About Us
We promote a nurturing environment where childhood is treasured and not rushed.
We provide a rich indoor and outdoor environment where children are challenged to learn while making friends, developing self-confidence, and cultivating self-direction.
We provide engaging indoor and outdoor spaces where children learn through exploration, play, and friendship. Teachers design activities and projects that grow out of children’s interests, guiding them toward new skills and milestones. Both individual and group experiences are planned to encourage connection, independence, and confidence, while daily routines create a sense of belonging and community.
Teachers support children’s curiosity by asking open-ended questions and focusing on the learning process rather than the final product. This approach nurtures self-motivation, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
All of this growth happens through purposeful play, where joy and learning go hand in hand.
Raising Kids, Finding Community
Parenting can be joyful and messy and everything in between, and we’re here to walk alongside you in that journey.
Our Parent & Me classes are open to families eager to learn from child development specialists, explore ways to engage with their child, and foster meaningful relationships. Parents meet other parents, form connections, and build a community!
For our enrolled families, we provide resources from experts in early childhood education. Our Parent Education Series features specialists in areas ranging from sleep guidance to private school navigation, helping families feel informed and supported.
Additionally, our events are everyone’s favorites! We come together often to bridge home and school, make connections, and for the simple joy of being together!
Pauline McPeake
After 20 wonderful years at Growing Place, I’m excited to bring my extensive experience and heartfelt passion to foster exemplary practices to showcase the remarkable capabilities of young children. My quest for knowledge and innovation took me around the world, studying Forest Schools in Denmark, Reggio schools in Italy, and educational programs in Sweden, China, and around the US. These experiences have shaped my philosophy and approach, blending best practices to create a unique and enriching environment for all children.
Beyond my professional life, I cherish my personal experience as a mother. My daughter’s preschool years were some of the sweetest moments in my life, and I am committed to replicating that same warmth and joy for the families at Canyon Crest Preschool!
B.S. in Child Development and an M.A. in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from New York University.