Private Roswell Daycare Adapts To Schooling During A Pandemic

ROSWELL, GA — Before the coronavirus pandemic hit Georgia in March, Stepping Stones Academy in Roswell had 295 children enrolled with 75 teachers. Now, come October, the academy's numbers look much smaller as the school had to pivot from the pandemic.

Being a private daycare center, staff decided to close their doors in March before any children or staff were exposed to the virus.

"We were able to slowly reopen, however our enrollment has not resumed to our original numbers before the outbreak," Margaret Carotenuto, with Stepping Stones, said. "COVID-19 has drastically changed many of our family's and staff members lives between loss of income, life changes due to fear of contracting the virus and even loss of family members due to the virus. Parents are still very worried about their family's health and safety, and we are doing everything we can to provide a safe environment here at our school so that our families and staff can try and get back to a somewhat normal life. The health and safety of everyone has always been our No. 1 priority since we opened our doors seven years ago, and we will continue to shift as the times do to make sure that it remains so."

Most of Stepping Stones' families live in Fulton County, and when it was decided the Fulton County School system would remain closed for some time, Stepping Stones had to recreate its educational platform to include a private kindergarten along with a virtual learning classroom for the older children.

"This allowed us to keep our doors open to many of our families who did not have any other options for a learning environment for their child," Carotenuto said. "Of course things are changing soon and will continue to change as schools begin to open up. Although we are extremely happy and excited for our students to get back to school and normalcy, ultimately we will once again be impacted by the loss of a large number of enrolled students all at one time."

However, the group has persevered and on Thursday, Stepping Stones will celebrate its seventh anniversary.

"One of our older/virtual learning students was so thankful to have a safe and loving place to look forward to going to each day that he wrote the owners a thank-you card," Carotenuto said. "It really touched our hearts to receive this and to know that we have so much support from our families and students. It is gestures like this that really keeps us positive and taking itty bitty steps toward success during such a challenging, crazy 2020!"

The student, Brien Stanley, is 10-years-old and has attended Stepping Stones for six years. His note reads:

"Hi! I am Brien, A 10-year-old student. I have been going to SSA for 6 years now. And guess what? They are turning 7, October 1st! I just want to congratulate SSA for everything that has come their way during this crazy year! The amazing owners, Jessica & Steve Nahay & Elissa & Joe Koch, turned an abandoned restaurant into an amazing private daycare center! I am amazed by all of their hard work and planning to make sure all of us stay healthy and safe while at school. Every person’s temperature is taken before they can come in the building and they make sure that each classroom is really clean. SSA has also recently expanded by adding a private Kindergarten and a digital learning center for the children who weren’t allowed to go back to school or who did not feel comfortable enough to go back yet. Our family is huge, with 250 kids and counting. Let's congratulate SSA by celebrating their 7th birthday and all the hard work they put into this private daycare center! "

To learn more about Stepping Stones, visit their website.

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