Parent Participation

One of the most unique experiences that our school has is the Parent Participation Program. This program is what makes Stepping Stones a co-operative preschool. It is a great option to consider if it fits your family’s needs. The Parent Participation Program allows parents, grandparents, or other caregivers, the opportunity to aid in the classrooms, nursery, playroom, or kitchen and enter the exciting world of a preschooler. Being a Parent Aide is a lot of fun and helps you save on tuition. Become part of a community and make memories that will last a lifetime!

Parent Aide Benefits

  • As an aiding parent, an advanced discount is applied to your monthly tuition. This discount is reflected in the Parent Participation tuition rates. As a result of this upfront discount a minimum number of aid days are required each month. The number of required days is relevant to the discounted rate. The total aiding discount is reflected in the Parent Participation tuition rate on the Classes and Tuition page. See “How to aid” below for more details about required days.

    We understand there are short months and life events that could prevent an aide from meeting the minimum required aiding days. An aide can proactively aid additional days to be banked for future months if it is know they will not be able to meet the minimum days in an upcoming month. In the event of insufficient aiding days in a month, an aide may make-up days by aiding extra in the following months. If an account is persistently unable to meet the required aide days the tuition discount may be subject to reversal and additional tuition may be due.

  • Gain hands-on experience in the classroom which helps parents build upon their early learners school experience at home.

  • The playroom, nursery and PM kids’ club are available while you aide. This service is available for enrolled kids while you aid on their “off” day or siblings not enrolled.

    Please see below for more information about each child-care option available to our parent aides.

  • Being an aiding parent allows you to meet and build strong relationships with teachers, staff, and other families. Aides are an important part of the Stepping Stones community!

Child-care for Aiding Families

Children will enjoy playtime and other age appropriate developmental activities. A snack is provided. For kids in Nursery, you may choose to provide your own. We ask you provide a change of clothes, a water bottle or sippy cup, and diapers if applicable.

All staff are CPR & First Aid certified, background verified, and complete safe diaper training (Nursery staff).

Please note an Emergency Information Card is required to be on file for all children in nursery, playroom or Kids’ Club.

Playroom

Hours: 8:30am - 11:40am
Ages 2 1/2 - Kindergarten

Playroom Registration Form

PM Kid’s Club

Hours: 11:30am - 4:00pm
Ages 2 1/2 - Kindergarten
Must be potty-trained.

Nursery

We are a Nursing-friendly campus!

Hours: 8:30am - 11:40am
Ages 8 weeks to 2 1/2 years old

Nursery Registration Form

To get started…

Complete the Parent Participation Forms as required by the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) and Arizona Department of Licensing. As part of these forms you will need the below items:

  • Signed Parent Information/Immunization Verification Form

  • A Copy of Your High School (or Higher) Diploma, GED, or Transcripts

  • Two Reference Letters

  • A Copy of a Negative Mantoux Tuberculosis (TB) Test

  • Fingerprint Clearance Card by the AZ Department of Public Safety (DPS)*

  • Signed Criminal History Affidavit (this is included in the Fingerprint Clearance Card process)

  • Signed Direct Service Central Registry Clearance Form

*Please note that fees for obtaining the Fingerprint Clearance Card or any other required items are not covered by the school.

Once you have completed the parent participation forms bring in to the office. We will review and collect all required documents. The next step will be to complete orientation to learn about your new role as parent aide. This is offered in August but available to new participating parents at any time. When you have successfully completed orientation you are ready to aide!

See Getting a Fingerprint Clearance Card - Online to learn more about this process.

How to aide. . .

Sign-up Genius Aide Calendar

You choose when and where you want to aide by signing up on the calendar. The calendar is available online on the 15th of every month for the following month. For example, the January aide calendar is available beginning December 15th. Email and Reminder texts notify you when the calendar becomes available and include the calendar link, so be sure you are on the mailing list for both.

Need to aide on a day your child isn’t in class? Childcare is available to students and siblings at no charge in the playroom or nursery for parents while aiding in the classrooms.

Tuition Discount Requirements

There are multiple ways to fulfill your aiding requirements. We have aiding opportunities in AM Kid’s Club, AM classes, lunch bunch/playground, and PM classes that qualify as an aiding credit. You can fulfill more than one aiding requirement in a day. For example, a person aiding in an AM Class and lunch bunch on the same day would receive two aiding credits.

To receive the reduced tuition, you must aid a defined number of shifts each month, based on your child’s enrolled days.

If your child attends half days:

  • 2 half days/wk, aid 2 shifts per month

  • 3 half days/wk, aid 3 shifts per month

  • 5 half days/wk, aid 4 shifts per month

If your child attends full days:

  • 2 full days/wk, aid 3 shifts per month

  • 3 full days/wk, aid 4 shifts per month

  • 5 full days /wk, aid 4 shifts per month

DID YOU KNOW? If you aid more than the required number of shifts in a month, you can receive an additional $10 discount per extra aiding shift!