FAQ
When searching for the right early childhood education program for your family, there are always important questions to consider. Here are the most frequently asked questions by families just like you!
1. Do you offer tours of Stepping Stones Nursery School?
Due to COVID-19 restrictions and efforts to maintain social distancing, we are not offering in-person tours at any of our early childhood centers at this time. Please contact the school you are interested in to set up a virtual tour. You can find out more about our COVID safety protocol here.
2. Do you offer part-time care in your early childhood program?
Stepping Stones offers full day childcare. Part-time (2 or 3 days) childcare is available in the 2 years and up classrooms. However, priority will be given to families requiring a full-time space. Stepping Stones does not offer part time spaces in the infant and toddler rooms. Our part time schedules are Tuesday/Thursday or Monday/Wednesday/Friday.
3. When do you expect an opening?
Stepping Stones has rolling admissions in each of our early childhood centers on a year round basis. Historically, Stepping Stones families stay for many years so it is difficult for us to predict when a space will become available. However, most openings are available in September when our preschoolers graduate to Kindergarten. Please contact the early childhood center near you to find out more about current openings.
4. How does the wait list work?
Stepping Stones no longer operates a traditional ‘wait list’. Instead, we keep records of all families who are interested in a space at one of our early childhood centers and will contact you when enrollment is open. If you are still looking for care and a space is open, we can move to enrollment!
** PLEASE NOTE: To honor our previous waitlisted families, all waitlisted families will be contacted about available spots before we open enrollment to new families.
5. How much is tuition to attend Stepping Stones?
Tuition fees vary for each early childhood center and per age group. Check out the fees for Logan Square here and Lincoln Square here.
6. Does Stepping Stones accept financial aid?
Yes, Stepping Stones accepts payments made through the State of Illinois CCAP. See here for more information. Please note, families are responsible for paying the difference between the state payments and the total tuition fee. The enrollment fee is waived for families paying through CCAP.
7. What are your hours of operation?
Typically, Stepping Stones locations are open from 7.30 am to 6 pm. Hours may vary due to current COVID restrictions. Please contact the early childhood center near you to find out current opening hours.
8. My child has food allergies. Can you accommodate alternative dietary requirements?
Yes! Stepping Stones takes food allergies and intolerances very seriously. We want healthy, happy children and healthy, happy families. Our catering partner is Healthy Organic Kids and they can adapt our meals for food allergies and intolerances.
9. I would like to know more about the educational philosophy at Stepping Stones.
Stepping Stones believes that the early years are of vital importance for a young child’s education and development. Our early childhood centers are play based, developmentally appropriate and we put the child at the center of everything we do. You can read more about our philosophy here and by following us on Instagram and Facebook.