Five Star Center License
✓ Licensed
First Steps Learning Center, Inc.
Lillington, NC
· Harnett County
942 JOEL JOHNSON RD,
Lillington, NC 27546
Quick Facts
Capacity
53 children
Age Range
0 through 12
Subsidized Program
Participates
State Rating
5
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Licensed Five Star Center License
Active License
License Number
43000559
License Holder
FIRST STEPS LEARNING CENTER, INC.
License Issued
May 15, 2026
Issued By
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
District Office
North Carolina Dept of Health and Human Services - Division of Child Development
Reviews
Brittany Eason-Davis
2018-10-22 09:35:16
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I have used this provider for more than 6 months
Come join the First Steps Learning Center Family! You will not regret it!! Both of my children attended full time. At the time my daughter was a year old and my son was three. It did not take them long at all to adjust to the loving environment and the staff at the facility. My children woke up with excitement every morning knowing that they are going to see Ms. Faye, her staff and their friends that they love and enjoy being around each day!
My daughter was a breastfed baby and always refused a bottle and a cup. I was out of the work-field outside of the home for about a year and a half due to my daughter refusing a bottle and cup. I worked from home, but there is nothing like being able to get out the house and do what I love to do. I was able to get back in the Management Field, balancing working from home and working outside of the home because of First Steps Learning Center! I called First Steps Learning Center and Ms. Faye, the administrator answered the phone. I explained to her my situation and me not being able to work outside of the home due to difficulty weaning my daughter. She confidently encouraged me to bring both my children in and she assured me they would take very good care of them and help me wean my daughter. To this day, my daughter is now on a schedule eating table food and drinking from a cup. I never thought I would ever be able to enroll my daughter in daycare or would even feel comfortable in doing so because breastfed babies require special attention and patience. Ms. Faye and her staff provided that and more. I love how they operate and I love the environment. They truly have a passion for what they do.
First Steps Learning Center was founded by two retired school teachers having a combination of over 72 years of experience in the educational and child care industries. They are a five start learning center who provides care from birth to 12 years of age. Their mission is to strengthen the bridge between affordable, quality child care and working parents by creating a place that supports both and make each child's first steps to learning enriched with fun! & they do just what they promised!
The Owners, Ms. Faye and Mrs. Bailey are very professional, loving and considerate. They are supportive no matter where you are as a parent, rather you're a new mother, a single mother, have a working family etc.. They offer Childcare Assistance during the day from 6 am to 6 pm and have an After School Program. It is a FIVE star learning center!!
I am so thankful for the First Steps Learning Center and I pray God brings increase and continued blessings to this facility and staff.
My daughter is now two and my son will be five in December. He is currently in Head Start. I am currently getting them re-enrolled into First Steps Learning Center. My daughter will be attending full time and my son will be attending the After School Program!
Thank you First Steps Learning Center for your love, support and service!
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About the Provider
Our mission at First Steps Learning Center is to strengthen the bridge between affordable, quality child care and working parents by creating a special place that supports both and make each child's first steps to learning enriched with fun!
Hours of Operation
- Monday6AM - 6PM
- Tuesday6AM - 6PM
- Wednesday6AM - 6PM
- Thursday6AM - 6PM
- Friday6AM - 6PM
- Saturday Closed
- Sunday Closed
Inspection/Report History
Where possible, ChildcareCenter provides inspection reports as a service to families. This information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed. We encourage families to contact the daycare provider directly with any questions or concerns. Reports can also be verified with your local daycare licensing office.
