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Stepping Stone School News
Watch Us Grow!
Stepping Stone School is expanding to Kyle, Texas! Our first school in Hays County is scheduled to be open and bustling with academic energy this Fall. Read more about it here.
Advanced Pre-K Week - March 8-12
March 8, 2010 – During the week of March 8-12, we celebrated the education and remarkable achievement of our children with Advanced Pre-Kindergarten week. Each day of this fun learning week, educators highlighted a different Kindergarten Readiness skill that is practiced throughout our school. Day one showcased print concepts and alphabet awareness. Day two focused on the physical development of our children, including fine and gross motor development. Day three involved math concepts, such as sequencing, matching, and shape recognition. Day four encompassed self regulation and social/emotional readiness, as we encourage skills like waiting your turn, cooperation, and respect for others. Day five ended the week with the focus on emergent literacy and writing. We were thrilled to spend this week full of learning with our Kindergarten-bound children!
Stepping Stone School 6 Receives NAC Accreditation
January 13, 2010 – Stepping Stone School 6 received notice of accreditation from the National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs
(NAC). NAC Accreditation demonstrates and documents Stepping Stone School's quality performance using research-based criteria. "We're so proud of our staff at Stepping Stone School VI," said Rhonda Paver, Stepping Stone founder and CEO. "All of our schools follow our strict quality guidelines and curriculum, but it is always nice to be recognized for our hard work."
Stepping Stone School Appears at Breakfast with Santa at the Capitol
December 5, 2009 – The Texas Capitol building was a-buzz with the laughter of children mixed with holiday sounds Saturday, Dec. 5 when Stepping Stone School, exclusively selected to provide arts and crafts activities, helped the children make ornaments and "jingle-bell" necklaces. Stepping Stone School donated its time and supplies to help make the annual Breakfast with Santa at the Capitol a merry holiday event for children.
Stepping Stone School Kids K Helps Caritas
November 26, 2009 – The thunder of footsteps is now just a memory, but the Stepping Stone School Kids K Race was a huge success! About 900 children participated in the one-kilometer race, benefiting Caritas of Austin. Children and parents alike enjoyed the Stepping Stone School Activity Tent before and after the race. Activities included face painting, making crafts and playing in the bounce house. The Kids K is part of ThunderCloud Subs' annual Turkey Trot, which raises money for Caritas. Stepping Stone School is proud of its ten-year partnership with these organizations in the fight to stamp out poverty! Click here to see more photos of the race and activities.
Stepping Stone School Gobblers Open Season on Turkey Trot Registration
November 18, 2009 – Echoes of "Gobble! Gobble!" filled the crisp autumn air Nov. 18 when the students of Stepping Stone School IX competed to determine which of them is the Turkey Calling King or Queen. This year's winner was 5-year-old Evan. Stepping Stone School families collected non-perishable items for Caritas and were pleased to present the non-profit group with an amazing 594 pounds of food! This annual event kicked off registration for the ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot and Stepping Stone School Kids K, which took place Thanksgiving morning. All proceeds from the Turkey Trot benefit Caritas of Austin, a non-profit organization that fights hunger, homelessness and poverty.
Stepping Stone School Summer Bash a 'Smashing Success'
September 1, 2009 – Stepping Stone School topped off its Summer Adventure Camp in style with the Annual End of Summer Bash. There were clowns, slides, face-painting, food, fun and LOTS of foam! Although we're sad to see the summer end, we're thrilled that we still get to see so many of our school-agers in our After-School Care! Check out the video here. What better way to kick off the new school year?
Visit a Stepping Stone School During Fall Open Houses
July 21, 2009 – Find out more about our nationally acclaimed curriculum, how to enroll your child in Stepping Stone School and more by visiting during our Fall Open Houses. We will have interactive craft activities, free Amy’s Ice Creams, and other enriching family activities.
July 1, 2009 - Stepping Stone School has been named "Best Preschool 2009" by the Austin Family Magazine Readers' Poll. This is the 11th year Stepping Stone School has received this honor. Thank you to all our families for your support!
