EARLY CHILDHOOD LAB SCHOOL

Santa Monica College and the City of Santa Monica, in a unique partnership, have built an innovative early childhood laboratory school to serve the community while enabling teachers in training to develop crucial expertise under the guidance of leading education professionals.

The Santa Monica Early Childhood Lab School (ECLS), operated by the Growing Place, is a nonprofit child development center dedicated to providing the children of working families with an exceptional early education in the critical early years of life. With this collaboration, the Santa Monica Lab School will benefit future generations with inspiring leading-edge approaches, a diverse setting and family focus.

The ECLS has 8 classrooms and serves up to 110 children, 3 months to 5 years old. Practicum students will complete scheduled fieldwork hours at the ECLS under the supervision of a Mentor Teacher. Students from any SMC course wishing to make an appointment to observe from the Observation Lab or Observation Deck may do so by scheduling an observation appointment.

The ECLS Campus is located at 1802 4th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Accessing the Center

For security purposes, the ECLS remains locked at all times. Your instructor will provide you with a front door access code. All students are required to have their official SMC Identification Cards with them at all times. Students must wear their SMC ID on a lanyard while entering through the sliding glass foor at the lobby entrance and any time they are on the 1st floor of the campus. Lanyards can be obtained from SMC faculty at the ECLS.

Observation Lab & Deck

The Observation Lab, located in ECLS Room 203, is open to all SMC students with an appointment. There are 7 observation terminals for student use. From each terminal, students can access audio and video feeds from each of the 8 classrooms and video only from each of the outdoor play yards. Lockers have been provided for storage of personal belongings, however, students must bring their own lock.

In addition to the Observation Lab, students are welcome to use the Observation Deck. The Observation Deck is located on the 2nd floor of the ECLS and overlooks the infant and toddler play yards. With the exception of nap time, there are usually children and teachers in each of the play yards (weather permitting).

Growing Place is a cell phone-free campus. While cell phone use is permitted while using the Observation Lab and Deck, please refrain from using your cell phone when you are standing at the edge of the deck, where children can see you.  

As stated in the Confidentiality Contract (Appendix D), students may not capture images or record audio or video of children, families, or teachers at any time during coursework, observation, or fieldwork. Taking pictures or recording audio or video of children, families, or teachers while using the Observation Lab & Deck is strictly prohibited. 

Scheduling Observation Appointments

Students who plan to visit the ECLS for observation or practicum coursework must enroll in ECE 900, a free, noncredit support class. Once enrolled, you can make an appointment to use the Observation Lab/Deck by:

1. Log in to SMC GPS

2. Select your instructor for ECE 900

3. Select and confirm an appointment time (1 hour increments) to visit the ECLS.

Note: F-1 Visa students are not allowed to enroll in noncredit courses and should contact the Education/Early Childhood Department Office at 310.434.8109 for assistance with setting up their observation appointments.

Compliance with all SMC COVID protocols is required.

Students who need assistance with enrolling in ECE 900 or for more information, should contact the Education/Early Childhood Department Office at 310.434.8109.

ECE Classrooms

The Education/Early Childhood Department’s instructional classrooms at the ECLS are located in Rooms 208 and 209. Students enrolled in classes that meet in either room do not need to make an appointment to visit the ECLS for class sessions, though they should still wear their SMC ID cards on a lanyard.