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...
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
City of Austin Proclaims March 23, 2023 as Rhonda Paver Day
March 23, 2023 – Austin, TX - The City of Austin, today acknowledged Rhonda Paver, owner and CEO of Stepping Stone School for her commitment to improving access to high quality early care and education for families in Austin. Rhonda Paver served as a valued member and leader of the City of Austin Early Childhood Council for 30 years and helped to create the framework for an early childhood care system in Austin. Moving forward, March 23 rd is dedicated to Rhonda as ‘Rhonda Paver Day’ and recognizes her immense dedication to early childhood education and care. About St...
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...
Stepping Stone School voted BEST IN CHILDCARE!
Update — July 2025: Stepping Stone School has now been voted Best in Childcare by Austin Family Magazine for an extraordinary 27th year — a milestone no other childcare provider in Central Texas has achieved. We are deeply grateful to every family, friend, and community partner across Austin, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Kyle, Leander, and Cedar Park who has voted for and trusted us over the decades. This recognition belongs to all of you. Voted Best Childcare in Austin, TX — 27 Years and Counting Stepping Stone School is honored to have been recognized as the Best in Childcare by th...
Stepping Stone School featured in cover story of ChildCare Exchange Magazine
Stepping Stone School featured in cover story of ChildCare Exchange Magazine AUSTIN, TX, February 21, 2017 – Stepping Stone School is featured in the cover story in the January/February 2017 issue of ChildCare Exchange Magazine, the leading national publication on early care and education. The three-page story outlines founder Rhonda Paver’s vision and Stepping Stone School’s programs, philosophy and mission. “We are deeply honored and grateful to be recognized by ChildCare Exchange and we would like to extend our thanks to all the families who, through their support, ...
Stepping Stone School Raises $10,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities
*As of August 2019 Stepping Stone School has donated over $80,000 to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas STEPPING STONE SCHOOL RAISES $10,000 FOR RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES AUSTIN, TX (September 2, 2016) – From selling refreshing lemonade, warm cookies and creative crafts, the students of Stepping Stone School in Austin, TX put their business minds and giving hearts to work at the schools’ Young Entrepreneurs & Philanthropists™ summer camp program – all to support Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas (RMHC CTX). The students raised over $6,000 t...
Stepping Stone School Southpark Meadows
Stepping Stone School Bringing High-Quality Preschool, Childcare to Austin’s Southpark Meadows March 2, 2015 Award-Winning Child Development Center Opening 19th Campus AUSTIN, Texas, February 11, 2015 – In an area renowned for its commitment to education, the families of South Austin are about to have a real choice in high quality, educational child care. Stepping Stone School is set to open its new state-of-the-art campus in Austin’s Southpark Meadows located at 9325 Alice Mae Lane on March 2. “Southpark Meadows is the perfect location for us to serve the pr...