For the youngest children, Stepping Stones provides a wonderful first experience of school. 

Stepping Stones builds the foundation for future learning and mastery using The Montessori Method.  Your child will receive lots of attention with only eight (8) children in each class.

Through a carefully structured phase-in process, we minimize any separation anxiety for both children and their parents.  The consequence: children develop a positive, affirming attitude about school.

Stepping Stones develops aspects of learning needed to foster the independence and curiosity emblematic of a Montessori child.  One such aspect is the child’s ability to exercise self-control and negotiate her surroundings -- in Montessori we call this Practical Life.  

Montessori also emphasizes that children learn through their sensory experiences (they see, hear and feel the sound and shape of letters to build a foundation for reading and writing; they work on counting objects as a prelude to math) – in Montessori we call this Sensorial.  

In the Stepping Stones classroom, much time is spent on Practical Life and Sensorial.  Through carefully designed activities, and using special Montessori materials and processes, children quickly build a strong developmental foundation both academically and socially.

Stepping Stones Class
 

Stepping Stones Phase-in

Parents are enthusiastic about our deliberate and gentle "no-pressure" phase-in for the youngest children.

Phase I
In the first week of school, we start with teacher home visits so that each child can get to know the teacher in a familiar environment.

Phase II
Following home visits, for several days parents accompany children in the classroom for less than an hour in groups of four or fewer.  

Phase III
By the end of September, the entire class of eight children meets for 75 minutes. 

Phase IV
By mid-October, classes meet a full two hours, three days a week, and keep that schedule until the end of December. 

Phase V
From January until the end of the school year, classes meet Monday to Friday, two hours a day.

Mid-Year Enrollment

We will admit Stepping Stones children mid-year, space available.

For example, for a child who turns 2-1/2 in January, we might start an individual phase-in the first week of January and move to five days per week in February.  The child will be 3 by next September and then enter our Pre-Primary program.