Our Program
Community that learns together
We believe in the importance of connection through meaningful relationships. Our program fosters these relationships, allowing us to become the best versions of ourselves when we support each other in learnings, challenges, journeys, and the joy that comes with being together.
philosophy
Our Curriculum
Our curriculum emphasizes the development of children’s social skills, self-esteem, and creativity to help children gain confidence to face new experiences. We are inspired by the schools in Reggio Emilia, Italy, and the social constructivist theory of teaching and learning.
Tried and True Traditions
There are many traditions and practices that make the Growing Place what it is. For example, our Goodbye Windows are a source of comfort for the child and parent. It invites them to have that “one more kiss and hug” through a window that positions the child on one side and the parent on the other. Most importantly, Goodbye Windows gives the child, who has no control over the fact that their parent must leave, the control to choose which window to say goodbye.
Our traditions help to nurture connections, give a sense of belonging and establish positive memories.
Diversity and Inclusion
It is natural for children to begin noticing the similarities and differences in the people and environment around them; in fact, children as young as 6 months old begin to know the difference between race and gender. At Growing Place, we believe it is essential to incorporate ways to promote diversity in our school. We do this by selecting materials and enrolling families that help children to see a reflection of who they are (“mirrors”) and to gain a perspective into another person’s realities (“windows”). When young children learn to see themselves reflected in their community as well as those different from them, they ultimately become more confident, empathetic, and emotionally intelligent human beings.
Talking Chairs
The Talking Chairs are key to our approach for developing conflict resolution skills, respectful relationships, and learning how to communicate with each other. We presume that there are no guilty parties, children to be reprimanded, or values to be taught. Rather, every perspective is valid and is an opportunity to be listened to. The familiarity of this process, especially as children get used to having a special place and practice in problem-solving, allows them to become effective in resolving their disagreements and even the disagreements of others!
Role of Pedagogista
The concept of Pedagogista comes from the schools in Reggio Emilia, Italy, where they play a distinct role in assisting teachers in their professional development and guiding their practice. The pedagogista’s role is to help teachers’ skills of observing and listening to the children and documenting projects. Since 2000, Growing Place acknowledged the value of a full-time Pedagogista to support and advance a study of Reggio/constructivist philosophy.
Role of Atelierista & Atelier
The Atelierista is an educator with an arts background who collaborates with teachers and children to ensure the expressive and poetic languages are part of the process by which knowledge is built. They help teachers and children organize ongoing projects and promote opportunities for children to explore materials and techniques, such as painting, drawing, working with light and shadows, and clay; and supports teachers’ understanding of how materials afford expression.
As an extension to classrooms, the atelier (art studio) is equipped and organized with a broad variety of materials accessible to the children. The spirit of the studio permeates throughout the school to create a nurturing community for young learners to explore big ideas.
Teacher education meets or exceeds NAEYC requirements and annual professional development hours.
community
The Importance
of Community
Our school exists because of the partnerships of parents
Community Events
School events like Community Sing, Tile Day, and Pitch-in-Days bring us together. Through participation, parents develop a closer relationship to their child’s experience at the school and meet other parents.
Fundraisers
What makes us a great school is the generous time and resources that parents pour into our community in the spirit of seeing every child thrive. Parents lead our fundraiser events for the Teacher Development Fund.
“GP Friends”
Our parent association, “GP FRIENDS”, focuses on building connections amongst families, support school projects, and enriches our overall community through camping trips, beach picnics, and museum outings.
The Growing Place is a beautiful, magical, and important school, it is a place where my children learned perhaps all they will ever really need to know – how to take care of themselves, relate to others, and form a deep understanding of the world. It is also a place that supports young parents as they figure out how to talk to their kids, support them as learners, and how to balance their own need to work while raising their family.
Amy, Alumni parent
Engaging Parents
Since parenting is complex, we offer support in each stage of the parent and child’s development through opportunities for parent involvement and learning.
Teacher Insights
The parent-teacher relationships are among the many wonderful things that flourish at Growing Place. Conferences, Open School events, and teacher-led dialogues help parents understand our curriculum goals, strengthen parent-teacher relationships, and build community between fellow parents.
Director Insights
The director’s role is to continuously engage our community, and stay up-to-date on issues in early education and parenting. From weekly newsletters, Fireside Chats, and personal interactions, Directors support each family’s preschool journey and beyond.
Expert Panels
Growing Place is engaged in a network of educational endeavors and provides parents access to expert panel discussions such as the Annual Reggio Children Conference, kindergarten information sessions, virtual and in-person parenting groups, and the LA Preschool Partnership Critical Conversations.
Resources & Connections
Sometimes, parents and children need outside resources to support parenting, development, or just navigating raising a family today! Our parents have access to a variety of resources and referral networks that we have developed e.g., elementary school consultants, family/child therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, sleep experts, etc.
