Rooted in Community. Guided by Vision.
For over thirty years, our leadership team has cultivated a learning community where children, families, and educators grow together through the transformative power of the Reggio Emilia approach.
Our Mission
Our mission is to create a better future by helping children develop into confident, compassionate, and creative problem solvers. Our unique program unifies children, parents, and teachers into a community that learns together.
Our Story
Growing Place was born from vision and built through dedication. In 1985 our founder Ellen Kohka pioneered something revolutionary, a high-quality early childhood program designed for the families of working parents, when such programs were nearly nonexistent. From one classroom, we have grown into three thriving campuses, each a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence.
Our journey deepened in 1990 when Ellen led our study of the Reggio Emilia approach, eventually sending our staff to Italy to experience firsthand what they had only studied in books. This transformative experience reaffirmed our commitment to seeing children as protagonists in their own learning journeys.
Under Pauline McPeake's leadership from 2010-2024, we expanded our impact, becoming recognized leaders in early childhood education. This recognition led to our selection to operate the Santa Monica Early Childhood Lab School, an honor that speaks to our reputation for nurturing emerging educators.
Now, as our third executive director, Dr. Cris Lozon carries forward the legacy established by Ellen and Pauline. In our nearly forty years, we have been guided by only three executive directors, each building upon the vision and integrity of those before them. Cris's leadership continues this tradition while charting a course defined by innovation and desire to reach educators not only locally, but also nationally and globally.
We believe this spirit of innovation and generosity of knowledge will set us apart as a beacon in early childhood education. Today, we stand proud as continuous learners ourselves, reading, studying, reflecting, and researching to deepen our practice and strengthen our community, always with humility, always with purpose, and always in service of children and families.
Our Mission & Values
Who We Are:
We are educational leaders, researchers, and advocates united by a shared belief that every child deserves to be seen as strong, capable, and full of potential. Our diverse team brings decades of expertise in early childhood education, special education, pedagogy, and community building. Together, we've created something remarkable—a learning community where curiosity thrives, relationships flourish, and meaningful work transforms lives.
Our Core Belief:
We believe in the social construction of knowledge, inspired by the schools of Reggio Emilia and grounded in relationships and respect.
Our Commitment:
Every child deserves to succeed. Each family deserves to make decisions about their child. Teachers have the ethical responsibility to work with every child in the group while supporting agreed-upon goals. Our administration balances the rights of each child within the context of the group's needs and our program's mission.
Our Values:
At the heart of our school, our values are
Relationships - the foundation of trust, respect, and community
Collaboration - knowledge co-constructed through shared inquiry
Reflection - intentional practice that makes learning visible
Joy - the spark that fuels curiosity and creativity
Our Approach:
We practice meaningful work through:
Intentional Teaching - Listening, observing, asking genuine questions, and documenting children's thinking
Collaborative Learning - Small group investigations that build on children's natural curiosity
Reflective Practice - Weekly team meetings focused on documentation analysis and pedagogical growth
Partnership - Open, honest communication with families as true collaborators in their child's education
Join Our Community
Whether you're ready to enroll your child, interested in joining our team of passionate educators, or looking to support our mission, there's a place for you at Growing Place. Together, we're building something beautiful—a community where children flourish, families connect, and learning never stops.