Stepping Stones Early Childhood Learning Center in Chicago, IL offers a nonsectarian early learning program for kindergarten with a total enrollment of 50 students.
The school has a student–teacher ratio of 10:1 supported by 5 teachers in a city–based setting in the Grand Crossing neighborhood.
Stepping Stones ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Illinois for diversity, serving 100% students of color.
As a co–ed early childhood and day care center, it focuses on kindergarten–level education within the urban Chicago community.
Quick Facts (2026)
- School Type: Early Childhood / Day Care
- Grades: Kindergarten
- Enrollment: 50 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Top Rankings
Stepping Stones Early Childhood Learning Center ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Illinois for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
School Overview
School Type
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten
Student Body
Total Students
50 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
100%
State avg.: 34%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
5 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
National avg.: 11:1
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Application URL
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the application deadline for Stepping Stones Early Childhood Learning Center?
The application deadline for Stepping Stones Early Childhood Learning Center is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
In what neighborhood is Stepping Stones Early Childhood Learning Center located?
Stepping Stones Early Childhood Learning Center is located in the Grand Crossing neighborhood of Chicago, IL. There are 2 other private schools located in Grand Crossing.
Nearby Private Schools
The nearest high school to Stepping Stones Early Childhood Learning Center is Mount Carmel High School (1.4 miles away)
The nearest elementary school and preschool is St. Paul Lutheran School (0.2 miles away)
Show me:
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
St. Paul Lutheran School
(Lutheran Church Missouri Synod)
7621 S Dorchester Ave
Chicago, IL 60619
(773) 721-1438
Chicago, IL 60619
(773) 721-1438
0.2 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 86 students
7351 S Stony Island Ave
Chicago, IL 60649
(773) 643-0700
Chicago, IL 60649
(773) 643-0700
0.5 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 221 students
Wee Care Nursery School
Daycare / Preschool
1843 E 79th St
Chicago, IL 60649
(773) 221-4442
Chicago, IL 60649
(773) 221-4442
0.9 miles
Gr: PK-K | 24 students
2110 E 72nd St
Chicago, IL 60649
(773) 288-1138
Chicago, IL 60649
(773) 288-1138
1.1 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 158 students Acceptance rate listed
South Central School Main Campus
Special Education School
1021 E 83rd St
Chicago, IL 60619
(773) 374-2223
Chicago, IL 60619
(773) 374-2223
1.1 miles
Gr: 5-8 | 14 students
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
6410 S. Dante Ave
Chicago, IL 60637
(773) 324-1020
Chicago, IL 60637
(773) 324-1020
1.4 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 618 students Sports: 18 | Extracurrculars: 13 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
South Central Community Services - South Shore
Special Education School
7550 S Phillips Ave
Chicago, IL 60649
(773) 374-2223
Chicago, IL 60649
(773) 374-2223
1.4 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 23 students Avg. class size: 10 students Tuition listed
1151 E 62nd St 55
Chicago, IL 60637
(773) 752-5645
Chicago, IL 60637
(773) 752-5645
1.6 miles
Gr: K-9 | 12 students Tuition listed
6245 S. Ingleside Avenue
Chicago, IL 60637
(773) 420-2900
Chicago, IL 60637
(773) 420-2900
1.6 miles
Gr: 4-12 | 111 students Avg. class size: 10 students Extracurrculars: 20
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
St. Paul Lutheran School
(Lutheran Church Missouri Synod)
7621 S Dorchester Ave
Chicago, IL 60619
(773) 721-1438
Chicago, IL 60619
(773) 721-1438
0.2 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 86 students
7351 S Stony Island Ave
Chicago, IL 60649
(773) 643-0700
Chicago, IL 60649
(773) 643-0700
0.5 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 221 students
2110 E 72nd St
Chicago, IL 60649
(773) 288-1138
Chicago, IL 60649
(773) 288-1138
1.1 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 158 students Acceptance rate listed
South Central School Main Campus
Special Education School
1021 E 83rd St
Chicago, IL 60619
(773) 374-2223
Chicago, IL 60619
(773) 374-2223
1.1 miles
Gr: 5-8 | 14 students
7120 S Calumet Avenue
Chicago, IL 60619
(773) 224-3811
Chicago, IL 60619
(773) 224-3811
1.3 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 151 students Avg. class size: 20 students
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
St. Paul Lutheran School
(Lutheran Church Missouri Synod)
7621 S Dorchester Ave
Chicago, IL 60619
(773) 721-1438
Chicago, IL 60619
(773) 721-1438
0.2 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 86 students
7351 S Stony Island Ave
Chicago, IL 60649
(773) 643-0700
Chicago, IL 60649
(773) 643-0700
0.5 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 221 students
Wee Care Nursery School
Daycare / Preschool
1843 E 79th St
Chicago, IL 60649
(773) 221-4442
Chicago, IL 60649
(773) 221-4442
0.9 miles
Gr: PK-K | 24 students
2110 E 72nd St
Chicago, IL 60649
(773) 288-1138
Chicago, IL 60649
(773) 288-1138
1.1 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 158 students Acceptance rate listed
South Harper Montessori School
Montessori School
8358 S Stony Island Ave
Chicago, IL 60617
(773) 734-0375
Chicago, IL 60617
(773) 734-0375
1.2 miles
Gr: NS-PK | 55 students
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
William E Young School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
16240 S Cedar Rd
Homer Glen, IL 60491
(708) 226-2010
Homer Glen, IL 60491
(708) 226-2010
9190.5 miles
Gr: PK-1 | 452 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Luther J Schilling School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
16025 S Cedar Rd
Homer Glen, IL 60491
(708) 226-7900
Homer Glen, IL 60491
(708) 226-7900
9190.6 miles
Gr: 2-4 | 587 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Cass Jr High School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
8502 Bailey Rd
Darien, IL 60561
(331) 481-4000
Darien, IL 60561
(331) 481-4000
9190.8 miles
Gr: 5-8 | 313 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Eisenhower Jr High School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1410 75th St
Darien, IL 60561
(630) 964-5200
Darien, IL 60561
(630) 964-5200
9190.8 miles
Gr: 6-8 | 407 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Haines Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
155 Haines Ave
New Lenox, IL 60451
(815) 485-2115
New Lenox, IL 60451
(815) 485-2115
9190.8 miles
Gr: 1-3 | 358 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
School Reviews
Endorse Stepping Stones Early Childhood Learning Center. Endorsements should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
- Academic or athletic awards
Recent Articles
How to Ask About Staff Screening Without Apologizing
Parents should feel comfortable asking how private schools screen employees. Learn which questions matter, what answers to expect, and why transparency about hiring and student safety is a hallmark of a well-managed school.
What Facility Safety Tells You About School Oversight
A school's facilities reveal far more than appearance. Learn how building maintenance, emergency preparedness, and campus safety practices can help parents evaluate school leadership, oversight, and long-term commitment to student well-being.
Is the School Legally a School? A Parent Verification Checklist
Before enrolling your child in a private school, learn how to verify that it is legally operating, properly accredited, and authorized to issue recognized diplomas with this practical parent checklist for making a confident school choice.
