Santa Monica Early Childhood Lab School
Infant to TK care for ages 3 months to 6 years in a LEED-certified building at the Santa Monica Civic Center. Operated by Growing Place in partnership with Santa Monica College.
A Growing Place school, in partnership with Santa Monica College
The Lab School is our newest campus, developed with Santa Monica College and the City of Santa Monica. It is a high-quality early learning community, operated by Growing Place and shaped by Santa Monica College's commitment to learning, observation and professional preparation.
As a lab school, it gives Santa Monica College students, educators and early childhood professionals a place to observe and learn from the practice of working with young children. First and foremost, it is a thriving early learning community for children and families, where relationships, inquiry, play and collaboration are at the heart of the work.
A LEED-certified building at the Civic Center
The LEED-certified building in the heart of the Civic Center was custom designed for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and TK children.
Little details such as kaleidoscope skylights, window seats, diaper chutes and floor-to-ceiling doors that open to the outside all add to our flagship campus. It is made up of eight classrooms with shared play yards (infants and toddlers, and young preschoolers and preschoolers), an atelier and a community corridor. Each environment is separate from the other developmental groups, so it is safe and still appropriately challenging.
Play Yards
Our infant and toddler yard offers spaces for movement, exploration and discovery, including grassy berms, puddle and water play, raised garden beds, a sandbox and pathways that invite children to crawl, waddle, walk and explore.
Our preschool yard is a spacious environment for climbing, swinging, sliding, imaginative play and gathering together. It includes a swing set, tire swing, slide and an amphitheater for storytelling, music, performances and shared experiences.
Infant and Toddler Program
For our youngest children, the flow of each day honors the individual rhythms and routines of each child within the life of the group.
Trusting relationships with responsive caregivers are a strong foundation for social and emotional development, communication and learning. Our goal is to build secure, nurturing relationships with infants, toddlers and their families. Through respectful caregiving, predictable routines and environments that invite freedom of movement and exploration, children have the time and space to develop at their own pace, with plenty of uninterrupted time for play, discovery and connection.
Caregivers and families make a plan together for each child's transition into school, and keep sharing observations, questions and insights as children grow.
Applications are accepted year-round
Priority enrollment consideration is given to full-time employees of:
To support our local community, 30% of enrollment is reserved for Santa Monica residents, including 15% reserved for low-income Santa Monica residents, subject to funding availability.
Find the Lab School
In the Santa Monica Civic Center, with families joining us from across the Westside.
Preschool License #197494872
Families join us from Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, West LA, Cheviot Hills and across Santa Monica and the Westside.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Lab School licensed, and what are the child-to-teacher ratios?
Yes. The Lab School is licensed by California Community Care Licensing (CCL). Growing Place keeps lower child-to-teacher ratios than CCL requires:
- Infants: 1 teacher for every 3 children
- Toddlers: 1 teacher for every 4 children
- Preschool: 1 teacher for every 6 children
What are the school hours and calendar?
The Lab School is open year-round, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
The school closes for four synchronized breaks each year: 2 weeks in winter, 1 week in spring and 1 week in summer. It is also closed for 7 professional development days, and on the first Friday of each month it closes at 3:00 pm for professional development.
Our program is full-time, so we do not offer part-time enrollment. We value the consistency and continuity of children being here each day. It gives children the chance to build strong relationships with their teachers and classmates and to feel familiar and connected to the rhythm of their classroom.
What do you consider when enrolling families?
We are intentional about building a diverse community, considering race and ethnicity, family structure, socioeconomic background, culture and language. We value a community where children and families see themselves reflected while also having opportunities to learn from experiences different from their own, creating both mirrors and windows.
Priority enrollment consideration is given to full-time employees of the City of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College and RAND Corporation, as well as Santa Monica residents and low-income Santa Monica residents, subject to funding availability.
What is Growing Place's philosophy?
Growing Place is a constructivist, Reggio Emilia-inspired school where children learn by exploring, asking questions and building knowledge through hands-on experiences, creativity and collaboration.
Educators are co-learners and guides who listen closely to children's ideas, observe their thinking and create environments and experiences that invite exploration. Through thoughtful questions, meaningful materials, documentation and collaboration, children and educators build knowledge together.
What are the tuition and financial assistance options?
Growing Place accepts subsidy programs including Connections for Children, Crystal Stairs and CCAMPIS. Eligibility and funding requirements vary by program and may include full-time employment and demonstrated financial need.
For tuition details, see Admissions and tuition.
What is your partnership with Santa Monica College?
The Lab School partners with Santa Monica College to support the education and preparation of future early childhood educators. Our school is a learning environment where Santa Monica College students can observe children's development and gain practical experience in early childhood education.
Plan your next step
Ready to join us?
Come see the building, the yards and our classrooms for yourself. Book a free tour, then apply when you are ready. We accept applications year-round.