Stepping Stones Preschool · 19 University View Dr, Mansfield
Stepping Stones Preschool is a certified child care center in Mansfield, PA, with capacity for 91 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 4 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 6 times and confirmed violations in 3 complaint investigations. The state cited 15 violations, 6 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for records & paperwork (5 of 15). 8 citations came in the last 12 months, including 5 on a core-safety topic. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is #8 of 15 centers in Tioga County and has fewer citations per inspection than 66% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
A staff was observed opening a door, resulting in a child running from the classroom. The child was unsupervised and the staff then left the rest of the class unsupervised when the staff went into the hallway.
A staff member was heard yelling at a child.
During the inspection, the file for Staff #1 contained the following clearances/training that had not been updated within 60 months as required under the CPSL: FBI clearance and Mandated Reporter Training. The file for Staff #2 contained the following clearances/training that had not been updated within 60 months as required under the CPSL: Child Abuse Clearance, State Police Clearance, FBI Clearance, NSOR certificate and Mandated Reporter Training.
During the inspection, the updated health assessment for Staff #3 was dated 2/26/25 which was more than 24 months from the previous health assessment dated 6/22/22.
During the inspection, the financial agreement for Child #1 had not been updated at least once in a 6-month period. The last update was 8/3/25.
During the investigation, it was verified through staff interviews and record review, that Staff #1 and Staff #2 fed Child #1 a bottle of milk at 9:31am and the child was not fed a bottle again until 4:25pm.
During the inspection, it was verified through video review and staff interviews that Staff #1 inappropriately disciplined Child #1 by aggressively lifting then pushing the child onto their nap mat.
During the inspection, it was verified through staff interviews that Staff #1 was using harsh tones with the children in care.
During the renewal inspection, the state police clearance for Staff #4 was in "request under review" status. The New York out of state clearances were not on file for Staff #2.
During the renewal inspection, the health assessment for Staff #3 was dated 1/18/24 which was more than 24 months from the previous health assessment dated 10/25/21. The health assessment for Staff #5 was dated 7/17/24 which was more than 24 months from the previous health assessment dated 8/12/21. The Mantoux/TB test for Staff #1 was dated 7/26/22 which was more than 12 months prior to the date hired.
During the renewal inspection, the emergency contact for Child #1 did not include signed parental consent for emergency medical care for the child
During the renewal inspection, the emergency contact information and the financial agreement for Child #2 had not been updated in writing at least once in a 6-month period
During the renewal inspection, the file for Child #1 did not contain signed parental consent for administration of minor first-aid procedures by facility staff.
During the renewal inspection, the current certificate of compliance was not posted.
During the renewal inspection, the initial health assessment was dated 9/1/20 for Staff #1 who was hired 12/7/21. The health assessment was not conducted within 12 months prior to providing initial service in the child care setting.
“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) | $44.00 | $44.00 |
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $44.00 | $44.00 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $39.00 | $39.00 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $39.00 | $39.00 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $35.60 | $20.00 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $33.20 | $16.60 |
| Older School-Age (4th gr.-15 yrs.) | $33.20 | $16.60 |
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 Preschool had any serious violations?
Pennsylvania cited 6 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 Mar 16, 2026 (supervision): “A staff was observed opening a door, resulting in a child running from the classroom. The child was unsupervised and the staff then left the rest of the class unsupervised when the staff went into the hallway.” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Stepping Stones Preschool?
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 Stepping Stones Preschool’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 4, effective Oct 27, 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 Stepping Stones Preschool compare with other daycares in Tioga County?
It is #8 of 15 centers in Tioga County by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 66% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Stepping Stones Preschool last inspected?
Feb 23, 2026 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does Stepping Stones Preschool cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $44.00 for newborn, $44.00 for infant, $39.00 for young toddler, $39.00 for older toddler in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Stepping Stones Preschool?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Stepping Stones Preschool INC.
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.