| Date | Type | Violations | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-01 | Unannounced Inspection | No | |
| 2025-10-07 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2025-10-07 | Violation | 1032 | 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a) |
| Child care providers and uncompensated providers who are not substitute providers or volunteers, including the director did not have a medical report on file prior to employment that was signed by a health care professional and/ or the medical report was older than 12 months. A staff member with a hire date of August 5, 2025, did not obtain a medical report until September 4, 2025. | |||
| 2025-05-08 | Unannounced Inspection | No | |
| 2025-02-04 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2025-02-04 | Violation | 840 | .2820(b) |
| All corrosive agents, pesticides, bleaches, detergents, cleansers, polishes, any product which is under pressure in an aerosol dispenser, and any substance which may be hazardous to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled were not stored in a locked room or cabinet. Clorox, laundry detergent, bulk hand soap, and Fabulosa were stored in an unlocked closet. | |||
| 2024-09-26 | Unannounced Inspection | No | |
| 2024-09-05 | Unannounced Inspection | No | |
| 2024-08-28 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2024-08-28 | Violation | 428 | GS 110-91(12); .0508(a) |
| A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. In the space designated for infants, the posted activity plan was dated for 8/19/2024 through 8/23/2024. | |||
| 2024-08-01 | Announced Inspection | No | |
| 2024-07-18 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2024-07-18 | Violation | 1048 | .1102(c) |
| All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. One staff member who had been employed more than 90 days did not have current First Aid certification. | |||
| 2024-07-18 | Violation | 1049 | .1102(d) |
| All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care. Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. One staff member who had been employed more than 90 days did not have current CPR certification. | |||
| 2024-07-18 | Violation | 1811 | .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) |
| Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. The most recent shelter-in-place or lockdown drill was completed more than three months ago on March 14, 2024. | |||
| 2024-06-11 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2024-06-11 | Violation | 1792 | .0901(i) |
| Staff did not model appropriate eating behaviors by consuming food or beverages that meet the nutritional requirements specified in the Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs in the presence of children in care. A bottle of soda with more than half of its contents gone, was observed sitting on a shelf in space 4. | |||
| 2024-05-28 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2024-05-28 | Violation | 526 | 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b) |
| Menus for all meals and snacks were not current or posted where easily seen by parents and cook. Posted menus were dated for May 17-24, 2024. | |||
| 2024-05-28 | Violation | 844 | .0803(2)(a) |
| Prescribed medicine was not in original labeled container or accompanied by signed and dated written instructions from prescribing physician or health care professional. In spaces 1 and 2, albuterol inhaler pumps for two (2) enrolled children were not in their original labeled containers. | |||
| 2024-05-28 | Violation | 859 | .0605(q) |
| Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements. The facility has not completed a monthly outdoor inspection. | |||
| 2024-05-28 | Violation | 862 | 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a) |
| The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. The EMC plan was not reviewed annually for eight (8) employees. | |||
| 2024-05-28 | Violation | 1045 | .1101(a) |
| New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. An employee with a hire date of 1/2/2024 did not receive at least 16 hours of orientation as required by the rule. | |||
| 2024-05-28 | Violation | 1048 | .1102(c) |
| All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. First Aid training an employee expired on June 17, 2023. | |||
| 2024-05-28 | Violation | 1049 | .1102(d) |
| All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care. Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. CPR training for one employee expired on June 17, 2023. | |||
| 2024-05-28 | Violation | 1067 | .1101(a)(b) |
| Each new employee did not complete, within the first two weeks of employment, six clock hours of training in required topic areas. An employee with a start date of 1/2/2024 did not have documentation of six clock hours of training in required topic areas on file. | |||
| 2024-05-28 | Violation | 1232 | 10A NCAC 09 .0514(f) |
| Each employee's personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan. Eight employees did not have annual staff evaluations on file. | |||
| 2024-05-28 | Violation | 1233 | 10A NCAC 09 .0514(g) |
| Each employee's personnel file did not contain a signed and dated statement that they received a job description and that they have received personnel and operational policies. One employee personnel file did not contain a signed and dated statement that they had received personnel and operational policies. | |||
| 2024-05-28 | Violation | 1321 | GS110-91(1) |
| Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. An enrolled child did not have a medical exam or health assessment record on file. | |||
| 2024-05-28 | Violation | 1825 | .0607(f) |
| All staff did not review the center's EPR Plan during orientation and/or on an annual basis with the trained staff. Documentation of the review was not maintained on file. An annual review of the center's EPR plan was not conducted for eight (8) employees. | |||
| 2024-05-28 | Violation | 1874 | .0608(d)(1-4) |
| The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file. An employee with a start date of 1/2/2024 did not have a signed acknowledgement on file as required by the rule. | |||
| 2024-05-28 | Violation | 1897 | .1102(g) |
