Small Steps LLC Westminster
401 W 13TH STREET, OTTAWA, KS 66067Childery Rating: 5/5
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.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 Kansas's licensing baseline — what every licensed daycare in the state must meet. Kansas caps infant ratios at 1:3, toddler ratios at 1:6, and preschool ratios at 1:12. Lead teachers must hold a High School Diploma. Teachers must complete 16 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
- 60
- Teacher-child ratios & group sizesState Minimum Displayed
Age Max ratio Max group Infants 1:3 9 Toddlers 1:6 12 Preschool 1:12 24
Teacher Credentials
- Lead teacher credentialState Minimum Displayed
- High School Diploma
Inspection History
Across 3 inspections since 2023, the issues cited most often were Staff Qualifications & Background Checks (16), Building & Premises Safety (12), and Infectious Disease Prevention & Control (10). Of 61 total findings, 15 were critical.
See All 3 Inspection Visits
Jul 8, 202510 Findings2 Critical7 Important1 Administrative
- Education and Training RequirementsK.A.R. 28-4-428a
Six staff members lack pediatric first aid training on file. Nine staff members lack pediatric CPR training (with hands-on skills test) on file.
- Education and Training RequirementsK.A.R. 28-4-428a
Two staff members lack health and safety training within their first 30 days of employment.
- Health of Persons 16 Years or Older in Child Care FacilitiesK.A.R. 28-4-126
Two staff members lack negative TB test results on file.
- Safety and Emergency ProceduresK.A.R. 28-4-128
Tornado drill not recorded for October 2024 through April of 2025.
- Child Care PracticesK.A.R. 28-4-132
Unit A changing table pad has a hole, not in good condition.
- Child Care PracticesK.A.R. 28-4-132
Unit A does not have the KDHE diapering procedures posted. Corrected at visit.
✓ Corrected at visit
- Child Care PracticesK.A.R. 28-4-132
The diaper-changing area has visible debris under and around the changing pad.
- Physical PlantK.A.R. 28-4-423
Elementary room: There is sunscreen and an all-purpose cleaner in an unlocked closet. Corrected at visit.
✓ Corrected at visit
- ProgramK.A.R. 28-4-427
Elementary Room and Unit A written lesson plans are not accessible for review.
- AdministrationK.A.R. 28-4-426
A copy of the admission policy was not available for review.
Jul 12, 202432 Findings7 Critical23 Important2 Administrative
- Background ChecksK.A.R. 28-4-125
Facility did not submit identifying information for one staff as required to complete background checks.
- TransportationK.A.R. 28-4-130
- TransportationK.A.R. 28-4-130
Yearly mechanical safety check not on file for the van used to transport children.
- TransportationK.A.R. 28-4-130(a)(4)(A)
Health assessments not in the van while transporting for five children.
- Education and Training RequirementsK.A.R. 28-4-428a
Orientation not on file for one staff.
- Education and Training RequirementsK.A.R. 28-4-428a
Current first aid not on file for one staff.
- Education and Training RequirementsK.A.R. 28-4-428a
Health and safety training incomplete for three staff.
- Other Licensing RequirementK.A.R. 28-1-
Current immunizations not on file for four children out of thirteen records reviewed.
- Health of Persons 16 Years or Older in Child Care FacilitiesK.A.R. 28-4-126
Negative TB test not on file for two staff.
- Health of Persons 16 Years or Older in Child Care FacilitiesK.A.R. 28-4-126
Health assessment not on file for two staff.
- Physical PlantK.A.R. 28-4-423
Room A: Visibly soiled bouncy seat cover. Refrigerator soiled with food debris. Partial correction at visit.
- Physical PlantK.A.R. 28-4-423
Room A: Plastic gloves stored on a diaper table. Diapering supplies stored in a bin stored on a counter. Screwdrivers, batteries, adult scissors stored in an unlocked drawer. Room B: Lysol spray cleaner on the counter. Numerous cleaners stored in an unlocked cabinet. Batteries, nail polish remover, lotion stored in desk drawers. Room C: Hand sanitizer, lotions, adult scissors, screwdrivers stored on a t Gl i di h hi t d d k El t Sh i counter. Glycerin, dishwashing soap stored on a desk. Elementary: Shaving cream and sunscreen on a desk. All corrected at visit.
✓ Corrected at visit
- Physical PlantK.A.R. 28-4-423
Room B: No paper towels in the bathroom. Corrected at visit.
✓ Corrected at visit
- Physical PlantK.A.R. 28-4-423
Room C: Three electrical outlets are uncovered. Partial correction at visit.
- ProgramK.A.R. 28-4-427
Written program plans are not posted.
- Health Practices; Illness and Abuse; General Health Requirements for StaffK.A.R. 28-4-430
Room C: A child in care has an epi-pen and inhaler on premise and they are not in the original pharmacy containers.
- Health Practices; Illness and Abuse; General Health Requirements for StaffK.A.R. 28-4-430
- Health Practices; Illness and Abuse; General Health Requirements for StaffK.A.R. 28-4-430
Room B: Children did not wash their hands before eating until prompted by licensing specialist. Room A: Children did not have their hands washed after eating. Corrected at visit.
✓ Corrected at visit
- Child Care Centers: Physical PlantK.A.R. 28-4-436
Room A: Soiled sheet on a cot.
