Stepping Stones Nursery School
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3420 W. Fullerton Ave
Chicago, IL 60647 - (773) 904-2966
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Monday - Friday
7:30 AM - 6:00 PM - Ages: 12 weeks - 5 years
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- Overview
- Programs
- Our Team
About Stepping Stones Nursery School in Chicago, IL
Founded on the belief that children learn best through meaningful, hands-on experiences, Stepping Stones Nursery School has grown from a home-based daycare to a thriving early learning community with locations across Chicago. At our Logan Square campus, we maintain that original spirit—providing a space where every child is known, supported, and celebrated.
Our classrooms are designed to feel like a second home, filled with soft lighting, calming natural materials, and open-ended activities that promote creativity, independence, and emotional security. Teachers form close bonds with children and families, nurturing a strong sense of belonging and community.
A standout feature of the Logan Square location is our expansive outdoor classroom, where children engage in sensory play, physical exploration, and nature-based learning throughout all seasons. This outdoor space includes elements like a sand pit, mud kitchen, and loose parts play, supporting whole-body development and joyful discovery.
Early Childhood Programs at Logan Square
Our Logan Square location offers four core early childhood programs, each aligned to a specific age range and housed in a dedicated, nature-named classroom. With a low teacher-to-child ratio and an emergent curriculum model, each program supports the unique developmental needs of children from infancy through pre-kindergarten.
Daisy Seedlings – Infant Program (3–15 months)
The Daisy Seedlings classroom provides a calm, nurturing setting for our youngest learners. Infants are cared for in a sensory-rich environment that supports early milestones such as rolling, reaching, vocalizing, and forming attachments. Teachers follow individualized care routines and focus on creating a secure, loving atmosphere.
Pea Sprouts – Toddler Program (15–24+ months)
In the Pea Sprouts classroom, toddlers are encouraged to explore their independence while developing emerging language and motor skills. Through guided play, simple routines, and lots of music, movement, and sensory experiences, toddlers begin to build friendships, express themselves, and navigate their world with growing confidence.
Rose Buds – Preschool Program (2+ years)
The Rose Buds classroom blends imaginative play with early learning experiences in literacy, math, art, and science. Teachers support social-emotional growth, problem-solving, and communication through both individual and group activities. Children are encouraged to express their ideas, ask questions, and take the lead in their learning journey.
Cherry Blossoms – Pre-Kindergarten Program (3–5 years)
In the Cherry Blossoms classroom, children deepen their critical thinking and collaboration skills as they prepare for kindergarten. Project-based learning, storytelling, and outdoor exploration allow children to apply concepts, solve problems, and work as a team. Teachers nurture leadership, creativity, and self-regulation as children transition toward school readiness.
Each of these classrooms benefits from daily time in our outdoor classroom, where unstructured nature play, hands-on discovery, and physical activity are essential parts of the curriculum.
Why Families Choose Stepping Stones Nursery School – Logan Square
- Play-Based Learning Philosophy: Our curriculum is rooted in the belief that play is essential for early development and lifelong learning.
- Nature-Inspired Classrooms: Both indoor and outdoor environments are designed to inspire creativity and calm.
- Strong Parent Partnerships: We work closely with families to support children’s growth, fostering trust and open communication.
- Experienced Educators: Our teachers are passionate about early childhood education and trained in child development and positive guidance techniques.
- Community-Focused: As a locally-owned school, we value community connections and celebrate the diverse culture of Logan Square.
Visit Us Today
Discover why families across Chicago choose Stepping Stones Nursery School in Logan Square for exceptional early childhood education. We invite you to visit our school, explore our thoughtfully designed learning environments, and meet the dedicated educators who make our community so special.
Schedule a tour today and experience firsthand how Stepping Stones nurtures curiosity, builds confidence, and lays the foundation for lifelong learning.
Programs Offered
Our Team
Lucy Lunsford
Executive Director
Lucy believes children are in a constant state of imagination and wonder. As an educator, she is a co-learner and observer. She trusts that through the exploration of play, children can create a bright space to ask questions, experiment, and problem-solve.
Lucy achieved her BA in Liberal Arts from Sarah Lawrence College (’13) after studying Child Development & Education, Literature, and Art. She completed her senior thesis on the philosophies of alternative education and how art and movement provide tools for communication and independence. Her decade long experience in education has taken many lively forms; She started her career in New York as a Student Liaison for a tutoring company. Then became an After-school Co-Director for Manhattan Country Day School. After an exciting move to Chicago, she worked at a Montessori school, another Reggio Emilia inspired program, and then became the Education Coordinator for a non-profit organization that promotes continuing education in 3D design for teens and adults. This long and winding road has happily led her to be the Education Director of Stepping Stones Nursery School at Lincoln Square and then proudly moved into the new Executive Director position to oversee operations of all 3 Stepping Stones’ locations.
Lastly, Lucy and her husband welcomed their first child in 2022 and they are enjoying the thrilling early years of parenthood. You can find them strolling around Rogers Park with their two sweet pups or playing music on their back porch.
Daniella Rolon
Education Director
Daniella began her ECE journey about 8 years ago as support staff at Little Green Treehouse. There she discovered her love of early childhood teaching; Encouraging little ones to reach their milestones and move through development with confidence and joy. Daniella is a huge advocate for inclusivity and the importance of play. She strongly believes that all children learn at their own pace and that it’s our responsibility to meet them there.
With undergraduate education from Dominican University, Daniella was promoted into a Lead Teacher position and worked with infants until 2021. During this time, she decided to return to school to complete her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education.
In 2023, Daniella was recommended to Stepping Stones by a Stepping Stones teacher and immediately fell in love with the center. She started as a Lead Teacher in the Blossoms Classroom, then she was quickly promoted in the Assistant Director position. She is now the Education Director at Logan Square.
Daniella has a year left until she obtains her B.A. in Early Childhood Education and Administration. When she is not studying or at Stepping Stones, you can expect to find her to be exploring Chicago with her husband and three children. She loves baking and is a huge lover of music.
Amanda Von-Ebers
Assistant Director
Amanda started her journey into ECE by running the art room at a children’s museum in her hometown of Oak Park. This experience led her to jump into teaching, starting at Bright Beginnings in Avondale as an assistant teacher. While talking to a Bright Beginnings family about their transition to a new school that prioritized outdoor learning and exploration, Amanda did a quick social media search and fell in love – immediately calling and submitting her resume to Stepping Stones Nursery School.
Her love for nature and empowering children to be confident and courageous aligned perfectly with the SSNS philosophy. With her 5 years of teaching in the Rose Buds classroom, Amanda plans to use this experience and her role of Assistant Director to empower teachers to dive deeper into outdoor and play based learning.
Amanda is in the process of completing her Associates Degree in Child Development, enjoying classes that focus on process art, child led learning, and the benefits of outdoor education. In the future, she hopes to explore Professional Development opportunities that further her learning in these areas. A big dream is to visit different Reggio inspired programs or outdoor based programs around the country.
Outside of school, Amanda is either spending time at home with her cat and boyfriend, across the street at Yodega, or in Oak Park with her parents, siblings, and nieces and nephews. Amanda also spent some time fostering kittens over the fall and is interested in fostering again in the near future.