Now Enrolling for Fall
June 23, 2009 - Get an early start on your fall planning! Stepping Stone School is now enrolling all ages for fall (6 weeks-11 years). Be sure to ask about our proven Kindergarten Readiness Academy and our After-School Enrichment Program! Please contact or visit a school near you for more information.
Summer Specialty Camp!
May 26, 2009 - Stepping Stone School is now enrolling for our School Age Summer Adventure Camp!
- Exciting weekly and monthly camps including Science Experiments, Culinary Academy, and Theater Productions and exciting activities such as Lazer Tag, Rock Climbing, Water Golf, Zoo Shows and Stepping Stone School's Private Movie Theater!
- FREE, summer-long Academic Super Skills Camp featuring MENSA-inspired activities, brain teasers, and math, literacy and science enhancements.
- Use of Nintendo Wii rewarded for Academic Achievement!
- State licensed, regulated environments ensure your child’s safety, security and well-being.
- Weekly specialty camps and flexible scheduling allow you to customize your child’s summer experience by enrolling weekly or monthly.
- Club Zones designed for each age group and scheduled daily indoor and outdoor time.
Open House!
June 19, 2009 - Stepping Stone School III at 6616 McNeil Drive in Austin is hosting an Open House on Saturday, June 20th from 10:00am-2:00pm. Join us for free Amy's Ice Cream, Hot Dogs, a Bounce House, Games, a visit from the Austin Fire Department Truck, and Free Crafts! We will also be offering a $75 enrollment credit to newly enrolling families! We hope to see you there!
Stepping Stone School Guides Parents in Preschool Search
May 24, 2009 - In a recent issue of the Austin American-Statesman, Stepping Stone School offered guidance for working parents who are searching for quality early care and education. Marilee Blackwelder, Director of Training at Stepping Stone School provided her insights, including valuable information regarding what parents should look for and specific questions to ask. Click here to read the full article, "Safety, security top list of what pre-school should offer families".
Summer Specialty Camp Open House!
May 13, 2009 - Stepping Stone School XV at 2301 N. A.W. Grimes in Round Rock is hosting a Summer Adventure Camp Open House on Saturday, May 16th from 10:00am-1:00pm. Please join us to learn more about our summer program and to enjoy a live DJ, professional student photos and craft activities. We hope to see you there!
Health Advisory
April 30, 2009 - Stepping Stone School will continue updating you on important health-related information as it becomes available. Please click here to read our letter to parents including helpful tips on preventing the spread of illness (PDF). For tips on discussing swine flu with children, please visit the Austin American-Statesman online. For a news report on local school closings, featuring an interview with Susan Watson, Director of Operations at Stepping Stone School, please visit KEYE News online.
2009 Austin Family Readers' Poll
March 11, 2009 - Polls are open! Help keep Stepping Stone School "Best in Child Care". Thank you for your support and votes as we continue providing the best early care and education! [*Update 5/15/2009 - Polls are now closed. Thank you for your support!]
NAC Accreditation
March 11, 2009 - Stepping Stone School I on Richcreek and Steppping Stone School V on Wells Branch Parkway were recently accredited by the National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs (NAC), recognizing the schools for exemplifying excellence in the education and care of young children. NAC Accreditation is one of the highest recognitions awarded to Early Childhood Development programs, signifying that a program meets NAC's high quality standards and is distinguished as superior child care. More about NAC »
National Recognition
January 28, 2009 - Stepping Stone School has been recognized as the 21st largest privately owned child care organization in North America by Exchange magazine, the official publication of Child Care Information Exchange.
Car Seat Calendar
December 1, 2008 - Properly installing a car seat is one of the most important aspects of ensuring a child's safety. To ensure that all parents are familiar with how to effectively, safely use car seats, the Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas provides a comprehensive Calendar of Car Seat Safety Checks. Please visit their website to take advantage of this valuable resource.
