Denver · Licensed center

Stepping Stones Learning Center

What the state has found

The state lists 3 visits below. Shortlist has not read the reports behind them, so there is no share of visits that cited something to set beside other providers yet.

State record — Colorado Department of Early Childhood

Last visit
March 18, 2026
On file
3 visits since June 2024 · 2 complaint investigations
Fixed?
The latest correction deadline was March 18, 2026. Colorado Department of Early Childhood does not publish whether it was made.
Most serious
Colorado Department of Early Childhood does not publish a severity level for a citation, so there is no most-serious to name.

Colorado’s Department of Early Childhood lists each program’s complaints on its Colorado Shines page, with the department’s verdict on each and a report behind it, going back about three years. Older complaints are released only on request. The department does not rank complaints by severity in either place.

Mar 2026 Supervisory visit 5 findings

Supervisory visit · March 18, 2026

2.223.D.5.a.1 · Correction due March 18, 2026

In the Fireflies classroom, at least one-third of the cots were observed to be spaced less than two (2) feet apart on all sides during the children's rest time.

Required correction: Cots or pads must be spaced at least two (2) feet apart on all sides during rest time. Correct immediately and respond with a written plan of ongoing compliance to Licensing specialist. Correct by 03/18/2026

2.133.A · Correction due March 18, 2026

Reviewed eight (8) staff files and observed staff member eight's file to be missing documentation of a Department-approved training in emergency and disaster preparedness.

Required correction: Prior to caring for children all staff must complete a Department-approved training in emergency disaster preparedness. Correct immediately and submit copy of training certificate to Licensing specialist. Correct by 03/18/2026

2.120.C.1.a · Correction due March 18, 2026

Reviewed eight (8) staff files and observed SM4, SM7, and SM8's file to be missing a Trails background clearance letter.

Required correction: All staff must have Trails clearance letters available for review. Correct immediately. All individuals requiring a background check must review the Navigating the Background Check Investigation Unit's (BIU) webpage PowerPoint on the CDEC website. Submit verification that the staff members named above have reviewed the PowerPoint within 24 hours. Send copies of the clearance letter(s) to the licensing specialist. Document compliance with a written response. Correct by 03/18/2026

2.127.B · Correction due March 18, 2026

At the time of inspection, the most recent licensing inspection report or notice was not observed to be posted in a conspicuous location.

Required correction: Post the most recent licensing inspection report, or a notice stating where the report may be reviewed at the facility. Correct immediately. Document compliance to licensing specialist with written response. ** Corrected at the time of inspection** The assistant director posted the notice in the entryway on 03/18/2026. No written response required. Correct by 03/18/2026

2.127.C · Correction due March 18, 2026

At the time of inspection, the procedures for filing a complaint with the Colorado Department of Early Childhood was not observed to have current information.

Required correction: Post the updated procedures for filing a complaint with the Colorado Department of Early Childhood in a conspicuous location.** Corrected at the time of inspection** The assistant director posted the notice in the entryway on 03/18/2026. No written response required. Correct by 03/18/2026

State records file

Apr 2025 Supervisory visit 13 findings

Supervisory visit · April 23, 2025

2.213.B · Correction due April 23, 2025

Reviewed 8 staff files and Z.H. and P.W. were lacking a current Standard Precautions training.

Required correction: All staff must complete a Department-approved standard precautions training prior to working with children. This training must be renewed annually and will be counted towards ongoing professional development. Correct immediately and respond with verification of compliance by 5/23/2025. Correct by 04/23/2025

2.120.I

Reviewed 8 staff files and staff member L. M. was lacking a current Trails Clearance letter.

2.213.G · Correction due April 23, 2025

Reviewed 8 staff files and Z.H. and R.H. were lacking a current Child Abuse Prevention training.

Required correction: Within thirty (30) calendar days of employment, all employees and regular volunteers must be trained using a Department-approved training about child abuse prevention, which includes common symptoms and signs of child abuse, how to report, where to report, and when to report suspected or known child abuse or neglect. This training must be renewed annually. Correct immediately and respond with verification of compliance by 5/23/2025. Correct by 04/23/2025

2.229.C · Correction due April 23, 2025

A container of disinfectant wipes labaled "keep out of reach of children" were sitting on the sign in and out station accessible to children.

Required correction: Items labeled “keep out of reach of children” must be inaccessible to children. ***Corrected at the time of the visit the diretor removed the container of disinfectant wipes. No response required.*** Correct by 04/23/2025

Reviewed 8 staff files and 3 staff members who are responsible for the children's immunization records were

2.120.C.1 · Correction due April 23, 2025

Reviewed 8 staff files and 1 staff member T. A. was lacking a Trails clearance letter.

