Four Star Center License
✓ Licensed
Steps & Stages Children's Center
Wendell, NC
· Wake County
4690 WENDELL BLVD,
Wendell, NC 27591
Quick Facts
Capacity
26 children
Age Range
0 through 12
Subsidized Program
Participates
State Rating
4
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Licensed Four Star Center License
Active License
License Number
92003366
License Holder
STEPS & STAGES CHILDREN'S CENTER, LLC.
License Issued
Apr 7, 2022
Issued By
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
District Office
North Carolina Dept of Health and Human Services - Division of Child Development
License Conditions: Other - Children under age 1 only able to use space #3
Reviews
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About the Provider
STEPS & STAGES CHILDREN'S CENTER is a Four Star Center License in WENDELL NC, with a maximum capacity of 26 children. This child care center helps with children in the age range of 0 through 12. The provider also participates in a subsidized child care program.
Hours of Operation
- Days of Operation Monday–Friday
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-23 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | 0626-214L |
| 2026-06-23 | Violation | 125 | 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(4) |
| Daily records of arrival and departure times for children at the center were not maintained as children arrive and depart and/or were not made available for review. Three out of eighteen children's arrival and departure times were not completed. Three of them showed arrival times, but did not show departure times. | |||
| 2026-06-23 | Violation | 1125 | .1003(i)(j) |
| Before children were transported, written permission from a parent was not obtained that included when and where the child was to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. A child that was transported up until June 11, 2026 did not have a current permission to transport permission slip. The child's permission slip expired August 26, 2024. | |||
| 2026-06-23 | Violation | 1301 | GS 110-91(9) |
| Center did not maintain a record of daily attendance. Daily attendance had not been taken in both classrooms for June 23, 2026. | |||
| 2026-06-23 | Violation | 1739 | .2318(1-8) |
| All records required were not available for review by a representative of the Division. Two employees (JG) and (NS) did not have complete files. The consultant was told the documents were on the owners cell phone. These documents must be accessible to review. | |||
| 2026-06-23 | Violation | 1805 | G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) |
| A child care operator did not notify the Division of any new child care providers, as defined in G.S. 110-90.2(a)(2), who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. A new employee (NS) hired in April 2026 was not listed on the ABCMS portal. | |||
| 2026-04-15 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | 0426-142L |
| 2026-04-15 | Unannounced Inspection | No | |
| 2026-04-15 | Violation | 807 | 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) |
| A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. Upon entering the building at the front entrance. The door is surrounded by a porch with 3 ft. high lattice and a self-closing gate. The door to the gate needs adjusting so it will swing back into place vs. lifting and pulling/pushing it to open/close. | |||
| 2026-03-03 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | 0226-220L |
| 2026-03-03 | Violation | 1805 | G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) |
| A child care operator did not notify the Division of any new child care providers, as defined in G.S. 110-90.2(a)(2), who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. The ABCMS portal has three names in the portal and must be updated immediately with five additional employees. | |||
| 2025-12-02 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2025-12-02 | Violation | 493 | .0511(b)(3) |
| Caregiver or team of caregivers were not assigned to each infant or toddler as primary caregiver. Primary caregivers were not assigned to the infants and toddlers. | |||
| 2025-12-02 | Violation | 612 | 15A NCAC 18A .2821(b) & (c) |
| Each child's bed, cot, or 2" mat was not individually assigned and identified. The cot list in space one (1) was not current. Twelve children were listed on the posted cot list, and more than twelve children were listed on the posted cot list. | |||
| 2025-12-02 | Violation | 805 | .0604(t); .0302(d)(5) |
| Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete. The pull station was not used for the fire drill on November 26, 2025. The method used was teachers clapping their hands. | |||
| 2025-12-02 | Violation | 807 | 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) |
| A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. An unlocked cabinet located in the hallway had teacher supplies that should be kept away from children. | |||
| 2025-12-02 | Violation | 858 | .0604(q) |
| Plastic bags, materials that could be torn apart and toy parts small enough to be swallowed were accessible to children under three years of age. Diapers were stored in plastic bags, and a plastic bag was observed under the unlocked diaper changing table. | |||
| 2025-12-02 | 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. A safe sleep policy was not posted in the classroom used for the infants. | |||
