Stepping Stone School Honored with Nationwide’s 2026 CARE Award
Stepping Stone School Honored with Nationwide’s 2026 CARE Award
We are thrilled to share some exciting news: Stepping Stone School and our very own Rhonda Paver have been selected as recipients of the prestigious 2026 CARE Award, presented by Nationwide®!
This is an honor we are deeply proud of, and one that reflects the heart and soul of everything we do here at Stepping Stone School every single day!
What is the CARE Award?
Nationwide® is committed to providing specialized protection for human services organizations, and as part of that mission, they created the CARE Awards to celebrate outstanding individuals in youth-serving organizations across the country. Only 3 honorees per state are selected, making this recognition truly special.
The CARE Award celebrates those who go above and beyond to make a meaningful impact, and is built around four core pillars:
Collaboration – Building strong partnerships with families, staff members, and the community to promote safety and shared responsibility.
Accountability – Upholding high standards and taking ownership of practices that reduce risk and improve outcomes.
Readiness – Proactively identifying and addressing safety concerns, fostering a culture of prevention and preparedness.
Excellence – Delivering high-quality care and education with a strong focus on safety, compliance, and continuous improvement.
Why This Means So Much
At Stepping Stone School, these values aren’t just words on a page, they are the foundation of how we operate, how we care for children, families and our community. To be recognized by Nationwide® for living out these principles is a true testament to the dedication and passion of our entire organization.
And to Rhonda Paver, this award is a reflection of your unwavering commitment to the children, families, and staff of Stepping Stone School. Your leadership, your vision, and your heart for our community inspire all of us. This honor is well deserved!
We are incredibly proud to be among the select few honored with the 2026 CARE Award, and we remain committed to the values of Collaboration, Accountability, Readiness, and Excellence in everything we do.
Thank you to Nationwide® for this meaningful recognition, and thank you to our amazing families for trusting us with what matters most, your children. For more about the CARE Award visit https://www.nationwide.com/campaigns/care-award
Stepping Stone School is a private preschool and childcare provider dedicated to nurturing the whole child through innovative programming, a safe environment, and a passionate team of educators. To learn more or tour one of the campuses, visit https://www.steppingstoneschool.com/schedule-a-tour/