Ready or not, here they come.

In communities with great wealth and great income disparity there is a corresponding achievement gap in school readiness. When children turn five, they’re off to Kindergarten, ready or not. For many, an early lack of school readiness can impact a lifetime. That’s why we developed ELLI – The Early Language and Literacy InitiativeSM.

ELLI builds essential language and literacy-rich experiences – playfully integrating Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM). And, through play, young children learn critical thinking, creativity and innovation, communication and collaboration.

Here they come, ready to learn and grow up successfully.

Call 203 899 8808 or email
elli@steppingstonesmuseum.org for more information
Inquiry Form
All Norwalk locations are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
All locations accept:

What is ELLI?

  • ELLI – The Early Language and Literacy Initiative is a high-quality, year-round multidisciplinary approach to early childhood education designed to improve school readiness and close the achievement gap.
  • ELLI provides essential language and literacy-rich educational experiences for young children that are based on theory, research and community wisdom about what children need to learn and grow up successfully.
  • Stepping Stones Museum for Children and Literacy How, an organization dedicated to the application of early literacy research, created ELLI to infuse the latest early language and literacy research-based theory and practice into immersive, content-rich Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) learning experiences for museum, classroom and home environments.

The Achievement Gap

The achievement gap in Connecticut is multifaceted and shaped by disparities in income levels, language, vocabulary, background knowledge, preparedness and opportunity. ELLI was created to close the achievement gap for all children.
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The development of early language and literacy skills lays the foundation for reading and future success in school, work and life. In order to master other subjects and communicate what they have learned, children need the ability and interest to read and write.

ELLI Lab School

The ELLI Lab School at Stepping Stones Museum for Children is designed to advance the intellectual, physical and social-emotional development of children ages 18 months – 5 years through play.

The program features:

  • Accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
  • Experienced educators with college degrees in education or related fields
  • A year-round, five-day-a-week schedule
  • Classroom transformations and outdoor play explorations that keep learning fun
  • Daily learning excursions into the museum’s STEAM-filled exhibits
  • A free annual family membership to Stepping Stones ($195 value)
  • Meal plan option

TODDLER

  • 1:4 educator to child ratio
  • Full day, 7:30 am – 5:30 pm
  • Limited Child Day Care Contract (CDC) spaces available

PRESCHOOL

  • 1:10 educator to child ratio
  • Full day, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, extended hours available 7:30 – 9:00 am and 4:00 – 5:30 pm
  • Limited School Readiness spaces available

ELLI at Fairfield University

Designed to advance the intellectual, physical and social-emotional development of children ages 12 weeks – 5 years through play.

The program features:

  • Experienced educators with college degrees in education or related fields
  • A year-round, five-day-a-week schedule
  • Classroom transformations and outdoor play explorations that keep learning fun
  • A free annual family membership to Stepping Stones ($195 value)
  • Meal plan option

INFANT/TODDLER

  • 1:4 educator to child ratio
  • Full day, 7:30 am – 5:30 pm

PRESCHOOL

  • 1:10 educator to child ratio
  • Full day, 7:30 am – 5:30 pm

ELLI at Norwalk Public Schools

The ELLI Classroom at Fox Run Elementary School in Norwalk opened in 2014 as a result of the close partnership between Norwalk Public Schools and Stepping Stones. Now ELLI has classrooms at Fox Run Elementary School, Naramake Elementary School and Wolfpit Elementary School serving children ages 3 – 5 years.

These programs feature:

  • Accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
  • Experienced educators with college degrees in education or related fields
  • Five-day-a-week schedule following the Norwalk Public Schools’ calendar
  • Classroom transformations and outdoor play explorations that keep learning fun
  • Meal plan option

PRESCHOOL

  • 1:10 educator to child ratio
  • Fox Run 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
  • Naramake/Wolfpit 8:30 am – 2:30 pm
  • School Readiness spaces for Norwalk residents only

Click to learn more about ELLI Classrooms at Norwalk Public Schoolsor call Johanna Valencia at 203 854 4113.

ELLI Lead Partners:

ELLI Partnerships:

Mathews Park
303 West Avenue
Norwalk, Connecticut 06850
203 899 0606

By Blacktail Media