There are not enough recent reviews on here, so I wanted to shed some light on this wonderful school--we just graduated from the Pre-K program, and I'm genuinely going to miss it! From the start, I knew exactly what I was looking for in a preschool. I had previously worked in preschools and in admissions at a Pre-K through 8th grade private school in Saratoga, I had strong opinions about what kind of environment I wanted for my own children. My top priorities were: strong leadership, small class ratios, and teacher retention. When I toured Stepping Stones, I knew immediately that this was the right place. Ms. Jenny, the Assistant Director, is fantastic--bubbly, professional, and genuinely invested. Whether she's greeting families at the door, supporting teachers in the classroom, decorating, or prepping for the next event, she's fully present and hands-on. Her leadership sets the tone for the whole school, creating a warm, welcoming, and well-run environment. One of my favorite things about the program is the 12:1 student-to-teacher ratio in both the 3-year-old and 4-year-old classes. It's not a model where one teacher manages a large group with just an aide--it's truly one teacher to twelve students. The classrooms are designed for this more intimate setting, which allows teachers to get to know their students deeply. (Bonus: you only have to buy 12 party favors instead of 24! ) Teacher retention is another strong point. You can tell the staff love working here. Former teachers and substitutes often return, and there's a strong sense of teamwork and collaboration. I frequently saw teachers sharing ideas, helping one another, and going above and beyond to support their students and colleagues. Communication with the school is also seamless, thanks to the Learning Management System they use. Teachers and staff regularly post photos, share weekly updates, and send messages through it, which keeps parents in the loop in such a meaningful way. I also want to give special thanks to two teachers who made a big impact on our family: Ms. Karina has a warm and calming presence that made a world of difference for my son, especially during a time of big changes at home. He was still adjusting to having a new sibling, and mornings could be tough and emotional. Ms. Karina met him each day with such patience and gentle reassurance--her kind words, soft tone, and steady presence helped him feel safe and understood. She provided the comfort and consistency he needed, making his transition into the classroom so much smoother. We're incredibly grateful for the care and support she offered during that tender time. Ms. Nayeli helped provide him with the independence he needed to gain confidence in himself. Her encouragement, structure, and thoughtful approach created an environment for him to explore, take initiative, and thrive. If you're considering Stepping Stones, I can wholeheartedly recommend it. The leadership, classroom structure, and loving teachers make it a truly special place. read more

My daughters, now 4 and 7, have both attended since they were a 2.5 years old. I could tell that their emotional and academic skills came from their foundation here at Stepping Stones. The director, Christine, and all of the teachers are EXCELLENT. Both girls are always excited to go to school every day & they were there from 7AM - 6PM. Now that we have moved up north, I appreciate this school so much. Pros: - Secured entrance with access code - Front desk knows every person that is picking up - Yummy hot lunch and fresh snacks prepared (My kids love the rice option cause what other school provides this?! ) - Clean establishment - Fun field trips to the zoo, pumpkin patch & also on site activities such as SNOW day! Plus so much more. - Lots of art work Cons: - School is far away from where I am now I've toured so many preschool (from Irvine to Cerritos) and this is by far the best! I don't know anyone that have signed up and hated this place. read more

On my off days, I pick up my niece and nephew here in the afternoon. They have a really good setup here. The place is clean and organized. The building isn't all that old so I know the facilities are nice for the kids. All the children seem to be having a great time and the playground space seems ample and comfy. There is a buzzer and keypad to ensure security and proper access. The first time I went to pick up my babies, they asked me, "who are you?" They know I'm not the mom and dad. All good signs to begin with. With the American school system being so obsolete and becoming less innovative than other countries, you MUST offer extra education on the side to help your kids compete in the future. Honestly, my sister is an elementary school teacher and she still sends her kids to a place like this. Don't get me wrong, these places aren't cheap. I'm talking about $750 to $1000 a month, per kid. Now I know I'm in the wrong business. Still, when you have peace of mind with PM day care and knowing that your kids are learning more than the average American kid, you'll want to spend less on yourself, and save more for their future. Being an adult means making sacrifices, right? Always a get a great feeling when I leave this venue. And it's not because this place reminds me of that old Monkees song, "I'm Not Your Steppin' Stone." read more

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Stepping Stones is a wonderful Christian school with great teachers and staff. This is my daughter's third year and I couldn't think of a better place to have her get her early education started. I wish there was 10 stars available instead of five because they definitely deserve it. I highly recommend this school if you want the best for your child. read more

Stepping Stones Pre-School - Preschools Near Me - La Palma, California

I'm rating based off a phone conversation. I called a few months back to get information regarding child care for my 4 year old daughter. The lady sounded rushed and irritated on the phone. Not very welcoming. When I asked details on tuition and what they include in that tuition, the lady had a very sarcastic tone with me as if this was information I should have known. I have heard lots of good things about this facility but based off my personal experience, they made me feel like I wasn't worth their time. read more