| 2025-12-02 | Violation | 893 | 10A NCAC 09 .0606(c) |
| A copy of the safe sleep policy was not given to and/or explained to the parent of each child on or before the first day the infant attended the center. Two infants did not have a signed and dated safe sleep policy on file. | |||
| 2025-12-02 | 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. Five (5) employees emergency information form could not be located during the visit. | |||
| 2025-12-02 | Violation | 1043 | G.S. 110-91( 9) |
| All staff records, except financial records, were not made available for review. The owner/director’s file was not accessible during the visit. She stated it was located at the other facility. | |||
| 2025-12-02 | Violation | 1322 | .1005(b)(4) |
| A written statement from each child's parent giving standing permission which may be valid for up to twelve months for participation in off premise activities that occur on a regular basis was not available. The infants take buggy rides in the parking lot. Two infants did not have a signed and dated permission to play outside the fenced in area form on file. This is a repeat violation. | |||
| 2025-12-02 | Violation | 1327 | G.S. 110-91(9) |
| Accurate records were not maintained for all children. One child’s file (SS) was incomplete. The file was missing the following: physical, discipline policy, summary of the law, notification of smoking/tobacco restriction & receipt of facilities policies. | |||
| 2025-12-02 | Violation | 1898 | .1102(a) |
| Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. One employee (TCD) that started work on 2-18-19 did not have proof of medication training. | |||
| 2025-06-10 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2025-06-10 | Violation | 807 | 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) |
| A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. 1. On the playground used for toddlers, the grass along the fence line and gate was 12” to 15” tall. 2. Pine straw was observed on the playground and must be removed. 3. Vines were observed growing along the fence near the storage building. 4. A thorn bush was observed in a raised garden container. 5. In space one (1) adult size scissors and Ziploc bags were accessible to children under three years old. These were removed from the classroom during the visit. | |||
| 2025-06-10 | 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's 1st Aid expired 2-10-25. | |||
| 2025-06-10 | 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's CPR expired on 2-10-25. | |||
| 2025-06-10 | 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. SIP and lockdown drills were completed every four months vs. three months. | |||
| 2025-06-10 | 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 and every five years. One employee's training was completed on 4-16-19 and expired 4-16-24; her current certificate could not be located during the visit. | |||
| 2024-12-16 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2024-12-16 | Unannounced Inspection | No | 0124-016A |
| 2024-12-16 | Violation | 807 | 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) |
| A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. The chain link has come away from the bottom and middle of the fence and a gap about six inches is in the fence, leaving the possibility for a small child to work their way through it and leave the playground. | |||
| 2024-12-16 | 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. An infant woke up at 12:25 and fell asleep at 1:40. From 1:40 to 2:15 safe sleep charts were not completed. | |||
| 2024-12-16 | Violation | 1203 | 10A NCAC 09 .0514(b) |
| Operational policies were not discussed with parents on or before the child's first day and/or they were not notified in writing of all changes. One child was missing this signed and dated document indicating the parents were given the operation policies. | |||
| 2024-12-16 | Violation | 1322 | .1005(b)(4) |
| A written statement from each child's parent giving standing permission which may be valid for up to twelve months for participation in off premise activities that occur on a regular basis was not available. One child did not have permission from the parent to be outside the fenced in area. | |||
| 2024-12-16 | Violation | 1851 | .0604(j) |
| The operator did not notify the parent of each child enrolled in writing of the smoking and tobacco restriction. One child did not have this signed and dated document in it's file. | |||
| 2024-11-25 | Unannounced Inspection | No | 0124-016A |
| 2024-10-11 | Unannounced Inspection | No | 0124-016A |
| 2024-09-16 | Unannounced Inspection | No | 0124-016A |
| 2024-08-06 | Unannounced Inspection | No | 0124-016A |
| 2024-06-27 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | 0624-280L |
| 2024-06-27 | Violation | 853 | .0802(g)(1-6) |
| Incident logs were not completed and maintained as required. An incident log was not on file. | |||
| 2024-06-27 | Violation | 1301 | GS 110-91(9) |
| Center did not maintain a record of daily attendance. Record of daily attendance was not on file for the preschool classroom for 6-26-24. | |||
| 2024-06-27 | Violation | 1739 | .2318(1-8) |
| All records required were not available for review by a representative of the Division. A child's file could not be located for review by DCDEE staff on 6-27-24. | |||
| 2024-06-26 | Unannounced Inspection | No | 0124-016A |
| 2024-05-10 | Unannounced Inspection | No | 0124-016A |
