Welcome to The Growing Patch

Hello!  My name is Heather.  I am the owner of The Growing Patch at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Dade City, FL.  I have a degree in Early Childhood Education and an endorsement for Reading K-12.  I have 18 years of teaching experience (Kindergarten and First Grade) and now I have been teaching classes at The Growing Patch for 3 years.  

     

About Us
The Growing Patch is a warm and welcoming child learning center, dedicated to inspiring curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning in young children. Located at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, our center provides engaging, hands-on educational experiences designed for children ages 18 months to 8 years — all alongside their caregivers.

Our Programs
We offer a variety of enrichment opportunities to support early learning and homeschool families, including:
Toddler Time – A joyful introduction to learning through stories, music, movement, and sensory play.
STEM Classes – Exciting science, technology, engineering, and math activities that spark critical thinking and discovery.
Homeschool Enrichment – Creative, structured classes that complement homeschool curriculums through hands-on projects and social interaction.
Holiday & Seasonal Specials – Themed classes celebrating special occasions with crafts, experiments, stories, and fun seasonal surprises.

Our Philosophy
At The Growing Patch, we believe that children learn best through play, exploration, and connection. Our classes are designed for children to attend with a caregiver, creating shared experiences that strengthen bonds and foster a lifelong love of learning.

     

Latest News
Register for Oct and Nov classes

Fall Toddler Time is Here!

Join us for a special series of fall-themed classes designed just for toddlers! Each Friday, little ones will explore, play, and learn in a fun, engaging environment.

Each class includes:

Story time
Music & movement
Hands-on activities
Fun designed just for toddlers!

Dates: Fridays 9:30–10:30 AM
10/17, 10/24, 11/7, 11/14, 11/21

 

Step Back in Time: Life 100 Years Ago

What was life like for families and kids 100 years ago? 
In this fun, hands-on class, children will discover how people lived, worked, and played a century ago.

Kids will see how different life was without electronics, cars, or modern conveniences—while having fun connecting to the past through play, stories, and activities.

Dates: Fridays 10:30–11:30 AM
10/17, 10/24, 11/7, 11/14, 11/21

Ages: 4-8 years old

 

Halloween Fun at The Growing Patch!

Join us for a spooktacular Halloween Special Class filled with fun and creativity!

Date: Thursday, October 31st
Time: 10:00 – 11:00 AM

Ages: 3 – 7 years old

Each child will enjoy:
A festive Halloween story
A themed craft activity
Fun games
Music & movement to get everyone dancing!

 

Spider Science at The Growing Patch!

Join us for a STEM learning experience designed just for curious kids!
Tuesday, October 28th
10:00–11:00 AM
Ages: 4–8

In this hands-on class, children will:
Explore how spiders build webs by creating their own
Experiment with fizzing science fun
Strengthen literacy skills with a spider-themed read-aloud
Apply creativity through a themed craft

This class blends science, literacy, and art to encourage problem-solving and critical thinking in a fun, age-appropriate way.

 

Spots fill fast—grab yours here �� https://the-growing-patch-104437.square.site

Contact Us

The Growing Patch at St. Mary's Episcopal Church

37637 Magnolia Ave, Dade City, FL 33523