The Best Flexible, Affordable, Stress-Free Summer Camp in Texas!
Visit our Summer Camp page to learn more about Austin's Favorite Summer Camp! Register Today! The Best Flexible, Affordable, Stress-Free Summer Camp in Texas! Artists & Athletes Summer Break Camp 2026 at The Diamond Club™ | Stepping Stone School | Ages 5–12 | May 25 – August 14 If you've been searching for "affordable summer camp in Austin," "flexible summer camp near me," or "summer camps in Austin, TX,” you just found your answer! Enroll now and check this “to do” off of your list! We are here to make the process convenient, stress-free, and sim...
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®! [caption id="attachment_21045" align="alignright" width="188"] Rhonda Paver receiving the CARE award.[/caption] 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 spec...
Artists and Athletes Summer Break Camp - The Place to be This Summer!
This summer, the Diamond Club™ invites your child to join the Shine Squad for our spectacular Artists and Athletes Summer Break Camp, where creativity meets adventure, and every day brings something new! A Different Art Form Every Week! Each week of camp is a brand-new journey through the arts: Literature – Dive into storytelling, creative writing, and the magic of words Music – Discover rhythm, melody, and musical expression Visual Arts – Paint, sculpt, and create masterpieces The Stage – Shine in drama, dance, and performing arts Film – Go behind the camer...
Stepping Stone School Southpark Meadows | South Austin, TX Campus
Stepping Stone School at Southpark Meadows has been serving families in South Austin, TX, since 2015, and it remains one of the most distinctive early care and education campuses in the Austin area. Designed in-house by Stepping Stone School's own award-winning architectural and development team, the Southpark Meadows campus was built from the ground up to reflect something we believe deeply: that the environment a child learns in is just as important as the curriculum they experience within it. A Nature-Inspired Campus Designed for Discovery The Stepping Stone School Southpark Mead...
Stepping Stone School’s Legacy of Excellence - Celebrating 45+ Years
For more than 45 years, Stepping Stone School has proudly served as a trusted cornerstone of early care and education for families across Central Texas. What began in 1979 as a visionary effort to elevate the standard of childcare in Austin, TX has grown into a nationally recognized organization, shaping the lives of more than 200,000 children across Austin, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Kyle, Leander, Cedar Park, and the greater Central Texas region. Today, we are honored to celebrate a legacy built on compassion, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. A Vision That Became ...
Emergent Writing in Early Childhood: Our Philosophy at Stepping Stone School
At Stepping Stone School, we believe that a child's first scribble is not a random mark on a page, it is the beginning of a story. Across our campuses in Austin, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Kyle, Leander, and Cedar Park, TX, we are intentionally laying the foundation for lifelong literacy by nurturing emergent writing from the very earliest stages of childhood. Children begin demonstrating pre-writing skills as toddlers, and with the right environment and encouragement, these abilities develop steadily through the Pre-Kindergarten years and beyond. Understanding how and why writing develops ...
Stepping Stone School Voted Best Childcare by families in the Austin American Statesman 2025!
We are thrilled to share that Stepping Stone School has been named Best Childcare in Austin in the Austin American-Statesman Community Choice Awards 2025! This incredible honor was made possible by the families, friends, and community members who voted for us, and we couldn’t be more grateful. For more than 45 years, Stepping Stone School has been the trusted leader in Early Care and Education across Central Texas. Each award we receive is a reflection of the strong, supportive community we’ve built together. When families, educators, and children come together with a shared vision, ...
Philanthropy and Community Support
A Legacy of Giving in Austin and Central Texas Stepping Stone School has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to community support and philanthropy, contributing to impactful organizations across Austin, TX, Central Texas, and College Station, TX. These contributions represent only a portion of the school's broader legacy of giving, which spans decades of service to Austin-area families and the wider Central Texas community. Young Entrepreneurs and Philanthropists™ Program Stepping Stone School instills the value of community support and philanthropy in its students through the You...
Bob Books For Reading Readiness and Early Literacy!
In keeping with our pledge to prepare children for kindergarten, Stepping Stone School has a Learn-to-Read Curriculum for our Advanced Pre-Kindergarten Classes. The Bob Books were chosen based on their reputation for supporting reading readiness in young children and their adaptability for use in whole group and small group settings. Through daily practice, children will build pre-reading and reading skills that are foundational to a lifetime of reading. Our wonderful teachers have undergone training on the use of these books and have learned various reading strategies to assist the childre...