| The child care administrator and all staff did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment. An employee with a hire date of 1/2/2024 did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training as required by the rule. | |||
| 2024-05-28 | Violation | 1908 | .0608(b)(1-6) |
| A child's file did not have a statement with parent signature acknowledging receipt and explanation of the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy and/or the acknowledgement did not have all the required information. One enrolled child did not have a signed statement by a parent on file, acknowledging receipt and explanation of the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy. | |||
| 2024-05-28 | Violation | 9999 | |
| A violation was found for which there is no item number. Bags of cereal were not stored in an approved, clean, tightly covered, storage containers once the original package is opened. This is a violation of 15A NCAC 18A .2806(a). | |||
| 2024-05-16 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2024-05-16 | Violation | 108 | G.S. 110-91(14) |
| The operator made an effort to falsify information. The fire drill logs reflected a date of April 14, 2024, which fell on a Sunday, was not a day that children were in care. The following date of May 18, 2024, had not occurred at the time of the visit. Monthly playground logs were signed and predated for May 24, 2024 and June 1, 2024. | |||
| 2024-05-16 | Violation | 115 | G.S. 110-102 |
| A summary of the NC Child Care Law was not posted in a prominent place in the center. The facility did not have a copy of the summary of NC Child Care Laws posted as required by the rule. | |||
| 2024-05-16 | Violation | 501 | 10A NCAC 09 .0901(a) |
| Meals/snacks did not comply with the Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. The facility was serving 2% milk instead of low or no fat milk as required by the rule. | |||
| 2024-05-16 | Violation | 526 | 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b) |
| Menus for all meals and snacks were not current or posted where easily seen by parents and cook. Posted menus were dated for April 29-May 3, 2024. | |||
| 2024-05-16 | Violation | 805 | .0604(t); .0302(d)(5) |
| Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete. The date of the last monthly fire drill could not be determined. The dates indicated on the log were dates that had not occurred as of today's visit and on a date that included a weekend when children were not in care. | |||
| 2024-05-16 | Violation | 840 | .2820(b) |
| All corrosive agents, pesticides, bleaches, detergents, cleansers, polishes, any product which is under pressure in an aerosol dispenser, and any substance which may be hazardous to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled were not stored in a locked room or cabinet. In space 4, a bottle of body spray with an aerosol dispenser was not stored in a locked cabinet. | |||
| 2024-05-16 | Violation | 844 | .0803(2)(a) |
| Prescribed medicine was not in original labeled container or accompanied by signed and dated written instructions from prescribing physician or health care professional. Two albuterol inhaler pumps were not in the original labeled containers. | |||
| 2024-05-16 | Violation | 847 | 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4)(6-9) |
| Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. Permission to administer medication authorization forms did not include children names, dosage, frequency to administer and/or parent signature. | |||
| 2024-05-16 | Violation | 849 | .0803(12) |
| Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization. Diaper cream was not discarded or returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed. | |||
| 2024-05-16 | Violation | 859 | .0605(q) |
| Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements. The date of the last monthly playground inspection could not be determined. The dates indicated on the monthly outdoor playground inspections were dates that had not occurred as of today's visit. | |||
| 2024-05-16 | Violation | 1301 | GS 110-91(9) |
| Center did not maintain a record of daily attendance. In space 1, daily attendance was not maintained. | |||
| 2024-05-16 | Violation | 1321 | GS110-91(1) |
| Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. One child did not have a health assessment on file. | |||
| 2024-05-16 | Violation | 1756 | 10A NCAC 09 .2818 |
| Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. In space 1, one caregiver was observed with 15 children when the staff/child ratio for the children in care was 1:9. | |||
| 2024-05-16 | Violation | 1835 | .0801(b) |
| The medical action plan was not updated on an annual basis or when changes to the plan were made by the child's parent or health care professional. Medical action plans for two enrolled children did not include the required information. | |||
| 2024-05-16 | Violation | 1908 | .0608(b)(1-6) |
| A child's file did not have a statement with parent signature acknowledging receipt and explanation of the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy and/or the acknowledgement did not have all the required information. An enrolled child did not have a signed statement with parent signature acknowledging receipt of the Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy on file. | |||
| 2024-05-16 | Violation | 9999 | |
| A violation was found for which there is no item number. Various bags of snacks and cereals were not stored in an approved, clean, tightly covered, storage containers once the original package is opened. This is a violation of 15A NCAC 18A .2806(a) | |||
| 2023-06-01 | Unannounced Inspection | No | |
| 2022-11-29 | Unannounced Inspection | No | |
| 2022-10-27 | Unannounced Inspection | No | |
| 2022-09-22 | Unannounced Inspection | No | |
| 2022-08-11 | Unannounced Inspection | No | |
| 2022-06-30 | Unannounced Inspection | No | |
| 2022-06-16 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2022-06-16 | Violation | 1756 | 10A NCAC 09 .2818 |
| Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. One staff member provided care to six children from zero to one year of age in Space #3. | |||
| 2022-06-16 | Violation | 887 | .0606(g) |
| Caregivers did not document compliance with visually checking on sleeping infants aged 12 months or younger and/or the documents were not maintained for a minimum of one month. Documentation of checking on sleeping infants was not available today. This is a repeated violation. | |||