The treatment my son received from his teacher was disgraceful and sad for a Christian school. I was talked down to by his teacher. On a minor note, the front office is rude and has talked down to me too over specific concerns I had. I was much more concerned though with what went on in the classroom. The worst issue was when they fed my son soymilk that was 2 months old! He quickly developed food poisoning and an allergic reaction from the old, fermented 2-month-old soymilk. He was vomiting and his face swelled from the reaction. It turns out they had multiple soymilks in their fridge and were not throwing away the old containers. This negligent act caused a mistake to be made which dangerously harmed my son. This should have never, never happened. Prior to this, his teacher had expressed she did not like my son. One day, I dropped off my son and 1 boy immediately attacked him, knocking him to the ground and punching him. 3 other boys immediately joined in the attack for their fun. My son was histerical, crying, and in pain when I peeled the kids off of him. He couldn't breathe either while they were on top of him. The teacher was very surprised this happened behind our back in such a short moment but nevertheless did absolutely nothing to punish this completely unacceptable act of bullying. On two different days, my son came home with his pocket ripped out of his shirt. The teacher said she didn't know what happened. She would say rude things about my son, as if it was his fault he wasn't fitting in with the bullies. The only good note I can say, is that there were two floating teachers who would help. They were very good with my son and I'm thankful there were two caring people who occasionally helped care for him. My son is now in a different school and he couldn't be happier. He LOVES his new Christian school, his classmates and his teachers, and I do too. I'm just so very thankful my son survived the food poisoning ordeal from this negligent school and am ecstatic about his new preschool where he is finally in good, loving care and learning about Jesus from both Bible studies AND example. UPDATE: I noticed that the preschool has posted an Owner's Comment stating that the review was misplaced as there are other preschools with this name. I can affirm that this yelp address is the address of the preschool where my son went. read more

My daughter goes to this school and I love it! The teachers and admin people are great!!! My daughter comes home everyday teaching ME sign language. It is a bit pricey but its worth paying for. read more

I would start with sharing that two of my friends told me "YOU ARE GOING TO LOVE THAT SCHOOL!" Another parent also told me " I wish I never have to look for another school. I really like this school for my daughter!". One more parent shared that since there was no spot left at Stepping Stones Fullerton , she chose to enroll her daughter here in La Palma. These are just some of the feedback on how much parents love this school! My son went to this school for over a year and I have been really involved in his day to day activities in this school. I witnessed the attentiveness of the teachers and how kids felt like the school is their second home. Ms. Christine (director) is very loving to the children. She knows all the children well. She is very approachable and always hands on! My son was very fortunate to have Ms. Melody as the lead teacher in his class because she truly prepared him for Kindergarten and the years ahead. Since my son is advanced in his academics, Ms. Melody focused on other aspects, like social/interpersonal aspect of his development. It was not always an easy or a smooth process but I liked her persistence as a teacher! Everything was well communicated with me and most importantly, my views as the mother were heard and taken well. I felt respected as a parent and I knew that what's best for my son's well being was the teacher's priority as well. My son made tremendous gains from being in Ms. Melody and Mrs. Jin's classroom. Steppings Stones La Palma is filled with great teachers, their care and attention goes beyond their assigned class. They care to interact positively with all children. I think any parent who interacts respectfully and objectively with these teachers will have a great experience as well! read more

All 3 of my kids went here for about 3 years total. The front office staff and every single teacher we had were very kind and great. We never had any issues, and if something ever came up (ie misbehaving), the teachers and staff were always very understanding and gracious to work out a solution. I also appreciated the fun activities (petting zoo, aquarium on wheels, snow day, etc) they scheduled. We would definitely recommend this place. We felt like our children were in good hands, but more importantly, our kids loved it here. read more

Best thing we ever did! Our son is going into 2nd grade now after spending 2 years with Mrs Sara (Lee), very well prepared 'emotionally as well as intellectually. Had our kids at many prior to starting school, this one, Mrs Sara in particular, was by far the best; would try to get her if possible!!! Takes a very special person to handle that age and knock it Out of the Park 'every single day' but she did. read more

My daughter has been attending Stepping Stones (La Palma campus) for the past 3 years and I could not be happier with the results. She has grown immensely and has blossomed both personally and academically there. The teachers and staff at Stepping Stones are extremely caring and dedicated, and the curriculum is top-notch and well-rounded. There are regular in-school activities and field trips scheduled throughout the year. When I started searching for a school for my daughter years ago, it was an extremely nerve-wrecking process. Deciding on a school was even more difficult, but in looking back my husband and I are so thankful to the staff & teachers at this school. Their commitment and involvement in our daughter's everyday life has really helped guide her personal development and academic advancement, especially in these ever-so-important early learning years. If anyone has questions about this school, I'd be happy to help answer anything via PM read more

