Stepping Stone School 5

3 Cheers for Changes!!!. We started at this Stepping Stone a year ago and all I can say is the recent change in management is a right step forward. The new Director is GREAT!! She greets us every morning and I do not think she has ever missed a day. While they have had some turn over, it is for the good and she is in constant communication with me about it. Ms. Julie talks to all the parents, everyday. She has a warm welcoming feeling that pours from her and is rubbing off on the others!

The whole staff seems happy and energized! I am one HAPPY Mom!…

Amazed by my son's verbal and social growth!. When I started my two-year-old at Stepping Stone, I was feeling a bit skeptical. My oldest son had a bad experience in a childcare, so I was hesitant. My two-year-old was not flourishing in his private care and actually regressing socially and verbally.

Stepping Stone has really nurtured his growth in both of these areas! He is talking much better, and although he is still verbally behind, he is making up that gap through his teacher, Lisa, and with his peers. Lisa is very patient with him, teaching him how to speak correctly and really trying to understand his language. She has nurtured him socially and taught him how to play with his friends in a positive manner, where before, he would not play at all.

At his old school, he would cry when I dropped him off, and cry when I picked him up. Now, when we get in the car, his words are, "I go see "Isa" (Lisa)!" When I drop him off at school, he says, "Hi, guys!" and "Bye, Mom!" There are times I could almost cry he's so happy. When I pick him up, he tells me about his day, shows me his artwork, and tells me about his friends. I couldn't be happier.

I had the opportunity to go to a daycare that is cheaper next year, that would be at my workplace. I had to turn them down in fear that my child would not progress as he has at Stepping Stone. I absolutely adore the program they have at this school, and I just love Lisa. Thank you to Lisa and Stepping Stone for all you have done for my child.…

Heartbroken to leave, but disappointed in leadership. I was so pleased when we started out our daughter in the infant room, but with the high turnover and lack of qualified teachers, I have become increasingly disappointed with Stepping Stone Wells Branch. The teachers in the infant room are great, and Charli in the 12-17 month room is Fantastic! But, there is zero continuity in the classrooms. The classrooms are small and overcrowded and many teachers do not have any experience in child development or early childhood education. When we walk in to pick up our child, we get the feeling that the inmates are running the prison and that kind of chaos is unhealthy for a toddler. I'm very disappointed in the lack of leadership on the part of the director, as the school was in much better shape with the old director. I'm very sad to put in our 30 day notice, but I don't feel my toddler is being given the care she (and all the other toddlers in the room) deserves. I'm sorry Stepping Stone. I really wanted this to work out.…

High Teacher Turnover. My son has had 12 teachers in 12 months (there are 2 permanent teachers in each classroom for infant/toddlers). When I first brought my 3 month old son to this daycare, all was well. There was a 5 year veteran in the baby room who was great. Shortly after our enrollment, however, she retired and the other care taker quit and then the string of replacements began. Only one remained constant after that (who was wonderful by the way), but she has left as well (luckily after my son moved up to the next room).

The issue continued into the second classroom, where there has been no teacher that has stayed longer than a couple months (unless the one who just went part time actually decides to stay), some less than a month. Although there have been a couple good teachers, it is not worth the stress of having to retrain a new teacher and more importantly, having my son not want to go to daycare because he doesn't know his teacher.

If you are considering this daycare, I suggest you have alternatives already researched and be prepared to switch if this school does not change its retention policies and continues to have high turnover in the infant/toddler rooms.…