Stepping Stones Academy

This is an appreciation post for MISS DANIELLE of the Explorers class. My son has been struggling with potty training and communication amongst other personal struggles and she has been such an incredible teacher and support through it all. I am single and first time mother of a boy and there are so many instances where I feel helpless and at a lost for giving my child the best care and while reassuring my son of what he should know, she always makes it a point to check in with me to support me. She is the perfect bridge between school and home. We sat down for a meeting to discuss what I wanted out of my son's education and as soon as we did, there was a shift at school and my son was capable of a number of things he had been struggling with prior. If there's any reason at all to choose this school, it is for her. Miss Danielle is the reason I stay.

When it was time for me to return to work at 8 weeks, we struggled to find a daycare for my sons age that had an opening. By some miracle, stepping stones had an opening! Everyone was so friendly and knew my child's name and he loved them back. He smiled and got excited to spend his day with them and even saying goodbye, which to me was a good sign. This place was ALWAYS clean, never had any funky odors, and even the other parents where so friendly in passing. Toys, high chairs, counters, etc were always clean - I'm honestly not sure how they do it!Entry is gated with an access code and parking is located a short walk away. Teachers plan fun art activities with the children that get sent home for you to keep. Teachers update you throughout the day with diaper changes, feedings, and my favorite - photos - to see how their day is going, through Pro Care app. The ONLY reason we are no longer here, is because we couldn't afford it. We don't qualify for any kind of assistance and the cost was starting to add up for us. To the entire team at Stepping Stones Waipahu - we greatly appreciate the care you took of our miracle baby!

My son went here from sept 2023-end of feb 2024. After telling people about my experience with this place I was like, well where the hell are the warnings? Sooo many people have had bad experiences with this place. The teacher and principle thought my son had special needs after they increased their class size from 10 to 16 kids after Christmas break. I won't go into details but it was so unprofessional and frankly insensitive. A meeting with the director was supposed to smooth things out and it kind of did but she said she had no doubt my son would qualify for special needs services. Which was an opinion that wasn't asked for. After going through a full evaluation he did not qualify for special needs education and the people who evaluated him were wondering what the daycare was even talking about. They said it was much faster than a usual evaluation because it was evident he was progressing normally for a 2 year old. ( I knew he wouldn't qualify but had to put my mind at ease.) when I informed the principle her reaction was disbelief and was again just inappropriate so we decided to leave. BUT THIS ISNT EVEN THE WORST PART. The day after we gave our 30 day notice my husband witnessed a caregiver holding my son down and then yanking him up by one arm! Needless to say he took him home and we never went back. I hope they do better. Get training on how to approach special need concerns and what that looks like so as not to put other parents through what I went through. Also watch that the employees are not burned out by increasing class sizes like that. People can snap and harm children if they are overworked, undertrained and unsupervised. I couldn't, in good conscience do nothing after this experience, so here is the warning I wish I had.

The director Julie has horrible leadership and doesn't know what she's doing. ever since Ms Charlotte left, multiple teachers left and a lot of parents took their kids out as well. The snacks are the same almost every other day. Not worth the money since tuition is Ridiculous. Bad location (homeless walks pass this location multiple times Daily! Sometimes even Naked) the streets get filled with the churches cars so the drop off gets hard sometimes.

Our daughters first year at this academy (toddlers ) and we're loving it & she's loving it ! Staff is very friendly , welcoming and very on it with the kids . Thank you for your hard work , we really appreciate everyone of you

I can't speak for the recent negative review, but I do have my questions. It almost reads like a completely different facility than what we experienced. The same review is on Google Reviews under a different name altogether. Also, our child was at the Waipahu location around the same time and just finished her time there this week before we move back to the mainland. I never saw any of the class sizes with more than 10-12 children, the bigger classes had multiple staff, and I've heard nothing but good things about all the STA locations from others, Waipahu included. The director was incredibly kind and worked with us given our unusual circumstances.We feel it is an amazing daycare and school with generous and flexible hours and amazing staff and management. Specifically, Ms. Kelly and Ms. Marilyn went above and beyond for our daughter. They really helped her progress with potty training and opening up to socialization out of intense shyness. If I had any minor gripe, it's the parking/pick up situation with the lot being behind the facility, but parking is an issue across the island. Read the reviews and make your own judgement. However, I encourage anyone in the area to consider STA for your childcare needs!

Julie does not own up to her incompetency and justifies it because she has the power to. She treats her employees like they have no feelings and does not have any empathy for them. Julie is selfish and does not hold herself accountable for ruining the quality of the classroom experience. Teachers are amazing, so is Melissa. Melissa should be in her position. It's very frustrating to be in the teachers position because you can tell they all have passion for the kids. Julie Chung needs to be removed from her position. She manipulates the parents into thinking that she cares about not only about the kids, but the teachers as well. In reality, she has no remorse and takes no accountability and it is disappointing to see that nothing is being done with her. How can a business be successful and how can a classroom thrive if the higher ups treat the teachers like garbage???

The staff of Stepping Stones waipahu has taken care of my daughter for the last two years. They have done an exceptional job teaching my daughter basic shapes, letters, and numbers, as well as basic social studies (communities) and science (plants, water, etc.) I would highly recommend this preschool to anyone! I know my daughter will miss this place as she goes on to kindergarten.

My daughter has been enrolled with Stepping Stones Academy - Waipahu since she was about 18 months old and she will be 3 and a half when we leave. Unfortunately, due to a relocation she will be attending a new school. Our experience has been exceptional. Ms. Julie is an attentive and considerate Director, answering all of my questions in a timely manner. All of the teachers treat my daughter lovingly and keep me updated throughout the day on the ProCare app as well as with a brief description of her day when I pick her up. We love our SSA Ohana and are sad to leave. 10/10, would recommend

I absolutely loved having my kids here. Ms. Julie and staff really created a safe, structured environment. I felt comfortable and at ease entrusting them with my 2 boys. I loved having constant updates via Procare with pictures throughout the day of what my kids ate, the activities they were doing, diaper changes, etc. I miss having my boys at stepping stones academy Waipahu. 10/10 recommend.