Stepping Stone Schools

It is not surprising that Stepping Stone IX continues to have a revolving door for Directors and Assistant Directors. We joined Stepping Stone IX eight years ago when my youngest son was a few months old. It was highly recommended to us by friends because of the good care Miss Cindy Cerda provided to the babies in the baby room. She was so good with our children and she still continues to be the best teacher in the baby room. At that time in 2001 we were very lucky to have a Director that stayed for almost the entire time my oldest child was attending this location which was up to preschool. Afterwards it became a revolving door for Directors and every time there was a Director that seemed that they will stay they either left or got transferred to another location. I believe that in the past 5 years we have not had a Director that had stayed more than a year. Sometimes it feels that this is the training center and once Directors are trained they get moved to other locations. In the summer of 2008 we finally thought there was hope when Carrie came in as a Director and Ms. Belia was the Assistant Director. You could see the changes that were happening in the school. The teachers were happy. The rooms were staffed and there were always supplies available. We thought this was good. It was not even a year in May 2009 when the Director got transferred to a new location and a new Director came in. It was also very sad to know that after 13 years of Ms. Belia?s dedication to this school she got transferred to handle the supplies for Stepping Stone schools at the Parmer lane location and filling in as Assistant Director where needed. This is a big loss for Stepping Stone lX. She knew the families and always went an extra mile to assist us in every way that she could. She truly cared that we were happy with the service that we were given. It doesn?t seem the same anymore without her. The warm welcome is not there anymore. You can tell she is missed by the children and the teachers. I just wanted to thank Ms. Belia for her dedication to the children of Stepping Stone lX for so many years and we truly will miss her.
I also want to give thanks to a core of teachers that have been part of Stepping stone lX for many years: Ms. Nita, Ms. Maria, Ms. Katie, Ms. Robyn and of course Ms. Cindy. It is because of all of them that we stayed for so many years at Stepping Stone lX and survived the continuous administrative changes at this location. I appreciate their dedication, patience and continuous care that they provided to our children.

Pros: Affordable, caring teachers

Cons: Administrative staff gets moved to other locations

Posted 08/19/09

The Stepping Stone School on Shoal Creek has been wonderful! It is well organized and I feel very safe to have my child attend this school. Every time I enter the school I am greeted with smiles and the sounds of children's laughter. It is very reassuring to know that my child is having fun while I am away. The teachers and directors are very attentive to the children which put my worries to ease!

Posted 07/30/09

Both my sons have attended Stepping Stone for their whole little lives. We've been very happy at the Shoal Creek location, and I have no doubt that will continue.

I adore my kids' teachers, and am amazed at the things they are learning. Can your child count in Japanese? Mine almost does! :)

Great service, loving teachers, happy mom and kids!

Pros: great price for great service

Cons: none

Posted 07/29/09

My nieces attend Stepping stones on Shoal Creek and absolutely love it there. I attended the graduation they had there and was so impressed. All of the children were happy and enjoying themselves and the teachers all knew the children by name and were playing with them. During the graduation, the director made a speech and it was great to see how much she cared for all of the children and the school. It was a really special ceremony.
My nieces always tell me the stories of the day and show me their art projects. Seeing the excitement in their faces shows how much they enjoy going to this school.

Pros: Great teachers, loving, nurturing environment, kids love it

Posted 07/29/09

I occasionally pick up my grandchildren from Stepping Stones School on Shoal Creek. Each time I am greeted with a smile and greeting. They help me find the correct room and lead the way. The children are always involved in an activity and happy. I hear about their field trips, snacks and friends on the way home.
Childcare is non-stop and long hours. I commend the Director and her staff for maintaining such great attitudes and the loving care they give the children.

Posted 07/29/09

I myself attended Stepping Stones as a child after school and sometimes during the summer and always had great experiences. My nieces now attend the school off of Shoal Creek and love it just as much. I recently attended their graduation and really enjoyed the ceremony. 2 Thumbs up for Stepping Stones.

Pros: great instructors, plenty of activities

Posted 07/29/09

My husband and I have recently enrolled our 7 month daughter in Stepping Stone School. It was my frst time to leave my daughter and I was extremely nervous. The teachers and administrators have gone out of their way to make this transition an easy one. They have met with my husband and I many times, we visited on several occasions, we were always greeted with smiles. We were welcomed into the classrooms and invited to stay. Other families were also kind and had good things to say about their teachers. The first day we left our baby we recieved a phone call from the administraton and our teacher letting us know how she was doing. We also were sent pictures of her first week in her new class. The teachers are constantly singing, talking to the other infants, and smiling! I occasionally pop over to see my daughter during the work day - and the classroom is always cheerful and calm. I am confident she is in good hands - and so pleased with our descion to have her here.

