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.
Hear from the families who know Stepping Stones best.
All three of my children attended Stepping Stones for all 3 years (2's, 3's, and pre-k), as well as for camp. They all thrived and were extremely well-prepared for kindergarten.
The environment at Stepping Stones and The Next Step is so positive - loving, enthusiastic, and cheerful. The teachers are young, energetic, and compassionate. The owners are wonderful as well - always checking in to make sure things are running smoothly!
My youngest currently attends pre-k here, and our family will greatly miss Stepping Stones when he graduates next month. I am so happy that I chose Stepping Stones for my children's 1st learning environment!
I have been a proud member of the Stepping Stones family since my son started in the after school program at the age of 5. He absolutely loved the after school program so much that he has been enrolled in the summer camp for the past two summers. We love Stepping Stones so much that we are moving our daughter from a different place to Stepping Stones for the threes program. We are so excited. Highly recommend.
Excellent school, very friendly, inclusive and comfortable environment, while also quite demanding and broad educationally. The teachers and administration are exceptionally good at what they do. Preschoolers and younger kids are learning a lot in terms of pure academics, but also important life lessons, get involved with the community and develop work ethics, passion to learn and how to be friends and support each other. I cannot imagine a better place for our preschooler who absolutely loves this school, he is graduating this year from Stepping Stones and got a score of 99 out of 100 on the city G&T exam.
My daughter has spent the last two years starting at age 3 there for pre-school and camp. She absolutely loves it there. It is a warm, clean, nurturing and enriching environment.
They provide a great curriculum for the children to get involved and grow. They make it so my daughter is learning while having fun. She is also given homework and little projects to do.
Parents involvement is also highly encouraged here. This is a place where you will get to know the other children in the class along with the parents because everyone cares. I have also found that a lot of other teachers also bring their children here whether or not they live in Bay Ridge.
We were initially hesitant to send our 2 year old to school so young but I am so so happy that we decided to. She's grown and has learned so much over the past 8 months and I could not be happier with our experience at stepping stones. My daughter wakes up every morning asking to go to school. She loves her teacher's Ms. Jillian and Ms. Donna. We plan on sending her full time in the Fall!
I do not know where to begin. Anytime anyone that knows my son sees him today they say "wow he is such a different child than a year ago".
Less than one year ago my son screamed at the site of people, would not leave my side for a second, barely put two words together and had absolutely no social skills. We put him in Stepping Stones to help him grow and I thank God everyday I did. This school has saved my son.
He loves to speak to people, play with other kids, has started speaking better than I could have ever imagined and knows so much and I know it's because of the love, nurturing, education and direction he gets from his teachers Jillian and Donna.
Not only are his teachers amazing, every single person who works there treats my son better than I could have ever imagined. It was the best decision we have ever made. I am so thankful for them truly caring for my son and their sincere desire to watch these children grow. It is managed better than any school I have ever seen. I tell everyone I know.
All three of my children attended Stepping Stones for all 3 years (2’s, 3’s, and pre-k), as well as for camp. They all thrived and were extremely well-prepared for kindergarten. The environment at Stepping Stones and The Next Step is so positive - loving, enthusiastic, and cheerful. The teachers are young, energetic, and compassionate. The owners are wonderful as well - always checking in to make sure things are running smoothly! My youngest currently attends pre-k here, and and our family will greatly miss Stepping Stones when he graduates next month. I am so happy that I chose Stepping Stones for my children's 1st learning environment!
One of my kids graduated from Stepping Stones and my other child is currently attending. They loved and are loving their experiences. My eldest was prepared for kindergarten academically and socially. Teachers are great. The kids are challenged and nurtured. I highly recommended sending your child to Stepping Stones.
Worth every penny. My daughter excelled in Stepping Stones' amazing program for four year olds. The teachers are beyond nurturing and amazing. The activities make all of the students engaged and they love going to school everyday. My daughter is far ahead of most of her classmates and I attribute that to the education she received at Stepping Stones. Amazing.
