Step By Step School for Learning
Step By Step School for Learning is a certified child care center in State College, PA, with capacity for 178 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 4 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 7 times and confirmed violations in 3 complaint investigations. The state cited 6 violations, 2 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for building & playground safety (4 of 6). 2 citations came in the last 12 months, including 2 on a core-safety topic. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is #18 of 27 centers in State College and has fewer citations per inspection than 86% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
During the investigation, it was verified through staff interviews and record review, that Staff #1 fell asleep in the classroom for approximately five minutes, while they and another staff person were responsible for helping the children prepare for naptime.
Child #1 was left in room during a fire drill on November 21st, 2025, for approximately 47 secs from the reviewed video. Child was noticed by staff from the next room to the Young Toddler Room was exiting, as protocol calls for the adjacent room staff look through window to verify no one is left behind and administration does a final sweep. Staff from the child's room were enroute back as they noticed their count was off before exiting the building. Child #1 was in the Primary Care group of Staff #1. Staff #2 and #3 were also in the room.
On 9-15-25 Staff #1 admitted to using a Vape Pen inside and outside the facility and in the presence of children.
During Renewal Inspection 10-21-22, an electrical outlet in the Outdoor Rock area playground an outlet had the cover broken. This was brought to the attention of the Director.
During Renewal Inspection 10-19-22, a splintering board on the changing table was observed and pointed out to staff and Director. This was in the Turtles Room.
During Renewal Inspection 10-19-22, protruding removable staples were observed accessible to toddlers in the Butterflies Room bulletin board. The Staples were brought to the attention of staff and removed.
“Core safety” marks citations about supervision and staff ratios, discipline and caregiver conduct, background checks, child protection and safe sleep, the topics our score weights most. Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity. “Follow-up” marks a violation re-cited at a follow-up visit, counted once. How scores work.
Complaint investigations and reported incidents
Pennsylvania’s search lists complaint investigations in which the state found at least one violation (“verified complaints”). It does not say what a complaint alleged, or whether every violation relates to it. Incident investigations look into something that happened at the center; self-reported violations are ones the center reported to the state itself.
Daily rates
| Age group | Full time, per day | Part time, per day |
|---|---|---|
| Newborn (Under 6 Weeks) | $69.50 | $63.85 |
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $69.50 | $63.85 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $64.25 | $58.85 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $60.70 | $55.40 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $54.90 | $50.25 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $55.00 | $25.00 |
| Older School-Age (4th gr.-15 yrs.) | $55.00 | $25.00 |
The daily price the center lists in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search for families paying privately. The state notes that rates are subject to change and programs don’t have to share them, so confirm with the center. See what daycare costs in Pennsylvania.
About this center
Common questions
Has Step By Step School for Learning had any serious violations?
Pennsylvania cited 2 violations since 2021 on the topics Daycare Record treats as core safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep). The most recent, on Feb 19, 2026 (supervision): “During the investigation, it was verified through staff interviews and record review, that Staff #1 fell asleep in the classroom for approximately five minutes, while they and another staff person were responsible for…” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Step By Step School for Learning?
Pennsylvania lists 3 complaint investigations since 2021 in which it found at least one violation; the violations are listed above. Its search shows these “verified complaints” but not what a complaint alleged, or whether every violation relates to it.
What is Step By Step School for Learning’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 4, effective Sep 21, 2025. Keystone STARS is Pennsylvania’s quality rating program for child care, from STAR 1 to STAR 4. It measures program quality, not inspection results, so read both.
How does Step By Step School for Learning compare with other daycares in State College?
It is #18 of 27 centers in State College by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 86% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Step By Step School for Learning last inspected?
Oct 20, 2025 (renewal). No violations were cited during that visit.
How much does Step By Step School for Learning cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $69.50 for newborn, $69.50 for infant, $64.25 for young toddler, $60.70 for older toddler in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Step By Step School for Learning?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is RRJ Enterprises LLC.
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Citations are quoted from Pennsylvania Department of Human Services inspection records (Office of Child Development and Early Learning, Bureau of Certification Services), including each finding and the center’s plan of correction. Rule numbers refer mostly to 55 Pa. Code Chapter 3270, the rules for child care centers; a few cite Chapter 20, which covers every certified facility. Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; the “core safety” label and the score are Daycare Record’s.
To check the state’s own record, search the center’s name on COMPASS Child Care Provider Search and open its inspection history. Data refreshed Oct 16, 2026.
Comparing centers? See how to choose a daycare: 30 questions to ask and a printable checklist.
Concerned about this center? See how to report a daycare: which state line to call, what to write down and what happens next.