The Growing Place

The Growing Place is a day care center in Charleston, WV. Since 1989, it has offered preschool services in the Charleston community, growing from a small part-time program into a full-time operation that includes preschool, Pre-K, and child care services. The center serves two-, three-, and four-year-olds who are not eligible for West Virginia Pre-K, as well as collaborative Pre-K children who will be four prior to July 1. Early drop-off and after-care services are available for all ages. The facility undergoes regular inspections by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services, the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department, and the State Fire Marshal. It is governed by the Preschool Advisory Council and operates as a Kanawha County Schools collaborative site. The program focuses on social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and language development, utilizing play-based and hands-on activities. The two-year-old class follows the Creative Curriculum and the WV Infant/Toddler Early Learning Standards Framework, emphasizing self-care skills such as dressing, toilet training, and eating with utensils. The three-year-old class uses the Creative Curriculum and the WV Early Learning Standards Framework to build foundational skills for Pre-K success through art, music, and manipulative materials. The four-year-old class continues preparation for Pre-K, focusing on cooperation, emotion regulation, and independent problem-solving. The Pre-K program is led by a trained and certified teacher and uses the Creative Curriculum, the WV Early Learning Standards Framework, Growing Up Wild, and the PATHS curriculum to support kindergarten preparation.

The center is located on Quarrier Street, approximately a tenth of a mile from the West Virginia Division of Juvenile Services Central Offices and Brooks Street. It sits about two-tenths of a mile from Charleston Surgical Hospital and Lee Street East. The facility is open Monday through Friday from 7:45 am to 5:30 pm, with children required to arrive by 9:30 am. Teachers use the Procare mobile app to share announcements, reminders, and real-time updates on meals, naps, playtime, and learning activities with families.

The Growing Place holds a 5.00 rating based on 4 reviews, reflecting a positive experience from the customers who have rated it. As a long-standing provider in Charleston, it combines established curriculum standards with regular state and local health inspections to maintain a safe environment for early childhood education.