Stepping Stones Achieves Quality Rating for 3rd Year

For the third year in a row, Stepping Stones Child Development Center, a division of Easter Seals Arc, has achieved a Level Four rating, the highest quality rating available for a Paths to Quality provider.

Established in 1996, Paths to Quality is a voluntary system created to assist parents in identifying and selecting quality child care and recognize providers for ongoing efforts to achieve higher standards of quality than the minimum state licensing requirements.


Providers who choose to join PTQ receive a verification visit, are assessed, and are placed on one of four levels. Providers receive yearly re-verification visits to determine if they have maintained their current level or achieved a higher level.


The goals of the Paths to Quality as originally conceived were:
1. Raise the quality of child care and early education experiences for children,
2. Give parents tools to help determine the best quality program for their children,
3. Support and recognize providers for quality care.

The levels are:

Level 1-Health and Safety Needs,
Level 2-Environment Supports Children's Learning,
Level 3-Planned Curriculum Support Children's Development,
Level 4-Achieve National Accreditation.

Each level includes specific criteria that must be met in order for that level to be awarded.

For more information about Paths to Quality, or Stepping Stones Child Development Center, call Tony Belton, Community Relations Coordinator for Easter Seals Arc at (260) 469-2777.