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Tiny Steps Learning Center LLC
186 Union Avenue, Paterson NJ 07502 · License #110700147 · Child Care Center
Contact
- Director
- Tiffany Jessie-Benton
- Phone
- (973) 523-5883
- daycare@tinysteps.io
- Website
- Add via profile claim
- Address
- 186 Union Avenue, Paterson NJ 07502 · Directions
Hours
Care & schedule
When they operate
Schedule type not published.
Ages served
Ages not published.
- 2-Star quality rating
- Accepts child care subsidy (CCDF)
How this facility compares
Violations per inspection, 3-yrInspection history & violations
Source: New Jersey DCF, Office of Licensing- Violation
Maintain a written emergency plan in a readily accessible location that includes all required components.
Corrected by Oct 28, 2025
- Violation
Provide a current health certificate as required.
Corrected by May 13, 2025
- Violation
Ensure that all credentialed staff complete 20 hours of staff development annually. There are 4 missing trainings.
Corrected by Jun 16, 2025
- Violation
Ensure that all staff complete 12 hours of staff development annually. There are 4 missing trainings.
Corrected by Jun 16, 2025
- Violation
Ensure fire drills are conducted during each session provided at the center, one fire drill per year is conducted during nap time, if applicable, and all children are evacuated from the building within three minutes during each fire drill.
Corrected by Aug 12, 2025
- Violation
Ensure that all staff complete orientation training within two weeks of hire and annually. There are 4 missing trainings.
Corrected by Jun 16, 2025
- Violation
Ensure that CHRI background checks are completed as required for the sponsor/sponsor representative and all regularly scheduled staff. There are 3 missing CHRI's.
Corrected by Jun 16, 2025
- Violation
Ensure that CARI background checks are completed as required for the sponsor/sponsor representative and all regularly scheduled staff. There are 3 missing CARI's
Corrected by Jun 16, 2025
- Violation
Complete and maintain on file, a current Staff Records Checklist designated by OOL.
Corrected by May 13, 2025
- Violation
Provide at least four different activity areas with at least four types of supplies and equipment for children under 18 months in room 3B.
Corrected by May 13, 2025
- Violation
Provide one evacuation crib for every 4 non-ambulatory children in room 3B
Corrected by Jun 16, 2025
- Violation
Conduct and document at least two lockdown drills annually.
Corrected by Aug 12, 2025
- Violation
3A:52-5.3(a)(12) · install window guards, with approval of the local fire official, or provide an alternative method to ensure that children cannot fall out of windows.
Replace the window bar in room 5.
Corrected by May 13, 2025
- Violation
Replace the stained ceiling tile in room 3B.
Corrected by May 13, 2025
- Violation
Operate within the center's licensed capacity and within each room's capacity. At the time of the inspection there were 10 children in room 4, whereas 7 children are allowed.
Corrected by May 13, 2025
- Violation
3A:52-5.3(c)(1) · Lighting requirements are as follows: all fluorescent tubes and incandescent light bulbs shall have protective covers or shields.
Ensure that the light switch in room 4 has a protective covering.
Corrected by Dec 4, 2023
- Violation
Violation transferred from renewal report dated on 4/1/21, submit a Safe Building Interior Certification or other approval issued by the DOH.
Corrected by Feb 26, 2024
- Violation
Set up room 3B to ensure that approved space is accessible to the children at all times or remove room from licensed space.
Corrected by Jan 18, 2024
- Violation
Ensure that the wires hanging on the side of the building near the stairs are made inaccessible to children.
Corrected by Jan 18, 2024
- Violation
Ensure that the center conducts at least two lockdown drills per year during each session provided at the center and maintains records of the drills on file.
Corrected by Dec 4, 2023
- Violation
Ensure that 2 named staff and the sponsor and/or the sponsor representative complete a CHRI background check as required for the center's license renewal.
Corrected by Dec 4, 2023
- Violation
Ensure that all staff submit a CARI background check upon renewal.
Corrected by Dec 4, 2023
- Violation
Ensure that the center has a table of organization that illustrates lines of authority, responsibility and communication.
Corrected by Dec 4, 2023
- Violation
3A:52-4.8(c) · The center shall ensure that all staff members who work at the center complete 12 hours of continuing staff development each year.
Ensure that all staff complete 12 hours of staff development annually.
Corrected by Dec 4, 2023
- Violation
Ensure that all credentialed staff complete 20 hours of staff development annually.
Corrected by Dec 4, 2023
- Violation
Ensure that all staff complete orientation annually and that the completion of the training is documented on the Staff Records Checklist.
Corrected by Dec 4, 2023
- Violation
Provide a current health certificate as required.
