Steps Of Excellence Learning Center Llc

591-1-1-.25(13) · Rule 591-1-1-.25(13) requires that potentially hazardous equipment, materials and supplies be stored in a locked area inaccessible to children.

During a Licensing Study conducted on December 9, 2025 ; It was determined based on observations that the following rooms had items accessible to children, posing a hazard: Room A (2-year-olds): Hanging computer charger cord, unlocked cabinet with disposable gloves, and a perfume bottle on top of the puzzle shelf. Room C (1-year-olds): Open changing table cabinet with an adult book bag and four stacked brown chairs. Room E (4-year-olds): Five stacked red chairs.

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591-1-1-.25(13) · Rule 591-1-1-.25(13) requires that potentially hazardous equipment, materials and supplies be stored in a locked area inaccessible to children.

During a Monitoring Visit conducted on April 27, 2026 ; It was determined based on observation that the following hazards were accessible to children: -Room A 2-year-old:five empty plastic bags and two packs of baby wipes were stored in low, children's cubbies, a laminator was stored in a low, unlocked cabinet -Room D 3-year-old:a small plastic container with empty plastic bags and one pack of baby wipes were stored in low children's cubbies -Room E 4-year-old:baby wipes and one container of Vaseline were stored in low children's cubbies, two bottles of aquarium water conditioner were stored on a low black shelf, in the children's play area. All items were labeled "keep out of reach of children."

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591-1-1-.25(3) · Rule 591-1-1-.25(3) requires the Center and surrounding premises to be kept clean, free of debris and in good repair. Hygienic measures such as, but not limited to, screened windows and proper waste disposal procedures shall be utilized to minimize the presence of rodents, flies, roaches and other vermin at the Center.

During a Licensing Study conducted on December 9, 2025 ; It was determined based on observations that the following classrooms have hazards in need of repair: Room A (2-year-olds): Chipped wall paint behind the kitchen and two blue shelves in need of repair. Room C (1-year-olds): Three chipped floor tiles in front of the changing table. Room B (Infants): Two water-stained ceiling tiles by the right back wall. Room E (4-year-olds): Red block shelf and white shelf near the library in need of repair, and the left sink in the bathroom is clogged. Hallway: Two water-stained ceiling tiles above the exit door leading to playground A.

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591-1-1-.25(3) · Rule 591-1-1-.25(3) requires the Center and surrounding premises to be kept clean, free of debris and in good repair. Hygienic measures such as, but not limited to, screened windows and proper waste disposal procedures shall be utilized to minimize the presence of rodents, flies, roaches and other vermin at the Center.

During a Monitoring Visit conducted on April 27, 2026 ; It was determined based on observation that the following areas were in need of repair: -Room A 2-year-old : one piece of wooden trim was missing from the baseboard, and a hole was present, in the corner by the children's bookshelf ; one window by the children's play kitchen area had a crack in the glass. -Room D 3 -3-year-old: one water spot was present on the ceiling in the children's bathroom. -Room C 1-year-old: broken pieces of loose floor tiles were stored on a low shelf, accessible to children. -Room F Afterschool: one floor tile was cracked and broken, by the right wall, under the bulletin board.

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591-1-1-.26(4) · Rule 591-1-1-.26(4) requires that playgrounds be protected from traffic or other hazards by a (4) four foot high fence or other barrier approved by this Department. Fencing material shall not present a hazard to children and shall be maintained so as to prevent children from leaving the playground area by any means other than through an approved access route. Fence gates shall be kept closed except when persons are entering or exiting the area.

During a Licensing Study conducted on December 9, 2025 ; It was determined based on observations that Playground B fence gate had a 4 1/2 inch gap at the bottom and a 3.25 inch gap on the side of the middle gate enclosure posing an entrapment hazard. Furthermore on playground B the fence had disconnected from the top pole. Playground C fence had a 3 inch gap and a 4 inch gap on each side of the gate. Additionally Playground C had a 4.25 inch gap at the bottom of the gate posing an entrapment hazard.

