careers

“We have been part of the Stepping Stones community for 1.5 years now and have nothing but the highest admiration for the teachers and staff our toddler has been cared for and taught by. As an early childhood educator myself, this couldn’t have been a better fit for the criteria I hoped to meet when finding care for my son. The teachers are phenomenal at fostering independence, promoting being outdoors and encouraging healthy social-emotional development.

Recently, while driving back from a trip in which we were away for 4 days and upon passing the intersection where Stepping Stones is located, my almost two year old exclaimed ‘school!’, said a teacher’s name, and started crying to go back. This speaks volumes to how much he loves going and how much he looks forward to seeing his teachers!”

“We have found a community and really, a second home for our son through Stepping Stones Nursery School.  He is thriving and learning so much each day. His class spends significant time outside every day, and this has had a huge impact on his imagination.   It’s amazing to see him problem-solve and create with his classmates.   We are in our second classroom at SSNS, and each of his teachers has built a safe space, encouraged his inquisitive mind, and nurtured a strong relationship with our son.   I did my research before he was born- but I really had no idea just how special this little school is.  My husband and I are so thankful to have found our way to SSNS.”

“My son has grown up in the care of Stepping Stones teachers and staff. During our time with this school he has grown into an (almost) five year old who can build a structure out of almost any open-ended material, who loves language and storytelling, who knows everything about anything on wheels, who lives for mud puddles and den building, and who feels loved and safe in the care of his teachers. This is the community I wanted for him, and I’m so grateful to have the Stepping Stones team with me on my parenting journey.”

“Vera has had such a wonderful experience with Stepping Stones. In less than a year, she has grown to show more empathy and kindness than we even knew a 2-year-old was capable of. She has become so expressive and such a curious mind; all qualities which we directly attribute to her day-to-day interactions with the teachers at her school. We are so happy that we had the opportunity to send her to Stepping Stones.”

“As a new mom, sending my daughter to daycare was a very nerve wracking experience. Luckily, Stepping Stones made the process welcoming with their loving teachers, attention to the individual child, and their great communication. We’ve been a part of the community for three years and my daughter runs into the building with a smile on her face every day. She comes home talking of her daily adventures, singing songs in Spanish, English and sign language, and loving the art and mud rooms. We are so grateful for Stepping Stones!”

“I am constantly amazed at how well my daughter’s teachers know her and care for her as an individual person. I have watched their curriculum and lesson plans grow to match her interests and developmental level; their documentation and communication with families deepen to give us a meaningful window into the classroom; and their collaboration with me to support my child when challenges arise become ever more thoughtful and sensitive to her personality and needs. In ways big and small, it is clear that the exceptional Stepping Stones leaders are always paying close attention and actively partnering with the teachers and families to make all of this possible. We are so grateful to be part of the Stepping Stones family!”

“My daughter Jolie was there the first day Stepping Stones Lincoln Square opened. Stepping Stones has been a huge part of our lives and has shaped who my daughter is.

“The teachers offer the kind of personalized care you expect in a nanny— they understand each student’s unique needs, encourage their passions, embrace who they are, and find ways to challenge and help them develop—in a classroom setting that allows kids to learn what it’s like to be part of a community and build strong peer relationships. The emphasis on play-based learning is so refreshing. I love how much time the classes spend outside exploring the natural world and the magic it holds. I credit Stepping Stones with making my daughter a person who relishes going on nature walks, picking up sticks, climbing in trees, digging in the mud, observing plants and animals, and getting dirty in the way that kids do when they are embracing and learning about the world around them. “

“I will say I don’t know where to start. Emma and the Teachers welcomed our Toddler into the classroom with open arms. We immediately noticed a positive change! Our kiddo began to take ownership and pride in tasks (clean up, putting items where they belong) and self-advocacy (pointing to what they want, exploring and taking risks, etc.)

“SSNS is always open to feedback, ideas, and works hard to communicate clearly. I’ve appreciated the inclusive books, dolls, and requests for music that parents/guardians listen to at home. It was welcoming to see content that reflects our family structure and values. We are especially grateful for Discussion on pronouns and respecting identities. We are so happy. Our childcare has been reliably steady & positive through all these changing times.”

I am beyond grateful that Stepping Stones provided me with the relevant experience I needed after graduating from college. I am proud to be a part of a school that emphasizes the importance of play and nature as it allows children to use their imagination and spark curiosity. The level of care and trust that the administration has for their teachers is unique and special. You will feel loved, supported, and cheered on from the moment you start.

At stepping stones, I feel trusted and valued as an employee and as a teacher. I am encouraged to be creative and independent in my classroom and with my children and am celebrated for it! Being in a school that values nature and outdoor learning has brought me even closer to nature myself, and I have learned so much from all of our time outdoors.

I love working at Stepping Stones because I am given space to explore who I am as a teacher and what I want my space to look like. I have freedom and I get to spend my days outside in nature instead of being cooped up inside all day! I am thankful to be in an environment where I am supported, and in what feels like a second home to me as well as the kiddos.

I have been trying to figure out how I can make a difference and be something in this world but I never thought making a difference would lead me to our nursery room helping these amazing tiny humans figure out this big beautiful world. I grew up helping in a daycare and knew I wanted to work with children but I never knew how to start or if that’s something I was meant to do. Accepting a position with Stepping Stones was one of the best decisions I made. I am grateful to work in an environment that encourages you to play in the mud and sing in the rain at the top of your lungs. I now know I was meant to teach young minds and encourage them to think outside every circle, get their hands dirty making mud pies and make mistakes because we’re only human and that’s what we do.