Corrected by Sep 3, 2024
- Violation
Provide a current life/hazard use registration certificate applicable to the center's licensed capacity and ages served.
Corrected by Jul 26, 2024
- Violation
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.
Corrected by Dec 4, 2023
- Violation
Maintain an illness log on file at the center and ensure that it contains all of the required components, including the date the child returned to the center with a note from the child's health care provider.
Corrected by Dec 4, 2023
- Violation
Ensure that all Epi-pens are stored in their original boxes with the child's name and prescription, accompanied by a special care plan and that two are present when required for 1 named child.
Corrected by Sep 11, 2024
- Violation
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.
Corrected by Sep 3, 2024
- Violation
Based on complaint # 22928 the center needs to ensure that adequate staff/child ratios are maintained at all times throughout the center.
Corrected by Mar 26, 2024
- Violation
Repair broken window blinds in rooms 4, 5 and 6 on the second floor.
Corrected by Jul 21, 2022
- Violation
3A:52-6.4(g)(2) · When sheets, blankets and other coverings are not stored with sleeping equipment, each of these items shall be stored separately for each child.
Cots were stacked with bedding touching other children's bedding in the basement classroom..
Corrected by Nov 16, 2021
- Violation
3A:52-6.8(j)(1) · The center shall develop and follow a written policy on the expulsion of children from enrollment at the center. The expulsion policy shall include
Provide documentation of the center's expulsion policy as required.
Corrected by Nov 16, 2021
- Violation
Provide documentation of the center's policy on communicable diseases as required.
Corrected by Sep 8, 2022
- Violation
Provide documentation of the center's illness log as required.
Corrected by Nov 16, 2021
- Violation
Provide documentation of staff and children's sign-in/out sheets as required.
Corrected by Jul 21, 2022
- Violation
Children in room 2 were left unsupervised when the covering staff went to answer the door.
Corrected by Nov 16, 2021
- Violation
Ensure that the director/designee does not have full time responsibility in a classroom. The director was needed in room two to maintain ratios.
Corrected by Nov 16, 2021
- Violation
Provide an updated and complete staff records check list as required.
Corrected by Sep 8, 2022
- Violation
Ensure that the rear egress from the basement classroom remains unobstructed. The center moved the items on the staircase on the day of the inspection and the violation was abated same day.
Corrected by Apr 1, 2021
- Violation
Provide a current Life Hazard Use Registration certificate as required.
Corrected by Nov 16, 2021
- Violation
Provide documentation of the center's table of organization as required.
Corrected by Sep 8, 2022
- Violation
Provide documentation of two staff present at all times with current CPR and First Aid certifications. 10/21/2022- There is 1 staff missing.
Corrected by Oct 24, 2022
- Violation
Provide documentation of the center's fire drill log as required.
Corrected by Oct 19, 2023
- Violation
Provide documentation of the center's drinking water test for lead and copper and statement of assurance and check list as required.
Corrected by Apr 6, 2023
- Violation
Provide documentation of the center's general liability insurance as required.
Corrected by Oct 19, 2023
- Violation
Ensure that the director meets the required qualifications as specified in the manual.
Corrected by Oct 19, 2023
- Violation
Ensure that the head teacher meets the required qualifications as specified in the manual.
Corrected by Oct 23, 2023
- Violation
Ensure that adequate supervision is maintained at all times throughout the center. A child was left alone in the office while the staff answered the door.
Corrected by Feb 24, 2022
- Violation
Ensure that adequate staff/child ratios are maintained at all times throughout the center. There were 8 children present mixed ages between 12 months and 3 years old with 1 staff when 2 staff is required in room 2.
Corrected by Feb 24, 2022
- Violation
Ensure that unapproved space is inaccessible to the children at all times. At the time of the inspection, a child was present in the office for virtual learning. The office is not an approved space for children.
Corrected by Feb 24, 2022
- Violation
Ensure that adequate staff/child ratios are maintained at all times throughout the center. There were 6 children present in room 3, mixed ages between 12-24 months with 1 staff when 2 staff is required. 4/7/22- There were 6 children, aged 14 m-2 years and a 10 year old, with 1 staff. A second staff was needed.
Corrected by Mar 21, 2022
- Violation
Ensure that adequate supervision is maintained at all times throughout the center. The staff in classroom 2 left 7 children unattended to open the door. 3/21/22- The staff in the classrooms were in the far end of the classroom washing dishes , and had 7 infant and toddlers napping unsupervised. 4/7/22- There was a 10 year old on the far end of the center, unsupervised on a computer in the infant room.
