Stepping Stone School X

I would like to say that Stepping Stone Day Care at Block House Creek Leander Tx is awesome! My child has attended the school from pre K up until now with the after school program.
First off the school prepared her well for kindergarden where she started the school year reading at a 1st grade level! My daughter has loved grade school because she has a good reading level. Thanks to Stepping Stone; especially Ms.Christina and Ms.Jessica!!!! There are many great long term committed teachers here.
The staff are dedicated and hold high standards for the students and themselves. The children are guided to work at their own level but also guided to attain new skills. Teachers set the tone for safety and respect for all. I feel that my child is safe at this school.
The play activities and school yard are interesting, varried and there is SHADE in the play area! The summer program is outstanding with field trips and swim lessons!
I recommend this school. I feel comfortable talking to the staff about any concerns and they listen. I can truely say this school has the gold standard!

Thank you Ms.Christina and Ms.Jessica and all the other teachers at Stepping Stone!

Ms.Susan So

Pros: Staff and programs

Cons: after school programs for middle school

Posted 10/15/09

My older daughter has been in Stepping Stone X's Pre-K program for one year and it was a truly fantastic year for her. She blossomed socially and learned so much more than at her previous school. She loved going to school and would ask to go even on her days off. The teachers there are terrific as are the administration staff. I will definitely enroll my younger daughter at Stepping Stone School X.

Pros: Excellent teachers, engaging classrooms, great facilities

Cons: None thus far

Posted 08/08/09

I can't say enough good things about the staff at this school. My son is 4 years old and my daughter is almost 2. I stayed home with my kids after my daughter was born and just recently went back to work. The staff made the transition so easy for us. My daughter that had never been to daycare before loves going to school every morning. My 4 year old son has just advanced so much being in the Pre-K class and is very attached to his teacher. This is an exceptional school for your children!

Pros: loving, patient teachers, great playground, kids love it!

Cons: none

Posted 08/07/09

My grandson started attended Stepping Stone X at the age of 3yrs and is now moving on to middle school. I remember his preschool graduation like it was yesterday. I always felt so confident & safe dropping him off in the mornings - It's so wonderful to make that drive to work feeling wonderful about the care of your child. I would HIGHLY recommend this school to everyone. My daughter has her little girl enrolled & will have her soon to be born baby boy enrolled as well.

Pros: safe,clean,caring staff, Very educational .

Cons: none

Posted 08/05/09

My daughter has been attending Stepping Stone X since she was 18mos ( she is now 3 1/2yrs ). From the moment we walked into the school we had the best feeling ever. I had my daughter enrolled in another daycare & did'nt have a good feeling in my stomach & knew we HAD to make a change. Everyday we see so much growth in our little girl... shes ALWAYS teaching mommy & daddy something new. The new Director is wonderful, she makes EVERY small detail to you seem so important & takes it to heart . I love this school. Our baby boy will arrive soon & will also attend this wonderful school.

Pros: FABULOUS Staff & Directors

Cons: None to give

Posted 08/05/09

I'm a father of two children who started with Stepping Stone over 5 years ago. We were welcomed like a family member back then and still are. My children and I have seen many changes in Stepping Stone and just like a family they are always there for us. When I am running late to pick up my children they say "They will be just fine. We'll keep the light on for you." When my daughter fell off the swing they hugged her and made her laugh. When my son lost his favorite stuffed bear they searched high and low until it was found. My children are older now and will be leaving Stepping Stone for Middle School, I'm just sad that Stepping Stone stops care at 11 years of age. Well, I guess my kids have got to grow up some time.

Pros: Good Family Feel

Cons: only goes up to 11 years of age

Posted 07/22/09

My child has only been with Stepping Stone X for almost 2 years in their accredited Pre-K program. I've only had great experiences (totally attributable to fantastic/dedicated teachers!). Both my child's Pre-K teachers have been phenomenal! My child has loved the teachers, has learned tons, including the social skills to be successful in Kindergarten. My child is old enough to complain...but only "LOVES" going to school.

I do recognize that my experience is more recent, so that tells me that the administration is observant and making the changes needed to keep the school running to high standard.

