Our curriculum is thoughtfully designed to promote holistic development, encouraging cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth through a variety of engaging activities. We believe in the power of play-based learning, allowing children to explore, discover, and learn at their own pace. Parents are also considered an integral part of our community, and we welcome their involvement through regular communication and participation in school events. At Stepping Stones, we are committed to nurturing the potential of every child, preparing them for a bright and promising future.
Browse by category to find answers about our programs, policies, and daily operations.
We welcome children between the ages of 2 and 5 years old. To enroll in our Toddler Program, children must be 2 years old by September 1st of the school year. Our programs are designed to support children at each stage of early childhood development and prepare them for future academic success.
Waitlists are established when a program reaches capacity. Families interested in enrollment may contact our office by phone or email to be added to the waitlist. As openings become available, families will be contacted in the order their names were added. We encourage families to inquire early, as spaces can fill quickly.
Yes. We encourage prospective families to visit our school and learn more about our programs. Tours are available by appointment and are scheduled every Wednesday. During your visit, you will have the opportunity to view our classrooms, outdoor play areas, and ask questions about our curriculum, daily routines, and enrollment process. Please call or email our office to schedule a tour.
Our Toddler Program follows a thoughtfully designed curriculum developed by our educational team to support children's social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth through hands-on learning experiences and play-based exploration.
Our 3K and Pre-K programs utilize The Creative Curriculum®, a comprehensive, research-based curriculum that promotes school readiness through purposeful play, project-based learning, and developmentally appropriate instruction. The curriculum focuses on language and literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, social-emotional development, and physical development.
We offer both part-time and full-time enrollment options in our Toddler Program, providing flexibility for families based on their needs.
Our 3K and Pre-K programs are full-time programs only, operating five days per week to provide children with a consistent educational experience and prepare them for kindergarten. Extended day is available for working families until 6pm at a tuition based rate.
Yes. We believe outdoor play is an essential part of a child's development. Weather permitting, all classes use our outdoor playground daily. Outdoor activities help children develop gross motor skills, social skills, creativity, and an appreciation for active, healthy lifestyles. During inclement weather, children participate in supervised indoor movement activities whenever possible.
Yes. All staff members maintain current certifications in Pediatric CPR and First Aid. In addition, our staff participate in ongoing professional development and training to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of every child in our care.
The health and safety of our school community is a top priority. If a child becomes ill during the school day, they will be separated from their classmates and supervised by a staff member while a parent or authorized emergency contact is notified for prompt pickup.
Children should remain at home if they exhibit symptoms such as:
Children may return to school once they have been symptom-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing or symptom-masking medication. Additional documentation from a healthcare provider may be required in certain situations.
Yes. The safety of our students is our highest priority. All employees undergo comprehensive background screenings, including fingerprinting and state-mandated background checks, prior to employment. Staff members must also meet all licensing and regulatory requirements established by state and local agencies. Ongoing clearances and training are maintained in accordance with applicable regulations.
We maintain low teacher-to-child ratios to ensure each child receives individualized attention, support, and supervision throughout the day. Our ratios meet or exceed all state licensing requirements:
These ratios allow our teachers to build meaningful relationships with children, support their developmental needs, and provide a safe and engaging learning environment.
Our lead teachers are certified in Early Childhood Education or are actively working toward certification through an approved study plan. In addition to meeting state requirements, our educators participate in ongoing professional development throughout the year to stay current with best practices in early childhood education.
Our staff members are trained in child development, classroom management, health and safety procedures, and social-emotional learning. We are committed to providing a nurturing and educational environment led by qualified professionals who are passionate about working with young children.
We use the Brightwheel App as our primary communication platform. Through Brightwheel, families receive updates throughout the day, including photos, classroom activities, reminders, and important announcements.
Parents can also communicate directly with teachers, report absences, update authorized pick-up information, and receive notifications about upcoming events. Progress reports are shared throughout the year, and teachers are available to discuss any questions or concerns regarding a child's development and classroom experience.
Meals and snacks are provided for children enrolled in our 3K and Pre-K programs. Our menus are designed to meet nutritional guidelines and support healthy growth and development.
Children enrolled in the Toddler Program should bring their own lunch, snacks, and beverages each day. We encourage families to pack nutritious, well-balanced meals that their child enjoys.
Yes. The health and safety of our students is a top priority. We are a nut-free facility and work closely with families to accommodate food allergies and dietary needs whenever possible.
Our meal program offers a variety of options, including:
Parents should notify the school of any allergies or dietary restrictions during enrollment so that appropriate accommodations can be made.
A non-refundable registration fee is required for enrollment in our Toddler Program, Extended Day Program, After-School Program, and Summer Program. Registration fees help secure your child's placement and cover administrative costs associated with enrollment.
Please contact the office for current fee schedules and program-specific details.
