Ask About our First Week Free Enrollment Special!
Schedule a Tour Today!
A Welcoming and Secure Place for
Your Child’s Growth and Discovery
Supporting Growth and Development
The Stepping Stones Way
At Stepping Stones Learning Center of Littleton, we believe that every child possesses unique potential!
​
That's why we offer a one-of-a-kind experience for every student, tailored to support the needs and skill levels of children aged 6 weeks to 5 years old. We provide care and education for infants, toddlers, and early preschool students, and we are proud participants in Colorado's Universal Preschool program (UPK) for 4 year olds. All of our classes offer a consistent routing, with a mixture of child-chosen and adult-led activities, developmentally appropriate materials and lesson plans, and ample time outdoors.
​​​• Brave Bears (six weeks - 6 months)
• Friendly Foxes (6 - 12 months)
• Happy Hedgehogs (12 - 18 months)
• Brilliant Bunnies (18 - 24 months)
• Clever Coyotes (24 months)
• Silly Squirrels (24 - 30 months)
• Playful Porcupines (3 - 3.5 years)
• Wise Owls ( 3.5 - 4 years)
• Kind Raccoons/UPK (4 - 5 years)
​
We offer enrichment activities like Music and Movement, nature study, and much more at no extra cost. We also host many optional programs like soccer, gymnastics, dance, and yoga!
​​We understand that children learn best through play and active, hands-on experiences. Our research-backed curriculum, HighScope, provides a developmentally-appropriate framework, with an emphasis on active engagement and social interactions.
Lesson plans for each classroom are created by experienced and trained early childhood educators and align with Colorado's Early Learning and Developmental Guidelines. We track each child's specific strengths and areas for growth using the CorAdvantage tool, and we use this knowledge to individualize activities and create meaningful learning experiences to support each child.
Children learn and develop on their own timelines and in their own ways, and for this reason we assess when children are ready to transition into the next classroom, rather than moving up children specifically according to age. Additionally, we strongly believe in the effect of continuity of care, in regards to the social and emotional well-being and development of children, and strive to build bonds with children and their families.
In order to uphold our passion for social and emotional literacy, we also employ an additional curriculum known as RULER, developed by the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. We have a very low turnover rate among our teachers, and we advocate for the happiness, professional development, and support of our staff, and other ECE professionals in our community!
We consider ourselves a family, here at SSLC, made up of the children we care for, their families that we aim to partner with, and the staff who are passionate about our roles!
Mission and Purpose Statement
​
Everything we do begins with our “why.” We know that choosing a childcare center is one of the biggest decisions a family makes, and we want you to feel confident in who we are and what we stand for. Our Mission Statement is a reflection of the love, learning, and partnerships that guide us each day:
At Stepping Stones Learning Center of Littleton, our mission is to provide a safe, loving, and welcoming environment where every child can grow, explore, and thrive. We believe in the power of play, creativity, and hands-on experiences to nurture social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development.
​
Our programs, guided by the HighScope Curriculum and aligned with Colorado’s Early Learning and Development Guidelines, focus on fostering curiosity, independence, and academic engagement while cultivating character and confidence.
We also integrate the RULER social-emotional learning framework, helping children build strong self-awareness, empathy, and positive relationships. We recognize each child’s unique pace of development and provide individualized support to encourage their self-expression and sense of belonging. Just as importantly, we value and honor the essential role of families, working in partnership with you to celebrate milestones, guide growth, and support lifelong learning.
​
Together with our staff, families, and professional community, we are committed to shaping not only curious learners but also kind, resilient, and compassionate individuals who will positively impact their world. We’re sharing this because your trust means everything to us. Our mission is not just words on paper — it’s the foundation for the hugs, the learning, the laughter, and the milestones your child experiences here every day.
.jpeg)
A little more about us....
