Stepping Stones School Program
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 South Dakota's licensing baseline — what every licensed daycare in the state must meet. South Dakota caps infant ratios at 1:5, toddler ratios at 1:5, and preschool ratios at 1:10. Lead-teacher education isn't regulated. Teachers must complete 10 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 1:5 20 Toddlers 1:5 20 Preschool 1:10 20
Teacher Credentials
- Lead teacher credentialState Minimum Displayed
- Not Regulated
Inspection History
Across 4 inspections since 2025, the issues cited most often were Staff Qualifications & Background Checks (4), Food Safety & Allergic Reactions (2), and Child Transportation Safety (2). None of the 10 findings were critical.
See All 4 Inspection Visits
Oct 29, 20251 Finding1 Important
- 67:42:17:31 Aninfantshallbefedaccordingtotheinfant'sschedule. Theprovidershallholdtheinfant'sbottlewhenfeedingthe Infant. Theprovidermaynotf…67:42:17:31
Theprogramdoesnotprovidecareforinfants,butprovidesrefrigerationformealsbroughtbytheschoolagechildren duringthesummerprogram.Therefrigeratortemperaturewasmeasuredat49degreesFduringtheinspection.
Oct 21, 20251 Finding1 Important
- Isfood,includingbreastmilkandformula,properlystored,keptatthepropertemperature67:42:17:31
Isfood,includingbreastmilkandformula,properlystored,keptatthepropertemperature, andprotectedfrompotentialcontamination?67:42:17:31 NOTE:Refr…
Jun 24, 20254 Findings4 Important
- 67:42:17:15 Achildcareprovidershallmaintainarecordforeachemployeethatincludes: (1) Theemployee'snameanddateofbirth; (2) Thedatesonwhichtheem…67:42:17:15
Informationwasincompleteforfiveproviderfiles.
- 67:42:17:17 Allprovidersshall,withinninetydaysafterthedateofemployment,completeandobtaindocumentationoforientation Traininginthefollowingare…67:42:17:17
Verificationofcompletionofallorientationtrainingtopicswasnotonfilefortwoproviders.
- 67:42:17:43 Aprovidershallhave: (1) Awrittenemergencypreparednessandresponseplanforemergenciesresultingfromanaturaldisasteroraman- Causedeve…67:42:17:43
Documentationofonelockdowndrillcompletedwithinthelastyearwasonfile;twolockdowndrillsmustbecompleted yearly. 3
- 67:42:17:45 Thefollowingrequirementsapplytothetransportationofachild: (1) Aparentorguardianshallprovidewrittenpermissionforthetransportation…67:42:17:45
Verificationofcurrentliabilityinsuranceforvehiclesusedtotransportchildrenwasnotonfile.
Jun 10, 20254 Findings4 Important
- Do Employee Records Contain All Required Information? 67:42:17:1567:42:17:15
- Are Employee Records Retained for Six Months After Employment Has Ended67:42:17:15
Are employee records retained for six months after employment has ended? 67:42:17:15 Yes Have providers and assistants completed orientation…
- Does the Provider Have Documentation Showing Two Fire Evacuation Drills, Two Shelter-in- Place Drills, and Two Lockdown Drills Conducted In…67:42:17:43
- If Transportation Is Provided67:42:17:45
If transportation is provided, does the program have proof of liability insurance for the vehicle(s) used to transport children? 67:42:17:45…