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591-1-1-.26(4) · Rule 591-1-1-.26(4) requires that playgrounds be protected from traffic or other hazards by a (4) four foot high fence or other barrier approved by this Department. Fencing material shall not present a hazard to children and shall be maintained so as to prevent children from leaving the playground area by any means other than through an approved access route. Fence gates shall be kept closed except when persons are entering or exiting the area.

During a Monitoring Visit conducted on April 27, 2026 ; It was determined based on observation that the following areas of fencing were in need of repair: Playground A: -The front fencing had two poles detached from the fencing -One pole was detached from the fencing on the left side -The bottom of the fencing was detached from the ground. All above areas had gaps measuring more than 3 and a half inches. Playground B : - There was a gap between the gate leading to the playground and pole which measured more than 3 and a half inches, and the gate did not latch. - One portion of the fencing on the left side leaned and was not stable and had one bent top pole. - The gate at the back side of the fencing had a gap at the bottom, measuring 6 and half inches, and the gate did not latch. - The fencing at the back side was detached from the ground, and a gap that measured more than 3 and a a half inches was present. 4. A. Rule 591-1-1-.31(13) prohibits Center Staff from committing any criminal act, as defined under Georgia law, in the presence of any child enrolled in the Center and requires Center staff to comply with all applicable laws and regulations. During a Licensing Study conducted on December 9, 2025 ; It was determined based on observations that vehicle tag# SKB2799 had an expired tag of October 2025. 4. B. Rule 591-1-1-.31(13) prohibits Center Staff from committing any criminal act, as defined under Georgia law, in the presence of any child enrolled in the Center and requires Center staff to comply with all applicable laws and regulations. During a Monitoring Visit conducted on April 27, 2026 ; It was determined based on observation that vehicle tag# SKB2799 had an expired tag dated October 2025. Staff provided copy of new tag obtained during visit, on this date.

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591-1-1-.17(8) · Rule 591-1-1-.17(8) requires staff to wash their hands with liquid soap and warm running water upon arrival for the day, when moving from one child care group to another, upon re- entering the child care area after outside play, before and after diapering each child, dispensing medication, applying topical medications, handling and preparing food, eating, drinking, preparing bottles, feeding each child, assisting children with eating and drinking, after toileting or assisting children with toileting, using tobacco products, handling garbage and organic waste, touching animals or pets, handling bodily fluids and after contamination by any means.

During a Licensing Study conducted on December 9, 2025 ; It was determined based on observation that in Room E 4-year-old, a staff member did not wash their hands after wiping a child's nose as required.

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591-1-1-.17(8) · Rule 591-1-1-.17(8) requires staff to wash their hands with liquid soap and warm running water upon arrival for the day, when moving from one child care group to another, upon re- entering the child care area after outside play, before and after diapering each child, dispensing medication, applying topical medications, handling and preparing food, eating, drinking, preparing bottles, feeding each child, assisting children with eating and drinking, after toileting or assisting children with toileting, using tobacco products, handling garbage and organic waste, touching animals or pets, handling bodily fluids and after contamination by any means.

During a Monitoring Visit conducted on April 27, 2026 ; It was determined based on observation that a Staff member in Room C 1-year-old, changed a child's diaper and did not wash their hands before they began to diaper a second child.

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591-1-1-.26(7) · Rule 591-1-1-.26(7) requires that climbing and swinging equipment be anchored.

During a Licensing Study conducted on December 9, 2025 ; It was determined based on observation that the yellow bus and the red table on Playground B were not anchored, posing a tipping hazard

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591-1-1-.26(7) · Rule 591-1-1-.26(7) requires that climbing and swinging equipment be anchored.

During a Monitoring Visit conducted on April 27, 2026 ; It was determined based on observation that the yellow bus and the red table on Playground B were not anchored and posed a tipping hazard.

