Who We Are

For over 40 years, Growing Together Preschool has been a trusted provider of high-quality, inclusive child care for children from birth to age five.

We are committed to creating a supportive and enriching environment where all children, with and without disabilities, can learn and grow together. With small group sizes, onsite therapeutic services, and a dedicated team of educators and therapists, we ensure that each child receives the individualized care they need to thrive. As a STARS-rated and NAEYC-accredited center, we take pride in our long-standing commitment to excellence, inclusion, and early childhood development.

The Growing Together Mission

The mission of Growing Together Preschool, Inc. is to provide affordable learning and developmentally focused child care services to families of infants, toddlers and preschoolers. The nature of the services is educational and therapeutic, with an emphasis on inclusion.

The Growing
Together Philosophy

We believe…

That each individual, regardless of mental and/or physical limitations, is endowed with human dignity, is of value, is unique, and is entitled to respect and the rights as an individual.

That the freedoms, privileges and rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States and by the Bill of Rights are essential to a democratic society and embrace all members of that society.

That the contributions of our diverse backgrounds and differences of ability are essential to the strength and richness of society and of our preschool.

That the integration of these backgrounds and abilities in our preschool, both in curriculum and in practice, is essential to quality education.

That education for all individuals should be carried out in the least restrictive environment and should lead to the individual’s highest degree of independence and competence.

That since our society values productivity, education should equip all individuals for meaningful, satisfying work.

That a close interrelation among academics, independent living skills (including leisure activities), and vocational education is necessary to meet each individual’s total developmental needs.

That the preschool, family, and the community-at-large needs to realize each other’s significant role in order to enhance the education of individuals with a disability.

That effective education comes from a responsible and mutual effort on the part of preschool, individual, family, and community-at-large, including planning the preschool’s curriculum, achieving the educational objectives, and providing the necessary resources.

That acceptance by the community, including business and industry, is essential for social and economic integration; that these ends can best be met through education, visibility, and integration of individuals with disabilities into society in appropriate situations throughout life.

Get to Know Our Board of Directors

Learn More

Our Story

Growing Together Preschool, Inc. was founded in 1982 as an expansion of a preschool program under the Blue Grass Association for Retarded Citizens (BGARC). Originally designed to serve children with disabilities, the program evolved to include children of all abilities, fostering an inclusive environment where friendships could grow across differences. As the first integrated preschool in the area, we pioneered a model of early childhood education that values diversity and individualized support.

Our journey has been shaped by resilience and community support. When our original location at the University of Kentucky became unavailable in 1982, a dedicated effort led to the renovation of a vacant building next to BGARC’s main office. Thanks to generous volunteers and donors, we transformed the space into a vibrant learning environment. In 1988, we relocated to our current home on Lima Drive, allowing us to expand our services and welcome even more children into our inclusive community.

For over 40 years, Growing Together Preschool has been committed to providing high-quality, inclusive early childhood education. Our mission remains the same—to create a nurturing space where all children, regardless of ability, can learn, grow, and thrive together.

Our Value of Inclusion

Excluding a child due to a disability is a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act—but true inclusion goes beyond mere acceptance. Since its founding in the early 1980s, Growing Together Preschool has embraced full inclusion, ensuring that all children, regardless of ability, learn and grow together.

Inclusion is more than placing children in the same space; it means adapting the program to meet every child’s unique needs. By providing onsite therapy, individualized support, and skilled educators, we create an environment where all children thrive. Research shows that inclusive settings strengthen social-emotional development, foster academic success, and prepare children for lifelong learning.

Inclusive programs not only benefit children with disabilities—they enhance learning for all. When children of all abilities interact, they develop communication, problem-solving skills, and empathy. Quality early childhood education is built on belonging, support, and diversity, which are the foundation of both academic and personal success.

At Growing Together Preschool, we believe that inclusion is not just a philosophy—it’s the heart of quality education.

Benefits for All

Children with Disabilities and Special Needs

  • Being seen as a child first, with special needs secondary
  • Observing and imitating peers who are developing at a higher level
  • Becoming more independent and self-reliant
  • Learning to cope and problem solve with many different individuals
  • Learning appropriate social skills
  • Building a positive self-concept

Children with Disabilities and Special Needs

sas sas

Children with Disabilities and Special Needs

  • Being seen as a child first, with special needs secondary
  • Observing and imitating peers who are developing at a higher level
  • Becoming more independent and self-reliant
  • Learning to cope and problem solve with many different individuals
  • Learning appropriate social skills
  • Building a positive self-concept

Children Who Are Typically Developing

  • Learning to accept and become comfortable with individual differences
  • Learning to cope and problem solve with many different individuals
  • Increasing self-esteem through helping others
  • Recognizing strengths and abilities in children who are “different”
  • Exploring new ways of being a friend
  • Decreasing fears and prejudices regarding individuals with special needs
  • Gaining new awareness of ability to express caring, concern and compassion