Nationally Recognized Updates and Renovations at Stepping Stone School
At Stepping Stone School, we are committed to providing the highest quality early care and education! We are excited to announce a series of beautiful renovations and enhancements have been completed at many of our campuses! These updates have elevated the learning environment, ensuring our children and families experience the best possible care, education and well-being. We have recently been honored as the 38th largest child care organization in North America! Extraordinary Early Childhood Education Our dedication to excellence is reflected in every aspect of these renovations. We...
Discover the Value of All-Inclusive Tuition at Stepping Stone School
At Stepping Stone School, we believe every family and child is unique and deserving of individualized care and attention. From the moment you walk through our doors, our priority is to understand what matters most to you and your child. We don’t see you as just another family—we see you as a vital part of our community. Every interaction begins with listening to your needs, your child's development, and your hopes for their future. Our deep commitment to building meaningful relationships ensures you and your child feel valued, supported, and truly cared for every step of the way. Our...
The Grand Re-Opening of Stepping Stone School Lakeline!
We are thrilled to announce the historic renovation of Stepping Stone School Lakeline! After months of hard work and dedication, our newly transformed campus will officially reopen on October 1, 2024. This is not just a fresh coat of paint; it’s a complete evolution of what Stepping Stone School represents—bringing together cutting-edge learning environments, modern amenities, and the Future Strong™ approach. What to Expect from Our Transformation The renovation of our Lakeline campus includes upgrading classrooms with new paint, walls, flooring, and bathrooms. We’ve designed calm...
🚀 Welcome to Destination Exploration: Your Summer Adventure Awaits! 🌟
Are you ready to embark on an unforgettable journey filled with excitement, discovery, and fun? Look no further than Destination Exploration at The Brainery™! Our summer camp program is designed to ignite the spirit of exploration within your child while fostering critical thinking, creativity, and a love for learning. Here's what you can expect from our action-packed program: 🔍 Exploration Themes: Each week, your child will dive into a new and fascinating theme inspired by legendary explorers. From delving into the depths of the ocean with Jacques Cousteau to soaring through the...
Stepping Stone School Continues to Elevate our High Standards and Progressive Program!
At Stepping Stone School, our focus is, and always will be, to provide the highest quality care and education for our children and families. From digital literacy and safety to emotional intelligence and positive self-regulation skills, our program provides the latest research-based curriculum combined with the reputable educational standards we are nationally recognized for. We are also emphasizing a reconnection to nature and implementing environmental sustainability practices to help develop responsible citizens. Our Proud to be Polite™ program focuses on the development of manners and...
Stepping Stone School's Historic Gift: Teaching Children the Power of Compassion
In a heartwarming display of compassion and commitment to making a difference, Stepping Stone School marked a historic moment with a remarkable donation of $16,728.00 to the Ronald McDonald House of Central Texas. The children raised half of the total donation and Stepping Stone School generously made a matching donation. This significant contribution adds to Stepping Stone School's legacy of giving, surpassing the $104,000.00 milestone donated over the last several years. This achievement not only reflects Stepping Stone School’s dedication to philanthropy but also highlights the trans...
Lifelong Friendships Start at Stepping Stone School
Friendship is a bond that transcends time and distance, connecting us in ways that often leave lasting impressions. It is a testament to the power of these enduring relationships that we find ourselves cherishing the memories created during our formative years. Recently, the Stepping Stone School community had the pleasure of witnessing a heartwarming demonstration of friendship that exemplified the beautiful spirit of friendship. Graduating seniors, Colton Smith and Jory Klinger, returned to their alma mater, Stepping Stone School Cat Hollow, to recreate a special photograph, marking a rem...
Interview with Rhonda Paver, CEO, Owner and Founder of Stepping Stone School
In 1979, Rhonda Paver, M.A. arrived in Austin, TX with her husband Bill and three children, and quickly discovered what so many Central Texas families still experience today: finding affordable, high-quality early care and education is harder than it should be. Rather than accept that reality, Rhonda decided to change it. She founded the first Stepping Stone School campus in Austin that same year, and has spent the 45+ years since building one of the most recognized early childhood education organizations in Central Texas. In this video interview, Rhonda shares the story behind Stepping ...
