Step By Step Early Learning And Childcare Center · Infant Center, South Lake Tahoe
Step By Step Early Learning And Childcare Center is a licensed child care center in South Lake Tahoe, CA, licensed for up to 60 children and serving infants and toddlers. It has held its California license since 2023. Since February 2021, state licensing staff have inspected it 2 times and investigated 2 complaints, 1 of them substantiated. The state issued 6 citations, 4 of them Type A (the most serious), most often for staff ratios (2 of 6). 3 citations came in the last 12 months, including 3 Type A. Measured by weighted citations per inspection, it is #20 of 20 centers in South Lake Tahoe and has more citations per inspection than 97% of California licensed centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
An infant care aide shall work under the direct supervision of the director, the assistant director or a fully qualified teacher, except as provided for in Section 101416.5(d)(1). This requirement has not been met by evidence: LPA observed two assistants with infants without a teacher present. This is 1 Director stated that they will have a training on the topic by POC date 3/5/2026. LPA will return to clear the deficiency. considered as an immediate risk to the children in care. 8
There shall be a ratio of one teacher for every four infants in attendance. This requirement has not been met by evidence: LPA observed two assistants with infants without a teacher present. This is considered as an immediate risk to the children in care. 1 Director stated that they will have a training on the topic by POC date 3/5/2026. LPA will return to clear the deficiency.
Each infant shall be constantly supervised and under direct visual observation and supervision by a staff person at all times. This requirement has not been met by evidence: LPA observed one staff with two sleeping infants and two awake infants. This is considered as an immediate risk to the 1 Director will have a training to correct the issue by POC date 3/5/2026. LPA will return to clear the deficiency. children in care. 8
Based on observation, interview, record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above by having two aides supervising four infants without a teacher present, which poses an immediate health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Based on interview, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above by washing infant bedding weekly instead of daily, which poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Based on observation and interview, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above by having an infant sleep on a crib mattress without a sheet, which poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Complaint investigations
Staff are operating out of ratio
Staff does not have the required qualifications
How often are complaints about daycares in California substantiated? See the county-by-county report →
About this center
Other licenses at this address
Common questions
Does Step By Step Early Learning And Childcare Center take infants?
Yes. It is licensed by California as an infant center.
Has Step By Step Early Learning And Childcare Center had any serious violations?
California issued 4 Type A citations since 2021, its most serious category. The most recent was on Mar 4, 2026, for infant care aide teacher qualifications and duties. Each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Step By Step Early Learning And Childcare Center?
California investigated 2 complaints since 2021 and substantiated 1. Allegations are shown only for substantiated complaints.
How does Step By Step Early Learning And Childcare Center compare with other daycares in South Lake Tahoe?
It is #20 of 20 centers in South Lake Tahoe by weighted citations per inspection, and has more citations per inspection than 97% of California licensed centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Step By Step Early Learning And Childcare Center last inspected?
Jun 9, 2026. No citations were issued during that visit.
How much does Step By Step Early Learning And Childcare Center cost?
California does not publish individual centers’ prices, so ask Step By Step Early Learning And Childcare Center for its current tuition. For comparison, the median full-time price at licensed centers in El Dorado County, which includes South Lake Tahoe, was $1,400 a month for infants (about $1,770 today) in the state’s 2021 Regional Market Rate Survey.
Who runs Step By Step Early Learning And Childcare Center?
The licensee is Step By Step Early Learning And Childcare Center, and the administrator listed with the state is Rahul Bahl.
Licensed centers nearby
981 Silver Dollar Avenue, South Lake Tahoe · under 0.1 mi away · 75 spotsAbout typicalJubilee Kid's Academy
2249 Helen Avenue, South Lake Tahoe · 0.6 mi away · 42 spotsNo citationsJubilee Kids Academy
2249 Helen Avenue, South Lake Tahoe · 0.6 mi away · 8 spotsAbout typicalTahoe Parents Nursery School
One College Drive, South Lake Tahoe · 1.0 mi away · 40 spotsNo citationsLake Tahoe Community College Child Devel Ctr
One College Dr, South Lake Tahoe · 1.0 mi away · 16 spotsMore citations than mostLake Tahoe Community College Child Devel Ctr
One College Dr, South Lake Tahoe · 1.0 mi away · 30 spotsMore citations than most
Citations are quoted from California Department of Social Services inspection and complaint reports. Type A citations are the state’s most serious category (an immediate risk to children’s health, safety or personal rights); Type B citations are a potential risk. A citation is a finding about one rule, not a judgment about a center overall. Complaint allegations appear here only when the state substantiated them.
To read the full state reports, search facility number 093624912 on the California Care Facility Search. Data refreshed Oct 3, 2026.
Comparing centers? See how to choose a daycare: 30 questions to ask and a printable checklist.