ABOUT US
Close to 20 years ago, Kerry Milligan established Stepping Stones with a dream of creating a safe, fun, and loving environment for children of all ages to learn and grow. It didn’t take long for the people in the area to recognize the quality and education of the caregivers and soon Kerry was filled to capacity.
OUR STEPPING STONES TEAM
Marcella
Marcella has over 10 years of experience working, supporting, and nurturing kids from as young as six weeks old to 10. Her passion for early childhood development shines through in the care and energy she brings every day. Originally from California, Marcella made the move to Idaho six years ago, where she now lives with her two children- a lively 5-year-old son and a spirited 3-year-old daughter. Outside of work, she enjoys singing, dancing, camping, and bringing creativity and joy into both her personal and professional life.
Aureona
Aureona, is the proud mother of two. Helping children learn, develop, and succeed in life is her passion. She joined our Stepping Stones family in fall of 2024. Aureona has over 10 years of experience working with both children and adults that have disabilities. She also has over 280 credit hours in child development courses!! It’s important for Aureona continues to work towards her Social Work degree to continue her education and keep learning new ways to help children the best she can. She prides herself on being able to slow down and understand how to be in the moment with children. She does this by getting down to the child’s level and takes the time to help the child learn and grow.
Outside work, you may find Aureona camping, hiking, playing board games, and spending time with her family.
Lesli
Lesli, our Stepping Stones teacher known for singing, snuggling, and using sign language! Lesli joined our infant room in January 2022. She has been working with children of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds for many years. Lesli studied to be a sign language interpreter in college and uses her knowledge in both sign and early childhood development to encourage the children in her classroom to communicate even before they can use words. Signing is a regular part of any given day in the infant room. Lesli also loves to sing and has been performing since she wasn’t much older than her students. She loves singing and signing songs during music time and humming lullabies to them while rocking them to sleep. We just recently welcomed Lesli’s daughter into the Stepping Stones family and are excited to watch her learn and grow in this fun, safe, and educational environment.
Lexi
Alexis is her given name, but everyone knows her as Lexi! Lexi was born and raised in a family of five. She has two brothers and is the middle child. She is only a middle child by minutes, because her younger brother is also her twin. Lexi began working in childcare when she was 13 as a babysitter and nanny for friends and family. At 16, four years ago, Lexi began working at Stepping Stones. Lexi began as a teen assistant helper and is now a co-teacher in the toddler room. Lexi is also trained to help in other rooms as needed. She enjoys the ability to teach and play with children of all ages. She loves seeing the different personalities of each child and having the ability to help each one reach their different milestones. Although Lexi is quiet and keeps to herself most of the time, she will talk your ear off once she gets to know you. She has a big heart and it's clear she loves working with everyone around her. So far, Lexi has completed 2 years at the College of Western Idaho (CWI), in the field of early child education and child development.
Outside of work you’ll find her reading, camping, listening to music, coloring/drawing, watching movies, and hanging out with friends and family.
Zoey
Zoey is the mother of three kiddos that keep her on her toes and constantly on the go. We are extremely lucky she chose us 5 years ago and quickly became a vital part of our team. Zoey has been crossed-trained in both the infant and toddler rooms, which is invaluable when a teacher is out sick. Zoey says that working with toddlers is her favorite age range. She loves it when they start to express their words. She says their imagination really starts to show and the kiddos love to show her the new things they have learned. Zoey truly loves taking care of children and helping them learn. She began working in the childcare field at the age of 16 and 9 years later, she is still in the field she loves.
Outside of work, besides spending time with her family, she loves to go rock hunting and building Lego creations.
Erin
Erin Eckhart, a previous Kindergarten teacher, has been with Stepping Stones since Fall of 2018. She began in the infant room and earned the title "baby whisperer" from coworkers and parents. Her keen observation skills were evident as she figured out babies' needs with or without verbal communication. Erin has a calming presence, is a champion snuggler, cuddler, feeder, and possess the ability to understand each sweet infant needs to fall asleep.
Erin now teaches in our preschool room and loves the activities and curriculum. Her amazing work ethic and ability to integrate her work life and home life means we also are blessed to have her children join our Stepping Stones family.
Chris
Chris is the adopted Grandma of all Pre-k students! Chris began her education journey in Elementary Ed many years ago. She has been a Director of a Preschool and has owned 2 restaurants!
Chris has a calm and loving demeanor that the children are drawn to. The Before School kids LOVE her activities' committees! She is loyal and dedicated to her class, co-workers, and Stepping Stones. She loves literacy and enjoys helping the children learn language, letters, sounds, and words.
Janet
Director
Janet, mother of two, joined our Stepping Stones family in the summer of 2018. She instantly fell in love with the work she was doing, her co-workers, and especially the children. Janet’s work ethic and drive to ensure Stepping Stones thrived during Covid 19 solidified the Director’s decision to make Janet the Assistant Director. Janet has passion and expertise, with over 15 years in the field of childcare. Five of those years were as a teacher at a Private Christian school teaching 1st and 3rd graders. Janet worked hard to earn a degree in Early Child Care and Development and continues to educate herself to ensure she is up to date with new information and requirements.
Outside work, you may find Janet camping, paddle boarding, reading or spending time with her family.
We are so glad Janet chose us and decided to stay!
Kerry
Owner
Kerry is a mom of 3 and a grandma of 5 and counting. She has been involved in many areas in early childhood education: Home childcare, preschool teacher, Asst. director of a center, Director of a ski school, and now owner and Director of Stepping Stones.
Besides overseeing the daily operation of the school, she teaches music and movement, plans all curriculum and drives the school van.
Kerry loves working with children of all ages because they are so honest. She enjoys helping them grow and learn. The best sound in the world to Kerry is the sound of children's laughter.