Pros: Accredited Pre-Kindergarten curriculum

Cons: None thus far

Posted 06/24/09

I put my oldest in Stepping Stone X when he was 2 years old. That was 5 years ago. We've been through a lot at this facility. I've seen it change and change again, but I think they've finally found what works.

The center is under new management. The new Director is friendly, out going and more than willing to help with whatever you need. Even if it's hunting thru cubbies to find that missing binky!

The main common areas of the daycare has been re-vamped, Modernized and given a new life.

When you walk in the door morning or afternoon you are always greeted by whatever staff may be walking around. They are more than eager to help you to where you need to go, picking up things you drop a long the way!

I now have THREE children in Stepping Stone. Two of which started at 8 weeks old. All of my children are eager to walk in those doors in the morning. They really like their teachers and respect them. Both my sons? teachers are absolutely fantastic. They have a rapport with these kids that make it fun for them to learn. Ms. Amy in the Leopards is top notch, a true leader. She relates to my son like no one has ever related to him before. He's so happy and successful because of her. Ms. Manuela in the Armadillo's is just a wonderful teacher and nurturer. My middle son just loves her so much. Constantly talks about his "Ms. Walla." She has taught my son so much this year. My daughter was just transitioned from the Dragonflies into the Fawns now that she's a toddler. Mrs. Tanima has been the teacher in that class since my middle son has been in Stepping Stone. It gives you great confidence knowing that Megan is now with the same person that was with my son just a few years ago. I know she will do so well with her. I have not gotten a chance to really get to know the two afternoon teachers in the Fawns, but I'm sure they are wonderful women. My daughter was so loved in the Dragonflies it made it hard to transition her. She was so completely attached to all the wonderful women in there that took care of her every day. Mrs. Kim is just a magnificent person. She's also a very dedicated and gifted teacher. She is so conscience of everything that is going on in that room. She is just so above and beyond! Mrs. Linda, or Grandma Linda as we like to call her, took to my daughter and my daughter took to her. As soon as Mrs. Linda walked in that room it was all about her. It?s hard to pry those two a part in the afternoon and multiple hugs and kisses must be given and received. Ms. Michelle is a sweet heart and so loving with all the babies.

Why am I telling you all of this? Because I feel it's very important that you understand that even though I have to work to provide for my children they are very obviously well taken care. You can tell that they love it because they don't want to leave when I go to pick them up and because of all the kisses they have to give everyone before we can step foot outside the door. These women that work at Stepping Stone are not just there to do a job. They connect on a very real and personal level. And that for me, as a working mom, is VERY important!

Any time I have had concerns whether great or small they have always been immediately address with a working solution. I have never had any issues that would result in me pulling my children out of Stepping Stone.

I understand that there were problems with this center years ago. I weathered the storm and stuck it out because I knew that things would improve. They had the foundation, but just needed to make some changes and boy they sure have.

If you haven't been back to Stepping Stone for a while, go back and see for yourself! It's a great place!

Pros: Clean, friendly staff, great activities.

Posted 06/24/09

From a dad's point of view, it is simple. I want a place that I can take my child that I feel is safe and where they can learn with people who care. My child attended the Stepping Stone School on Hymeadow. When we moved out to Leander, we moved him to the Blockhouse location. We were very happy at Hymeadow and reluctant to move due to the excellent customer service the director and staff had provided us. Once we moved, my child had a difficult time adjusting. Things were good, but we had not made the connections with the staff that we had at the previous location. That is until earlier this year. The director that had been at Hymeadow is now at the Leander location. It had been over a year since we had seen her and yet she remembered our entire family. That is the family friendly environment that we love. Add that to the kindergarten readiness program this school provides and we feel very lucky to have found stepping stone school.

Pros: family friendly environment

Cons: na

Posted 06/24/09

When I walked into this place the first thing I noticed was all the smiling children, who greeted the teachers with open arms and laughter. The children were so happy so see their teachers. The children were greeted with love and excitement. Teachers knew each child's name and talked freely with them. The classrooms were filled with the child's art work and creations. I heard Spanish and saw the children playing games and very busy with activities. I enrolled my two children and I have never regretted my choice in child care.

