Little Steps Childcare Center
Data last updated · May 2026
Quality Indicators
See Methodology →- Overall QualityCombines daily care quality (interactions, learning, environment) with structural features like staff-to-child ratios and teacher qualifications.5 / 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.Not Available
- 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 5 out of 5 stars overall. Structural quality reflects a license in good standing. The structural rating also includes Minnesota's licensing baseline — what every licensed daycare in the state must meet. Minnesota caps infant ratios at 1:4, toddler ratios at 1:7, and preschool ratios at 1:10. Lead teachers must hold a Child Development Associate (CDA). Teachers must complete 24 hours of annual training. No objective process measures (e.g., state quality rating or national accreditation) are available for this daycare. The overall rating reflects structural features only.
Quality Recognitions & Accreditations
- 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
- Child Care Center
- Age groups served
- Not Available
- Licensed capacity
- Not Available
- Teacher-child ratios & group sizesState Minimum Displayed
Age Max ratio Max group Infants 1:4 8 Toddlers 1:7 14 Preschool 1:10 20
Teacher Credentials
- Lead teacher credentialState Minimum Displayed
- Child Development Associate (CDA)
Inspection History
Across 3 inspections since 2023, the issues cited most often were Staff Qualifications & Background Checks (8), Children's Records & Files (7), and Emergency Preparedness & Drills (4). Of 51 total findings, 3 were critical.
See All 3 Inspection Visits
Feb 18, 20265 Findings5 Important
- Program PracticesMinn. R. 9503.0034 subp. 1 9503.0040 subp. 2 item D
A teacher or assistant teacher did not directly supervise an aide.
- Medication/First AidMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 7 item A
Written parental permission had not been obtained for administering medicine or topical products.
- Emergency PreparednessMinn. Stat. 142B.66 subd. 3(e)
The emergency preparedness plan was not included with other program policies and/or given to parents.
- Staff TrainingStat. 142B.65 subd. 4 R. 9503.0120 subp. D
The program did not comply with first aid training requirements.
- Staff TrainingStat. 142B.65 subd. 5 R. 9503.0120 subp. D
The program did not comply with CPR training requirements.
Nov 12, 202529 Findings1 Critical28 Important
- FacilityStat. 142B.54 subd. 2(e) R. 9503.0140 subp. 17
Hazardous objects were accessible to children.
- Staff QualificationsMinn. R. 9503.0032 subp. 2 9503.0120 item B
Documentation was not available to show that a teacher met qualifications.
- Program PracticesMinn. R. 9503.0034 subp. 1 9503.0040 subp. 2 item D
A teacher or assistant teacher did not directly supervise an aide.
- Program PracticesMinn. R. 9503.0040 subp. 3 item B, (1)
Infants were mixed with children of other age categories.
- Program Plan/Interest AreasMinn. R. 9503.0045 subp. 2
Children did not have daily access to all interest areas.
- Behavior GuidanceMinn. R. 9503.0055 subp. 3
Children were subjected to prohibited disciplinary actions.
- Children's RecordsMinn. R. 9503.0125
Children's files did not contain all required items.
- Children's RecordsMinn. R. 9503.0125 item G 9503.0140 subp. 3
Children's files did not contain physical exam documentation.
- Children's RecordsMinn. R. 9503.0125 item G 9503.0140 subp. 5
Children's files did not contain immunization documentation.
- Infant and Toddler CareMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 11
The diaper changing area was not properly equipped.
- FacilityMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 19
Equipment and furniture were not in good repair.
- FacilityMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 20
Areas used by children were not in good repair.
- PostingsMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 21
Posted emergency and accident procedures did not contain all required items.
- Medication/First AidMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 7 item A
Written parental permission had not been obtained for administering medicine or topical products.
- FacilityMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 9
The program's space was not clean.
- Food and WaterMinn. R. 9503.0145 subp. 2
Snack did not comply with the nutritional requirements of the USDA.