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591-1-1-.30(2) · Rule 591-1-1-.30(2) requires the Center to provide a safe sleep environment in accordance with American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) recommendations as listed in these rules for all infants. Center Staff shall place an infant to sleep on the infant¶s back in a crib unless the Center has been provided a physician¶s written statement authorizing another sleep position for that particular infant that includes how the infant shall be placed to sleep and a time frame that the instructions are to be followed. When an infant can easily turn over from back to front and back again, Staff shall continue to put the infant to sleep initially on the infant¶s back but allow the infant to roll over into his or her preferred position and not re-position the infant. Sleepers, sleep sacks and wearable blankets that fit according to the commercial manufacturer¶s guidelines and will not slide up around the infant¶s face may be used when necessary for the comfort of the sleeping infant. Swaddling shall not be used unless the Center has been provided a physician¶s written statement authorizing its use for a particular infant that includes instructions and a time frame for swaddling the infant. Center Staff shall not place objects or allow objects to be placed in or on the crib with an infant such as but not limited to toys, pillows, quilts, comforters, bumper pads, sheepskins, stuffed toys, or other soft items and shall not attach objects or allow objects to be attached to a crib with a sleeping infant, such as, but not limited to, crib gyms, toys, mirrors and mobiles.

During a Licensing Study conducted on December 9, 2025 ; It was determined based on observation that, in Room B (Infants), eight out of ten cribs had hanging white and clear pouches attached, posing a hazard.

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591-1-1-.30(2) · Rule 591-1-1-.30(2) requires the Center to provide a safe sleep environment in accordance with American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) recommendations as listed in these rules for all infants. Center Staff shall place an infant to sleep on the infant¶s back in a crib unless the Center has been provided a physician¶s written statement authorizing another sleep position for that particular infant that includes how the infant shall be placed to sleep and a time frame that the instructions are to be followed. When an infant can easily turn over from back to front and back again, Staff shall continue to put the infant to sleep initially on the infant¶s back but allow the infant to roll over into his or her preferred position and not re-position the infant. Sleepers, sleep sacks and wearable blankets that fit according to the commercial manufacturer¶s guidelines and will not slide up around the infant¶s face may be used when necessary for the comfort of the sleeping infant. Swaddling shall not be used unless the Center has been provided a physician¶s written statement authorizing its use for a particular infant that includes instructions and a time frame for swaddling the infant. Center Staff shall not place objects or allow objects to be placed in or on the crib with an infant such as but not limited to toys, pillows, quilts, comforters, bumper pads, sheepskins, stuffed toys, or other soft items and shall not attach objects or allow objects to be attached to a crib with a sleeping infant, such as, but not limited to, crib gyms, toys, mirrors and mobiles.

During a Monitoring Visit conducted on April 27, 2026 ; It was determined based on observation, one infant slept in a crib in Room B infants, with a pacifier attachment clipped to their clothing.

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591-1-1-.14(1)(a) · Rule 591-1-1-.14(1)(a) requires all Staff who provide direct care to children must obtain certification in a biennial training program in pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and a triennial training program in pediatric first aid within the first 45 days of employment. Current and valid evidence of the successful completion of such training shall be maintained on the Center¶s premises. The hours obtained completing this certification will not count towards the required annual training hours.

During a Licensing Study conducted on December 9, 2025 ; It was determined based on observation that staff #3 hired on August 19, 2025, staff #10 October 09, 2025 and staff #12 hired on March 27,2025 did not complete CPR and First Aid within the first 45 days of employment.

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591-1-1-.14(1)(a) · Rule 591-1-1-.14(1)(a) requires all Staff who provide direct care to children must obtain certification in a biennial training program in pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and a triennial training program in pediatric first aid within the first 45 days of employment. Current and valid evidence of the successful completion of such training shall be maintained on the Center¶s premises. The hours obtained completing this certification will not count towards the required annual training hours.

During a Monitoring Visit conducted on April 27, 2026 ; It was determined based on observation that Staff number four, with a hire date of January 26, 2026, Staff number five with a hire date of June 10, 2025, and Staff number 13 with a hire date of February 24, 2026, did not have evidence of completing the required CPR/First Aid training within the first 45 days of employment. Exhibit "A"

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