| 2024-04-02 | Unannounced Inspection | No | 0124-016A |
| 2024-02-29 | Unannounced Inspection | No | 0124-016A |
| 2024-01-23 | Unannounced Inspection | No | 0124-016A |
| 2024-01-10 | Unannounced Inspection | No | 0124-016A |
| 2024-01-08 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2024-01-08 | Violation | 106 | 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) |
| Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection. Operator did not submit the original approved report to DCDEE within one week of the inspection visit on a form provided by the Division. The last fire inspection was conducted on 1-5-23. | |||
| 2024-01-08 | Violation | 807 | 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) |
| A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. A section of the outdoor playground fence that faces the busy highway needs to be secured at the bottom. The chain link has come away from the bottom leaving the possibility for a small child to work their way from under the fence over time. There was also a metal rivet which connects the black borders around climbing structure which needs to be hammered down. | |||
| 2024-01-08 | Violation | 862 | 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a) |
| The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. One staff member did not have documentation on file that the EMC plan was reviewed with them. | |||
| 2024-01-08 | Violation | 1030 | .0302(d)(1)(A) |
| Application for employment and date of birth was not on file for all staff. One employee did not have an application on file and one other employee did not have a date anywhere on their application. | |||
| 2024-01-08 | 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. One staff member did not have a Staff Medical Report on file. | |||
| 2024-01-08 | Violation | 1033 | .0701(a) |
| On or before the first day of work, all staff, including the director and individuals who volunteer more than once per week did not provide results indicating that they were free of active TB and/or TB test or screening was older than 12 months. One staff member did not have a TB test on file. | |||
| 2024-01-08 | Violation | 1034 | .0701(a) |
| All staff, including the director, did not have an annual health questionnaire on file following the initial medical statement. Two staff did not have a current annual health questionnaire on file. | |||
| 2024-01-08 | 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. Two staff did not have Emergency Information on file which was current. | |||
| 2024-01-08 | Violation | 1045 | .1101(a) |
| New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. Three staff did not have documentation on file that the required orientation topics were covered within first 6 weeks. | |||
| 2024-01-08 | 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. Two staff did not have documentation on file that First Aid had been completed and was current. | |||
| 2024-01-08 | 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. Two staff did not have documentation on file of current CPR completion. | |||
| 2024-01-08 | 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. Two staff did not have documentation on file that the required topics were covered within first 2 weeks. | |||
| 2024-01-08 | Violation | 1232 | 10A NCAC 09 .0514(f) |
| Each employee's personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan. Three staff did not have current staff development plans on file and two staff did not have current evaluations on file. | |||
| 2024-01-08 | 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. Two staff did not have statements that they received a job description and that operational and personnel policies were reviewed. One additional staff member did not have a date on their documentation. | |||
| 2024-01-08 | Violation | 1757 | G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) |
| A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. One staff member did not have a criminal background qualification letter on file. It was verified in the CBC database that the employee is qualified until 9-7-27 but the qualification letter was not on file at the center. | |||
| 2024-01-08 | 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. One staff member did not have documentation on file that the EPR plan was reviewed with them. | |||
| 2024-01-08 | 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. One staff member did not have documentation on file the policy was reviewed and one staff member did not date the documented page. | |||
| 2024-01-08 | Violation | 1898 | .1102(a) |
| Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. Three staff did not renew the required health & Safety trainings. Some staff also did not have completion certificates for trainings which were documented as completed. | |||
| 2024-01-05 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | 0124-016A |
| 2024-01-05 | Violation | 125 | 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(4) |
| Daily records of arrival and departure times for children enrolled at the center were not maintained as children arrive and depart and/or were not made available for review. Staff members failed to ensure attendance records for children are being maintained on a daily basis. | |||
| 2024-01-05 | Violation | 303 | .1801(a)(1-5) |
