Sunny Steps Childcare Center
17935 S MOONLIGHT RD, GARDNER, KS 66030Childery 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
- 109
- 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 7 inspections since 2024, the issues cited most often were Building & Premises Safety (12), Food Safety & Allergic Reactions (12), and Staff Qualifications & Background Checks (5). Of 42 total findings, 4 were critical.
See All 7 Inspection Visits
Feb 12, 20261 Finding1 Administrative
- Staff QualificationsK.A.R. 28-4-429
Room 3 and 4 did not have a staff person who meets the minimum qualifications of the capacity for the unit on January 19 and February 11, 2026, for two to three hours.
Dec 11, 20251 Finding1 Important
- Physical PlantK.A.R. 28-4-423
The step stool and sink in Room 1 are soiled. In the kitchen pantry, there are several areas of mouse droppings along the baseboard. The baseboard in Room 4 is broken, not maintained in good condition. The divider walls in Rooms 3 and 4 are not maintained in good condition as they are leaning and not stable.
Nov 6, 202532 Findings4 Critical26 Important2 Administrative
- Education and Training RequirementsK.A.R. 28-4-428a
Orientation is not on file for one staff member.
- Education and Training RequirementsK.A.R. 28-4-428a
One staff member does not have record of health and safety training on file.
- Education and Training RequirementsK.A.R. 28-4-428a
Three staff members do not have record of infant specific training on file.
- Education and Training RequirementsK.A.R. 28-4-428a
Two staff members do not have record of pediatric first aid and CPR on file.
- Health of Individuals at Least 16 Years of AgeK.A.R. 28-4-126
Negative TB test results are not on file for two staff members Description : Negative TB test results are not on file for two staff members.
- Safety and Emergency ProceduresK.A.R. 28-4-128
The first aid kid is lacking a bottle of water.
- Safety and Emergency ProceduresK.A.R. 28-4-128
Emergency plan does not include a designated off-premises relocation site.
- Child Care PracticesK.A.R. 28-4-132
The changing table pad in the hallway is not moisture-proof, nonabsorbent surface. The changing pad in Room 2 is ripped and the foam is exposed.
- Child Care PracticesK.A.R. 28-4-132
A copy of the diaper changing procedures provided by the department are not posted in Room 1, Room 2, Room 4 and the hallway bathroom.
- Physical PlantK.A.R. 28-4-423
The following items are not kept in locked storage or above five feet from the floor; Room 1: air freshener, whiteboard cleaner Room 2: several containers of sunscreen and air freshener Hallway bathroom: several diaper creams, toilet bowl cleaner
- Physical PlantK.A.R. 28-4-423
The following areas throughout the facility are not kept clean; Room 1: The diaper changing table has loose debris. The step stool in the bathroom is soiled th b th d i di t Th Th b tt i k b i il d ith h f i with ground in dirt. The sink basin in the bathroom has soiled areas. The bottom of the refrigerator is soiled with sticky residue. Room 4: The table under the diaper changing pad has loose debris. The play kitchen set is soiled with debris. Room 5: The file cabinet is soiled with brown spots. Kitchen: The interior of the ovens have accumulated debris. There is a residue on stove top around the burner. The bottom of the refrigerator is soiled with pink spots. Hallway bathroom: The step stools are soiled with ground in dirt. The divider walls in Rooms 3 and 4 are not maintained in good condition as they are leaning and not stable. A wooden toy shelf in Room 4 has a broken piece that is splintered.
- Physical PlantK.A.R. 28-4-423
The following rooms have outlets that are not covered; Room 1, Room 3, and Room 5.
- Physical PlantK.A.R. 28-4-423
The following rooms have peeling and chipping paint; Room 2, Room 3 and Room 4.
- Physical PlantK.A.R. 28-4-423
The carpet in Room 5 is soiled with loose debris.
- Health Practices; Illness and Abuse; General Health Requirements for StaffK.A.R. 28-4-430
- Child Care Centers: Napping and SleepingK.A.R. 28-4-436
Bedding is not stored in a sanitary manner in Room 3 and Room 4.