We accept the following payment methods:
Families can conveniently manage tuition payments, view invoices, and track account activity through Brightwheel.
Yes. We offer a 5% sibling discount for the second child enrolled in a program of equal or lesser tuition value. The discount is applied to the child with the lower tuition rate.
At this time, we do not offer financial assistance directly through our school. Families seeking tuition assistance may wish to explore community or government-sponsored childcare subsidy programs for which they may qualify.
Our school is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Program-specific schedules may vary, and families will receive detailed information regarding classroom start and dismissal times upon enrollment.
Yes. We operate year-round and offer programming throughout the school year and summer months to provide continuity of care and learning for our families.
We generally follow the New York City Department of Education (NYC DOE) school calendar for major holidays and school closures. Additional scheduled closures occur between the end of the school year and the start of summer camp, as well as between the end of summer camp and the beginning of the new school year.
Families receive an annual calendar outlining all school closures, holidays, and important dates.
For the safety and security of all children:
Parents should notify teachers through Brightwheel if someone other than their usual authorized contact will be picking up their child.
We value strong partnerships between families and our school community. Parents have many opportunities to participate in school activities, including:
We encourage family involvement as it helps strengthen our school community and enriches children's learning experiences.
Yes. Progress reports are provided three times each year to keep families informed about their child's growth and development.
For children enrolled in our 3K and Pre-K programs, formal parent-teacher conferences are held twice annually. These conferences provide an opportunity to discuss developmental milestones, academic progress, social-emotional growth, and goals for continued success.
Teachers are also available throughout the year to address questions or concerns as needed.
Due to classroom space limitations, parents are generally not permitted to visit classrooms during the school day. This policy helps maintain a consistent routine and minimizes disruptions to children's learning experiences.
However, families are welcome to participate in scheduled school events, special classroom activities, volunteer opportunities, and conferences throughout the year. We believe in maintaining open communication and strong partnerships with families while ensuring a productive learning environment for all students.
The health, comfort, and dignity of each child are important to us. Toddlers are changed regularly throughout the day according to scheduled diapering times and whenever needed to ensure they remain clean, comfortable, and healthy.
All diaper changes are conducted in accordance with state health and safety regulations. Staff members follow strict handwashing and sanitization procedures before and after each diaper change, and diapering areas are cleaned and disinfected after every use. Parents are notified through Brightwheel if additional diapering supplies are needed.
We view potty training as a partnership between families and teachers. During the second half of the toddler year, children are gently encouraged to begin the potty-training process when they demonstrate signs of readiness.
Our teachers work closely with parents to maintain consistency between home and school routines. Children are encouraged through positive reinforcement, regular bathroom reminders, and age-appropriate support. We understand that every child develops at their own pace and strive to make the process positive, supportive, and stress-free.
While children in our 3K and Pre-K programs are strongly encouraged to be fully potty trained before the start of the school year, we recognize that occasional accidents may occur. Teachers handle these situations with sensitivity and discretion to help children maintain confidence and independence.
At our school, we believe discipline is an opportunity to teach, guide, and support children as they develop self-control, responsibility, and positive social skills. Our approach is based on respect, consistency, and developmentally appropriate practices that promote social-emotional growth and foster a positive learning environment.
Teachers use proactive classroom management techniques, positive reinforcement, redirection, modeling, and problem-solving strategies to help children understand expectations and make appropriate choices. Children are encouraged to identify and express their feelings, communicate respectfully, resolve conflicts peacefully, and develop empathy for others.
When challenging behaviors occur, teachers work to understand the underlying cause and provide individualized support. Classroom expectations and routines are communicated clearly and consistently, helping children feel secure and confident in their environment.
We do not use corporal punishment, physical discipline, threats, humiliation, withholding of food, or any other punitive measures. Instead, we focus on teaching appropriate behavior through guidance, encouragement, and natural learning opportunities.
If behavioral concerns persist, teachers will communicate with parents and work collaboratively to develop strategies that support the child's success both at school and at home. When necessary, additional resources or support services may be recommended. Our goal is to create a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment where every child feels valued, respected, and supported in their development.
Families are required to provide one month's written notice prior to withdrawing their child from any program. Providing adequate notice allows us to plan appropriately for staffing and enrollment needs.
Please contact the school office directly regarding withdrawal procedures and any final tuition obligations that may apply.
The safety of our students is our highest priority. Any individual authorized to pick up a child must be listed as an approved contact in the Brightwheel App.
If someone other than a parent or guardian will be picking up your child, parents should notify the school in advance through Brightwheel or by contacting the office directly. Authorized individuals must present a valid government-issued photo identification at pickup. Children will only be released to approved contacts who can provide proper identification.
For the protection of all children, staff reserve the right to verify identification and deny release if authorization cannot be confirmed.