Empowering children to be leaders, innovators, thinkers, creators, philosophers & poets!
Logan Square
Lincoln Square
Portage Park
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Stepping Stones Nursery School has three early childhood centers in Chicago with an emphasis on play-based preschool and high quality infant care. Located in Logan Square, Lincoln Square and Portage Park.
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We believe in giving children space to learn independently and connecting children with the magic of nature — even our littlest ones! We have taken the philosophy of an outdoor preschool and created early childhood education programs that are accessible to all.
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Our teachers are dedicated early childhood educators that develop authentic relationships with each child and meaningfully guide your child’s development. They are experts at crafting curriculum that is developmentally appropriate and that places your child at the center of their learning.
the latest from our blog
Lights and Levels: Illuminating and Elevating our Offerings to Young Children – Part Two
After an inspiring visit to Boulder Journey School for an early childhood conference, we were motivated to jumpstart a project I’m calling Lights and Levels across both Stepping Stones locations. The project includes adding opportunities to diversify play levels and...
Lights and Levels: Illuminating and Elevating our Offerings to Young Children
Towards the end of winter in the midwest, everyone could use a little bit of inspiration. This year I was fortunate enough to visit one of my favorite sources of play-based inspiration, Boulder Journey School. Touring the classrooms at Boulder Journey, I noticed all...
Happy New Year!
As an educator, I love opportunities for reflection. What I love about New Year’s reflection, is not the pressure of total reinvention of self, but rather the idea that there are tiny shifts I can be making mid school year to lean into the educator, parent, and school...
Exploring the holiday season with a sense of WONDER
The holiday season is upon us, and it is often a time of joy and wonder in early childhood. Gathering with family and friends, engaging in traditions and rituals, the practice of gift-giving and gratitude, cooking and feasts, and the magical transformation of our...
Pumpkin Play – What to do with all those leftover pumpkins after Halloween!
It’s pumpkin season! Not only do these gourds make the best soups, muffins, pies, and lattes, but they also serve as an incredible tool for early brain development! Pumpkin play is cute, AND it creates an opportunity for language modeling and vocabulary...
Curating environments for early childhood
Many play-based approaches, most prominently the Reggio Emilia inspired approach, honor the environment as a major player in children’s early learning and development. Often referred to as the child’s “third teacher” (after their parents and classroom educators),...