Child Care Center
✓ Licensed
Small Stepz Academy Corporation
Paterson, NJ
· Passaic County
173 Haledon Avenue,
Paterson, NJ 07522
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Quick Facts
Capacity
53 children
Age Range
0 - 6 years
Type of Care
Full-Time
Transportation
Not Available
Languages
English, Spanish
Subsidized Program
Participates
State Rating
2
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Contact Information
📞 (973) 956-1777
Licensed Child Care Center
Active License
License Number
071000122
License Issued
Sep 11, 2026
Active Through
Sep 11, 2029
Issued By
New Jersey Department of Children & Families
Accreditation
Grown NJ
District Office
New Jersey Dept of Children and Families - Office of Licensing
Reviews
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About the Provider
Welcome to Small Stepz Academy, where every child’s journey begins with love, care, and endless possibilities. Our daycare center is committed to providing a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment where children can grow, learn, and thrive.Our dedicated team of experienced and passionate caregivers ensures that each child receives the highest quality care. From engaging educational activities to playful interactions, our curriculum is designed to support the cognitive, emotional, and social development of children from infancy through preschool age.Come visit us and discover how Small Stepz Academy can be the perfect place for your little one to shine!
Small Stepz Academy Corporation Photos
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Hours of Operation
- Monday6:30 AM - 05:30 PM
- Tuesday6:30 AM - 05:30 PM
- Wednesday6:30 AM - 05:30 PM
- Thursday6:30 AM - 05:30 PM
- Friday6:30 AM - 05:30 PM
- 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.
| Inspection Date | Type | Reinspection / Rule | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-09-02 | Re-Inspection,Life Safety Modification | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2026-08-13 | Monitoring | No | Center Inspection |
| 2026-01-28 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2026-01-05 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2025-11-18 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2025-10-10 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2025-09-08 | Renewal | No | Center Inspection |
| 2025-08-27 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2025-08-06 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2025-06-25 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2025-05-21 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2025-04-15 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2025-03-04 | Re-Inspection,Life Safety Modification | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2025-02-24 | Other | No | Center Inspection |
| 2025-01-23 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2024-12-17 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2024-11-04 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2024-09-17 | Monitoring | No | Center Inspection |
| 2024-06-11 | Space Evaluation | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2024-05-07 | Complaint | No | Center Inspection |
| 2024-04-01 | No Selection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2024-03-26 | Phone Call | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2024-03-15 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2024-01-04 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2023-11-20 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2023-09-28 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2023-07-27 | Phone Call | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2023-05-25 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2023-04-04 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2023-02-23 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2022-12-20 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2022-10-19 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2022-09-07 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2022-09-06 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2022-08-26 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2022-08-05 | Renewal | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2022-08-05 | Renewal | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2022-08-05 | Violation | 3A:52-6.4(a)(3) | Cease swaddling infants. - For early childhood programs, the center shall provide opportunities for daily rest and sleep as follows: swaddling of children during rest and sleep is prohibited. |
| 2022-08-05 | Violation | 3A:52-4.5(c)(1) | Ensure that the director is at the center at least 50% of the center's daily operating hours. - The director shall be scheduled to work at the center at least 50 percent of the center’s daily operating hours. |
| 2022-08-05 | Violation | 3A:52-4.1(d)(1) | Ensure that the information on the Staff Records Checklist is current and that it is maintained on file at the center, including the staff's CARI and CHRI background checks. - The staff records specified in 3A:52-4.1(a) through (c) shall be maintained on file as follows: the Staff Records Checklist for the current director and all staff members currently working at the center shall be maintained on file at the center. |
| 2022-08-05 | Violation | 3A:52-4.6(c)(1) | Ensure that the head teacher meets the required qualifications as specified in the manual. - For early childhood programs, the following shall apply: for all centers, the head teacher or consulting head teacher shall meet the qualification requirements specified in one of the seven options set forth in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.6(c) for education and experience. |
| 2022-08-05 | Violation | 3A:52-4.8(c) | Ensure that all staff complete 12 hours of staff development annually. - The center shall ensure that all staff members who work at the center complete 12 hours of continuing staff development each year. |