Children Who Are Typically Developing

sas sas

Children Who Are Typically Developing

  • Learning to accept and become comfortable with individual differences
  • Learning to cope and problem solve with many different individuals
  • Increasing self-esteem through helping others
  • Recognizing strengths and abilities in children who are “different”
  • Exploring new ways of being a friend
  • Decreasing fears and prejudices regarding individuals with special needs
  • Gaining new awareness of ability to express caring, concern and compassion
  • Gaining new awareness of ability

Parents and Family Members

  • Expanding the variety of social situations for themselves and their child
  • Increasing awareness of resources for young children
  • Looking at their child’s strengths as well as needs
  • Learning about normal development and observing typical behaviors that occur with each stage
  • Experiencing a connection with a larger group of families within their community
  • Reducing fears and increasing acceptance of people with special needs

Parents and Family Members

sas sas

Parents and Family Members

  • Expanding the variety of social situations for themselves and their child
  • Increasing awareness of resources for young children
  • Looking at their child’s strengths as well as needs
  • Learning about normal development and observing typical behaviors that occur with each stage
  • Experiencing a connection with a larger group of families within their community
  • Reducing fears and increasing acceptance of people with special needs

Caregivers and Teachers

  • Broadening teaching and personal experiences
  • Expanding techniques for individualizing activities
  • Helping prepare children for future integrative experiences
  • Learning more about available resources

Caregivers and Teachers

sas sas

Caregivers and Teachers

  • Broadening teaching and personal experiences
  • Expanding techniques for individualizing activities
  • Helping prepare children for future integrative experiences
  • Learning more about available resources

Specialists

  • Understanding and observing typical development and expectations in children
  • Broadening their understanding of child development and group dynamics
  • Seeing their efforts extended into the child’s daily routines and activities

Specialists

sas sas

Specialists

  • Understanding and observing typical development and expectations in children
  • Broadening their understanding of child development and group dynamics
  • Seeing their efforts extended into the child’s daily routines and activities

Community

  • Preparing the next generation for life together
  • Increasing individual’s ability to contribute to society

Community

sas sas

Community

  • Preparing the next generation for life together
  • Increasing individual’s ability to contribute to society

Benefits for All

Children with Disabilities and Special Needs

sas sas

Children with Disabilities and Special Needs

  • Being seen as a child first, with special needs secondary
  • Observing and imitating peers who are developing at a higher level
  • Becoming more independent and self-reliant
  • Learning to cope and problem solve with many different individuals
  • Learning appropriate social skills
  • Building a positive self-concept


Children Who Are Typically Developing

sas sas

Children Who Are Typically Developing

  • Learning to accept and become comfortable with individual differences
  • Learning to cope and problem solve with many different individuals
  • Increasing self-esteem through helping others
  • Recognizing strengths and abilities in children who are “different”
  • Exploring new ways of being a friend
  • Decreasing fears and prejudices regarding individuals with special needs
  • Gaining new awareness of ability to express caring, concern and compassion
  • Gaining new awareness of ability


Parents and Family Members

sas sas

Parents and Family Members

  • Expanding the variety of social situations for themselves and their child
  • Increasing awareness of resources for young children
  • Looking at their child’s strengths as well as needs
  • Learning about normal development and observing typical behaviors that occur with each stage
  • Experiencing a connection with a larger group of families within their community
  • Reducing fears and increasing acceptance of people with special needs

Caregivers and Teachers

sas sas

Caregivers and Teachers

  • Broadening teaching and personal experiences
  • Expanding techniques for individualizing activities
  • Helping prepare children for future integrative experiences
  • Learning more about available resources
  

Specialists

sas sas

Specialists

  • Understanding and observing typical development and expectations in children
  • Broadening their understanding of child development and group dynamics
  • Seeing their efforts extended into the child’s daily routines and activities

Community

sas sas

Community

  • Preparing the next generation for life together
  • Increasing individual’s ability to contribute to society

FISH Rules

Every teacher in every classroom at Growing Together Preschool attends ongoing training about positive behavior intervention & support. Our FISH rules reflect our values as a program, our mission of inclusion and our belief that modeling positive interactions is an important part of learning.

Our first priority is to ensure a safe environment. As a program we promise to provide a safe environment through maintenance, supervision and behavior guidance. You will hear teachers say, “Is that a safe choice?”, “Please use your walking feet.”, and “I need you to use gentle touches with your friends.”

GTP was founded to be the first early care and education center to provide an inclusive program. This means that all children and families are treated equally and their needs met individually. It also means that all involved in the program are expected to have tolerance and appreciation for children and families with needs that are different from their own. Inclusive programs are high quality programs because teachers are more adept at meeting these individual needs for all children. We embrace the diversity of our program because it benefits everyone.

It is important to us to model respectful language and behavior because children learn how to interact by observation. You will hear teachers say, “Is that a respectful choice?” or “What a fantastic job you did using your manners. That was being respectful to your teacher!” Disrespectful conflicts between adults will not be tolerated in the classroom. And, teachers will guide children in resolving conflicts in a respectful manner.

It’s easy to get frustrated with children. Take a deep breath and remember the expectation to be respectful. We all learn and grow at different levels and paces. Patience is key in supporting children, families and staff through their individual needs and confidential matters.

Want More Information About Us?

Contact Us Today