Corrected by Apr 26, 2022
- Violation
Ensure that a minimum of 2 staff are present at the center as required. There was 1 staff on each floor, there needed to be a second staff at each remote location. 4/26/22- There was 1 staff on the first floor, when a second staff is needed for remote locations. 4/28/22- There was 1 staff on each floor, there needed to be a second staff at each remote location.
Corrected by May 17, 2022
- Violation
Ensure that all windows on the second floor have protective guards. There are several windows missing the window guards.
Corrected by Jul 21, 2022
- Violation
Submit a Safe Building Interior Certification or other approval issued by the DOH. 10/27/23: Violation transferred to a new report.
Corrected by Oct 27, 2023
- Violation
Repair/replace the broken door on the second floor leading to the fire escape.
Corrected by Jul 21, 2022
- Violation
3A:52-6.4(i) · Children shall not use pacifiers with straps or other types of attachment devices.
Cease the use of pacifier straps or other types of attachment devices.
Corrected by Apr 26, 2022
- Violation
Ensure that all sleeping equipment is free of pillows and soft bedding when occupied by a sleeping child. The blankets were removed from the 11 month old during the inspection.
Corrected by Apr 26, 2022
- Violation
Ensure that the use of television, computers, and other video equipment is for educational and instructional use, is age and developmentally appropriate, is not used as a substitute for planned activities, and is not used for passive viewing. There was a 10 year old playing games on a computer in the infant room.
Corrected by Apr 26, 2022
- Violation
Cease the use of television, computers, and other video equipment for children under the age of two. The center turned the tablet around during the inspection.
Corrected by Apr 26, 2022
- Violation
Ensure that all staff, the sponsor and/or the sponsor representative complete a CHRI background check as required. 10/21/2022- There is 1 CHRI missing.
Corrected by Aug 1, 2023
- Violation
Ensure that CARI background checks are completed as required for all staff within two weeks of hire. There were no staff with current CARIs at this center.
Corrected by Sep 8, 2022
- Violation
Ensure that adequate supervision is maintained at all times throughout the center. The staff had to leave 11 children napping unsupervised to answer the door.
Corrected by May 17, 2022
- Violation
Ensure that the center's fire protective systems are operative at all times. The system was not communicating with the Central Station. The center attempted to correct the issue during the inspection.
Corrected by Apr 29, 2022
- Violation
3A:52-4.8(a)(7) · Topics of orientation training shall include implementing the center's statement of policy on the disciplining of children, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-6.6.
Based on complaint, retrain all staff on implementing the center's discipline policy.
Corrected by Oct 24, 2022
- Violation
Ensure that all staff who do not have a completed orientation, CHRI and CARI background checks are directly supervised by another staff member. There was a staff without clearances and training with 3 children unsupervised.
Corrected by Oct 24, 2022
- Violation
Ensure the health, safety, and well-being of the children served. Provide an MOU stating construction will only take place on weekends and at night when children are not present, and that children will not have access to materials or incomplete space.
Corrected by Oct 19, 2023
- Violation
Hire and submit documentation for the consulting head teacher.
Corrected by Jun 5, 2019
- Violation
3A:52-4.5(a)(3)(v) · The sponsor or sponsor representative shall designate individuals with the authority and responsibility to ensure the establishment of a staff member substitute system.
Establish and maintain a substitute system. The director was required in the classroom and had full-time classroom responsibilities due to staff call outs.
Corrected by Jun 5, 2019
- Violation
Ensure that fire extinguishers are serviced and tagged annually.
Corrected by Jun 5, 2019
- Violation
Corrected by Jun 5, 2019
- Violation
There were 10 infants present through rooms 3A, 3B and 3C, 2 awake and 8 asleep, with one staff and two additional staff were required. Wake ratios of 1:4 are required unless all infants are asleep.
Corrected by Jun 5, 2019
- Violation
Infant staff were seated in the kitchen room 3A while infants were asleep in room 3C. Staff could not adequately supervise the infants at that distance.
Corrected by Jun 5, 2019
- Violation
Three infants were sleeping in infant seating on the floor. Ensure all infants are placed to sleep in a crib or other approved sleeping equipment.
Corrected by Jun 5, 2019
Questions to ask on your tour
Generated from this facility's specific inspection record
- 1The Apr 10, 2025 inspection noted: “Maintain a written emergency plan in a readily accessible location that includes all required components.” — what has changed since then?
- 2The Oct 27, 2023 inspection noted: “Ensure that the light switch in room 4 has a protective covering.” — what has changed since then?
- 3The Apr 1, 2021 inspection noted: “Repair broken window blinds in rooms 4, 5 and 6 on the second floor.” — what has changed since then?
Data synced from New Jersey DCF, Office of Licensing · Source records · Report an error