| 2022-08-05 | Violation | 3A:52-4.8(d)(1) | Ensure that all credentialed staff complete 20 hours of staff development annually. - In lieu of the child care staff development specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.8(b), the director, head teacher(s), group teacher(s), and program supervisor(s) shall each complete 20 hours of staff development each year. Recommended topics of training for these staff include educational and physical activity. |
| 2022-08-05 | Violation | 3A:52-4.5(e)(8) | Ensure that all staff working with children under 2.5 years of age have training specific to this age group initiated within 90 days of hire and completed within one year. - For early childhood programs all staff that work with children under 2 1/2 years of age shall have training specific to this age group, which may include, but is not limited to, the New Jersey Infant/Toddler Credential administered through Professional Impact NJ, the Infant-Toddler Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential, or other trainings specifically related to the care of infants and toddlers. Each employee shall initiate this training within 90 days and complete it within one year. |
| 2022-08-05 | Violation | 3A:52-6.8(a)(1) | Ensure that the center completes and maintains on file a children's records checklist, including the child's name, address, birth date and date of enrollment. - The center shall complete and maintain on file for each enrolled child a Children’s Records Checklist, signed by the director, sponsor, or sponsor representative and designated by the Office of Licensing, indicating that the center has obtained documentation of the child's name, address, birth date, and date of enrollment. |
| 2022-08-05 | Violation | 3A:52-7.3(a)(2) | Ensure that a Universal Health Record is completed upon enrollment and updated annually, including the immunization records and special care plans as required. - For early childhood programs, the following shall apply: for each child not enrolled in a public or private school, upon admission, the center shall maintain on file at the center a Universal Child Health Record (Department of Health Form CH-14) or its equivalent, updated annually, along with an immunization record, and a special care plan, if applicable. A 30-day grace period is permitted in N.J.A.C. 8:57-4.5(e) |
| 2022-08-05 | Violation | 3A:52-3.6(b)(1) | Ensure that the center maintains and distributes to all families and staff a copy of the Information to Parents document and maintains on file signatures of all staff and families attesting to the receipt of the policy. - The center shall distribute a copy of the Information to Parents document to each child’s parent(s) upon enrollment and to every person upon becoming a staff member and secure and maintain on file a record of each parent’s and staff member’s signature attesting to receipt of the document. The center shall maintain on file a copy of the Information to Parents document. |
| 2022-08-05 | Violation | 3A:52-6.5(a)(1) | Ensure that the center maintains and distributes to all families and staff the center's policy on the release of children, including a provision that children can only be released to the parent or other authorized individuals. - The center shall maintain on file and follow a written policy on the release of children, which shall include the provision that each child may be released only to the child's parent(s) or person(s) authorized by the parent(s), as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-6.8(a)3, to take the child from the center and to assume responsibility for the child in an emergency if the parent(s) cannot be reached. |
| 2022-08-05 | Violation | 3A:52-6.8(k)(1) | Ensure that the center's social media policy includes its policies regarding the use of social networking sites and other websites. - The center shall develop and follow a written policy on the use of social media including, but not limited to the use of social networking sites and other websites. |
| 2022-08-05 | Violation | 3A:52-5.3(n)(4) | Ensure that all fire extinguishers are serviced and tagged annually and recharged as needed. - Fire prevention requirements are as follows: all fire extinguishers shall be visually inspected once a month, and serviced and tagged at least once a year and recharged, if necessary, as specified in the NJUFC. |
| 2022-08-05 | Violation | 3A:52-6.3(b)(3)(iv)(1) | Ensure that each child's bottle is labeled with the child's name and date. - For early childhood programs, the following shall apply, feeding requirements for centers serving children less than 18 months of age are as follows: for bottles, each child's bottle(s) shall be labeled with the child's name and dated. |
| 2022-08-05 | Violation | 3A:52-5.3(i)(5)(i) | Complete and submit a DCF Drinking Water Testing Checklist and Statement of Assurance and a copy of the center's water testing completed by a laboratory certified by the Department of Environmental Protection. - Environmental condition precautions are as follows: at the time of the initial application, any renewal application, relocation of an existing licensed center and, in the discretion of the Office of Licensing, any other time, the applicant or facility operator shall certify in writing that the center provides a potable water supply provided by a public community water system. If the facility is supplied by a public community water system, the applicant or facility operator shall provide documentation of water testing conducted by a laboratory certified by the Department of Environmental Protection for water testing for lead and copper from all faucets and other sources used for drinking water or food preparation and at least 50 percent of all indoor water faucets utilized by the center. |
