Who We Are
The Kids’ Place is a licensed Preschool and Childcare facility serving children between the ages of 18 months and five years at our Whitman College location and children between the ages of 0 months and 5 years at our Walla Walla Community College location.
Our School
The Kids’ Place works to increase access to high-quality early childhood education that transforms the lives of young children through play in partnership with families and teachers.
Our History
Our Story: Growing with Walla Walla Families Since 1985
The Kids’ Place first opened its doors in 1985 on the campus of Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. At its heart was a simple but powerful mission: to provide high-quality early childhood education and care in a nurturing, inclusive, and community-centered environment. Under the leadership of our founding director, Kathy McConnell, The Kids’ Place quickly became a trusted and beloved resource for local families and college staff alike.
From humble beginnings, the program has grown to serve 30 to 35 children across three thoughtfully designed classrooms, each tailored to support the developmental needs of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Our child-centered approach, commitment to play-based learning, and strong focus on relationship-building have remained the foundation of everything we do.
Today, in response to growing community needs, we are excited to be working toward a major milestone: opening a second location at Walla Walla Community College (WWCC). This expansion will allow us to reach an additional 60 to 66 children, dramatically increasing our ability to serve more families in Walla Walla County.
This next chapter continues our mission: to increase access to high-quality care and, in turn, provide safe, enriching spaces where children can thrive and families feel supported every step of the way. As we grow, we remain deeply rooted in the values that Kathy McConnell and our founding team instilled from the very beginning—community, compassion, and a deep respect for the wonder of childhood.
Our Board of Directors
Our volunteer board meets monthly and holds its annual meeting each April
Brian Berry, President
Kirsten Kitamura, Treasurer
Megan Johnson, Secretary
Jenna McCauley
Gillian Frew
Megan Johnson
Sara Sciarrino
Selena Kritsonis
Shannon Schaff
To contact the Board of Directors, please email kids.place.board@gmail.com
Our philosophy
OUr Mission
The Kids’ Place works to increase access to high-quality early childhood education that transforms the lives of young children through play in partnership with families and teachers.
Our Vision
The Kids’ Place creates a love of lifelong learning and positive social change by honoring and trusting children, engaging families, and inspiring educators.
Our Values
Integrity in Practice: Bring playful joy to our work while fulfilling our mission with honesty and equity.
Leadership in Community: Model innovative early childhood education practices and pursue ongoing professional development.
Learning in Relationship: Nurture trusting relationships with one another to build empathy, critical thinking, curiosity, and creativity in a welcoming environment.
Equity and Inclusion: Develop a sense of community and belonging through advocacy, education access, educator compensation, and professional development.
Professionalism and Best Practices: Be leaders in early childhood education based on solid and ongoing research focused on child development.
YOUR SUPPORT
Our school depends on the support of its alumni and community members to continue to offer the best quality of care and education for our students, in their formative years. If you would like to donate to The Kids’ Place, please do so by clicking on the button below. We thank you for your kindness and support as we continue our mission.