My two kids both attended Stepping Stones and we could not have had a better experience. Each teacher and care giver they interacted with were nurturing, joyful, and wonderful guardians. I feel lucky to have been able to leave my kiddos in such great hands; it truly gave me the peace of mind to be able to work and be okay with leaving them during the day. My only regret is that they could only be there for a few years! My kids and I will always cherish their sweet, special years they got to spend with the lovely folks at Stepping Stones read more

We have 3 kids and have had 5 different childcare situations in 3 different cities. Stepping Stones has been our favorite. Stepping Stones is a stable, supportive, playful, and loving environment. The most compelling reason for how we know that Stepping Stones is a good choice for us is how our kids behave outside of the daycare environment: we have noticed that our daughters have better emotional control, are more confident, and have an increased eagerness to explore. Big muddy smiles is what we were looking for from Stepping Stones and that is exactly what they deliver. read more

Our 4 year old son has been in Stepping Stones for almost a year and we think they are wonderful. The nature-based, play-based, and exploration centric environment are perfect for hands on learning. We love the connections the kids have with the teachers. I'd highly recommend this environment for young kiddos. read more

I am so grateful that my daughter has been able to attend Stepping Stones for the past year. The space is beautiful, cozy and inspiring. The children always seem so happy and peaceful, engaged in nature-based crafts or gentle free play. The staff is so kind, knowledgeable and have partnered with me to support my daughter with the transition to group care so successfully. My daughter is learning so many songs and life skills and is so happy while doing so. I can't recommend their program enough. read more

My son has been going to Stepping Stones for over a year and it has been the most transformative and positive process. While we had our concerns about it sending him to a preschool he has leveled up tremendously and become independent and developed incredibly close friendships. He comes home everyday happy and with stories to tell and as parents we feel awesome about our choice of pre-school. From the healthy food to positive teacher relationships and small class size he has blossomed and we are grateful to the tremendous people who make this place run. read more

My two daughters (ages 2 and 4) started at stepping stones a few months ago and I have noticed some really positive changes since they enrolled. I really appreciate the school's focus on nature and spending time outside. My kids come home dirty and happy :) I'm always struck by how calm the environment seems when I visit compared to other centers I've been to. It seems that they encourage independent play and autonomy, but are also involved when they need to be. Overall it is giving my children a wholesome experience in their very formative years read more

My 3 year old twins have been going to Stepping stones preschool for almost a year. I have them in separate classrooms and they both love them. The teachers are really kind and my kids always have so much fun every single day. They bake, make friendship soup, go on field trips, do yoga, make arts & crafts, read and play make believe. I really do love knowing that my kids are safe and well taken care of. Every parent I've ever met has always had wonderful things to say as well. Highly recommended. read more

Stepping Stones Children's Garden is primarily inspired by Waldorf Education check out their amazing website for more information: https://steppingstoneschildrensgarden.com read more

Stepping Stones Children's Garden - Stepping Stones Children's Garden is primarily inspired by Waldorf Education. - Child Care & Day Care Near Me - Arcata, California

Avoid! My kiddo was only here for a few weeks, we pulled him. I have rarely dealt with such strange passive aggressive, elitist, and prejudiced communication. I tried to be patient and voiced understanding as they were just opening back up. There were numerous small things which I attempted to check in about which went more and more sideways. Then bigger ones happened like my son being left for a long period in soaked socks and boots, 2 year olds left to wade in a creek with adults over 10 feet away and then walking back blocks to the school in boots full of water (I learned this from a newsletter photo), general disorganization (lost clothes and a check which I was then blamed for), and my son regressing there after bring potty trained and no efforts to coordinate on this. They even suggested I was lying and just let him pee in his pants at home.  And stated they expected a 2 year old to know how to use the bathroom in the woods on long outings. He was put in training pants and I wasn't told which he has had allergic reactions to in past- I thought they knew but realized not as they didn't provide any of the required state intake paperwork that asks about allergies etc. Before I pulled him, they lied to me about him having a runny nose when he had 4 potty accidents in 2 hours. They just didn't want to- and I think didn't know how to- help with basic behavioral stuff, told me at one point it got in the way of what they were doing (apparently mastering basic life skills isn't one of their goals). He went somewhere new the following week and has had zero potty issues...so I think more was going on there environmentally and emotionally for him, and in their approach. There is a past complaint that they used humiliating language towards a child in their care re: urination I wish I'd noted before enrolling him.  He didn't want to go there and didn't miss them or mention them again when he left, and ADORES his new daycare. He was also constantly talking about going on time outs which I assume was happening there.   It came to a point during one of the really bizarre efforts to communicate where I had to ask if racism could be part of how my family was being treated and the director flipped out. I do sense that was a part of it (especially due to the reaction and the major issues Waldorf schools have with this as their founder was a white supremacist) yet also general elitism and lack of experience partnering with families. read more