| 2022-06-16 | Violation | 892 | .0606(b) |
| The center's safe sleep policy was not posted in a prominent place in the infant room where parents and caregivers were able to view daily. This information was not posted in the room where infants receive care. This is a repeated violation. | |||
| 2022-06-16 | Violation | 1045 | .1101(a) |
| New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. Orientation records were not available for three staff members. This is a repeated violation. | |||
| 2022-06-16 | Violation | 1232 | 10A NCAC 09 .0514(f) |
| Each employee's personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan. Staff development plans and annual evaluations were not on file for seven staff members. This is a repeated violation. | |||
| 2022-06-06 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2022-06-06 | Violation | 9999 | |
| A violation was found for which there is no item number. The direct exit in Space #1 was locked. This is a violation of the North Carolina Fire Code. | |||
| 2022-06-06 | Violation | 721 | G.S. 110-91(6); .0601(b) |
| All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. One tricycle on Playground #1 was missing foot pedals. | |||
| 2022-06-06 | Violation | 862 | 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a) |
| The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. The EMC had not been reviewed at least annually with nine staff members. | |||
| 2022-06-06 | Violation | 887 | .0606(g) |
| Caregivers did not document compliance with visually checking on sleeping infants aged 12 months or younger and/or the documents were not maintained for a minimum of one month. Records of checking on sleeping infants were not available for today or the last operational day. | |||
| 2022-06-06 | Violation | 892 | .0606(b) |
| The center's safe sleep policy was not posted in a prominent place in the infant room where parents and caregivers were able to view daily. This information was not posted. | |||
| 2022-06-06 | Violation | 1034 | .0701(a) |
| All staff, including the director, did not have an annual health questionnaire on file following the initial medical statement. Annual health questionnaires were not on file for five staff members. | |||
| 2022-06-06 | Violation | 1035 | .0701(a) |
| Child care providers, including the director, uncompensated providers, substitute providers, and volunteers did not have the required Emergency Information Form on file on or before the first day of work, which included all the required information and/or the information on the form was not updated as changes occur and at least annually. Emergency information that had been updated at least annually was not on file for five staff members. | |||
| 2022-06-06 | Violation | 1044 | G.S. 110-90.2(b) & .2703(n)&(o) |
| Prior to the expiration date of the qualification letter, the child care provider did not complete and submit required forms to complete a criminal background check (a qualification letter is valid for a maximum of three years for the date of issuance). One staff member did not complete and submit the required forms to complete a background check before the qualification letter expired on April 17, 2022. | |||
| 2022-06-06 | Violation | 1045 | .1101(a) |
| New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. Orientation records were not available for three staff members. | |||
| 2022-06-06 | Violation | 1048 | .1102(c) |
| All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. Five staff members did not have current first aid certification. | |||
| 2022-06-06 | Violation | 1049 | .1102(d) |
| All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care. Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. Five staff members did not have current CPR certification. | |||
| 2022-06-06 | Violation | 1065 | .1102(f) |
| Child care providers scheduled to work in the infant room, did not complete ITS-SIDS training within two months of employment or did not complete the training every three years. Child care administrators did not complete the ITS-SIDS training within 90 days of employment and every three years thereafter. The administrator did not complete ITS-SIDS training every three years. | |||
| 2022-06-06 | Violation | 1232 | 10A NCAC 09 .0514(f) |
| Each employee's personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan. Staff development plans and annual evaluations were not on file for seven staff members. | |||
| 2022-06-06 | Violation | 1233 | 10A NCAC 09 .0514(g) |
| Each employee's personnel file did not contain a signed and dated statement that they received a job description and that they have received personnel and operational policies. Signed receipt verification statements that this information had been received was not on file for three staff members. | |||
| 2022-06-06 | Violation | 1825 | .0607(f) |
| All staff did not review the center's EPR Plan during orientation and/or on an annual basis with the trained staff. Documentation of the review was not maintained on file. The center's EPR plan had not been reviewed with nine staff members. | |||
| 2022-06-06 | Violation | 1851 | .0604(j) |
| The operator did not notify the parent of each child enrolled in writing of the smoking and tobacco restriction. Signed receipt verification statements were not on file for the five children's records monitored today. | |||
| 2022-06-06 | Violation | 1874 | .0608(d)(1-4) |
| The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file. Signed receipt verification statements were not on file for two staff members. | |||
| 2022-06-06 | Violation | 1898 | .1102(a) |
| Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. One staff member did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. | |||
| 2022-06-06 | Violation | 1908 | .0608(b)(1-6) |
| A child's file did not have a statement with parent signature acknowledging receipt and explanation of the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy and/or the acknowledgement did not have all the required information. Signed verification statements were not on file in two records monitored today for children under five years of age. | |||
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