# Growing Mindfully

> Mindfulness-based infant, toddler, and preschool care in Downtown Sacramento, California. Family-founded since 2018, located on the top floor of 750 N Street, a five-minute walk from the California State Capitol. Serves children ages 6 weeks through 6 years.

Growing Mindfully is a licensed early-childhood school in Downtown Sacramento that integrates mindfulness practice into infant, toddler, and preschool care. The curriculum blends RIE (Resources for Infant Educarers) for infants and toddlers, Reggio-inspired emergent learning for preschoolers, and daily mindfulness practice from six weeks onward.

## Key facts

- **Address:** 750 N Street, Top Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814
- **Hours:** Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- **Ages served:** 6 weeks through 6 years (infant, toddler, preschool)
- **Founded:** 2018, by Ashley Teeney
- **Founder:** Ashley Teeney (23+ years in early childhood education)
- **Site Directors:** Sarai Ponce (14+ years) and Tiffany Simmons (22+ years)
- **Licensing:** California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division (Title 22)
- **Educational philosophy:** RIE (infants/toddlers) + Reggio-inspired emergent (preschool) + integrated mindfulness practice from 6 weeks onward
- **Child-to-teacher ratios we strive to maintain:** ~1:3 in the infant room, ~1:4 in toddler rooms, ~1:9 in preschool. (California state minimums are 1:4, 1:4, and 1:12 respectively.)
- **Discipline approach:** "Both love and limits, every day"
- **Meals:** Two snacks per day included, organic and additive-free; nut-free facility; lunch brought from home
- **Included with tuition:** weekly yoga and music, monthly gymnastics, all classroom materials, Brightwheel parent-communication app
- **Parent reviews:** 5.0 average across 27 verified Google reviews

## Tuition tiers (per week, full-time Mon–Fri)

The school publishes three rate tiers for transparency.

- **Standard Rate** (private families): $479 infant/toddler, $430 young preschool, $368 preschool
- **State Employee Rate** (California state employees, working anywhere): discounted from standard
- **VIP Rate** (deepest discount, exclusive to state employees at four neighbor buildings): $425 infant/toddler, $364 young preschool, $332 preschool

The four VIP-eligible buildings are within a five-minute walk:
- 751 N Street · Department of General Services
- 1215 O Street · Resources Building
- 715 P Street · CalPERS HQ
- 1416 9th Street · Resources Agency

VIP eligibility is verified at enrollment via state-issued ID or pay stub.

Part-time schedules are available: 3-day (Mon/Wed/Fri) and 2-day (Tues/Thurs).

Sibling discounts available.

## Currently enrolling

Growing Mindfully is currently enrolling **infants 6 weeks through 7 months** for fall 2026. All other ages are added to the waitlist as openings appear.

## Enrollment process

1. Apply to the waitlist online
2. The school responds by email to discuss schedule, philosophy, and details
3. When a place opens, complete the enrollment packet, sign the agreement, and submit the deposit

## Educators

- **Ashley Teeney** — Founder. Two decades in early childhood education, including a decade as director of the prior childcare provider on the CalEPA campus before founding her own school in 2018.
- **Sarai Ponce** — Site Director. BA in Child Development from Sacramento State. 14+ years caring for infants and toddlers in the Capitol corridor. Operations-focused leader.
- **Tiffany Simmons** — Site Director. 22+ years supporting young children, families, and classroom culture. Relationship-focused leader.

## Three pillars

1. **Present** — Mindfulness practice begins at six weeks. RIE-informed care for the youngest, breathwork and emotional vocabulary for preschoolers.
2. **Playful** — Learn-through-Play emergent curriculum. Reggio-inspired projects driven by children's curiosity. Includes weekly yoga, music, and monthly gymnastics.
3. **Rooted** — Located on the top floor of 750 N Street, a five-minute walk from the California State Capitol. Built so a working parent can lunch with their infant and still make a 1:30 hearing.

## Daily schedule

A full hour-by-hour schedule for each age group is published on the website. Each block includes the activity, the intention behind it, and how it supports child development.

## Contact

- **Website:** https://www.growingmindfully.org
- **Email:** enrollment@growingmindfully.org
- **Apply:** https://app.waitlistplus.com/GrowingMindfully/Portal/Signup

## Related resources

- [Homepage](https://www.growingmindfully.org/)
- [Apply to waitlist](https://app.waitlistplus.com/GrowingMindfully/Portal/Signup)
- [Google reviews](https://www.google.com/search?q=Growing+Mindfully+Sacramento+reviews)
- [Yelp listing](https://www.yelp.com/biz/growing-mindfully-sacramento-2)
- [Facebook page](https://www.facebook.com/growmindfully/)