Four Star Center License
✓ Licensed
STEPPING STONES LEARNING ACADEMY #3, LLC
Fayetteville, NC
· Cumberland County
1805 PAMALEE DRIVE,
Fayetteville, NC 28301
Quick Facts
Capacity
59 children
Age Range
0 through 12
Transportation
Yes
Subsidized Program
Participates
State Rating
4
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Licensed Four Star Center License
Active License
License Number
26002538
License Holder
STEPPING STONES CHILD CARE ACADEMY, LLC
License Issued
Apr 23, 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
Jane Doe
2023-02-16 12:48:48
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
I have used this provider for more than 6 months
Being a first time parent, you want to make the best decision for your baby. You fear that someone will mistreat your baby, but you have to have faith and stay prayed up when you make the decision to leave them in others care. Babies are getting sick often, the director is always quick to close certain rooms, which causes parents the stress in missing work or having to find other accommodations. The director is EXTREMELY rude and talks to the parents as if they are slow. The director said out of her own mouth that she doesn’t even like kids, which I feel is a red flag. I have seen many children leave this center, as well as the teachers. At this rate, I’m not sure how much longer this daycare will last. God takes care of those that take care of his children! From the concerned dads review, I agree 100%.
61 out of 133 think this review is helpful
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Dad
2022-10-26 17:37:05
★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
I have used this provider for more than 6 months
If I could give this daycare, management and staff members no stars I would. Staff members have family members going there and show favoritism towards those children. I didn’t feel like they care about the children just about the money. This childcare center used to be Rowes childcare and a safe reliable place for children of all races and ethnicities to feel welcome. We did not get that feeling when the transition happened. They also have lots of drama within their employees and management is very disorganized. They have two other centers that are the same exact way which other parents warned me about. The price doesn’t match the care.
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About the Provider
STEPPING STONES LEARNING ACADEMY #3, LLC is a Four Star Center License in FAYETTEVILLE NC, with a maximum capacity of 59 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-23 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2026-04-23 | 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 facility fire inspection was not completed within 12 months of the previous inspection date for 10/14/2024. This was corrected by the facility receiving the current fire inspection dated f0r 10/31/2025. | |||
| 2025-12-09 | Unannounced Inspection | No | |
| 2025-05-13 | Unannounced Inspection | No | |
| 2024-11-04 | Unannounced Inspection | No | |
| 2024-05-15 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2024-05-15 | Violation | 430 | .0508(g)(1) |
| The activity plan did not identify activities which allow children to choose to participate with the whole group, part of group, or independent of the group. In space #4, the activity plan did not identify activities for each child enrolled in the classroom. | |||
| 2024-05-15 | Violation | 445 | .0510 (e ) (1)(A-G) |
| For children under three years of age, developmentally appropriate toys and activities were not provided as outlined in Rule. In Spaces #1 and 4, where children under 3 years of age received care, there was not a sufficient variety of materials. In Space #1, musical and sensory materials were not available and accessible. In space #4, pretend play, sensory, and fine motor materials were not available and accessible. | |||
| 2024-05-15 | Violation | 468 | .0510(d)(1) |
| When three year old children and older were in care, the materials and equipment in the activity area was not in sufficient quantity to allow at least three children to use the area regardless of whether the children choose the same or different activities. In space #1, the dramatic play area did not a sufficient quantity of materials for three children to play with. In space #2, the art/creativity did not have any type of paper for drawing or creative art. However, there were markers, crayons, paint, scissors, glue, playdough. | |||
| 2024-05-15 | Violation | 530 | 10A NCAC 09 .0902(b) |
| Each infant was not held for bottle feeding until he/she can hold his own bottle. In space #4, a infant was sitting in a bouncer feeing them self a bottle of milk. | |||
| 2024-05-15 | Violation | 616 | .2822(a)(1-4) |
| Toys and other mouth-contact surfaces were not cleaned and sanitized daily when used or cleaned more frequently if visibly dirty. In space #4, there were several mouth toys that were being played with and the children put them in their mouth and was not taken to be cleaned and sanitized before another child played with it. | |||
| 2024-05-15 | Violation | 846 | 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4) |
| Over-the-counter medicines were not in their original containers or administered as authorized in writing by parent, physician or authorized health professional. In space #4, there was a tub of A&D ointment that did not have a name as to whom it was for. The ointment was removed form the space | |||
| 2023-11-14 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2023-11-14 | Violation | 899 | GS 110-91 |
| The child care operator did not comply with all State laws, federal laws and/or local ordinances that pertain to child health, safety, and welfare, as required by General Statute 110-91.The most current sanitation inspection report for the facility was completed November 10, 2022. | |||
| 2023-05-22 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2023-05-22 | Violation | 899 | GS 110-91 |
| The child care operator did not comply with all State laws, federal laws and/or local ordinances that pertain to child health, safety, and welfare, as required by General Statute 110-91. In space #4, there was an additional lock placed on the handle of the exit door. which made it a 'double-action lock. The fire code requirements state that all exit door must have a single-action lock. The plastic safety lock was removed from the handle of the exit door. | |||
| 2023-05-22 | Violation | 1323 | 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(2) |
| Each child was not immunized as per Article 6 of Chapter 130A and an immunization record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. During a review of children records one child file did not have an immunization record on file for review. The mother brought the immunization record during today's visit. | |||
| 2023-04-05 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2023-04-05 | 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 staff member did not have Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment within 90 days of employment. Employment date was 1/3/2023. The document was sent via email and competition date was 4/5/2023. | |||
