Small Steps Child Development Center

Medium-high risk The building, grounds and equipment must be kept in good repair and clean.

State rule 746.3407 (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Maintenance of Building, Grounds and Equipment"

Inspector's note: The preschool classroom was not maintained as licensed space. The carpet of the classroom was dirty with stains, a toaster oven was stored on top of chairs, and plastic packaging bags from toys were accessible.

Corrected Jul 1, 2026, verified by the state Jul 13, 2026. The inspector gave technical assistance (advice on how to comply).

Medium-high risk An evacuation and relocation diagram must be posted in each room.

State rule 746.5207(b) (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Emergency Evacuation and Relocation Diagram - Posted in Each Room"

Inspector's note: An evacuation diagram was not posted in the multipurpose classroom where PreK and School Age Children were present doing activities. Note: This was corrected at inspection when the director posted the evacuation diagram.

Corrected while the inspector was there. The inspector gave technical assistance (advice on how to comply).

Medium risk The operation must check (validate) its background-check list every 3 months.

State rule 745.651(2)(A) (licensing rules for every operation): "Background Check Validation - Every 3 months each operation, other than a licensed, registered, or listed home, must validate current list"

Inspector's note: The operation had not validated their background check list since 1/14/26. Note: This was corrected at inspection when the director validate the list.

Corrected while the inspector was there. The inspector gave technical assistance (advice on how to comply).

Medium-high risk The building, grounds and equipment must be kept in good repair and clean.

State rule 746.3407 (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Maintenance of Building, Grounds and Equipment"

Inspector's note: The floors and two rugs in the school-aged classroom were observed to be dirty with dirt stains. The hallway floor leading to the outdoor play area was observed dirty with stains and the floor of the van used to transport children had trash and food debris on the floor of the van.

Corrected Jan 16, 2026, verified by the state Jan 28, 2026. The inspector gave technical assistance (advice on how to comply).

Medium-high risk Immunization records, exceptions and exemptions must be current.

State rule 746.613(b) (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Immunization Records, Exceptions, and Exemptions Current"

Inspector's note: Three of six children's records reviewed did not have current immuizations in their file.

Corrected Jul 22, 2025, verified by the state Jul 24, 2025. The inspector gave technical assistance (advice on how to comply).

Medium-low risk Each employee's file must hold the signed affidavit (Form 2985).

State rule 746.901(4) (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Required Personnel Records - Required Affidavit (Form 2985)"

Inspector's note: One of five staff records reviewed did not have a notarized affidavit on file.

Corrected Jul 15, 2025, verified by the state Jul 21, 2025. The inspector gave technical assistance (advice on how to comply).

Medium-low risk Each employee's file must hold the signed affidavit (Form 2912).

State rule 746.901(5) (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Required Personnel Records - Required Affidavit (Form 2912)"

Inspector's note: One of five staff records reviewed did not have a pre-affidavit on file.

Corrected Jul 15, 2025, verified by the state Jul 21, 2025. The inspector gave technical assistance (advice on how to comply).

High risk Each caregiver must know how many children they are responsible for.

State rule 746.1205(a)(2) (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Responsibilities of Caregivers - Know number of children responsible for"

Inspector's note: At time of inspection, a toddler caregiver stated class had twelve children when they had nine.

Corrected Mar 17, 2025, verified by the state Mar 27, 2025. The inspector gave technical assistance (advice on how to comply).

High risk Infant areas must be free of objects that could cause choking.

State rule 746.2401(6) (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Basic Requirements for Infants - Free from Choking Objects That May Cause Choking in Infants or Toddlers"

Inspector's note: At time of inspection an infant was observed to be sleeping in crib wearing a bib.

Corrected Mar 17, 2025, verified by the state Mar 27, 2025. The inspector gave technical assistance (advice on how to comply).

Medium-high risk There must be enough caregivers when the children in a group differ in age by 18 months or more (the state's child-to-caregiver ratio).

State rule 746.1605(1) (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Child/Caregiver Ratio - 18 Months Difference in Age"

Inspector's note: At time of inspection two infants were observed to be in class with children 18 months older than the youngest.

Corrected Mar 17, 2025, verified by the state Mar 27, 2025. The inspector gave technical assistance (advice on how to comply).

Medium-high risk Cots and mats at nap time must be arranged as the state requires (for example not blocking exits, with room to walk).

State rule 746.2909(1) (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Arrangement of Napping Equipment - Not Blocking Entrances or Exits"

Inspector's note: At time of inspection, a school-aged child was seen sleeping in front of entrance/exit of class. This was corrected at inspection.

Corrected Mar 17, 2025, verified by the state Mar 27, 2025. The inspector gave technical assistance (advice on how to comply).

Medium-high risk The director and employees must complete 2 hours of transportation-safety training every year.

State rule 746.1316(a) (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Transportation Safety Training -Director and Employee Complete 2 Hours Annually"

Inspector's note: At time of inspection, director and operations driver did not have updated transportation training certificate with exam attached to it.

Corrected Mar 21, 2025, verified by the state Mar 21, 2025. The inspector gave technical assistance (advice on how to comply).

Medium-high risk The director must complete annual training on caring for children under 24 months.

State rule 746.1311(d) (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Director Annual Training - Caring for children under 24 months"

Inspector's note: At time of inspection, operation director did not have annual required topics for children under 24 months: Recognizing and preventing shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma - Understanding and using safe sleep practices and preventing sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) - Understanding early childhood brain development.

Corrected Dec 13, 2024, verified by the state Dec 13, 2024. The inspector gave technical assistance (advice on how to comply).

Medium-high risk The director and employees must complete 2 hours of transportation-safety training every year.

State rule 746.1316(a) (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Transportation Safety Training -Director and Employee Complete 2 Hours Annually"

Inspector's note: At time of inspection, director did not have current transportation training.

Corrected Dec 27, 2024, verified by the state Dec 13, 2024. The inspector gave technical assistance (advice on how to comply).

Medium risk The director must complete the additional annual training topics the state requires.

State rule 746.1311(e) (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Director Annual Training - Additional required topics"

Inspector's note: At time of inspection, operation director did not have the following annual training topics: Emergency preparedness, Preventing and controlling the spread of communicable diseases, including immunizations, Administering medication, Preventing and responding to emergencies due to food or an allergic reaction, and Handling, storing, and disposing of hazardous materials.

Corrected Jan 10, 2025, verified by the state Dec 27, 2024. The inspector gave technical assistance (advice on how to comply).