Brandon Twp – Stepping Stone Child Development Center may be a new name but the location and teachers are the same.
So too are the goals of Director Jenny Smotherman.
Longevity than can be afforded to the children with a long term teaching staff, is the school preparation skills possible, according to Smotherman.
‘Our goal is to make Stepping Stone a quality early childhood environment,? Smotherman told parents in a letter announcing a change in management of the center.
On Aug. 6, what was once the Peanut Gallery childcare center changed ownership. The center was purchased by an investor group specializing in child day carecenters.
Smotherman said this change will empower the teaching staff to improve age appropriate developmental learning by affording better equipment and building upgrades.
‘We’re getting a ton of new equipment with wonderful a playground put in,? Smotherman beamed.
These improvements, according to director, will allow Stepping Stone better tools to encourage creativity and problem solving skills with materials that are more appropriate for the age of the children at the center.
‘The most important thing about child development is to have the right learning tools,? she said.
‘With the new equipment, this will become a play based learning center.?
Longevity of teaching staff is important to Smotherman, as well, because she feels it is important children remain familiar with whom they are learning from.
‘We are updating the building, equipment, and playground, but the same teachers,? she said.
A nine year center veteran herself, Smotherman says the current staff of nine teachers all share longevity within the center which lends to security and familiarity with the children. Many of which, she says, have grown up there since they were babies.
‘Long term staff is important to us,? she said, adding the babies and children who have a secure daycare experience generally have a smoother transition into the elementary school.
In addition with better funding available, the teaching staff will participate in continued professional development training, as well as change levels of day care with the students. This is planned so that the children’s learning skills grow consistently with the teacher who is nurturing their development, individually.
‘I’m excited about the changes,? said Smotherman.
‘Its going be really nice.?

Stepping Stone Child Development is located at 885 Ortonville Road, in Ortonville.
Programs are available from 6:30 a.m. to 6:34 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The center provides day care for infants, toddlers, 3 and 4 year olds, and latchkey students ages 5 through 12.
A bus is provided to pick students up at the school and drop off at the center. To meet the Stepping Stone staff visitors are invited to an Open House on Aug. 24 from 7-8 p.m. or call (248) 627-5620.