Stepping Stones
Ages 18 months to 36 months
The Stepping Stones program was designed to provide the young child with an environment that is challenging, interesting, safe, and attractive. The toddler classroom is carefully planned to meet the needs of young children. It is designed to foster exploration, independence, order and freedom of choice, and movement. In this environment, social development is a major focus and is carefully supported. The child may choose to participate in group activities at a pace that he or she chooses, and in a manner and style that is his or her own. By participating in such an environment, the child is able to engage with a diverse group of people, and has the opportunity to have many more experiences than the typical home environment offers.
Some of the general goals for a Stepping Stones child include:
- A healthy separation experience from parent
- Positive interactions with other children and teachers
- Completion of the work cycle and good concentration
Respect for peers and their work
Participation in group activities
Independent self-care
Respect for boundaries and limits
Steppings Stones offers several options for your child.
Morning Program: 5 mornings Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Children eligible for enrollment into this program must be 18 months old by August 1st of the Admission Year.
Morning Program: 3/4 Day program: September through December children attend 3 mornings - Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Beginning in January through June students transition to a 4 day a week program to include Fridays. Time: 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Children eligible for this program must be 18 months old by August 1st of the Admission year.
Afternoon Program: 4 afternoons a week - Monday through Thursday from 12:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Children eligible for enrollment into this program must be 18 months old by August 1st of the Admission year.
Please contact the Admission Office for more detailed information at 203-869-8464 ext. 115.
All Stepping Stones Students - Phase-In 2006-07
Individual student visits will be scheduled between Wednesday, September 6th and Monday, September 11th. This appointment will allow you and your child to experience the classroom and meet the teachers before beginning class.
Parents will be informed of their child’s classroom Phase-In group at individual appointments the week of September 6th. Classroom Phase-In is from Tuesday, September 12th through Monday, September 18th. During this week, children attending school in the morning are divided into two groups. The first group will meet from 8:45 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and the second group from 10:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Children attending school in the afternoon will be assigned a group meeting between 12:45 p.m. and 1:45 p.m. or between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. throughout the week.
Beginning Tuesday, September 19th, all children will start at their regular time (8:30 a.m. or 12:45 p.m.). Dismissal time will be individualized based on each child's own degree of comfort away from parents. The teachers will discuss this with you individually.
During Phase-In, teachers will guide you as to how long you should stay in the room with your child. Once your child is on a regular schedule, teachers will ask you to say "goodbye" to your child at the classroom door, where a teacher will then welcome your child into the room. Experience has shown children accept the separation better this way.
Once your child has settled in, regular dismissal time is 11:30 a.m. for morning classes and 2:45 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. for afternoon classes. Stepping Stones parents may park in the main parking lot and walk inside or to the playground (weather permitting) to pick up their children.
