Private, independent Warren-Walker School serving the Peninsula for 87 years at its main campus near Sunset Cliffs, has a new addition: an early learning center for infants to 2 1/2 years.
Convinced it’s never too early to start educating, Warren-Walker’s executive director Shelly Baker, said the school found the perfect spot to create Point Loma Early Learning Center. 
“It’s brand new,” said Baker of the rehabilitated building near Liberty Station at 2905 Cadiz St. that opened April 1. “We went in and completely renovated an existing space that had been a child care center. We redid everything – new windows, flooring, paint, countertops, climate control, new playground, etc.”
Baker noted the new center complements Warren-Walker’s three existing campuses, which cumulatively serve 300-plus students from pre-K through eighth grade.
“Our main thing was to start as early as we can, taking them (students) as early as six weeks,” Baker said. “We are using a continuity of care model, meaning our students will be taught by the same teacher the entire time. That’s critical with children at this age. It’s an easy way for children to grow and develop with a teacher knowing them since they were little.”
Baker said Warren-Walker’s Early Learning Center utilizes an indoor-outdoor environment. She added the center’s teachers are “extensively trained in a year-long program on best practices” for handling children of that early age.
The new Early Learning Center targeting the Peninsula has a capacity of 58 students. “Twenty-three are enrolled now and we’re taking applications,” said Baker. “We’re excited about this new adventure to serve the area we’re in.”
Pointed out Baker, “It’s hard to find good-quality infant care because not many people are getting into the industry anymore because regulations are so strict.”
Added Baker, “What we’ve created is well thought out, in renovating the building, right down to the furniture. We’ve created a secure, nurturing environment for children to thrive in.”
Warren-Walker School debuted in 1932. Founder Nellie Warren-Walker held her first class above Sen. Kraft’s drugstore at 1891 Bacon St. She offered a rigorous and varied program that fostered growth. In 1939, Warren-Walker acquired the current campus on Point Loma Avenue, built the original buildings, and moved the school there. The school has since expanded its Point Loma campus, adding a second Lower School in La Mesa, and creating a Middle School in Mission Valley.
“We’re hoping to do a ribbon-cutting in the next few weeks,” added Baker of the learning center. Point Loma Early Learning Center
6605 Point Loma Ave.
619-771-3651
www.warren-walker.com