- Child Care Centers: Outside AreaK.A.R. 28-4-437
Swing set in the school age outdoor play area not fully anchored. While a child was swinging the middle section of the playset went up and then down on the back of a child's ankles.
- Child Care Centers: Outside AreaK.A.R. 28-4-437
Four-foot fence unavailable surrounding the school age outdoor play area.
- Child Care Centers: Outside AreaK.A.R. 28-4-437
Impact-absorbent surfacing material unavailable under swing set in the school age outdoor play area.
- Child Care Centers: Food ServiceK.A.R. 28-4-439
Menus are not posted where parents can see them. Corrected at visit.
✓ Corrected at visit
- Child Care Centers: Food ServiceK.A.R. 28-4-439
Room A: Mid-morning snack was graham crackers and water only. The menu indicates only one food item for snacks. Partial correction at visit.
- Child Care Centers: Food ServiceK.A.R. 28-4-439
Kitchen: The interior thermometer is not functioning.
- Child Care Centers: Food ServiceK.A.R. 28-4-439
Room A: Children were eating graham crackers from a bare table. Corrected at visit.
✓ Corrected at visit
- Child Care Centers: Food ServiceK.A.R. 28-4-439
Room B: Some toothbrushes are stored in a plastic bag and some toothbrushes are stored in a bucket with the brush part of the toothbrush touching the bucket; toothbrushes not stored in a sanitary manner. Room C: No toothbrushes available.
- Child Care Centers: Food ServiceK.A.R. 28-4-439
Kitchen: Open package of ham luncheon meat is not dated. Open package of moldy cheese. Both items stored in the refrigerator. Corrected at visit.
✓ Corrected at visit
- Child Care Centers: Food ServiceK.A.R. 28-4-439
Plastic containers of different cereals are not labeled or dated in the dry storage room. Open package of veggie straws not dated on a counter. Partial correction at visit.
- Infant and Toddler ProgramsK.A.R. 28-4-440
Room A: There are several prepared bottles of breast milk that are not labeled with the contents or date in the refrigerator.
- AdministrationK.A.R. 28-4-426
Record of education and experience not on file for two staff.
- AdministrationK.A.R. 28-4-426
Work references not on file for two staff.
Jul 26, 202319 Findings6 Critical11 Important2 Administrative
- EmergenciesK.A.R. 28-4-127
Emergency numbers are not posted. Corrected at visit.
✓ Corrected at visit
- EmergenciesK.A.R. 28-4-127
Two children do not have emergency medical release forms on file. Partially corrected at visit.
✓ Corrected at visit
- Education and Training RequirementsK.A.R. 28-4-428
Two children were unsupervised when they came in from the playground to use the restroom in Unit B.
- Education and Training RequirementsK.A.R. 28-4-428a
Two staff have not completed orientation training.
- Education and Training RequirementsK.A.R. 28-4-428a
One staff has not completed health and safety training.
- Education and Training RequirementsK.A.R. 28-4-428a
Three staff do not have certification in pediatric First Aid and CPR. One staff does not have certification in pediatric First Aid.
- Other Licensing RequirementK.A.R. 28-1-
One child file is missing immunization record.
- Health of Persons 16 Years or Older in Child Care FacilitiesK.A.R. 28-4-126
Three staff do not have health assessment on file.
- Health of Persons 16 Years or Older in Child Care FacilitiesK.A.R. 28-4-126
Three staff do not have negative TB test result on file.
- Physical PlantK.A.R. 28-4-423
The following areas of the building are not maintained in good condition; Unit B: The rugs have loose debris and areas with spots of dirt, the area behind the toilet has accumulated debris, there is dried urine on the toilet, there is tape residue on the floor and the counter top Unit C: the rug has areas of ground in dirt, there is tape residue on the floor Elementary Classroom: the trash can lid is soiled with a sticky substance Partially corrected at visit.
✓ Corrected at visit
- Physical PlantK.A.R. 28-4-423
The following items are out of locked storage; Unit B: several bottles of sunscreen, lysol disinfectant, air freshener, toilet bowl cleaner. Unit C: bug spray, teacher scissors, diaper wipes, diaper cream Elementary Classroom: disinfectant wipes All corrected at visit.
✓ Corrected at visit
- Physical PlantK.A.R. 28-4-423
Outlets were not covered in Unit A and Unit C. Corrected at visit.
✓ Corrected at visit
- ProgramK.A.R. 28-4-427
Program plans are not posted in Unit B, Unit C and Elementary Classroom.
- Health Practices; Illness and Abuse; General Health Requirements for StaffK.A.R. 28-4-430
Two child files are missing health assessments.
- Health Practices; Illness and Abuse; General Health Requirements for StaffK.A.R. 28-4-430
- Child Care Centers: Outside AreaK.A.R. 28-4-437
Areas of the fence measure 3 feet and 3 feet 10 inches.
- Infant and Toddler ProgramsK.A.R. 28-4-440
The diaper changing table is not adjacent to the handwashing sink in Unit A. Corrected at visit.
✓ Corrected at visit
- AdministrationK.A.R. 28-4-426
The program does not have an admission policy. Corrected at visit.
✓ Corrected at visit
- Staff QualificationsK.A.R. 28-4-429
The staff in Unit B does not meet the minimum training requirement for the unit.
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