- FacilityMinn. R. 9503.0155 subp. 7 item C
The outdoor activity area was next to a hazardous area and was not enclosed.
- FacilityMinn. R. 9503.0155 subp. 7 item D
The outdoor activity area was not clean and/or safe.
- Program PracticesMinn. Stat. 142B.10 subd. 15(a)
The program was not operating within the terms of the license.
- Staff TrainingMinn. Stat. 142B.65 subd. 3
Child development and learning training did not contain all required items.
- Staff TrainingMinn. Stat. 142B.65 subd. 9
All staff did not complete ongoing training requirements.
- Health PracticesMinn. Stat. 142B.66 subd. 1
The program did not have a policy to prevent and respond to allergies.
- Children's RecordsMinn. Stat. 142B.66 subd. 1(a)
The program did not develop an Individual Child Care Program Plan for a child with a known allergy.
- Staff TrainingMinn. Stat. 142B.66 subd. 1(b)
The program did not comply with Individual Child Care Program Plan requirements.
- Health PracticesMinn. Stat. 142B.66 subd. 1(d)
Food allergy information was not available to staff.
- Emergency PreparednessMinn. Stat. 142B.66 subd. 3(e)
The emergency preparedness plan was not included with other program policies and/or given to parents.
- Program PracticesStat. 142B.01 subd. 27 R. 9503.0045 subp. 1 item A
Staff did not supervise the children at all times.
- Staff TrainingStat. 142B.65 subd. 4 R. 9503.0120 subp. D
The program did not comply with first aid training requirements.
- Staff TrainingStat. 142B.65 subd. 5 R. 9503.0120 subp. D
The program did not comply with CPR training requirements.
Dec 13, 202317 Findings2 Critical15 Important
- FacilityMinn. R. 9503.0155 subp. 16
Fire extinguishers were not maintained.
- FacilityStat. 245A.66 subd. 2(e) R. 9503.0140 subp. 17
Hazardous objects were accessible to children.
- Staff QualificationsMinn. R. 9503.0032 subp. 2 9503.0120 item B
Documentation was not available to show that a teacher met qualifications.
- Program PracticesMinn. R. 9503.0034 subp. 1 9503.0040 subp. 2 item D
A teacher or assistant teacher did not directly supervise an aide.
- Children's RecordsMinn. R. 9503.0125 item G 9503.0140 subp. 4
Children's files did not contain updated physical exam documentation when required.
- Health PracticesMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 2
The yearly health consultant's review was not completed.
- Health PracticesMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 2
The monthly health consultant's review of infant policies was not completed.
- Staff TrainingMinn. Stat. 245A.40 subd. 1 245A.04 subd. 14(b)(1)
Staff orientation training did not include all required items.
- Staff TrainingMinn. Stat. 245A.40 subd. 2
Child development and learning training did not contain all required items.
- Staff TrainingMinn. Stat. 245A.40 subd. 7
All staff did not complete ongoing training requirements.
- Children's RecordsMinn. Stat. 245A.41 subd. 1(a)
The program did not have information about a child's known allergy.
- Health PracticesMinn. Stat. 245A.41 subd. 1(d)
Food allergy information was not available to staff.
- Emergency PreparednessMinn. Stat. 245A.41 subd. 3(d)
The emergency preparedness plan was not updated each calendar year.
- Emergency PreparednessMinn. Stat. 245A.41 subd. 3(e)
The emergency preparedness plan was not included with other program policies and/or given to parents.
- Risk Reduction PlanMinn. Stat. 245A.66 subd. 3(b)
The Risk Reduction Plan was not reviewed each calendar year.
- Staff TrainingStat. 245A.40 subd. 3 R. 9503.0120 subp. D
The program did not comply with first aid training requirements.
- Staff TrainingStat. 245A.40 subd. 4 R. 9503.0120 subp. D
The program did not comply with CPR training requirements.