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- Overview
- Programs
- Our Team
About Stepping Stones Reggie-inspired School in Chicago, IL
At Stepping Stones, Van Buren, we are Reggio-inspired and developmentally-focused. Surrounding children with a variety of enrichment, stimulating the senses, and supporting a passion for discovery. Our Lily Pad Leap™ Curriculum mindfully infuses structured lessons into a child-led, Reggio-inspired environment. Children flourish in an environment that is language-rich, dynamic but accessible, warm and loving. Teachers encourage children to challenge their skill set each day as they transition from novice to master again and again.
Embracing Messy Play and Taking Risks
Rather than a traditional playground, the Lincoln Square location features a spacious indoor gross motor room, allowing children to move freely, climb, and engage in active play regardless of weather.
A dedicated indoor mud and art room offers sensory-rich, creative experiences with clay, paint, loose parts, and natural materials. Outdoor learning is brought to life through regular walks and adventures to nearby parks, giving children the chance to explore seasonal changes, urban nature, and open-ended movement in the fresh air.
Our classrooms are designed to feel like a second home—filled with natural materials, soft lighting, and gentle rhythms that support comfort, curiosity, and calm. Each day is guided by children’s interests and developmental stages, encouraging autonomy, discovery, and joyful learning.
Early Childhood Programs at Lincoln Square
Our Lincoln Square school offers a full continuum of programs to support children from infancy through preschool. Each program is uniquely named and tailored to the developmental needs of the age group it serves, fostering a sense of identity, belonging, and purpose within the school community.
Poppy Seedlings & Sunflower Seedlings – Infant Program (3–15 months)
In our Seedlings classrooms, infants are cared for in a gentle, sensory-rich environment where routines are predictable, relationships are secure, and exploration is supported through music, soft materials, and simple toys. Individualized attention ensures babies feel safe, seen, and soothed.
Clover Sprouts & Bean Sprouts – Young Toddler Program (15–24 months)
The Sprouts classrooms give toddlers space to move, explore, and practice emerging skills in a safe and loving environment. Daily routines are filled with story time, group meals, art, and music, while toddlers begin to express preferences and build social bonds.
Alfalfa Sprouts – Older Toddler Program (2–3 years)
This classroom bridges toddlerhood and preschool with activities that promote language development, self-help skills, and imaginative play. Children are guided in problem-solving and supported in building independence through a mix of group and solo learning experiences.
Buds – Younger Preschool (3–5 years)
Our Buds program focuses on early literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional learning through open-ended play, storytelling, art, and collaborative activities. Teachers facilitate learning by observing children’s interests and building emergent curriculum around them.
Blossoms – Older Preschool / Pre-Kindergarten (3–5 years)
In the Blossoms classroom, children prepare for the transition to kindergarten with opportunities for project-based learning, leadership, and deeper inquiry. With a focus on creativity, communication, and executive function, children grow into confident and compassionate learners.
Each classroom benefits from access to our indoor gross motor room and indoor mud and art room, which provide space for physical movement and creative expression. Outdoor learning is achieved through neighborhood park visits, where children explore nature, engage in unstructured play, and build a connection with their community and environment.
The Stepping Stones Story
Stepping Stones does not define itself with one philosophy. If you’re looking, you will notice several progressive methods and materials including Reggio Emilia, RIE, Waldorf, but mostly Reggio Emilia. If you’re not looking, you will still notice that care is our curriculum. We respect and focus on the “whole child” rooted in learning by doing and prioritizing exploration, problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaborative projects. Our teachers and care takers are co-learners alongside their students, encouraging curiosity through schema observation, prosocial relationships, and facilitating child-led and empowering learning environments.
Kids Café Preschool Cooking Program
Cooking Up Confidence, One Recipe at a Time
Kids Café is a hands-on cooking program where children explore new foods, build confidence, and develop essential life skills through fun, guided kitchen experiences.
Program Highlights:
- Designed for ages 3+
- Weekly sessions over a 12-week program
- Hands-on cooking activities and kid-friendly recipes
- Builds teamwork, sharing, and communication skills
- Encourages problem-solving and following directions
- Supports early math, literacy, and critical thinking
- Includes a take-home cooking kit for continued fun
Talk to your School Director today to learn more and enroll.
Contact Us Today!
Come visit the premier Reggio-inspired School brand in Chicago and discover how we nurture creativity, independence, and a love for learning in young children. Our Reggio-inspired approach fosters a supportive and engaging environment where every child can thrive. Stop by for a tour or give us a call to learn more about our programs and enrollment options. We look forward to welcoming you!
Programs Offered
Our Team
Brenda Quizhpi
School Director
Brenda is the Assistant Director at the Portage Park location. She has been working in Early Childhood Education for 6 years after learning the principles of taking care of young minds. She had an early childhood educator always tell her, “You can help all young minds with the patience and understanding you have for the children”. This always stuck with her and it led her on her education journey.
Brenda earned an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education with hopes to expand her knowledge and continue her education towards a Bachelors Degree in Early Education and Administration. This foundation of knowledge helps Brenda grow her mentor voice, guiding her team in who they are and where they want to go. She will always work to create a safe and supportive working and learning environment for her entire community.
She has worked in many daycares in Chicago, but Stepping Stones opened a door to new early learning for her. A nature-based curriculum is not only outdoor learning; it is appreciating the world around us! As both a Lead Teacher and Assistant Director, she is in awe every day of the growth she has experienced since working with Stepping Stones colleagues, families, and students.
Brenda comes from a big family and they are always up to something! She loves to go out for walks in her neighborhood and explore new neighborhoods with her partner on car drives around Illinois. She absolutely loves to dance to all kinds of music with her nieces and nephew. As soon as the sun is out and the air is warm, she is swimming all weekend long and enjoying summer days.
Alejandra Barajas
Admin Assistant
I have been here for 7 years. I have had the opportunity to work with every age group and have grown very fond of the infant classroom. My favorite thing about working at Lily Pad is being able to create bonds with all the families. As well as being able to see every child’s journey and milestones throughout Lily Pad, and seeing them graduate. I am always up for trying new restaurants, as I am a big foodie! I love to travel any chance I get.