- Child Care Centers: Napping and SleepingK.A.R. 28-4-436
The written plan for safe sleep practices does not include all ages of children that are in care.
- Child Care Centers: Outside AreaK.A.R. 28-4-437
There is not impact absorbing surfacing material under the swing set on the east playground.
- Child Care Centers: Outside AreaK.A.R. 28-4-437
There is standing water present in the tires on the playground. The play structure is intended for children ages 3 to 10 per manufacturers guidelines and children under age 3 are present on the structure.
- Child Care Centers: Outside AreaK.A.R. 28-4-437
On the east playground, the grey truck and the red ride on truck have broken plastic.
- Child Care Centers: Food ServiceK.A.R. 28-4-439
The preparation dishes, service dishes and non-disposable dishes are not washed and sanitized after use. Children eat directly from the highchair trays in the infant room and the trays are not washed and sanitized after each use.
- Child Care Centers: Food ServiceK.A.R. 28-4-439
In the kitchen, a bag of cereal mix and a bag of taco shells are stored not in the original container and are not labeled with the date and contents.
- Child Care Centers: Food ServiceK.A.R. 28-4-439
In the kitchen, pancake mix and flour are stored less than six inches above the floor.
- Child Care Centers: Food ServiceK.A.R. 28-4-439
There is a blue bowl in the kitchen refrigerator that is not labeled with the date and contents.
- Child Care Centers: Food ServiceK.A.R. 28-4-439
In the kitchen freezer, there are bags of blueberries, pasta sauce and garlic bread that is not in their original container and are not labeled or dated.
- Child Care Centers: Food ServiceK.A.R. 28-4-439
Utensils and cookware in the kitchen are not washed and sanitized before each use.
- Child Care Centers: Food ServiceK.A.R. 28-4-439
Several bottles of breast milk are not labeled with the contents and the date and time expressed.
- Child Care Centers: Food ServiceK.A.R. 28-4-439
The table in Room 4 was not cleaned after the morning meal.
- Child Care Centers: Food ServiceK.A.R. 28-4-439
The garbage in the kitchen is not placed in a covered container.
- Child Care Centers: Food ServiceK.A.R. 28-4-439
There are not thermometers present in the following; Room 1; refrigerator and freezer Room 4; refrigerator Kitchen; refrigerator The small silver refrigerator in Room 1 is maintained at 45 degrees.
- Children's Medical RecordsK.A.R. 28-1-20(d)
One child in care does not have current immunizations on file, of the ten files reviewed. Corrected at visit.
✓ Corrected at visit
- AdministrationK.A.R. 28-4-426
One staff member is lacking a work reference on file.
Oct 6, 20251 Finding1 Important
- Child Care Centers: Food ServiceK.A.R. 28-4-439
Taco shells in a Ziplock bag in the kitchen not labeled.
Aug 20, 20251 Finding1 Administrative
- Staff QualificationsK.A.R. 28-4-429
Room 2, Room 4, and Room 6 did not have a staff person who meets the minimum qualification of the capacity for the unit multiple times a week between May and August 2025.
Nov 19, 20245 Findings4 Important1 Administrative
- Physical PlantK.A.R. 28-4-423
The following are out of locked storage; Waddlers: a package of batteries, disinfectant wipes Toddlers II: body lotion All corrected at visit.
✓ Corrected at visit
- Physical PlantK.A.R. 28-4-423
Teacher scissors are out of locked storage in Toddlers II. Corrected at visit.
✓ Corrected at visit
- Health Practices; Illness and Abuse; General Health Requirements for StaffK.A.R. 28-4-430
One child file does not include a medical history.
- Child Care Centers: Food ServiceK.A.R. 28-4-439
Cereal and fruit snacks are stored in the kitchen less than six inches above the floor. Corrected at visit.
✓ Corrected at visit
- AdministrationK.A.R. 28-4-426
Two staff files do not include work references. Corrected at visit.
✓ Corrected at visit
Oct 16, 20241 Finding1 Important
- Physical PlantK.A.R. 28-4-423
One electrical outlet in the Infant Room is not covered. Corrected at visit.
✓ Corrected at visit
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