Our Learning Programs.
At Growing Place, we believe children are strong, capable, and full of potential. From our nurturing infant environments to our inquiry-rich preschool classrooms, each program creates opportunities for children to construct knowledge through relationships with peers, teachers, families, and their environment.
- Birth to 5 years
- Reggio Emilia-inspired
- NAEYC accredited since 1989
Programs by Age
Inspired by the schools of Reggio Emilia, we support each child's natural curiosity while building the foundations for lifelong learning.
Our Youngest Learners, Our Deepest Care
Even our youngest children are viewed as competent learners with rich inner lives and boundless curiosity. Our infant and toddler programs create secure, predictable environments where children develop trusting relationships with caring adults while beginning to explore their world through their senses.
What makes our program special
Intimate ratios
1:4 for infants, 1:6 for toddlers, ensuring personalized attention and deep relationships.
Sensory-rich environments
Carefully curated materials that invite exploration and support brain development.
Daily routines as learning
Each diaper change, meal, and transition becomes an opportunity for connection and communication.
RIE-inspired practices
Respectful caregiving that honors each child's natural rhythms and emerging autonomy.
Family partnership
Close collaboration with parents to ensure continuity between home and school.
Our teachers spend time listening, observing, and documenting each child's unique ways of exploring and communicating, creating a foundation of trust that supports all future learning.
Where Curiosity Becomes Investigation
Our preschool program transforms children's natural wonder into deep, meaningful learning experiences. Through emergent curriculum and long-term investigations, children develop not just academic skills, but the habits of mind that will serve them throughout life.
Our teachers act as researchers alongside children, asking genuine questions, offering provocations, and scaffolding learning through careful observation and intentional interactions.
Daily rhythms that support growth
Morning meetings
Welcoming ceremonies, music, and sensory integration exercises help children connect and prepare for learning.
Small group investigations
Rich, materials-based explorations that continue as long as interest remains, allowing children to dive deep into questions that matter to them.
Reflection meetings
Daily opportunities for children to share their discoveries, ask questions, and plan next steps with teacher coaching.
Outdoor learning
Every day includes meaningful outdoor experiences across all learning domains.
The heart of our approach
Project-based learning
Each child engages in at least one long-term research project annually, developing persistence, problem-solving skills, and deep understanding.
Making thinking visible
Children use drawing, building, dramatic play, and other "hundred languages" to express and refine their ideas.
Documentation as communication
Teachers carefully document children's learning process, making growth visible to children, families, and the broader community.
Environment as third teacher
Thoughtfully organized spaces with beautiful, natural materials that provoke investigation and support collaboration.
Building Bridges to Future Learning
Our oldest preschoolers experience the full richness of our Reggio-inspired approach while developing the independence, collaboration skills, and joy in learning that will serve them well in their next educational journey.
Preparing for lifelong success through
- 1
Problem-solving
Children dive into hands-on projects that ask big questions, spark curiosity, and stretch their thinking. They plan, test ideas, problem-solve, and work as a team, just like real scientists and inventors.
- 2
Metacognitive skills
We guide children to notice how they learn, what helps them to remember, what strategies work, and how to reflect on their own thinking. This builds habits of mind that they will use for life.
- 3
Communication & presentation
Your child has regular opportunities to explain their thinking, share stories, and listen carefully to others. These rich conversations help grow language skills, confidence, and empathy.
- 4
Self-regulation
Through sensory activities, movement, and calm reflection times, children learn to understand and name their feelings. These practices strengthen self-regulation and emotional intelligence, which are essential tools for school and life.
- 5
Academic foundations through play
Early literacy and math skills are intentionally built through purposeful play, exploration, and conversation. This research-informed approach is not only joyful, it is proven to support deep, lasting learning.
- 6
Leadership opportunities
Older preschoolers enjoy mentoring younger peers, whether it is helping them clean up, showing how to use materials, or sharing project knowledge. This builds confidence, empathy, and a sense of community responsibility.
Learning Beyond the Classroom Day
Growing Place extends learning opportunities through our commitment to the broader early childhood education community and flexible family support.
Professional Development Hub
- Educator tours & consultations: Share our approach with visiting educators.
- Practicum & internship programs: Mentor emerging teachers in Reggio-inspired practices.
- Community research: Contribute to the field through documentation and pedagogical study.
Family Support
- Flexible scheduling: Programs designed to fit your family's schedule.
- Community events: Regular opportunities for families to connect and celebrate learning together.
- Parent education: Workshops and resources to extend learning partnerships at home.
Trusted by Families and the Field
The Growing Place has given our children the best possible foundation to develop into their true selves by building confidence, nurturing curiosity, and fostering community. We as parents have learned as much as our children in how to become better parents through collaboration within the whole community, perspective-taking, and building the language and skills that promote self-discovery. We have all made lifelong friends with our Growing Place community and could not have imagined a more ideal and nurturing environment to allow our children to thrive.
Memberships & accreditation
- NAEYC
Accredited by NAEYC, the National Association for the Education of Young Children
Since 1989 - NAREA
Members of NAREA, the North American Reggio Emilia Alliance
Since 1989 - Zero to Three
Members of Zero to Three
Since 2010 - NAIS
Members of NAIS, the National Association of Independent Schools
Since 2019
What sets our programs apart
- 40 years of educational excellence and continuous learning
- NAEYC accredited since 1989
- Small group focus with meaningful teacher-child ratios
- Outdoor learning integrated into every program level
- Documentation practice that makes learning visible
- Long-term projects that develop deep thinking skills
- Three beautiful campuses, each with unique character
Our Programs FAQs
What ages does Growing Place serve?
Growing Place offers an Infant & Toddler Program (birth to 36 months), a Preschool Program (30 months to 5 years), and a Pre-K & School Readiness program (4 to 5 years), all built on the Reggio Emilia-inspired image of the child as protagonist, collaborator, and communicator.
What are the teacher-to-child ratios for infants and toddlers?
Our infant and toddler programs keep intimate ratios of 1:4 for infants and 1:6 for toddlers, ensuring personalized attention and deep relationships.
How does the preschool program support learning?
Through emergent curriculum and long-term investigations, children develop not just academic skills but the habits of mind that serve them throughout life. Each child engages in at least one long-term research project every year, and teachers act as researchers alongside children.
Do children spend time outdoors every day?
Yes. Every day includes meaningful outdoor experiences across all learning domains, and outdoor learning is integrated into every program level.
How does Growing Place prepare children for kindergarten?
Our Pre-K & School Readiness program builds problem-solving, metacognitive skills, communication, and self-regulation. Early literacy and math skills are intentionally built through purposeful play, exploration, and conversation.
Your Next Step
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View tuitionMemberships & Accreditation
Accredited by NAEYC, the National Association for the Education of Young Children
Since 1989
Members of NAREA, North American Reggio Emilia Alliance
Since 1989
Members of Zero to Three
Since 2010
Members of NAIS, National Association of Independent Schools
Since 2019