| Children were not adequately supervised at all times. A staff member failed to provide adequate supervision when a two-year-old child exited the facility without the staff member's knowledge. | |||
| 2024-01-05 | Violation | 544 | .0510(f) |
| Screen time was offered to children under three years of age. A staff member provided screen time for two-year-old children. | |||
| 2024-01-05 | Violation | 807 | 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) |
| A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. A staff member failed to provide adequate supervision which resulted in a child exiting the center, running onto a road, stopping traffic. | |||
| 2024-01-05 | Violation | 902 | G.S. 110-91(10) |
| Each child was not attended to in a nurturing and appropriate manner, or in keeping with the child's developmental needs. Two staff members engaged in a verbal confrontation in the presence of children in care. | |||
| 2024-01-05 | Violation | 903 | GS 110-91(10); .1803(a) |
| Corporal punishment was used. [Omit item 0903 for religious sponsored centers operating under GS 110-106 with an exemption on file with the Division.] A staff member grabbed and pulled an eight-year-old child into the bathroom at the center and spanked the child. | |||
| 2024-01-05 | Violation | 1756 | 10A NCAC 09 .2818 |
| Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. One staff member provided care to twelve two - four-year-old children. | |||
| 2024-01-05 | Violation | 1810 | GS 110-105.6(a) |
| There was a substantiation of child maltreatment. On April 23, 2024, the Division substantiated maltreatment. | |||
| 2024-01-05 | Violation | 1831 | .01102 (f) |
| At least one child care provider, who has completed ITS-SIDS training was not present in the infant room, while children were in care. A staff member failed to complete ITS-SIDS training prior to providing care for infants. | |||
| 2023-09-07 | Unannounced Inspection | No | |
| 2023-08-30 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2023-08-30 | Violation | 107 | GS 110-91; GS 110-106 |
| The center did not comply with the permit restrictions. The center was out of compliance with enhanced staff/child ratios in the preschool age classroom during my visit today. | |||
| 2023-08-30 | Violation | 125 | 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(4) |
| Daily records of arrival and departure times for children enrolled at the center were not maintained as children arrive and depart and/or were not made available for review. | |||
| 2023-08-30 | 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 last documented outdoor playground inspection was June 2023. | |||
| 2023-08-30 | 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. Two new staff did not have a Staff Medical Report on file that meets the requirement of this rule. | |||
| 2023-08-30 | 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. One new staff member did not have Emergency Information on file. | |||
| 2023-08-30 | Violation | 1756 | 10A NCAC 09 .2818 |
| Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. There were 3-two year olds, 6-three year olds and 2-five year old children present with one staff member upon my arrival to the center. I also observed 3-two year old children present in a room being care for with an Infant age 0-12 months old. | |||
| 2023-08-30 | 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. Documentation for proof of review of the policy was not on file for 2 new staff members. | |||
| 2023-08-30 | 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. One new staff member hired 10-1-22 did not have this completed training on file. | |||
| 2023-01-24 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2023-01-24 | 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 for 1 staff member was expired. | |||
| 2023-01-24 | 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 for 1 staff member was expired. | |||
| 2023-01-24 | Violation | 1054 | 10A NCAC 09 .1106(a) |
| Documentation of staff's on-going training was not on file and/or was not current . One staff member did not have documentation on file of completion of on-going (inservice) training. | |||
| 2023-01-24 | Violation | 1232 | 10A NCAC 09 .0514(f) |
| Each employee's personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan. During todays visit I did not observe annual staff evaluations in employee files. | |||
| 2023-01-24 | Violation | 1890 | .0701(d) |
| Each staff member did not have the required medical report, proof of tuberculosis test or screening and/or completed health questionnaire in a medical file, maintained separately from the staff member's individual personnel file. One staff member did not have a Staff Medical Report on file addressing all questions referenced on the Staff Medical Report. | |||
| 2023-01-24 | Violation | 1898 | .1102(a) |
| Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. One staff member did not have documentation on file of completion of Health & Safety trainings. | |||
| 2022-08-25 | Unannounced Inspection | No | |
| 2022-02-15 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2022-02-15 | Violation | 106 | 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) |
| Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection. Operator did not submit the original approved report to DCDEE within one week of the inspection visit on a form provided by the Division. The last fire inspection on file was conducted January 2021. | |||
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