Stepping Stone Childcare Center

1501.A. Based on observations at 10:15 a.m., S1 failed to notify the Department prior to making changes that had an effect on the license as indoor space previously approved by the Department is no longer being utilized. Room #1 is no longer set up as a classroom, it is being used as storage. This was not corrected prior to the Specialist's departure. Corrective Action: Effective 3/31/2026, S1 stated she will rearrange the room and have it set back up like a classroom to ensure compliance with this regulation.

Based on record at 10:00 a.m., S1 failed to ensure the daily attendance record for children accurately reflected the children on the child care premises at any given time as 12 children were present and 7 children were signed in on the log. This was not corrected prior to the Specialist's departure. Corrective Action: Effective 3/31/2026, S1 stated she will make sure all the children are signed in to ensure compliance with this regulation.

Based on observation/record review at 10:00 a.m., S1 failed to ensure the center's staff and owner's daily attendance record accurately reflected persons on the child care premises at any given time as S1 was signed in on the log, but was not on the premises. S2 and S3 were not signed in, but were present and on the premises. This was corrected prior to the Specialist departure. Corrective Action: Effective 3/31/2026, S1 stated she will make sure all sign in and out daily to ensure compliance with this regulation.

1513.A.2. Based on observations and record review at 10:00 a.m., S1 failed to follow the center's daily schedule as the Specialist observed the children taking a nap at 10:00 a.m. S1 stated the children ate breakfast around 7:15 a.m. and lunch at 9:40 a.m. The posted schedule has lunch scheduled for 12:00 p.m. and naptime from 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. This could not be corrected. Corrective Action: Effective 3/31/2026, S1 stated she will they are going to change the daily schedule to ensure compliance with this regulation.

1727.A.&B.: Based on record review at 10:30 a.m., S1 failed to have documentation that S1 and S4 annually completed the online child abuse and neglect Mandated Reporter Training provided by DCFS. S1 and S4's last training expired on 1/29/2025. This was not corrected prior to the Specialist departure. Corrective Action: Effective 3/31/2026, S1 stated she will make sure the training is completed to ensure compliance with this regulation.

1721.A. Based on record review at 9:30 a.m., S1 failed to have documentation that S3 and S4 were provided opportunities to obtain a minimum of 12 clock hours of training annually from 2/1/2025 - 1/31/2026. This was not corrected prior to the Specialist's departure. Corrective Action: Effective 2/3/2026, S1 stated she will have S3 and S4 complete trainings within the next two weeks. S1 will complete a tracker to keep up with staff trainings to ensure compliance with this regulation.

1727.A.&B.: Based on record review at 9:30 a.m., S1 failed to have documentation that S1 and S4 annually completed the online child abuse and neglect Mandated Reporter Training provided by DCFS. S1 and S4's last training expired on 1/29/2025. This was not corrected prior to the Specialist departure. Corrective Action: Effective 2/3/2026, S1 stated she will make sure herself and S4 complete the training within the next two weeks. S1 will complete a tracker to keep up with staff trainings to ensure compliance with this regulation.

Based on observation at 9:15 a.m., S1 failed to ensure the center playground was free of hazards. Specialist observed the following: there was a red 5 seat merry-go-round, 2 of the pedals were broken. On the blue 5 seat merry-go-round, 1 pedal and a wheel was broken.There was a stack of wood outside the exit door that leads to the playground, which could pose a tripping hazard. There was pieces of wood scattered over the playground. This was not corrected prior to the Specialist departure. Corrective Action: Effective 2/3/2026, S1 stated she will get the playground cleaned up and…

Based on record review and interviews at 9:00 a.m., S1 failed to ensure the number of children using a room was based on the 35 square feet per child requirement. Classroom 2 can accommodate 4 children, but 12 children were present on 2/3/2026. This was not corrected prior to the Specialist's departure. Corrective Action: Effective 2/3/2026, S1 stated she has more children due to the children being out because of the weather. She will make sure the staff are aware to look at the floorplan to know how many children are allowed in each room to ensure compliance with this regulation.

1507.A. Based on observation/record review at 10:00 a.m., S1 failed to ensure the center's daily attendance record for children accurately reflected the children on the child care premises at any given time as 7 children were present but only 5 children were signed in on the log. This was corrected prior to the Specialist departure.

Based on observation/record review at 10:00 a.m., S1 failed to have a minimum of 2 child care staff present at an early learning center when more than four children present. The Specialist observed S1 alone on the premises with 7 children ages, 1-year-old. This was corrected when S2 arrived at 10:20 a.m.

Based on observation at 10:00 a.m., S1 failed to ensure children were supervision at all times. Upon arrival at the center, S1 was sitting in her car. When the Specialist began to exit the vehicle, S1 got out of her car and and also entered the center. The Specialist observed 6 children, 11-month-old to 2-years-old, in the classroom, and 1 child, 2-year-old, in the hallway with no supervision for an unknown amount of time. This was corrected prior to the Specialist departure.