ABOUT
WHO WE ARE
At Small Strides we believe that small steps lead to big accomplishments. Small Strides is a privately owned preschool and infant toddler nursery based in Nevada, with a 4 star (QRIS) rating. We provide quality education to the children of our community while encouraging them to grow in confidence and curiosity.
Our goal is to provide quality care and education that benefits the child, guardians, and community alike. Each classroom provides a unique educational development program specific to that grouping of children, and we keep low student to teacher ratios so that care can be personalized for each individual child. We value and offer opportunities for both curriculum and play, as both are important for a child’s physical, emotional, and intellectual growth.
Our mission at Small Strides is to provide quality care and education that benefits the child, parents, and community alike.
OUR PROMISE
To provide high quality education and care to the children of the community.
To encourage confidence and curiosity in children by providing opportunities to learn through play.
To prioritize holistic safety for our children and staff.
Take it one step at a time.
At Small Strides, we believe the learning environment should allow children to develop at their own pace in a loving, respectful, and happy environment that offers creativity and intellectual inspiration. We give children the opportunity to develop all aspects of themselves physically, intellectually, creatively, socially, and emotionally. Our ultimate goal is to give children a sense of belonging while offering age appropriate activities through play and structured curriculum. The early childhood environment should be full of trust and respect to allow a child to feel welcome and safe. We believe the most important thing a child can gain from an early learning environment is to be happy and confident.
MEET RYAN
Ryan Nicole Putzer, owner and founder of Small Strides, is a passionate and committed owner and operator. After her own childhood adversity to Preschool, Ryan’s passion to instill confidence and curiosity in children led her to build Small Strides from the ground up in 2008.
Ryan is a Reno native with a Bachelor Degree in Business Management and a minor in Early Childhood Education from the University of Nevada, Reno. She is a current member of the Washoe County Childcare Advisory Board and is ranked in the top 25% of Preschool Directors in the state of Nevada and is one of the top ranked Infant Toddler Directors. She continues to study Early Childhood Education and has adapted Small Strides’ methods according to the latest philosophies and studies in the field. Ryan believes hands-on management and team dynamics are key to building a successful early learning environment.