Required correction: All individuals requiring a background check must review Navigating the Background Check Investigation Unit's (BIU) Webpage powerpoint. Submit verification that staff member T. A has reviewed the powerpoint within 24 hours. Submit documentation of TRAILS Clearance Letter for staff member T. A with written response to the Specialist by 5/23/2025. Correct by 04/23/2025

2.230.B · Correction due April 23, 2025

Outside on the playground wall there were two waterline hoses longer than 18 inches. The two waterline hoses were posing a possible strangulation hazard.

Required correction: Indoor and outdoor equipment, materials, and furnishings including waterline hoses must be sturdy, safe, and free of hazards. ***Corrected at the time of the visit the director tied the hoses around the water spout. No response required.*** Correct by 04/23/2025

2.121.D.4.a · Correction due April 23, 2025

Reviewed 8 staff files and 1 staff member P. W. was lacking a CBI clearance letter.

Required correction: All individuals requiring a background check must review Navigating the Background Check Investigation Unit's (BIU) Webpage powerpoint. Submit verification that staff member P. W. has reviewed the powerpoint within 24 hours. Submit documentation of CBI Clearance Letter for staff member P. W. with written response to the Specialist by 5/23/2025. Correct by 04/23/2025

2.121.D.5 · Correction due April 23, 2025

Reviewed 8 staff files and staff member R. H. was lacking a current FBI clearance letter.

Required correction: All individuals requiring a background check must review Navigating the Background Check Investigation Unit's (BIU) Webpage powerpoint. Submit verification that staff members R. H. has reviewed the powerpoint within 24 hours. Submit documentation of FBI Clearance Letter for staff member R. H. with written response to the Specialist by 5/23/2025. Correct by 04/23/2025

2.138.A

Reviewed the emergency drill logs and the facility was lacking Tornado, Active Shooter, and Lockdown drills.

2.218.C.5.a · Correction due April 23, 2025

Reviewed a child's individual health care plan and the facility was lacking the medication that was listed on the health care plan.

Required correction: The plan must include all information needed to care for the child, must be signed by the health care provider, parent(s)/guardian(s) and must include, but not be limited to, the following: a. Medication and dosing schedule. Correct immediately and respond with verification of compliance by 5/23/2025. Correct by 04/23/2025

2.217.A.15.d · Correction due April 23, 2025

Licensing Specialists observed a preschool child using the restroom in the Buttercup classroom. The Buttercups classroom is licensed for 10 children ages 1 to 3 years old.

Required correction: The licensed room capacity must not be exceeded at any time. ***Corrected at the time of the visit the child returned to the outside playground.*** Respond with a plan of ongoing complaince by 5/23/2025. Correct by 04/23/2025

2.237.E · Correction due April 23, 2025

Licensing Specialists observed in the preschool bathroom a mop bucket inaccessible to children but contained a strong cleaning oder. The bathroom fan was not in opertaion at the time of the walk through.

Required correction: Combustibles such as cleaning rags, mops, and cleaning compounds must be stored in well-ventilated areas, separated from flammable materials, and stored in areas inaccessible to children. Correct immediately and respond with verification of complaince by 5/23/2025. Correct by 04/23/2025

State records file

Sep 2024 Complaint Unfounded

Complaint · September 18, 2024

The state’s report (PDF)

Jul 2024 Complaint Unfounded

Complaint · July 17, 2024

The state’s report (PDF)

Jun 2024 Supervisory visit report not read State records file

Where this record comes from

The Department of Early Childhood keeps about three years of complaints on a program’s public page. Anything older is released only on request, as a single file covering the whole state. Shortlist asked for that file under the Colorado Open Records Act and renews it yearly; it is what this page shows for complaints older than the department’s own window.

The file this page is built from arrived on October 10, 2026 and covers complaints the department publishes today, and complaints back to January 2023 obtained by records request. The next request goes in October 2027.

The department publishes a report for each of these visits. Shortlist has not read those reports yet, so this page shows when the state came and not what it found.

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Shortlist replaces people’s names in the state’s text with initials. This is done by rule, not by hand, so it can miss a name or shorten a word that isn’t one. The state’s report, linked on each row, has the original.

Openings, child care subsidies, cost, hours and late pickup, teaching approach, ratios and staff, a typical day, and sick and biting policies aren’t on this page.

Details

Address
14895 E 46th Ave
License
1556055, active
Quality program
Colorado Shines Level 4

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Sources and dates

Where every fact on this page came from, and when Shortlist last checked it against that source. Anything Shortlist could not source is named here rather than left blank.

Details

Small means the smallest quarter of Denver-area’s 1,147 licensed centers by state-licensed capacity: 10 to 40 children. Medium is 41 to 114; large is 115 to 402.