Pros: Friendly staff, family feel, great activities

Posted 06/22/09

I'll admit, there were some problems with this school under the previous directors. However, the new director and Stepping Stone corporate have made very good changes to this school. We've been very fortunate to have two outstanding teachers, Mrs. Jodie and Mrs. Loretta in the last year. We tried a local Montessori school, but there was no comparison to the new and improved SS on Blockhouse. We get a great value for our money, and a happy child that is writing and recognizes her name and a few other words. We came back to SS because they are a great fit for our family.

Pros: great new director, excellent teachers

Posted 06/21/09

My son is enrolled for summer camp and is having a blast. He is 10 and is really enjoying the summer already. Between the field trips, swimming, and the friends he has made already, he is very happy. I enjoy the activities and the learning that continue so that we don't lose what he gained this past school year. If you are looking for something for your child to do, I would definitely recommend it!

Pros: The education and the fun for school age children

Cons: none

Posted 06/17/09

(several reviews for the shoal creek location are written by admin, too)
Might get a good teacher, a good overall environment, and good service - might not.
lkretzer, no one would ever consider mistreating YOUR children - you're their boss' boss!

Pros: You get what you pay for...sometimes

Cons: Sometimes you get less than what you pay for...

Posted 04/17/09

As a parent of three children, Stepping Stone School in Leander provides me with the comfort that my children are well cared for and loved. The staff are outstanding always helping me gather the children's things and even help my to my car! My children have attended this center for the past three years and they have grown and learned so much. The infant care is outstanding with their main focus on nurturing and the development of my child, for my four year old, the curriculum' is advanced compared to my other experiences. My child is ready for kindergarten and has made many lifetime friends that will be going to school with him. My oldest child is in the third grade and the after school and summer program they provide is fun and educational. All my children love going to their school and as a parent I couldn't ask for a more positive experience. The staff and administrators are there willing to help and make you feel like your one of the family. I highly recommend this program for children of all ages1

Pros: Being part of the community where your child spends a big part of their day.

Cons: Not experienced any

Posted 06/29/08

One Star is too good!!!!!!!!!!

I would love to tell the unsuspecting parent the truth about this daycare.

BUT, According to #2 of the Unacceptable Content in the User Review Guidlines I am not allowed to tell of my experience with this daycare.

Pros: None

Cons: Too many to count

Posted 03/10/08

My first issue with Stepping Stone started the first day my son arrived. On the initial tour, we were shown a stable classroom with a long-term teacher. When we arrived for his first day, we were assigned to a different classroom with no teacher, but rather an aid that was "watching over them for the time being" Finding that unacceptable, I had him placed in another classroom, which took one week. My son attended the school for three weeks. During that time he was given a food that he's allergic to, had a rash on his bottom due to inadequate care, and when I popped in during naptime one day, he was not provided the pillow and blanket I supplied for him to use during naptime. I voiced all these concerns to the director... with promises for immidiate correction. The final incident happend on a Friday afternoon. I arrived just before 5pm to pick up my son. The light was off in his classroom and most of the kids were playing outside. I went outside to look for him, and looked, and looked while the three aid's stood on the patio, talking, oblivious to my presence. I went inside and looked... and looked... and looked... he was nowhere to be found. By now it had been about five minutes and I was anxious and angry. I all but ran back outside and interrupted the conversing aids demanding to know where my son was. The response "he should be out here"... we looked ... and looked... then finally one said "oh... I sent him to the bathroom to wash is hands"... (my son is 3 years old) she headed inside with me following. Out she came... holding his hand, his face bright red. She then said "he was in the bathroom, right where I said he was" (this after 10 additional minutes of frantic searching.) My son jumps in my arms and says, "mommy I was scared, some boy locked me in the bathroom" He had been locked in the bathroom for at least 20 minutes... who really knows how long. An older boy followed him in and locked him in... the teachers forgot about him.

Pros: looks good, clean, nice facility

Cons: under trained staff and teachers, care is not good

Posted 09/16/07