Safety & Security at Stepping Stone School
At Stepping Stone School, the safety and security of our students and families are the foundation on which everything rests. Providing a learning environment that is safe and secure is our number-one priority! Our outstanding safety measures give parents comfort and confidence. Our safeguards include: While on campus and during events all staff wear official apparel with the Stepping Stone School logo. Video cameras in each classroom provide real-time video feed at a color monitor located in the welcome area or the principal’s office 24/7 security video surveillance at the fr...
Progressive Learning Plans and Learning Pods at Stepping Stone School
As ISD's and private schools are approaching the gradual opening of school, we would like to confirm the continuation of our verified and progressive learning plans and LEARNING PODS for all children in our educational care. With the official beginning of school, we are continuing school age online learning in order to meet the needs of our students and families. Learning pods have been in full effect in our classrooms since the beginning of the pandemic. Children have been separated throughout this time while we continue to enhance education through social-emotional learning with ou...
2019 Turkey Trot
AUSTIN, Texas — It's an Austin tradition that has been going on for 29 years. Every Thanksgiving, thousands of people meet at the Long Center for the Thundercloud Subs Turkey Trot. The event has raised almost $3.8 million for Caritas of Austin, a nonprofit that works to prevent and end homelessness in the city. “Some of the things we will do with some money that is raised today at the Thundercloud Subs Turkey Trot is, overall, we will build well-being and help people build a future for themselves," said Jo Kathryn Quinn with Caritas of Austin. "We will connect people to permane...
2019 Stepping Stone School Turkey Call
Stepping Stone School is proud to continue its long term sponsorship of the Kid’s K at the annual Turkey Trot supporting Caritas and we thoroughly enjoy our visit from a turkey and the contest to see who can get the turkey to gobble. To learn more about Stepping Stone School's commitment to children, community and philanthropy! ...
Best Childcare in Austin
EDIT: Update July 2025- Stepping Stone School has now won Austin's Best in Childcare for a 27th year! What does it take to be voted “The Best Childcare in Austin” for 27 years? It takes a dedicated, loving, family owned business, that truly cares about the families and children it serves. It takes over 40 years of experience and research into the best early childhood practices, and it takes compassion, nurturance, and commitment to the community we serve! Stepping Stone School has been voted Best in Childcare by Austin Family Magazine once again this year, making it 27 years we hav...
Annual Fall Teachers' Conference
Stepping Stone School teachers, principals, staff, and administrators will gather Saturday, Sept. 9, for our annual educational conference. Each year, Stepping Stone School sponsors this event to provide our teachers with a deeper understanding of age-specific needs, instruction techniques and variations, S.T.E.A.M. integration ideas and more. Our teachers look forward to the fall conference each year, not only for the invaluable learning benefit but because the event is fun and has a real feeling of fellowship! This year's workshop highlights included: Math is Everywhere!...
Stepping Stone School Voted ”Best in Childcare” for the 19th Year!
EDIT: Update July 2024- Stepping Stone School has now won Austin's Best in Childcare for a 26th year! We are excited to announce that we’ve been selected “Best in Childcare” by Austin Family magazine’s readers! Stepping Stone School would not be the best without the support of our wonderful teachers and amazing families! We’d like to say a HUGE thank you to all our families and friends who voted for us. We’re honored to have won this prestigious title for 19 years! ...
Stepping Stone Wins Best in Childcare for 19th Year!
We are excited to announce that we've been selected “Best in Childcare” by Austin Family magazine's readers! Stepping Stone School would not be the best without the support of our wonderful teachers and amazing families! We'd like to say a HUGE thank you to all our families and friends who voted for us. We're honored to have won this prestigious title for 19 years!...
ChildCare Exchange Magazine Cover Story feature in Jan-Feb 2017 Issue
Rhonda Paver intended to work as a teacher when she and her family moved to Austin, Texas, in 1979. Right off, she needed to find child care for her three children. Unsatisfied with the many large and small operations she looked into, Rhonda visited one final small house. The child care provider, looking exhausted, said she simply couldn’t go on in her business. Right then and there, drawing on her Alaskan family history of pioneering entrepreneurship, Rhonda decided she was going to build what she could not find. She and her family moved into that very building. The family lived on one s...
