Description:
First Steps has been providing quality child care in Monmouth County for over 20 years. In April 2015, there was a change in ownership. Since then, the center has been completely renovated and the curriculum has been enhanced. First Steps constantly upgrades the center to ensure that high-quality care and education are being provided.
We offer 2 snacks daily, Bi-monthly Parents Night Out and speciality classes all included in your tuition!
Part-time and Full-Time Options
Flexible Schedule Available
Refer a Friend receive 1 WEEK FREE!
Vacation Credit
Sibling Discount
CALL TODAY FOR MORE INFORMATION!
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, as the provider may have already addressed some or all issues. Reports can also be verified with your local daycare licensing office.
| Inspection Date | Inspection Type | Reinspection | Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-14 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2026-03-23 | Re-Inspection,TA Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2026-02-17 | Monitoring | No | Center Inspection |
| 2025-03-18 | Monitoring | No | Center Inspection |
| 2024-07-01 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2024-05-28 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2024-04-29 | Renewal | No | Center Inspection |
| 2023-07-20 | 160462 | 3A:52-4.3(c) | The following staff/child ratios shall apply, except as specified in 3A:52-4.3(d) through (f):Age Staff/Child RatioUnder 18 months - 1:418 months up to 2 ½ years - 1:62 ½ years up to 4 years - 1:104 years - 1:125 years and older - 1:15 |
| 2023-07-17 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2023-06-19 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2023-05-30 | 153996 | 3A:52-4.3(a)(1) | 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. |
| 2023-05-26 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2023-04-19 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2023-03-30 | 147053 | 3A:52-4.10(a)(1) | The sponsor or sponsor representative, and each staff member shall complete a signed consent form provided by the Department that indicates the identifying information necessary to conduct a CARI background check, including the person’s name, address, date of birth, sex, race, and Social Security number. Pursuant to the Federal Privacy Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-579), the Department shall advise each such person that the disclosure of his or her Social Security number is voluntary, and that the Social Security number will only be used for the purpose of conducting a CARI background check. |
| 2023-03-30 | 147053 | 3A:52-4.11(a)(1) | 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. |
If you are a provider and you believe any information is incorrect, please contact us. We will research your concern and make corrections accordingly.
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The owners really care about the school and the students. My som is in the pre-k class and had a very hard tike transitioning. His feelings were acknowledged and worked through, and he was given so much one on one attention that I know he would never have gotten anywhere else. Now my son never wants to leave school. He has been learning and excited each week for the new topic/lessons. We will miss first steps when we start kindergarten!
I felt the need to write a review because I remember researching this school before sending my child there and was a little concerned with the previous reviews. Needless to say I never experienced any issues with the previous ownership but most importantly there is a new owner who is wonderful. You can tell she really cares about the school as well as each child that attends. I have seen little improvements already and can't wait to see the final product. I would recommend this school to anyone and based on the lower end tuition cost and high end learning experience I am very happy I get to send my child here.
Children always coming home bite and bruised. Air Conditioning and heat rarely work. Object to contract (paying for time not there ie super storm sandy) instead of talking like humans terminate children.
Liz Novak will not be in business much longer.....
My rating for the school it self is it is wonderful. Up until this great storm 2012. I gave it a poor because of the greedy management.
Due to the state of emergency and the power outage the school was closed (as it should be). My beef is the greedy management.
Everyone lost money. Parents lost homes, cars etc. As a parent, I have no objection to paying tuition for taking a child out for vacations and when you close for holidays but to take tuition when NJ was in a State of Emergency with curfew and no power, people who lost time from their jobs and were not paid I think you are a disgrace.
Ever here for business interuption insurance? Did you pay your staff for the time they were out? Then you reopened and you didn't even have power to heat the place. You are lucky the state doesn't step in and investigate you.
Your staff is excellent, but the owner is very greedy.
Tom
My daughter has been going here since she was 8 weeks old. It has been the best decision that I have ever made. Everyone here is like family to me. This my daughters last year and I am sadden to know that I wont see these women on a daily basis. I recommend this place to anyone in the neighborhood that wants their child to be treated with respect and LOVE.