Texas Rising Star Four-Star Certification
November 20, 2008 - Stepping Stone School II on Bowling Green has been named a 4-Star Texas Rising Star vendor, the highest award offered by the program. The Texas Rising Star program is designed to provide families with the highest quality child care available by closely observing and examining child care programs through certification visits. Four-Star certification is awarded to child care programs that exceed quality standards in all areas and enhance the intellectual, physical, and social development of children in care. Additionally, six other Stepping Stone School locations—Richcreek, Woodland Village, Wells Branch, Shoal Creek, Block House, and Red River—are Texas Rising Star certified. More about Texas Rising Star »
Texas School Ready! Certification
November 20, 2008 - Five Stepping Stone School locations—Richcreek, Woodland Village, Wells Branch, Blockhouse, and Red River—recently earned the Texas School Ready! certification for outstanding preschool education classrooms that effectively prepare students for kindergarten. More about Texas School Ready! »
Stepping Stone School Turkey Call Kicks Off Thanksgiving Festivities
November 20, 2008 - The children at Stepping Stone School IX on Shoal Creek participated in Stepping Stone School's annual Turkey Call to initiate the Thanksgiving festivities leading up to the Stepping Stone School Kids' K at the 18th Annual Thundercloud Subs Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning. View some of the Turkey Call excitement! Turkey Call Slideshow • Turkey Call Video
Stepping Stone School Kids' K at Thundercloud Subs Turkey Trot
November 20, 2008 - Join us at the Stepping Stone School Kids' K at the 18th Annual Thundercloud Subs Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning at Waterloo Park. Children can run or walk the Kids' K and then head over to the Stepping Stone School Kids' Area featuring games, activities, snacks, and a moonwalk. All proceeds benefit Caritas of Austin, a non-profit organization committed to assisting low-income families. We hope to see you there!
Early Childhood Education Consortium
October 3, 2008 - Stepping Stone School founders Rhonda and Bill Paver have been recognized for their contributions to Early Childhood Education by an invitation to join the Early Care and Education Consortium (ECEC). The Consortium represents the largest national and regional early childhood care and education companies in the United States. The ECEC members represent over 8,000 programs serving more than 800,000 children in nearly every state in the country. More about ECEC »
Stepping Stone School Supports Early Literacy in Central Texas
October 2, 2008 - Stepping Stone School is proud to support early literacy efforts in the community by sponsoring the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation (LEEF), a public charity committed to helping improve academic outcomes in the Leander Independent School District Community. More about LEEF »
Rhonda Paver to present at World Child Care Forum
October 2, 2008 - Stepping Stone School founder Rhonda Paver has once again been asked to present at the international Working Forum for Multi-Site Early Childhood Organizations to take place in October 2008. Mrs. Paver will be presenting on the topic: How Culture is Shaped and Communicated. This event is a project of the World Forum Foundation whose mission is to promote an on-going global exchange of ideas on the delivery of quality services for young children in diverse settings. The complete agenda can be found on the Multi-Site web site.
In 2006, Mrs. Paver presented on the topic: Developing Strucutres, Systems and Policies at the international Working Forum for Multi-Site Early Childhood Organizations held in Amsterdam.
Stepping Stone School Partnering for Excellence
August 1, 2008 - Stepping Stone School and AISD announce a unique Pre-K partnership during the 2008-2009 school year! The partnership will take place at Stepping Stone School IX at 8121 Shoal Creek in Austin. For more information regarding enrollment in this program, please contact Carrie Nicholson at 512-371-1777.
Stepping Stone School Voted Best Child Care - 2008 Austin Family Magazine Readers' Poll
July 1, 2008 - Stepping Stone School is as the top of its class! Click here to view the full listing of poll results.
Stepping Stone School featured in Community Impact Newspaper
July 1, 2008 - Stepping Stone School was featured in Community Impact Newspaper's June 2008 edition. Click here to view the entire article (PDF download).
Stepping Stone School XVIII – NOW OPEN!
May 5, 2008 - The School of Life, located at Seton Medical Center Williamson in Round Rock, TX provides on-site care for Seton Healthcare Network employees and the general public. Please call 512.341.0909 for more information or to enroll your child. Hurry... spaces are filling fast!
The Kids ARE Alright
Slate Magazine reviews an in-depth study on what child care really means!