Why is it Fair…?
“Why is it fair that I have so much when other kids don’t?” kindergartener, Rachel Harris, pointedly asked. With her mother’s support and guidance, Rachel founded Let’s Help Kids, a nonprofit company which works alongside teachers and case workers to provide toys and experiences for the children of families who would otherwise not be able to afford life’s little luxuries. Over six years later, Rachel has helped over 2,000 children by providing presents for birthdays and holidays, Halloween costumes, summer camp tuition, swim lessons, and even movie tickets. It all began w...
Welcome, Dr. Chris Lemons to our Advisory Board
Dear Valued Stepping Stone School Families, Twenty years ago, I hired a bright young man as a school age teacher at our Northcross campus. At the time, he was a Psychology undergraduate student at the University of Texas. His love for our students was evident from the start, even when I had to remind him to curb his enthusiasm when pushing the children on the swings. This young man was Chris Lemons and he is now the newest addition to the Stepping Stone School Advisory Board. Chris is currently the leading researcher in the nation on Down Syndrome and an Assistant Professor in the Depar...
Responsibility. What’s that? 5 Actionable Tips to Teach Your Child How to be Responsible.
I recently spoke to an aquatics director at a large facility. The majority of her faculty is made up of young adults ages 18-24. Each year this director is surprised by the number of new applicants whose parents call to try to get them a job working in her facility. She refuses to hire those applicants. Why? Because if those individuals have not shown that they are responsible enough to find their own job, then she does not want to give them the responsibility to guard someone’s life while they are in the water. Responsibility is necessary for future success. How do parents teach th...
Effective vs. Ineffective Praise
“Ineffective Praise?” How can praise be ineffective? Aren’t parents supposed to praise a child’s efforts? Yes and no… America, as a culture, thrives on praise. The idea of not praising a child seems outrageous to many parents. However, in recent years research has demonstrated that there is a difference between effective praise and ineffective praise (wrong praise). Ineffective Praise Praising Traits In one study, two groups of four-year olds were given puzzles to complete independently. One group was encouraged with the phrase, “You’re so smart!” The other group ...
Play Time is Essential
Today’s early childhood education research continues to bring evidence to light that play time is essential for social-emotional and academic development in young children. In The Importance of Being Little, child development expert Erika Christakis emphasizes that freedom to participate in unstructured play is crucial for children to inspire key learning connections. She says, "We have very crammed [preschool] schedules with rapid transitions. We have tons of clutter on classroom walls. We have kids moving quickly from one activity to another. We ask them to sit in long and often boring ...
Stepping Stone School Rolls Out Its Newest Curriculum, Platinum Learning for Life™
Over the last three decades, Stepping Stone School has developed its own proprietary and comprehensive early education curriculum. The curriculum is based on 40 years of direct teaching experience and interacting with children, but also on the finest and most up to date research and best practices regarding how children learn, grow and develop. It also takes into consideration the needs of every type of learner and fosters friendships and relationship-building in children at an early age. Stepping Stone School is consistently upgrading and changing our curriculum to ensure we are always ...
SPRING Into SUMMER!
The Spring Break in mid-March is not far off and before you know it, the school year will be ending! Now is the time to plan ahead and reserve a place for your school age child's care and education during the Spring and Summer breaks! Our exciting Spring Break theme will be In the Museum where we will be studying the vast variety of museums throughout the world and the treasures that lie within them! This summer, our campers will explore the continents of the world along with the countries that populate each continent in The World Awaits! Our campers and their friends will develop a mean...
Winter Break Camp 2015
Winter Break will be here before you know it, and Stepping Stone School is gearing up to launch our winter program to keep our students’ minds engaged while school is closed for the holidays. At The Brainery, we will be immersing ourselves in the bygone times of “The Middle Ages.” We will investigate the era of knights and castles through science experiments, critical thinking exercises, engineering activities and a number of other S.T.E.A.M. related exercises. Students will have the chance to design and test a catapult, create a coat of arms, and write and perform a ballad of th...
