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Childhood Education Doodles

About Us

Welcome to

THE GROWING PLACE CHILD CARE CENTERS

We know that selecting child care is one of the most important and difficult decisions you will ever make. We appreciate your interest in our learning centers' programs and look forward to getting to know your family.

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The Growing Place Child Care Centers began in 1976 as an outreach of Salem-St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kresgeville, PA. Today, The Growing Place is a non-profit subsidiary of the church, supported by parent fees and fundraising campaigns.

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Over the years, The Growing Place has grown to meet the changing needs of the area and operates two large sites within former Pleasant Valley elementary schools in the West End of Monroe County. Our third daycare and early childhood education center, opened in 2018, is located within the Stroudsburg Middle School. 

Child Exploring Art Creatively
Young Children Learning to Read

At all three learning centers, we serve children aged eight weeks to 12 years in programs for infants and toddlers, preschool, and school age.  The Growing Place remains committed to supporting the unique and individual needs of each family.

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The Centers are not religiously based and are licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. We welcome ELRC families.

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The Growing Place is proud to be a voluntary participant in the Accreditation Program of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the standard of quality for programs serving young children. NAEYC administers the nation’s largest and most widely recognized accreditation system for early childhood education programs. All three Growing Place Centers are NAEYC-accredited. A big congratulations to our Stroudsburg Center, which achieved accreditation in December of 2023!  

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The Growing Place participates in the Keystone Stars Program, a statewide childcare initiative that recognizes high-quality programs through performance standards. Our day care centers are rated a Star 4, the highest star level.

Colorful Children's Hand Prints

Board of Directors

The Growing Place Board of Directors consists of representatives from the community. The board determines the strategic direction of The Growing Place, oversees the operation of the Centers, and maintains a strong fiscal condition. Board members are committed to our mission and are ultimately responsible for maintaining the spirit of that mission through The Growing Place staff, environment, curriculum, and events.

  • Rich Ballek

  • Diane Dickison 

  • Lisa Guiliano

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  • Kate Loffio

  • Aiden McHugh

  • Paula Meitzler

  • Susan Price

  • Jackie Ward

  • Ellen Wetzel

Finger Painting Project
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