First Step Child Care
3845 N 27TH ST, MILWAUKEE, WI 53216-2607Childery Rating: 3/5
Data last updated ·
Quality Indicators
See Methodology →- Overall QualityCombines daily care quality (interactions, learning, environment) with structural features like staff-to-child ratios and teacher qualifications.3 / 5
- Process QualityThe quality of daily care — caregiver-child interactions, learning activities, and the emotional climate. Drawn from the state QRIS rating, accreditations, and Head Start CLASS observations.3 / 5
- Structural QualityMeasurable features like staff-to-child ratios, group sizes, license status, and teacher qualifications. Provider-level data when available; otherwise the state regulatory baseline.5 / 5
Why this rating
This daycare earned 3 out of 5 stars overall. Process quality reflects a YoungStar rating of 2 Star. Structural quality reflects a license in good standing. The structural rating also includes Wisconsin's licensing baseline — what every licensed daycare in the state must meet. Wisconsin caps infant ratios at 1:4, toddler ratios at 1:4, and preschool ratios at 1:13. Lead teachers must hold a High School Diploma. Teachers must complete 15 hours of annual training.
Quality Recognitions & Accreditations
- State Quality Rating
- YoungStar 2 Star (Max 5) Learn more →
- Accreditations
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)Not Accredited
- National Accreditation Commission (NAC)Not Accredited
- National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA)Not Accredited
- National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC)Not Accredited
Facility Info
- Facility type
- Family Child Care Home
- Age groups served
- Infants, Preschool
- Licensed capacity
- 8
- Teacher-child ratios & group sizesState Minimum Displayed
Age Max ratio Max group Infants 1:4 8 Preschool 1:13 26
Teacher Credentials
- Lead teacher credentialState Minimum Displayed
- High School Diploma
Inspection History
Across 3 inspections since 2025, the issues cited most often were Staff Qualifications & Background Checks (7), Building & Premises Safety (5), and Children's Records & Files (3). Of 24 total findings, 1 was critical.
See All 3 Inspection Visits
Apr 21, 20269 Findings9 Important
- Current, Accurate Daily Attendance Record250.04(6)(b)
On the day of the licensing visit, attendance was not accurate when one child that was signed in was presigned out.
- Staff File - Days, Hours Worked250.05(2)(c)
Staff are not consistently documenting hours worked when used to meet staff-to-child ratio. Staff signed in on 2/27/26 b
- Provider Training - Current Cpr Certificate250.05(3)(e)2.
Staff B does not have documentation of a current CPR certificate on file. The most recent certificate on file expired Ja
- Potential Source Of Harm On Premises250.06(2)(e)
Broken glass was observed throughout the outdoor play space and an open bag of grilling charcoal was observed on the pat
- Premises - Condition & Repair250.06(2)(m)
In the outdoor play space, standing brown water was observed in a fire pit and garbage, including plastic bags, were sca
- Play Equipment - Manufacturer Instructions And Recommendatio250.07(3)(a)5.
In the outdoor play space, a large basketball hoop was observed to be tipped over. The base of the basketball hoop was n
- Medical Log Book - Pages And Entries250.07(6)(b)2.
Lines were skipped in the medical log book.
- Pets & Animals - Excrement250.07(7)(g)
Pet excrement was observed in the outdoor play space and was accessible to children.
- Infant & Toddler - Diaper Changing Surface - Disinfection250.09(4)(b)
The diaper changing mat was observed to have small rips/tears making the surface unable to be disinfected easily.
Feb 20, 20261 Finding1 Critical
- Staff File - Background Check Results250.05(2)(b)
Fingerprints not completed for the following individuals: Individual 001
Apr 23, 202514 Findings14 Important
- Child Record - Enrollment Information - Authorized Pickup250.04(6)(a)1.g
The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of persons authorized to call for the child, pick up, or accept the child wh
- Child Record - Physical Exam - Under 2250.04(6)(a)4.a.
There is no record for Child 1 of having a physical exam in the past 6 months. The last exam was in June 2024. **This wa
- Staff File - Days, Hours Worked250.05(2)(c)
Staff are not consistently documenting hours. On 1/9/25, 3/10/25, and 4/23/25, staff signed in but did not sign out.
- Staff File - Registry Certificate250.05(2)(e)1.
The file for Staff B lacked documentation of a Wisconsin Registry certificate upon licensing review.
- Provider - Entry-Level Training250.05(3)(b)
Staff A, observed to be providing sole supervision to children on 4/23/25, does not have documentation of completed trai
- Provider Training - Infant & Toddler Care250.05(3)(f)
Staff A started working in December 2023 and has not completed 10 hours of Infant and Toddler training within 6 months.
- Supervision Provided By Trained Individuals250.055(1)(e)
On the day of the monitoring visit, Staff A, observed providing sole supervision to children, has worked at the center s
- Outdoor Play Space - Enclosure250.06(11)(b)4.
In the outdoor play space, the fence had a gap greater than 4 inches. **This was verified as corrected via email on 4/29
- Potential Source Of Harm On Premises250.06(2)(e)
In the outdoor play space, several screws were observed lying on the ground and broken glass was observed in the grass,
- Smoke Detectors250.06(4)(a)1.
The smoke detector in the back was beeping at the time of the licensing visit.
- Meals & Snacks - Minimum Meal Requirements250.06(9)(h)
Based on a review of the menu, the center is not meeting the minimum meal requirements for all meals served. For example
- Required Information - Route And Stops250.08(3)(c)
The center lacked documentation of routes and stops at the time of the licensing visit.
- Driver Training - Documentation250.08(4)(b)
Staff A, identified as a driver, does not have an annual driver training completed an on file. **This was verified as co
- Driver Record - Obtain & Review250.08(4)(c)1.
Staff A, identified as a driver, does not have a current annual driving record on file. The driving record on file for S
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