Excellent school, very friendly, inclusive and comfortable environment, while also quite demanding and broad educationally. The teachers and administration are exceptionally good at what they do. Preschoolers and younger kids are learning a lot in terms of pure academics, but also important life lessons, get involved with the community and develop work ethics, passion to learn and how to be friends and support each other. I cannot imagine a better place for our preschooler who absolutely loves this school, he is graduating this year from Stepping Stones and got a score of 99 out of 100 on the city G&T exam.
We love Stepping Stones, our son always comes home so excited and tell us all the things he has learned. We mainly loved the the teacher ratio to child, each child gets enough attention. We appreciate the weekly newsletters and for us all to be in the loop.
Our son was in the 2s, 3s and 4s/Pre-K program at Stepping Stones and we enjoyed every minute of it! We thought he had a real head start when he started Kindergarten. We would definitely recommend it.
Our one and only daughter just graduated Stepping Stones after 3 magical, joyful years. We are not exaggerating when we say choosing Stepping Stones was the best decision we have made as parents.
Our daughter started as a toddler, who had only ever spent significant time with us or her grandma. There was no adjustment period- she felt at home instantly. The photos we would receive throughout the day showed her smiling and engaged in such wonderful activities.
Every single teacher she has encountered over the years has been a source of patience and encouragement, each bringing out the very best in her. She has learned so much and is now ready to take on kindergarten. Not only letters and numbers, but also about nature, her community, and how to be a good friend.
Watching her develop deep friendships with her classmates has been incredible to behold. As parents, we have also developed wonderful friendships with other parents and will forever be connected by our cherished memories of this wonderful school.
Stepping Stones has been so much more than a preschool for our family—it has been a community, a support system, and a place where my son has truly thrived.
As a full-time working parent, my son is often one of the first children dropped off in the morning and one of the last picked up in the afternoon. As a mom, that isn't always easy. But Stepping Stones has made it easier than I ever could have imagined. I have never once worried about him while he is there. I know he is safe, cared for, and genuinely loved. If I can't be with him, there is incredible comfort in knowing he is spending his day with teachers who care so deeply about him. Their communication with families is outstanding, and over the past two years I have always felt informed, included, and connected to his day-to-day experiences.
What makes Stepping Stones so special is the warmth that fills the entire school. There is always something happening—a celebration, a special project, a family event, or simply a moment that makes the children feel important and valued. The school has created an environment where learning is joyful and children are encouraged to be curious, creative, and kind. My son has gained so much more than academic skills. He has learned how to be a friend, how to be part of a community, how to express himself, and how to take pride in what he accomplishes.
Perhaps the greatest gift Stepping Stones has given my son is friendship. He met his best friends there, and as parents, we've built meaningful friendships as well. Watching our children learn, play, celebrate milestones, and grow together has been such a gift. The relationships formed within this community are something our family will always cherish.
We know that Stepping Stones has provided a strong foundation for our son's future while also creating memories that our family will treasure forever.
We've been so grateful to have our son and daughter (now 10 and 7) be a part of the Stepping Stones family for several years. Our daughter attended pre-K, and extended-day, and both our children have done their wonderful summer camp program. Now that they are in grade school (at PS 185 across the street), we have been lucky to be able to have them continue at Stepping Stones for afterschool. It is a truly special place, every teacher we've encountered has been kind, nurturing, and truly attentive to our kids.
The directors are very present and involved and you can really feel the effort they put in to make Stepping Stones special. Whether it's homework help, creative activities during the school year, or spontaneous trips for ice cream and park play, our children always come home happy and excited. The Brightwheel app updates (daily notes, photos, and videos) have also given us so much peace of mind and made communication effortless in both their 3K/Pre-K and now after school programs. We can't recommend Stepping Stones enough. If you're looking for an early childhood center in Bay Ridge, this place is a real gem.