Transforming Early Learning
Bringing children back to the center, and reshaping the field through play.
THE PLAY LAB'S ORIGIN STORY
For over 13 years, Kisa Marx ran what was then Kid Crew Adventures. While the work was deeply meaningful, she struggled to reach children across the full spectrum of financial realities, learning styles, needs, and cultural backgrounds. That gap weighed heavily on her.
As she began speaking truth to power about the importance of quality care for all children, something shifted. What started as a passion for caring for children grew into a clear purpose: ensuring that every child—regardless of circumstance—has access to spaces that honor their joy, autonomy, and humanity.
Advocacy is how Kisa extends the Play Lab’s reach beyond its own walls. It is an invitation to others to support this mission, amplify the call for equity in early childhood education, and work collectively toward building liberated learning spaces for every child.
The Play Lab's Purpose
Our Mission
Our Mission
Our Mission
The Play Lab Foundation’s mission is to provide high-quality, accessible childcare grounded in play, trusting relationships, and connection to nature. We center inclusivity, individual support, and collective care, recognizing that children thrive when families and practitioners are also supported. Through this work, we are actively resha
The Play Lab Foundation’s mission is to provide high-quality, accessible childcare grounded in play, trusting relationships, and connection to nature. We center inclusivity, individual support, and collective care, recognizing that children thrive when families and practitioners are also supported. Through this work, we are actively reshaping what belonging looks like and creating environments where every child—regardless of background or ability—can grow, feel safe, and flourish.
Our vision
Our Mission
Our Mission
We envision a world where high-quality childcare is equitable, accessible, and rooted in dignity. We believe care must be relationship-centered, grounded in play and nature, and responsive to race, disability, neurodiversity, and lived experience. In this vision, children are honored as whole people, families are true partners, and practi
We envision a world where high-quality childcare is equitable, accessible, and rooted in dignity. We believe care must be relationship-centered, grounded in play and nature, and responsive to race, disability, neurodiversity, and lived experience. In this vision, children are honored as whole people, families are true partners, and practitioners are supported—so belonging is not conditional, but assured.
Our Impact
Our Mission
Our Impact
Our impact is measured by the meaningful connections we build and the families we support. Through relationship-centered, play-based programs, we’ve created spaces where children feel safe, valued, and free to explore. Our work has strengthened families, nurtured children’s growth, and supported practitioners—demonstrating that high-quali
Our impact is measured by the meaningful connections we build and the families we support. Through relationship-centered, play-based programs, we’ve created spaces where children feel safe, valued, and free to explore. Our work has strengthened families, nurtured children’s growth, and supported practitioners—demonstrating that high-quality, equitable childcare is possible and transformative. Every interaction, every program, and every partnership brings us closer to a world where all children have the resources, care, and opportunities they need to thrive.
January's Focus:
holding the line
Maintaining routines, rituals, and relationships
Settling In Through Play
Week 1
We’ll see how children use play to explore, regulate, and feel safe. Sensory experiences give them space to experiment, repeat, and discover while building trust and comfort in their environment.
tRUST GROWS FROM CONSISTENCY
Week 2
We’ll notice how consistency and routine create a sense of safety. When children know what to expect, transitions become smoother and confidence grows.
Connection in Community
Week 3
We’ll discover how collaboration emerges when children engage with shared materials. Conversations spark, ideas are exchanged, and relationships deepen through co-creation and play.
Moments That Matter
We’ll watch the culture of the group blossom. Whether building, exploring, or creating side by side, children’s confidence, cooperation, and sense of belonging shine through.
catch us outside!
We wrapped up the year at 998.5 hours outside—so close to the big 1,000! In the spirit of holding the line, we’re not stopping now. We’re keeping the clock rolling and continuing to spend as much time outside as possible, exploring, playing, and soaking up every bit of fresh air and adventure along the way. Here’s to another year of outdoor fun!
photo of the month
All month long, the children will be taking in the stories, rituals, and moments that bring us together. Through shared activities, familiar practices, and the rhythms of the season, they’re experiencing the joy of belonging, the comfort of connection, and the warmth of being part of a community that values togetherness.
We need humanizing pedagogies that center the genius, justice, love, and humanity in our children.
Gholdy Muhammad