| 2023-02-22 | Unannounced Inspection | No | |
| 2023-02-01 | Announced Inspection | No | |
| 2023-01-23 | Unannounced Inspection | No | |
| 2022-12-19 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2022-12-19 | 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. An aerosol dispenser of Disinfectant spray was stored on top of the white cabinet next to the door between Spaces #3 and Space #4. | |||
| 2022-11-07 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2022-11-07 | Violation | 619 | 15A NCAC 18A .2819(c) |
| Diaper changing surfaces were not cleaned with a detergent solution and disinfected after each use. In Space #4, the diaper changing surface was not cleaned with a detergent solution and disinfected after a diapering routine. | |||
| 2022-11-07 | Violation | 1830 | .0604(v) |
| Potential biocontaminants were not stored properly (locked storage, removed from premises, inaccessible to children, or covered plastic lined receptacle). In Space #4, a soiled diaper was not stored properly after a diaper routine was completed. | |||
| 2022-09-28 | Unannounced Inspection | No | |
| 2022-09-21 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2022-09-21 | Violation | 533 | 15A NCAC 18A .2804(d) |
| Breast milk, formula and other bottled beverages including sippy cups, sent from child's home were not fully prepared, dated, and labeled for the appropriate child. A bottle with formula, sent from child's home was not dated. | |||
| 2022-09-21 | Violation | 807 | 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) |
| A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. A safe outdoor environment was not provided for the children. There was rust on the teeter totter in Outdoor Space #2 and the fencing around Outdoor Spaces #3 and #4. Additionally, the bottom of the chain link fence in Outdoor Space #3 was not flush with the ground, leaving an opening for children and/or animals to crawl underneath. There was flaking/chipping paint on the steps to the storage building, directly behind the facility, accessible to the children in care. | |||
| 2022-09-21 | Violation | 898 | .0604(e) |
| All electrical appliances were not used in accordance with the manufacturers instruction. Appliances with heating elements, such as bottle warmers, crock pots, curling irons, irons, coffee pots, and/or their cords were accessible to preschool-age children. In Space #3, a bottle warmer, in use, was sitting on the counter accessible to preschool-age children in care. | |||
| 2022-09-21 | Violation | 1045 | .1101(a) |
| New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. Verification of completion of at least 16 hours of orientation within first six weeks was not on file for three teachers (S.C-G., V.N., and S.W.). | |||
| 2022-09-21 | 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. Verification of First Aid certification appropriate to the age of children in care was on file for three teachers (V.N., A.W., A.S.); however, the training organization (NationalCPRFoundation) was not approved by the DCDEE. Verification of completion of First Aid training was not on file for A.H. | |||
| 2022-09-21 | 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. Verification of CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care was on file for three teachers (V.N., A.W., and A.S.); however, the training organization (NationalCPRFoundation) was not approved by the DCDEE. Verification of completion of CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care was not on file for A.H. | |||
| 2022-09-21 | 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. Verification of completion of ITS-SIDS training within two months of employment was not on file for A.H. | |||
| 2022-09-21 | 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. Verification of completion of six clock hours of training in required topic areas, within the first two weeks of employment, was not on file for three teachers (S.C-G., V.N., and S.W.). | |||
| 2022-09-21 | Violation | 1867 | .0605(k)(1-4) |
| The depth of the loose surfacing was not based on critical height of the equipment. The mulch in Outdoor Space #2 measured 5 inches, instead of the required 6 inches based on the critical height of the equipment (2 feet, 4 inches). | |||
| 2022-09-21 | 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. A signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not on file for V.H. | |||
| 2022-09-21 | 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. S.C-G., Teacher, employed 2/14/22, completed the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training 9/26/22. | |||
| 2022-09-19 | Unannounced Inspection | No | |
| 2022-09-09 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2022-09-09 | Violation | 315 | .0713(a)(1) |
| When combining age groups, the staff/child ratios for the youngest child in the group was not maintained for the entire group. On September 6-9, 2022, from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m., staff-to-child ratios for the youngest child in the group was not maintained for the entire group. | |||
| 2022-09-09 | Violation | 852 | .0802 (e) |
| Incident reports were not completed each time a child was injured, it did not include all the information required in rule, it was not signed by the parent and/or it was not maintained in the child's file. An incident report was not completed each time a three-year-old child, identified on the children's records worksheet, was injured. | |||
| 2022-09-09 | Violation | 1844 | .0713(a)(2) |
| The staff/child ratio for the youngest child was not maintained when children of all ages were cared for together in groups for the first and last operating hour of the day. Children less than one-year-old were grouped with children of all ages beyond the first operating hour of the day. On September 6-9, 2022, a ten-month-old and a three-month-old were grouped with children of all ages from 6:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. | |||
| 2022-09-08 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2022-09-08 | Violation | 303 | .1801(a)(1-5) |
| Children were not adequately supervised at all times. Based on video footage reviewed today, children enrolled in Space #2 were not adequately supervised from 9:06 a.m. to 9:20 a.m. on August 30, 2022. | |||
| 2022-09-08 | Violation | 807 | 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) |
| A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. Based on video footage reviewed today, a safe indoor environment was not provided for the children enrolled in Space #2 on August 30, 2022. | |||
| 2022-06-27 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2022-06-27 | Violation | 807 | 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) |
| A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. Two pickets, with nails exposed, on the deck leading to the outdoor learning environment were in poor repair. | |||
| 2022-06-27 | Violation | 428 | GS 110-91(12); .0508(a) |
| A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. The activity plan in Space #1 was dated June 13-17, 2022. The activity plan in Space #2 was not dated. | |||
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