The Growing Place

*Under Construction!
Please be patient as we make necessary updates and changes to our site!

NOW ENROLLING FOR 2025-2026! (click for more info!)

OUR PROGRAM

Since 1989, The Growing Place has offered quality preschool services in the Charleston community. What began as a small, part-time preschool program has since grown to a full-time program encompassing preschool, Pre-K, and child care services.

The Growing Place offers preschool for two-, three- and four-year-olds who are not eligible for WV Pre-K. The Growing Place is a collaborative for WV Pre-K children who will be four prior to July 1. Early drop-off and after care services are available for all ages. The Growing Place undergoes regular inspections conducted by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services, Kanawha-Charleston Health Department, and the State Fire Marshal. The Growing Place is governed by the Preschool Advisory Council.

OUR MISSION & PHILOSOPHY

At The Growing Place, we strive to provide high-quality early care and education in a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate environment.

We recognize that the needs of children are diverse and that each child learns at his/her own pace. We strive to create a classroom environment in which all children can thrive and learn while focusing on 4 key areas: social/emotional, physical, cognitive, and language development. We believe that children learn through play and devote a substantial portion of each day to play-based and hands-on activities.

Pre-K/Head Start Collaborative Site

KCS Preschool Registration

The Growing Place is proud to be a Kanawha County Schools Pre-K Collaborative/Head Start site!

Pre-K is more than just a classroom—it’s where lifelong learning begins! Through play and exploration, children build essential skills like problem-solving, teamwork, and communication. These early experiences set the foundation for academic success and help prepare them for their educational journey ahead.

To apply, visit the KCS Preschool website. Be sure to select “The Growing Place” when choosing your Pre-K location.

https://kcs.preschoolsteps.org/login.cfm

Our Classes

2-Year-Old Class

Our two-year-old class teachers use Creative Curriculum and the WV Infant/Toddler Early Learning Standards Framework as a guide for preparing a wide range of developmentally appropriate activities daily. Children in the 2-year-old class learn to share, take turns, and use words to express their emotions. An emphasis is also placed on self-care skills such as dressing, toilet training, brushing teeth, washing hands, and eating with utensils.

Two-Year-Old Class Teachers:

Hello, I am Raven White! I am 22 years old and serve as the assistant teacher in the 2-year-old classroom and for aftercare. I am dedicated to fostering a safe, supportive, and engaging environment that encourages children to grow, learn, and thrive daily.

My name is Evelyn and I am 21 years old. I am an assistant teacher at The Growing Place in the 2s’ class as well as an aftercare teacher. I am a passionate and dedicated early childhood educator with a strong background in child care and youth development. I am experienced in creating safe, loving, and engaging learning environments, supporting children’s growth, and building strong relationships.

3-Year-Old Class

The 3-year-old class is more structured than the 2-year-old class and focuses on building the foundation of skills needed for success in the Pre-K program.

Children will learn and socialize through play and hands-on experiences with art, music, and manipulative materials. Teachers prepare developmentally appropriate activities based on the principles of Creative Curriculum and the content areas set forth by the WV Early Learning Standards Framework: Social &Emotional Development, Language & Literacy, Math, Science, The Arts, and Health & Physical Development. Activities are both teacher-directed and child-initiated.

Three-Year-Old Class Teachers
Tiffany Edmonds and Kailey Crowder

Hello, my name is Tiffany Edmonds and I am the lead three-year-old teacher. I have taught for 12 years. I have been married for 7 years. I am the Youth Director/Middle School/High School teacher at my church. I love the colors blue and purple, going shopping, and eating Mexican food.

Hello, my name is Kailey Crowder and I am the three-year-old class assistant teacher. I have worked around kids for the past 5 years and have spent 1 year working in childcare. I married my husband, Andrew, in May of 2025. I have also completed cosmetology school. I love my husband, going shopping, and doing hair and makeup.

4-Year-Old Class

The 4-year-old class continues the effort of preparing children for Pre-K. Children in Preschool classrooms learn to make new friends, cooperate with others, regulate their emotions, follow directions, and solve problems independently. This class also uses Creative Curriculum and the WV Early Learning Standards Framework.

Four-Year-Old Class Teacher Bios coming soon!

WV Pre-Kindergarten

The Growing Place is a Kanawha County Schools collaborative site. We offer a high-quality Pre-K program led by a trained and certified teacher. Each child must be 4-years-old on or before June 30, 2024, and have an application and required documentation on file with Kanawha County Schools in order to participate in this program.

In the Pre-K class, children build on the skills learned in the Preschool classroom and focus on Kindergarten preparation. Our goal is to help children develop self-confidence and a “can-do attitude” while following rules and routines and making wise choices.

Many learning opportunities are available throughout the day and most often occur in the form of play. Teachers in this classroom also provide both large and small group instruction using Creative Curriculum, the WV Early Learning Standards Framework, Growing Up Wild and the PATHS curriculum.

Pre-K Class Teacher Bios coming soon!

Enrollment

To register your child, please complete and submit the following forms along with a $30 non-refundable registration fee.

In addition to the forms listed above, the following documents must also be submitted prior to enrollment:

Copy of Most Recent Health/Wellness Exam
Immunization Records
Copy of Health Insurance/Medicaid Card
Copy of Birth Certificate
Signed Parent Handbook Acknowledgement

*Please note – The registration process is not complete until all of the required paperwork has been submitted and the registration fee has been paid.

Hours of Operation

We are open Monday thru Friday 7:45 am – 5:30 pm.

Children must arrive by 9:30 am. Sign-in will not be permitted after 9:30 am without a doctor’s excuse.

The Procare APP

All of our classes use the Procare mobile app as a primary means of communicating with families throughout the day. With Procare, teachers can share announcements and reminders as well as information pertaining to each child’s routine care and activities such as meals, naps, playtime, and learning. Families may also view photos, videos, and message teachers in “real-time” with any questions or updates.

Employment Opportunities

Are you interested in a career in early care and education? Join our team!

Applicants must be at least eighteen (18) years old with a minimum of a high school diploma or GED. Early Childhood certification, Apprenticeship for Child Development (ACDS) or experience is preferred.

All employees of The Growing Place must:

Pass state and federal background checks with fingerprinting.
Pass state and national sex offender registry checks.
Pass child and adult protective services record checks.
Submit with thirty (30) days of employment, a recent health assessment which includes a physical examination, vision and hearing screenings.
Complete a tuberculosis risk assessment or tuberculosis screening by Mantoux method.
Obtain a COVID vaccination and provide proof of vaccination.
Apply for credentialing on the WV STARS Career Pathway.
Maintain certification in CPR and First Aid.
Complete training in Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention and all other continuing education requirements as mandated by The Growing Place and WV Child Care Licensing Regulations.

To apply for a position at The Growing Place, please complete and submit the Employment Application or email resumé to Thegrowingplace@ccumwv.org.

The Growing Place is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Download an employment application by clicking below.
Employment Application