| 2022-08-05 | Violation | 3A:52-5.3(a)(19) | Complete radon testing in every room on the lowest floor used by children and post the results in a prominent location. - Indoor maintenance and sanitation requirements are as follows: the center shall test for the presence of radon gas in each classroom on the lowest floor level used by children at least once every five years and shall post the test results in a prominent location in all buildings at the center, as specified in N.J.S.A. 30:5B-5.2. |
| 2022-08-05 | Violation | 3A:52-6.1(b)(5)(ii) | Ensure that children are provided with time and space within the classroom to be apart from the group and the opportunity to participate in an alternate activity if they choose to do so. There was a child inside when her group was outside with no activities. - The staff member(s) specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.5 who are responsible for developing and overseeing the implementation of the center's daily activities shall ensure that Children are provided with the time and space within the area to be apart from the group and to participate in an alternate activity if they choose to do so. |
| 2022-08-05 | Violation | 3A:52-7.6(b)(1) | Complete accident reports as required. - The center shall maintain on file a written record of each incident resulting in an injury as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-7.6(a). These records shall include the following: the name of the injured child. |
| 2022-08-05 | Violation | 3A:52-4.11(a)(1) | Ensure that all staff, the sponsor and/or the sponsor representative complete a CHRI background check as required for the center's license renewal.9/6/2022- There are 5 renewal CHRIs missing. - As a condition of securing a license or Certificate of Life/Safety Approval, the sponsor or sponsor representative shall ensure that a Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) fingerprint background check is completed for himself or herself, and for all staff members at least 18 years of age who are or will be working at the center on a regularly- scheduled basis, to determine whether any such person has been convicted of a crime, as specified in P.L. 2000, c. 77 (N.J.S.A. 30:5B-6.10 to 6.17). The sponsor or sponsor representative and each staff member shall complete the electronic fingerprinting process through the vendor authorized by the State to conduct CHRI background checks through the Division of State Police in the Department of Law and Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. |
| 2022-08-05 | Violation | 3A:52-4.3(a)(1) | Ensure that adequate procedures for tracking children are adhered to at all times throughout the center. The staff stated there were 8 children, when only 7 were present. - The center shall develop and implement an Office of Licensing-approved method to keep track of the location and ensure the safety of all children at all times when under the center’s supervision, including the transfer of supervision from and to parents during arrival and departure and the utilization of off-site locations, including playgrounds and field trips. |
| 2022-08-05 | Violation | 3A:52-6.4(i) | Cease the use of pacifier straps or other types of attachment devices. - Children shall not use pacifiers with straps or other types of attachment devices. |
| 2022-06-30 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2022-05-05 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2022-05-05 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2022-05-05 | Violation | 3A:52-5.2(a)(5) | Ensure that all exits and egress areas are unobstructed and that the emergency exit doors are easily operable. There was a table and toys blocking the egress near the 3 year old classroom. The exit was cleared during the inspection. - The center shall be permitted to obtain a valid fire safety inspection certificate issued by the municipality in which it is located, based on a fire inspection conducted within the preceding 12 months, and submit a copy of the certificate to the Office of Licensing in lieu of a CO or CCO, if the center serves only children 2 ½ years of age or older and is located in a public school building that is used as a public school. |
| 2022-02-14 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2022-01-14 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2021-12-07 | Monitoring | No | Center Inspection |
| 2021-02-24 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2021-02-04 | Renewal | No | Center Inspection |
| 2021-01-28 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2020-11-16 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2020-11-02 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2020-09-28 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2020-08-26 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2020-07-12 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2020-06-16 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2020-06-02 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2020-05-01 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2020-04-01 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2020-02-25 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2020-01-16 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2020-01-02 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2019-12-02 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2019-10-24 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2019-09-20 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2019-09-13 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2019-08-20 | Renewal | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2019-07-11 | Renewal,Monitoring | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2019-05-15 | Monitoring | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2019-05-06 | Monitoring | No | Center Inspection |
If you are a provider and believe any information is incorrect, please contact us. We will research your concern and make corrections accordingly.
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