Stepping Stones Learning Center is a certified child care center in Whitehall, PA, with capacity for 63 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 2 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 7 times. The state cited 16 violations, 3 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for training & qualifications (6 of 16). 6 citations came in the last 12 months. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is #2 of 16 centers in Whitehall and has fewer citations per inspection than 73% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
There is peeling paint on the heating vent in the School Age room.
There are no written statements from the parents giving the formula and feeding schedule for the infants in care.
The following staff members did not update their fire safety training within one year: Staff person #2, Staff person #3 and Staff person #4. They completed fire safety on 3/25/34 and did not renew it until 6/23/25.
Staff person #1 did not complete the following required pre-service training within 90 days of their date of hire (see LIS code sheet): Pediatric First Aid/CPR and Health & Safety.
Staff person #5 did not completed mandated reporter training within 60 months. This is evidenced by the previously documented mandated reporter training on file being dated 11/2/20 and the current training being dated 12/4/25.
The emergency contact forms for the following children do not include the parent's work address or telephone number: Child #1, Child #2 and Child #3.
Staff person #1 stated at the facility on 8/30/24 with a volunteer child abuse clearance and a volunteer criminal clearance.
Staff person #1 did not complete the following required pre-service training within 90 days of their date of hire date see LIS code sheet)): Pediatric First Aid & CPR. Staff person #2 did not complete the following required pre-service trainings within 90 days of their date of hire date see LIS code sheet)): Pediatric First Aid & CPR.and Health & Safety
The Director is not completing annual evaluations for staff.
Staff Person #1, Staff Person #2, and Staff Person #3 are all qualified as aides and were not being supervised by a staff person qualified at minimum as an assistant group supervisor. They were all working alone in the preschool and pre-k rooms.
Staff Person #1 has worked more than 45 days in a child care position and does not have a FBI clearance on file. See code sheet for date of hire.
Per the facility's fire drill log, the last fire drill was conducted July 11, 2022.
Per the facility's fire drill and detection log, the last test of the fire detection system was August 12, 2022.
Staff Person #1 worked more than 90 days before completing mandated reporter training. Mandated reporter training was completed 9/28/22. see code sheet for date of hire.
Per review of the facility's fire drill and detection log on 3/3/2022, there were more than 30 days between monthly tests of the fire detection system. January 12, 2022 to February 23, 2022.
In the pre-k room, an area rug was turned up at a corner posing a tripping hazard.
“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.
Daily rates
| Age group | Full time, per day | Part time, per day |
|---|---|---|
| Newborn (Under 6 Weeks) | $40.00 | $36.00 |
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $40.00 | $36.00 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $39.00 | $35.00 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $38.00 | $34.00 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $37.00 | $33.00 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $35.00 | $31.00 |
| Older School-Age (4th gr.-15 yrs.) | $35.00 | $31.00 |
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 Stepping Stones Learning Center had any serious violations?
Pennsylvania cited 3 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 Dec 19, 2024 (background checks): “Staff person #1 stated at the facility on 8/30/24 with a volunteer child abuse clearance and a volunteer criminal clearance.” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Stepping Stones Learning Center?
Pennsylvania lists no complaint investigation that found a violation at Stepping Stones Learning Center since 2021. Its search shows these “verified complaints” but not what a complaint alleged, or whether every violation relates to it.
What is Stepping Stones Learning Center’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 2, effective Feb 18, 2026. 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 Stepping Stones Learning Center compare with other daycares in Whitehall?
It is #2 of 16 centers in Whitehall by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 73% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Stepping Stones Learning Center last inspected?
Dec 17, 2025 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does Stepping Stones Learning Center cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $40.00 for newborn, $40.00 for infant, $39.00 for young toddler, $38.00 for older toddler in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Stepping Stones Learning Center?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is E AND J Kern INC.
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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.