Reading Readiness at Stepping Stone School
Research demonstrates that the single activity that has the greatest impact on reading readiness is being read to on a regular basis. Each day, the children at Stepping Stone School listen to read-alouds, observe environmental print, delve into the classroom library, interact with our classic children’s literature collection, and explore other books and printed material. These activities benefit children of all ages and support numerous pre-reading skills. Daily Reading As Stepping Stone teachers read to the children in their classrooms, they employ a number of strategies and activities...
Bus and Van Safety is our Top Priority!
When leaving their child in the care of someone else, most parents say the safety of their child is their number one concern. At Stepping Stone School, we could not agree more, especially when it comes to safety in and around the vans and buses. Since 1979, Stepping Stone School has always been at the forefront of safety protocols, often implementing procedures many years before they become law. Here are some of our tried-and-true policies, many of which have become state regulations: Our vehicles have an alarm that goes off anytime children are unloading to alert anyone in the area ...
Hatch Technology Wins Fourth National Educational Technology Award
TeachSmart® 3.0 by Hatch has been recognized as the Best Software for Early Learning by the ComputED Gazette in the 19th Annual Education Software Review Awards Stepping Stone School is proud to use Hatch interactive technology. WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., Oct 07, 2014 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- For the fourth consecutive year, Hatch®, the leading provider of technology for early childhood classrooms, received a national award for its newest software for kids. TeachSmart 3.0 by Hatch school readiness software for interactive whiteboards and multi-touch displays was selected by the Compu...
Stepping Stone School Awards CDA Scholarships to Teachers
Twenty educators throughout our campuses are on their way to expanding their knowledge and skill in early childhood education, thanks to CDA scholarships from Stepping Stone School! The group of 20 Stepping Stone School teachers will begin their paid classes this month to earn their Child Development Associate credentials. The CDA program will reinforce the teachers’ knowledge and understanding of the intellectual, social, emotional and biological development of children and the planning and design of related curricula. “We’re pleased to contribute to the advanced education of ...
Stepping Stone School’s Marilee Blackwelder Receives Education Award
The AAEYC honors Stepping Stone School educator Stepping Stone School, the largest privately owned childcare provider in Central Texas and a pioneer in early childhood education, has announced that its director of training, Marilee Blackwelder, has received the prestigious Austin Association Education of Young Children (AAEYC) Administrator of the Year Award. Each year, the AAEYC recognizes early education professionals in the areas of teaching, leadership, advocacy and training, those who have “honorably enriched the lives of children through their service to children and families....
Sign up for Onsite Swimming Lessons
Eleven of our Austin-area schools will offer water safety and swim instruction to children this summer. Swimming lessons are a great way to beat the heat and learn how to swim or sharpen swimming techniques. Our swim instructors are certified lifeguards and have been through our extensive training program here at Stepping Stone School. Our instructors will teach the children basic swimming skills and other lessons to keep them safe around water. Lessons are available for a fee to children ages 3 and over and will be offered at: Crestview Northcross McNeil Anderson Mill Lakeline C...
Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead Spring Break Camp
We're excited to announce Stepping Stone School’s “Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead” 2014 Spring Break Camp! Over the course of the spring and summer breaks, we will be investigating the S.T.E.A.M. domains of science, technology, engineering, arts and math. We are kicking off this study during spring break with the subject of “Chemistry.” During this unit we will examine the building blocks of life and witness what happens when we mix certain chemicals together! Stepping Stone School offers a safe, fun place for children to learn and explore during their break from school. Each...
Electronic Reporting Coming to All Campuses
We are pleased to announce that Tadpoles, our electronic communications system for photos, daily reports, other notifications, will be in all of our schools in the next couple of months. Tadpoles makes it easy for you to follow your child's day, giving you: Photos, videos and notes by email Details about your child's learning, eating, sleeping, exercise and toileting activities (as appropriate) Your children’s history via the mobile Tadpoles application The ability to mark your child out sick or on vacation using the mobile application Emergency alerts by text message ...
Stepping Stone School Sponsoring Kids' K Race
Join us at the Stepping Stone School Kids’ K at the 23rd Annual ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning at The Long Center. The Kids' K starts at 8:45am (before the 5-Mile Run). We group the children according to age and send them off in waves so that the smaller children won't get run over by the older ones. Every Kids' K participant receives a finisher's bracelet! Stop by our Activity Center for projects and games before or after the run. All proceeds benefit Caritas of Austin, a non-profit organization committed to assisting low-income families. We hope to see yo...
