Stepping Stones Preschool has been at the centre of early years education in Sturminster Newton for over thirty years. A committee run non profit organisation, the preschool has served the families of Sturminster for decades with over three generations of children now beginning their educational journey at this caring and successful preschool. Stepping Stones has always had a close association with William Barnes Primary School. However, this was made more concrete when the preschool moved onto site from its previous home in the town’s scout building in 2009. Since the preschool has gone from strength to strength, fully utilising the spacious fully enclosed outdoor learning spaces and the substantial indoor areas. In 2018, Stepping Stones expanded further when an EU Leader grant enabled a large extension to be built which doubled the indoor area, giving new food preparation facilities, improved toilets, entry hall and an office.