris Lozon. Growing Place operates the Santa Monica Early Childhood Lab School through collaboration with Santa Monica College and the City of Santa Monica, and the Lab School is a demonstration site for Santa Monica College Early Childhood Education students to observe its established teaching and learning practices. Parents provide nutritious lunches with appropriate portions for young children to manage.

Last updated August 2, 2026.