Join Us for Our 2013 Winter Break
December 23, 2013-January 3, 2014 We are looking forward to our 2013 Winter Break Camp, “European Adventure!” Plan to have your school-age children join this fun & educational school break camp. European Adventure Our Winter Break camp activities and discussions will revolve around exploring the facets of Europe. We will investigating the culture and cuisine of different European countries and regions. Each day, the children will be cooking a dish from each country/region. Queen Elizabeth II is the Person of Interest the children will study. Field Journeys We will be going on sever...
Tadpoles Instant Reports Are Here!
We're excited to add Tadpoles electronic daily reports to our offerings. These private and secure communications give our parents greater insight into their children's school day. Parents can: Receive photos, videos, notes and daily charts by email Receive emergency alerts by text message View their children's history using the mobile Tadpoles application Mark their child out sick or on vacation using the mobile application Our parents now can read about their child's activities, meals and daily highlights, making the car-ride conversation much more meaningful! Tadpoles is currentl...
School Age Children Raise $3,000 for Charity
*As of August 2019 Stepping Stone School has donated over $80,000 to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas We're so proud of our Austin Young Entrepreneurs and Philanthropists! These school-age children, who attended our summer camp program, raised $3,032 planning and running mini businesses, such as a lemonade stand. The children are always so excited to know that the money they raise will go to families in need. The Austin school-age children recently presented their check to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Austin....
Elementary School Pickups and Dropoffs
It’s hard to believe that the summer is winding down and school will be starting in a few weeks! We’ve had a great time with our Future Leaders & Innovators during Summer Camp and are looking forward to a busy and productive school year! Austin area First day of classes: Austin ISD: August 26 Hays Consolidated ISD: August 26 Hutto ISD: August 26 Leander ISD: August 26 Pflugerville ISD: August 27 Round Rock ISD: August 26 Elementary School Transportation (subject to change): Morning drop-off is offered for Anderson Mill, Blockhouse, Boone, Brushy Creek, ...
Stepping Stone School Founder Featured in Local Magazine
We are pleased and honored to be featured in Austin Family magazine's August issue. This Q&A interview with Austin Family's Melanie Dunham covers topics ranging from the history of our 34-year-old company and its curriculum to our care for families and community to our plans for the future. Click here to read about Rhonda Paver, Stepping Stone School founder and executive director, and her words on our history, philosophy and future....
Stepping Stone School Wins 'Best in Childcare' Honors for 15th Year!
EDIT: Update July 2024- Stepping Stone School has now won Austin's Best in Childcare for a 26th year! Our amazing families have once again chosen us as Austin’s Best Childcare in Austin Family magazine’s annual Readers’ Poll. Our sincerest thanks go out to everyone who voted for us. We are so honored!...
Limited Time Enrollment Specials
These specials have been extended until August 31, 2013!! Stepping Stone School already is the best early care and education value. But now we’re giving you even more reason to see for yourself all we have to offer your family. Free Enrollment! Enroll by August 31, 2013, and we’ll credit your enrollment fee toward your first month’s tuition. This is a $100 value! Sibling Discount Enroll two or more children before August 1, 2013, and receive 10% off your monthly tuition! Our sibling discount is regularly 5%, but enroll now, and we’ll double it for as long as you have...
Advanced Pre-Kindergarten Week, March 4-8
We invite you to learn more about our Kindergarten Readiness Academy during our ADVANCED PRE-KINDERGARTEN WEEK March 4-8! Stop by and view the impressive Advanced Pre-K displays presented this week! Each day, different kindergarten-readiness skills are identified and illustrated with photos and work samples. See learning and mastery in action. Know that Stepping Stone School children enter Kindergarten confident, prepared and eager to continue learning! Our research-based curriculum has focused programming criteria for all children we serve. Stepping Stone School’s skilled teachers ...
Ornithological Observation Subject of Smart Spring Break Program
This year's spring break theme, Ornithological Observation, and activities will keep your child learning while having fun. Reading, reflective thinking, writing and fine arts provide educational opportunities to build skills in leadership, cooperation, communication, self-discipline and compassion. Chess Club, science experiments, math puzzles and our unique “Fit for Life” health and fitness enhancement are just some of the activities that will fill your child’s day. Come explore the world of our fine feathered friends by: building original bird houses discovering owls as you dis...