Pros: Attention to detail, loving teachers, Family environment

Posted 07/29/09

I'd have to describe these schools as largely average. I believe in giving due credit, and there ARE fabulous teachers here who provide excellent care and whose charges truly love the time they spend at school! BUT, they have just as many problems as any other childcare out there; high turnover, inattentive teachers, teachers who are harsh/rude/ignore children (and sometimes parents, as well), minimal curriculum implementation (posted lesson plans are often completely ignored by the teachers), little tolerance for children who cry a lot, general neutrality (and even dislike) toward the children of "pain-in-the-behind" parents, just to name a few! This is partially due to the universal childcare catch-22 of not being able to attract (or retain) the best qualified candidates, but they also have their priorities all backward, sideways, and inside out. If you are lucky enough to have a truly open & mutually trusting relationship with your child's teacher (although, of course, they don't want teachers to tell parents the real deal, they're supposed to put up a good front for the parents), you will know how seldom teachers' needs are met (or even listened to) - these ladies are the epitome of "overworked and underpaid". The best teachers usually bail out ASAP for better jobs - and not just better paying, they want jobs where they are valued as employees. The schools are severly lacking in integrity, as well; if there is a problem, they DO try to resolve it, however, they do not want to lose your business, so even if what you or your child wants or needs is totally and completely impractical and puts stress on the other children and teachers, they will not set any limits for the good of the class or the school as a whole. I'm willing to admit that the things said by the other reviewers on this website are true indeed; I'm sure that these families' wonderful experiences are accurate, but BTW, just FYI, reviews 3-5 were written by Stepping Stone School employees.

Pros: convenient locations, reasonable prices, nurturance, education, loving teachers

Cons: the "nurturance, education, loving teachers" part is kinda hit-or-miss

Posted 10/20/08

My wife and I (as well as my children) love Stepping Stone School, not only for its educational aspect, but for fostering creativity and compassion. My son and daughter both go to Stepping Stone on Shoal Creek and love going to school everyday (how many parents can say that?!?). Their teachers have a genuine interest in them and often ask us how they can help further any goals we might have for them (potty, reading, dancing, etc.).

When we walk in, everyone has a smile and a warm welcome for our kids and it feels like they all play a part in my children's success. They have a multitude of opportunities for additional development such as music, computer lab, and (my two-year-old daughter's favorite) dance. I can't wait for her first recital.

It is about average in terms of cost, but you truly receive a lot extra vs. other schools. My wife and I checked out several before deciding on Stepping Stone. We just felt the most comfortable in terms of out children's safety, education and creative experience.

I would happily and definitely recommend this facility to anyone looking for the best childcare experience.

Pros: Quality teachers, activities, service

Cons: None

Posted 10/18/08

My son attends this school and loves it! Even though he's an infant he enjoys interacting with all the other children and his teachers. He enjoys watching the children swim outside of his classroom and knew just how to "swim" when he went for the first time. I am confident he is safe and well loved while he is away from me and I think it's the best value for the money spent that one can dream of in this day and age.

Posted 07/23/08

Searching for infant and pre-k child care at the same time is a very hard thing to do for any working mother. After several visits to other child care centers, the warmth and hospitality of Stepping Stone stood out among all others. What really locked me in was the how this program is run. Everyone there displays such great care and knowledge with my children every day. My infant LOVES her teachers and they are amazing at explaining all of the developmental leaps and bounds she takes every day, and my pre-k son is always showing and explaining all the games they play in his class...I don't think he even realizes that they are all learning games that are teaching him to read and write! He is more prepared for Kindergarten than I ever could have hoped. They really are a mother's dream come true!

Pros: Loving, knowledgable teachers, accredited program, curriculum, service, low tuition

Posted 06/29/08

My niece comes to visit me during the summer and attends the Stepping Stone School on Shoal Creek during her stay. Every time I pick her up she does not want to leave. On our ride home she fills my ears full of all the activities she has done that day. During her last visit I asked her at the end of the week if she was ready to return home to see her mom and she said ?No, absolutely not, I don?t want to leave my friends at stepping stone. I have more fun here than at my school at home, but please don?t tell my teacher at home she would be sad. I am going to stay with you all summer! We can call mommy tonight and let her know.? Nothing brings me more joy than spending time with my niece, but I find great comfort in knowing she is learning and having fun at Stepping Stone School when I am at the office. I strongly suggest Stepping Stone School to any of you out there looking for a quality school for your child.

Pros: Two thumps up, Child preferred

Posted 06/29/08