By far the best toddler, pre-k, and kindergarten program in the OC. They are attentive and loving. My son left this school way ahead of his peers in so many areas, academically and socially. I will never be able to say enough about the care and instruction they provided my first son. Second son attended a school closer to our home and, although a wonderful school, really could not compare to Stepping Stones. read more

I am so happy that this kind of school was so close to home! My daughter has grown socially and academically during her Preschool and pre-K years of attendance here. The formal instruction provided is based on a highly acclaimed teaching style that influences creativity in learning; activating all parts of the brain! My daughter reads and writes at a higher grade level, surpasses many of her same age cousins in mathematics, social interaction and problem solving skills. She has grown to be quite the mature little lady and she is only graduating from Pre-K!! I thank this staff and the teachers for their guidance and genuine care for my daughter's education and well-being! I feel confident that my daughter has a very bright future ahead!! read more

My son started here in the fall and even though he was only going for a half day I noticed an immediate improvement in his language development. His teacher is so so sweet and loving plus she has many years of experience which I think is the case with most of the teachers there. Anyway, he is doing so well so we have extended his days there and couldn't be happier!! There's a reason why this school is well known and sought after. I know they are famous for an academically rigorous curriculum and an impressive art program but my son is only 2. I just love that he gets to play and learn in a safe and caring environment! Oh. And he loooooves the food they give him there. It's hard to find schools that don't require you to sack lunches and snacks. Ain't nobody got time for that! Haha Looking forward to the day when his baby sis can start!! read more

Absolutely great school! My son has been going here for 2 years and our experience has been phenomenal. Both his teachers over this period have been so caring and talented. The daily/weekly reports were quite detailed and written with care to allow the parent to read what the day was like. This school gives my wife and I the confidence of knowing that we are giving our son a strong step forward in his early education and helping prepare his mind for the years ahead. We most certainly plan on keeping him here through kindergarten and will also send our second son this fall. read more

Stepping Stones is HEAVEN SENT. My son has been attending the school for over a year now. His verbal skills have improved greatly and he is sooo well mannered. Since they feed him so well, my son is in the 90% in heights. I love the fact that they have a kitchen on site and they actually cook the food for the children. And the menus are not junk food. they make sure that the students eat healthy. To be honest, my son loves the school food lot more than my own cooking. I just love all of the teachers and staff. When I am in a rush, they take my son to the class so that I could get to my work on time. Also, when I have questions, they are always available to talk to me and they have been very accomodating to our needs. Also, since I am a clean freak, I always check the classrooms when I drop him off and pick him up. And the place is always clean. I don't know how they do it but THANK YOU for being the BEST SCHOOL. read more

My child has been going to Stepping Stones for one year now and I am sincerely thankful for their love and an awesome education towards their students. You could feel the genuine love they have towards their students. I drive from Tustin/Irvine area since my work is in buena park but this drive is sooooo worth it. It's so difficult to find good preschool these days but Stepping Stones goes above and beyond for the kids and their family members. When I am in a rush, they are always willing to take my child to the classroom and when i have any questions, they are more than willing to answer my questions and guide me so that my child could receive the best education. I love the fact that they actually have a kitchen in the school and cook their own food for the children. In fact, my son loves the school food more than my cooking. The school appears to be clean at all times and their supervision seems to be awesome. i just enjoy seeing my child improve daily and you could tell that he really likes going to school. BTW,Stepping Stones just received their NAEYC Accreditation. They should be proud. Congratulations Stepping Stones!! read more

The school year is winding down, and it's close to summer time. An update on my little Marie ... Marie has been going to Stepping Stones for almost two years now, and I must admit, I am extremely happy with the school, staff, and her overall development. I am so glad that I found this school for her, because it is such a blessing to have in neighborhood. Marie has been potty trained and loves her teacher Ms Garcia so much. She loves to pray and sing songs that she has learned from school. She's talkative, loves her friends, and she always loves to show me her work and activities from school .. one of the most important values that Stepping Stones has helped me in teaching Marie is to share. She's an only child, but Stepping Stones has helped me greatly in encouraging and installing good manners and values to her. Unfortunately for myself, I have been attending my college full time, so I was not able to pick my little one up from school as much as I wanted, but the staff was so understanding and caring. I know how much all the staff members personally take joy and pride in their work, because it is so visible in the love that they have for their students. Marie has been enrolled in ballet, and I have decided to enroll her in more extracurricular activities next school year. The school offers ballet, art classes, piano, violin, and even tae kwon do. It warms my heart whenever I see Marie practicing her ballet steps when she thinks no one is looking. Education is extremely important for children, and Stepping Stones offers a wonderful curriculum for their students, as well as a professional and loving staff. I would encourage all parents interested to seek this school out, and enroll their children .. you and your children will definitely love this school. read more