Stepping Stones Niceville!
410 Fir Avenue
Niceville, FL 32578
Phone: 850-842-2640
Email: niceville@sselacademy.com
Our Niceville campus is the original home of Stepping Stones Early Learning Academy and the heart of our mission to provide faith-based early childhood education in the community. Licensed for 75 children and featuring five vibrant classrooms, this location serves children from our Inchworm toddler program through our Butterfly VPK program. Families love the warm, nurturing environment where children grow academically, socially, and spiritually under the guidance of experienced educators and a curriculum rooted in Christian values. If you are wanting to find out more information, fill out the inquiry form
Stepping Stones Early Learning Academy – Niceville Campus
Original Location | Faith-Based Preschool | Serving Toddlers to VPK
The Niceville campus is where the Stepping Stones story began—and where its heart still beats strongest. Originally founded decades ago as the Montessori Learning Center, this cherished location has served generations of families. Today, former students return with their own children and grandchildren, continuing a legacy of faith-based early childhood education rooted in love, learning, and community.
When Miss Tammie and Miss Marilyn first stepped into the “little schoolhouse on Fir Avenue” with their realtor, they knew instantly that they had found their home. Crayons and papers were still scattered across the tables, and musical instruments appeared to have been tucked away just moments before. The building held a warmth and familiarity that felt divinely appointed—every detail whispered that this was the place where Stepping Stones was meant to grow.
Today, the Niceville campus continues to thrive as a trusted provider of quality Christian preschool education, serving children in our Inchworm toddler program through our Butterfly VPK program. It’s a place where faith meets foundation, and where every child is welcomed, nurtured, and celebrated.
About Miss Kaitlyn
Center Director | Stepping Stones Early Learning Academy – Niceville Campus
Faith-Based Preschool Leader | Former DCF Licensing Specialist
Kaitlyn Hollingsworth leads our Niceville campus with a unique blend of regulatory expertise, heartfelt dedication, and deep community connection. Before joining Stepping Stones Early Learning Academy, Miss Kaitlyn served as a licensing specialist with the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF)—giving her firsthand knowledge of the standards and practices that ensure safe, high-quality child care environments.
Her transition from state oversight to center leadership has been seamless and inspiring. At Stepping Stones, Miss Kaitlyn is known for her calm professionalism, her love for children, and her unwavering commitment to faith-based early childhood education. She works closely with families and staff to maintain a nurturing, structured, and spiritually grounded atmosphere where children thrive from toddlerhood through VPK.
Miss Kaitlyn’s leadership at our original Niceville location helps preserve the legacy of the “little schoolhouse on Fir Avenue,” while guiding it into a new era of excellence. Her background, paired with her passion for community and Christian values, makes her a trusted and beloved figure among families and educators alike.
Ready to Enroll?
If you are wanting to see our school, and schedule a tour with our Director, Click
If you would like to get more information about our programs, fill out our inquiry form HERE, and a member of our enrollment team will reach out soon!
Phone: 850-842-2640