Stepping Stone School-Age Children Earn, Donate Money to Charity
Katy Scott, Director of Community Engagement Brazos Valley at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas (right) with Lindsay Trimble, Campus Principal of Stepping Stone School at Rock Prairie and Heather Richter, School Age Teacher along with participating students present a check for $405 to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas. We're so proud to say that our Austin Future Leaders & Inventors school age children raised $2,134 for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Austin and Central Texas! Additionally, our newest Stepping Stone School in College Station ear...
Stepping Stone School Families Donate to Vets' Pantry
Again this year, Stepping Stone School delivered hundreds of pounds of food donated by its families and employees to the Killeen-Heights Veterans Center food pantry in Harker Heights near Fort Hood. In early June, the children at Stepping Stone School learned that returning disabled veterans often have to wait more than a year to get their first disability payments. Finding that many of the veterans and their families have a hard time making ends meet or even go hungry while waiting for assistance, the children of Stepping Stone School and their families wanted to help and organized the ...
Stepping Stone School Summer Reading Challenge Begins
Stepping Stone School school-age students have taken on a 13-week summer reading challenge. This contest encourages our young readers to spend more time reading and helping others with their reading skills, and is just one of many ways Stepping Stone School helps prevent "summer brain drain." The three classrooms that log the most reading minutes will receive a pizza party and be featured in the Stepping Stone School Book of World Records. The Stepping Stone School Book of World Records also will highlight: The child that logs the most individual reading minutes; The child that logs t...
Enrolling Now for Our Premier Summer Program
We are now enrolling for our School Age Summer Adventure Camp! Highlights include: Exciting Field Journeys like bowling, rock climbing, ceramics, Inner Space Caverns, Lego Robotics and Stepping Stone School’s Private Movie Theater! Weekly themes with topics like airplanes, endangered animals, oceanography, anatomy/physiology and foreign cultures promote learning, character and values. MENSA-inspired activities, brain teasers, and math, literacy and science enhancements. Chess Club & Dual Language Immersion Labs – child and parent favorites! Sports & Fitness Camp...
Leveled Readers Coming to Stepping Stone School Pre-K Classrooms
We are introducing Beginning Level Early Readers into our Advanced Prekindergarten class libraries this spring! Children in these classrooms will use these graduated readers to fine tune the literacy skills that enable them to decipher words and meaning. As your children become ready and interested, they each discover the excitement of reading. These skills come together at a unique time for every child. Our experienced teachers respectfully encourage each child to be a confident, exploring reader and learner!...
Stepping Stone School Offers Organic Gardening Spring Break Camp
Stepping Stone School is excited to announce its “Start Smart” 2012 Spring Break Camp, “Organic Gardening & Healthy Living.” Some of the highlights include field trips to such places as: Austin Nature & Science Center; Zilker Botanical Garden; or Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center The children will learn about growing and nurturing living things. Your child will explore the world of plants and botany by: Planting and growing real tomato plants; Creating original vases and flower pots; Charting and discovering the growth rates of various plants; ...
Stepping Stone School Now Provides Hot Lunch to School-Age Children
NEW! Stepping Stone School is now serving nutritious and healthy hot lunches to our school-age children during school holidays and breaks. This service is always provided to our younger children at no additional cost, but has now been expanded to include our older children when they attend full days. We are pleased to provide this convenience for our families!...
Stepping Stone School Named 21st Largest Preschool
In its January/February 2012 issue, Exchange magazine has listed Stepping Stone School as the 21st largest for-profit child care organization in North America. The list, which is based on the licensed capacities of all centers, included many publicly traded companies and large chains. Stepping Stone School was among the highest placed privately owned organizations. "We are very pleased to be part of this list," said founder and executive director Rhonda Paver. "Stepping Stone School remains a tight-knit, family-owned organization where we are small enough to be vigilant and responsive...
