Play Palace Preschool
827 Earl Road, Shelby, NC
5.0· 4 reviews
First Steps Childcare Development Center
- licensed capacity
- 40
- open each week
- 5 days
- a week, county median
- $159
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About
About First Steps Childcare Development Center
First Steps Childcare Development Center is a licensed child care center in Shelby, North Carolina. It is licensed by the state, for up to 40 children, serving infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.
It is open Monday to Friday, 6:00 AM to 5:30 PM.
The North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education made 8 visits in the last 3 years and cited 10 rules across 3 of them. The visit list, in the state's words, is below.
InfantsSchool-age
Ages served: infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children
6 wk
6 mo
1
2
3
4
5
6
8
10
12 yr
Ask when you call: rates, current openings, staff-to-child ratio and teacher qualifications.
- Type
- Child care center
- Ages
- Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children
- Hours today
- Closed today
- Licensed capacity
- 40 children
Hours
Hours
| Monday | 6:00 AM to 5:30 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 6:00 AM to 5:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 6:00 AM to 5:30 PM |
| Thursday | 6:00 AM to 5:30 PM |
| Friday | 6:00 AM to 5:30 PM |
| Saturday | Not listed |
| SundayToday | Not listed |
Programs
Programs and care
| Ages | Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age childrenFrom the state license |
|---|---|
| Licensed capacity | 40 childrenFrom the state license |
Cost
Tuition and costs
First Steps Childcare Development Center has not listed its tuition. For comparison, full-time infant care at a child care center in Cleveland County has a median price of $159 a week (U.S. Department of Labor, 2022).
Ask the daycare for its ratesIt has not listed its tuition. The county medians below are a starting point.
Infant
Center$159
Home daycare$128
Toddler
Center$136
Home daycare$137
Preschool
Center$131
Home daycare$109
School age
Center$71
Home daycare$62
State record
Inspection reports for First Steps Childcare Development Center
License
- Status
- Licensed and operating
- License type
- Four Star Center License
- Capacity
- 40 children
- Ages
- Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children
- License number
- #23000504
Summary
8 visits in the last 3 years · Last visit Jun 15, 2026: no rules cited
Rules cited on 3 of 8 visits · 10 rules in all · 10 corrected
- Staff training and qualifications 3
- Safety and hazards 2
- Food and nutrition 2
- Discipline and child guidance 1
- Safe sleep 1
- Records and paperwork 1
For comparison: 92% of North Carolina daycares had at least one rule cited in the last 3 years; the typical daycare had 8.
A cited rule is what an inspector found on the day of a visit. It is not a rating of the daycare today.
Own this daycare? Add your response to the state record
See all 9 visits
- Jun 15, 2026InspectionNo rules cited
- Jun 3, 2026InspectionNo rules cited
- Nov 10, 2025InspectionNo rules cited
- Jun 12, 2025InspectionNo rules cited
- Jan 15, 2025InspectionNo rules cited
Aug 28, 2024Inspection1 rule cited
Each child was not attended to in a nurturing and appropriate manner, or in keeping with the child's developmental needs.
The state verified the correction on Sep 12, 2024
Jun 20, 2024Inspection8 rules cited
The child care administrator and all staff did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment.
The state verified the correction on Jul 3, 2024
All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care. Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. S.
The state verified the correction on Jul 3, 2024
All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. N.
The state verified the correction on Jul 3, 2024
Center staff did not comply with the safe sleep policy.
The state verified the correction on Jul 3, 2024
All corrosive agents, pesticides, bleaches, detergents, cleansers, polishes, any product which is under pressure in an aerosol dispenser, and any substance which may be hazardous to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled were not stored in a locked room or cabinet.
Corrected during the visit
Food substitution was not of comparable food value or recorded on the menu prior to the meal or snack being served.
The state verified the correction on Jul 3, 2024
Meals/snacks did not comply with the Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs.
The state verified the correction on Jul 3, 2024
Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection. Operator did not submit the original approved report to DCDEE within one week of the inspection visit on a form provided by the Division.
The state verified the correction on Jul 3, 2024
Dec 4, 2023Inspection1 rule cited
Child care providers and uncompensated providers who are not substitute providers or volunteers, including the director did not have a medical report on file prior to employment that was signed by a health care professional and/ or the medical report was older than 12 months. S.
The state verified the correction on Dec 12, 2023
- Oct 16, 2023InspectionNo rules cited
Reviews
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No state license record matched yet
FAQ
Questions about First Steps Childcare Development Center
Is First Steps Childcare Development Center licensed?
Yes. The North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education lists it as licensed and operating.
When was First Steps Childcare Development Center last inspected?
The North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education lists the most recent visit on June 15, 2026, with no rules cited. It lists 8 visits in the last 3 years.
Has First Steps Childcare Development Center had rules cited by the state?
Yes. Inspectors cited 10 rules across 3 of 8 visits in the last 3 years; 10 show a correction in the state record. For comparison: 92% of North Carolina daycares had at least one rule cited in the last 3 years; the typical daycare had 8. A cited rule is what an inspector found on the day of a visit. It is not a rating of the daycare today.
How many children can First Steps Childcare Development Center care for?
40, the licensed capacity on the state record. It is licensed to serve infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.
Does First Steps Childcare Development Center accept child care subsidies?
The state record does not list it as accepting subsidies. Ask the provider directly.
What are First Steps Childcare Development Center's hours?
Monday to Friday, 6:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Holiday hours can differ.
How much does First Steps Childcare Development Center cost?
It has not listed its tuition. Call (704) 406-9512 to ask.
What is First Steps Childcare Development Center's phone number?
(704) 406-9512.
Where is First Steps Childcare Development Center?
800 South Post Road, Shelby, NC 28152. The nearest other daycare we list is Elizabeth Elementary School, 1.1 miles away.