Our center was founded over 20 years ago, and has been providing quality care and learning to families in the community for decades! We were one of the original buildings in the Ken Caryl Business Park, and are proud of or long-standing history. Formerly known as Jordan Alexander's Preschool Academy, we underwent a name change in 2018 and became Stepping Stones Learning Center of Littleton. We wanted a name that recognized that we are so much more than a preschool, especially since we serve families with children ages 6 weeks through 5 years of age! We believe that each child participates in experiences that are stepping stones of learning and development, and that will influence his or her health, well-being, and productiveness throughout his or her lifespan!
What sets us apart from other child care center and preschools is that our learning center is owned by two mothers who have extensive experience in childcare, psychology/lifespan development, and education. The owners also serve as our director (Ashley) and school-age program coordinator (Meredith). Being parents themselves, they understand your little one’s needs, and they will do their best to nurture your child’s holistic development.
Another thing we love to offer the families in our community is our partnership with Brightwheel. This awesome program helps us aide in creating solid partnerships with the families of children in our care, as we are able to remain in constant communication throughout the day. We update your little one's daily activities, such as eating, diapering, and learning activities. Families can see real-time updates on what their child played with, ate, or if they are asleep/awake. We are also able to message back and forth with families, which proves to be an effective means to relay emergency information, as well as when supplies are needed, and share information on fun, center-wide events that are coming up, such as soccer classes or Family Nights!
Meet the Owners
Our team is guided by our dedicated owners, Ashley (also the center's Executive Director) and Meredith (Enrichment Program Coordinator).
To learn more about our owners, read their stories below:
Ashley
Ashley
"Greetings! I am Ashley, often referred to as Ash, and I serve as a Co-Owner and Executive Director of Stepping Stones Learning Center of Littleton. I hold a degree in Criminology and Applied Psychology, with a focus on Lifespan Development, alongside a Colorado Early Childhood Coaching Credential, Colorado State Trainer's Credential, and a National Director's Credential from the McCormick for Early Childhood Leadership. My experience and knowledge are dedicated to advancing the early childhood education (ECE) field. I first began my career in early childhood education as a licensed in-home provider, driven by a passion for creating a warm and nurturing environment for children. In my role as Executive Director, I prioritize maintaining a personal touch while overseeing the center's operations.
I firmly believe in the transformative impact of quality early childhood care and education, acknowledging its critical importance in a child's development. I am committed to advocating early childhood educators, children, and families, collaborating closely with local and national ECE associations, policymakers, and organizations to enhance the field and strengthen support systems for children and families.
Outside of my professional commitments, I am a devoted Minnesota Vikings fan (Skol!). Additionally, I enjoy collecting gnomes, camping, and quality time with my husband and partner of over 20 years, as well as our two sons and daughter."
"Hello! My name is Meredith, also known as Ms. Mer, and I am a Co-Owner of Stepping Stones Learning Center of Littleton, as well as the Enrichment Activities Coordinator. I grew up in Texas and graduated from Rice University in Houston. In 1993, I moved to Colorado to pursue my Master's degree at CU Boulder, and I have called Colorado home ever since.
I taught college French classes at CU and Colorado Mountain School, but I always hoped to introduce younger children to the joys of language learning. I'm thrilled that I get to do fun, informal, active (and frequently silly!) language activities with our Pre-K classes, along with nature study, music and movement, and other enriching activities in all the classrooms.
I believe that every child should know they are a valued part of a community and have ample opportunities to follow their own curiosity. I also believe a connection with the natural world helps children build confidence and empathy, exercises their problem-solving skills, and develops their ability to self-regulate. These beliefs inform our mission at SSLC and the way I interact with our students every day.
My daughter and son are "grown and flown" now but I get to see them often as they live nearby. I live in Denver with my partner, Meg, and we have two cute-but-mischeivous little dogs, Otis and Ava. When we're not spending quality time with family or walking our dogs, we enjoy traveling, reading, gardening, and doing projects on our 120 year-old home.
Meredith
Meredith