Students Kick Off Turkey Trot with Turkey Call
Echoes of “Gobble! Gobble!” filled the autumn air Tuesday when the students of Stepping Stone School IX competed to determine which of them was the Turkey Calling Champion. Stepping Stone School and ThunderCloud Subs kicked off the 21st annual Turkey Trot and Kids’ K with a live Turkey Call at Stepping Stone School, 8121 Shoal Creek, on Nov. 15. The contestant who elicited the best response from the turkey was to be declared this year's champion with full rights to “crow” about it, however, because Tom Turkey was silent, all earned honors for their enthusiastic attempts! The...
Chess More Than a Game at Stepping Stone School
"That's what chess is all about. One day you give your opponent a lesson, the next day he gives you one." - Bobby Fischer, American chess grandmaster Chess – These classes and tournaments provide a multitude of benefits to our young strategists! Children who play chess have been shown to improve their math and reading skills, but the benefits go far beyond academic. Stepping Stone School is proud to introduce the traditional, yet revolutionary game of chess to its advanced pre-k and school-age masterminds! These students are learning about the history of the game as well as how the ...
Stepping Stone School Awards CDA Scholarships to Its Teachers
A group of 22 Stepping Stone School scholarship-winning teachers have just begun classes to earn their Child Development Associate degree.The CDA program will reinforce our teachers' knowledge and understanding of the intellectual, social, emotional and biological development of children and the planning and design of related curricula. Congratulations to these smart (and lucky) educators!...
Rhonda Paver Appointed to Governor's Council
Gov. Rick Perry has appointed Stepping Stone School Founder Rhonda Paver to the Texas Early Learning Council. This council assesses early childhood education and care programs across the state and develops opportunities for collaboration among entities carrying out federally and state funded child development, child care and early education programs. Read the press release on the governor's website....
Stepping Stone Childrens' Gobbles Kick Off 2010 Turkey Trot
Stepping Stone School kicked off the holiday season and this year’s Turkey Trot with the annual Turkey Call yesterday. The children in the advanced pre-K classes at Stepping Stone IX dressed up, sang, and demonstrated their best turkey calls in hopes that the live turkey would answer back. The judges deemed four-year-old Wylie the contest winner, as his turkey call elicited the best response from Turkey Tom. The Thundercloud Subs Turkey Trot and Stepping Stone School Kids K will be held Thursday, Nov. 25 at the Long Center in Austin, TX. All proceeds from the event benefit Carita...
Stepping Stone Voted Best Preschool by Nickelodeon Parents!
We would like to say a huge THANK YOU to Austin parents for choosing us Best Preschool! We're so pleased to be Austin's 2010 Nickelodeon's Parents' Pick. Thank you for your support ... we couldn't have done it without you!...
Kyle Stepping Stone School Opens
Our newest location opened on Monday, Aug. 23, and we're so excited to be part of the Kyle community! We look forward to providing Hays County with the same excellent early care and education that has earned us the "Best in Austin" designation from the readers of Austin Family Magazine for 12 years! The "School of Knowledge & Innovation" is offering Stepping Stone School's nationally recognized curriculum to the children of Hays County ... the same curriculum that has prepared Central Texas children for school success for 30 years!...
Stepping Stone School Voted Austin's Best for 12th Year!
Updated July 2024 - Editors note: Stepping Stone School has won Austin Family Magazine's Best in Childcare Award for a 26th year! Stepping Stone School has been named "Best Preschool 2010" in the Austin Family Magazine Readers' Poll. This is the 12th year Stepping Stone School has received this honor. Thank you to all our families for your support!...
Watch Us Grow!
Stepping Stone School is expanding to Kyle, Texas! Our Daycare center in Hays County is scheduled to be open and bustling with academic energy this Fall....
Advanced Pre-K Week - March 8-12
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, ...
Stepping Stone School 6 Receives NAC Accreditation
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 Gobblers Open Season on Turkey Trot Registration
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 ...
Stepping Stone School Summer Bash a 'Smashing Success'
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? ...
Stepping Stone School Guides Parents in Preschool Search
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". ...
Health Advisory
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 CDC's website....
2009 Austin Family Readers' Poll
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!]...
National Recognition
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
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....
Stepping Stone School Kids' K at Thundercloud Subs Turkey Trot
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! ...
Texas Rising Star Four-Star Certification
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...
Rhonda Paver to present at World Child Care Forum
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 Struc...
Stepping Stone School Supports Early Literacy in Central Texas
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 »...
Stepping Stone School XVIII – NOW OPEN!
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!...