First Steps Early Learning Center
915 LINCOLN ST, RHINELANDER, WI 54501-3545Childery Rating: 4/5
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.4 / 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.4 / 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 4 out of 5 stars overall. Process quality reflects a YoungStar rating of 4 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 4 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
- Group Child Care Home
- Age groups served
- Infants
- Licensed capacity
- 40
- Teacher-child ratios & group sizesState Minimum Displayed
Age Max ratio Max group Infants 1:4 8
Teacher Credentials
- Lead teacher credentialState Minimum Displayed
- High School Diploma
Inspection History
Across 2 inspections since 2025, the issues cited most often were Infectious Disease Prevention & Control (3), Food Safety & Allergic Reactions (2), and Safe Sleep & SIDS Prevention (2). None of the 12 findings were critical.
See All 2 Inspection Visits
Feb 11, 202610 Findings10 Important
- Parent Notification - Injury, Consumption Of Allergen, Incor251.04(4)(a)2.c.
Per staff interview and review of documentation, parents are not immediately notified of head injuries.
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Training251.05(3)(c)
Staff A, B, C, D, E, and H did not have record of certificate that included infant and child CPR.
- Access To Materials Potentially Harmful To Children251.06(2)(d)
Diaper creams labeled "keep out of reach of children" were within reach of children on a low shelf in the bathroom.
- Manual Dishwashing - Sanitize251.06(9)(b)3.c.
The product used to sanitize dishes did not have instructions for sanitizing.
- Food Storage - Covering Refrigerated Food251.06(9)(d)1.d.
Fish sticks and cinnamon sticks in the freezer were not covered in a sealed container.
- Food Storage - Dry Food251.06(9)(d)2.a.
Multiple dry food items were not labeled and stored in bags with zip-type closures or metal, glass or food grade plastic
- Prohibited Actions - Verbal251.07(2)(e)2.
Staff E threatened to take away a child's stuffed animal during rest period.
- Eating Surfaces - Cleaned, Sanitized251.07(5)(b)5.
The product used to sanitize eating surfaces did not have instructions for sanitizing food grade surfaces.
- Medical Log - Reviewing Injury Records251.07(6)(dm)4.
The medical log book was not reviewed within the last 6 months to ensure all possible preventive measures are taken. The
- Infant & Toddler - Diaper Changing Surface Disinfection251.09(4)(a)3.
A plastic mat is placed on top of the diaper changing pad. The surface between the mat and pad and underneath the pad ar
Feb 21, 20252 Findings2 Important
- Child Abuse & Neglect - Biennial Training251.05(3)(cm)
Staff A, Staff B and Staff C did not have on file documentation of completing biennial child abuse and neglect training
- Infant & Toddler - Soft Materials In Cribs251.09(1)(L)
Per observation, and infant was laying in a crib sleeping with a bib attached.
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