Yes

No, we teach by immersion. But individual support is always available for students who need it.

Dutch in grades 3-6 (as per the official Wallonia-Brussels Federation programme; as of September 2022)

20

12-15

Yes

'CleverTouch' interactive screens in our Primary School

During the first lockdown in Brussels in the Spring of 2020, we offered online sessions via Zoom and were able to develop a solid, reliable working method to keep our young students (and their parents) engaged and feeling connected to their school and their classmates.

No. We learn about and celebrate the very diverse religious and traditional holidays of all our students, encouraging respect and appreciation towards all creeds.

Belgian Primary School certifications (Wallonia-Brussels Federation) + Cambridge Assessment English

(Not applicable yet)

Yes (in Primary School)

A maximum of 30 minutes per day

(Not applicable yet).

Not at the moment, but we work closely with the parents, doctors and therapists of any child requiring specialised support. At this moment we have only one student who has just joined us and is slightly behind her peers, and we will develop specific support structures for her in coordination with her parents and doctors as necessary.

Not applicable at this time (see previous answer).

Because of our mixed teaching methods, combining the Montessori approach with more traditional teacher-led activities and with cooperative learning, each child learns at their own pace and gifted students who require more stimulating challenges are perfectly integrated in our vertical classrooms (ages 3 to 6 and 6 to 8, as of Sep 2021). We work closely with the parents, doctors and therapists of any child who requires specialised or more advanced materials, which are made readily available in all our classrooms.

We work with two local paediatric psychologists who are on call if needed.

We meet individually with the parents before formalising each child's enrolment.

Yes

Usually in March. (This may change as our Primary School grows).

Only in very exceptional circumstances.

Doors open at 8:00 a.m.; classes start at 9:00 a.m.

3:30 pm except on Wednesdays, which are half-days in Belgium (we finish after lunch, at 12:30 p.m.)

Free supervised care between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. and between 3:30 and 4:00 p.m. (12:30 to 1:00 p.m. on Wednesdays). After-school care is available for a fee, between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. (1:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesdays).

Not at the moment

Hot lunches and healthy snacks — mid-morning and afternoon — for all students (€90 per month)

Yes, as required. Children with multiple allergies or other medically justified problems with food can opt out of our hot meal programme and bring their own lunch.

Yes

"Happy Wednesdays": Wednesday afternoon activities including Art and Eurhythmics (musical expression through movement).
Holiday Camps: Week-long day camps during the main school breaks (November; February; March/April; 1 or 2 weeks in July)

Psychomotricity, Dance and/or Yoga in our Preschool; Physical Education (following the Belgian curriculum which includes team sports, gymnastics, swimming, etc.) in our Primary School.

Not at the moment.

Outdoor playgrounds with climbing walls, slides, etc. Indoor psychomotricity materials (balls, hoops, cones, climbing structures, etc.)

Stepping Stones is a private bilingual (English/French) preschool and primary school in Brussels. Like our students, our teachers and support staff are international, diverse, and open to the world. We aim to nurture each child's potential for creativity, adaptability and self-assurance, modelling the ideals of respect, liberty, autonomy, curiosity, solidarity and kindness.

At Stepping Stones we use a mixed methods approach to learning, taking the best from each system to offer a richly rewarding daily experience for each student. Children are the agents of their own learning process, guided by their teachers, at their own pace. Both in our Preschool and in our Primary School, we combine the Montessori approach with more “traditional” teacher-led methods, and the children learn through bilingual or dual immersion (English/French). In our Primary School, one day per week is devoted to cooperative learning, working on joint projects. We hope to enable the children, whose natural instincts are generous and just, to become agents of change in the world. As each child is unique, our differentiated teaching strategies pave the way for every child to reach their full potential, acquiring a solid base of fundamental knowledge and abilities, including psychosocial skills (managing their emotions, developing their creativity and critical thought, building empathy and concern for others...)