Kaleidoscope Dreams
10 Adams Creek Rd, Cherokee, NC
First Steps Preschool
- licensed capacity
- 8
- a week, county median
- $166
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About
About First Steps Preschool
First Steps Preschool is a licensed home daycare in Whittier, North Carolina. It is licensed by the state, for up to 8 children, serving infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.
As a home daycare, the provider shares the address with families when you call.
The North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education made 6 visits in the last 3 years and cited 19 rules across 4 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, the address and how to visit, staff-to-child ratio, teacher qualifications and hours.
- Type
- Home daycare
- Ages
- Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children
- Hours today
- Not listed
- Licensed capacity
- 8 children
Hours
Hours
Hours not listed. Call (828) 507-2189 to confirm.
Programs
Programs and care
| Ages | Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age childrenFrom the state license |
|---|---|
| Setting | Family child care homeFrom the state license |
| Licensed capacity | 8 childrenFrom the state license |
Cost
Tuition and costs
First Steps Preschool has not listed its tuition. For comparison, full-time infant care at a home daycare in Jackson County has a median price of $166 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$181
Home daycare$166
Toddler
Center$176
Home daycare$146
Preschool
Center$84
Home daycare$130
School age
Center$48
Home daycare$117
State record
Inspection reports for First Steps Preschool
License
- Status
- Licensed and operating
- License type
- One Star Family CC Home License
- Capacity
- 8 children
- Ages
- Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children
- License number
- #50000070
Summary
6 visits in the last 3 years · Last visit Aug 12, 2026: no rules cited
Rules cited on 4 of 6 visits · 19 rules in all · 19 corrected
- Safety and hazards 7
- Records and paperwork 5
- Staff training and qualifications 4
- Background checks 2
- Safe sleep 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.
The state lists an adverse action on this permit.
Own this daycare? Add your response to the state record
See all 7 visits
- Aug 12, 2026InspectionNo rules cited
Aug 6, 2026Inspection6 rules cited
The EPR Plan did not include the date of the last revision of the plan.
The state verified the correction on Aug 20, 2026
The operator did not conduct a quarterly lockdown or shelter-in-place drill and or the drill record was incomplete.
The state verified the correction on Aug 20, 2026
The operator did not conduct a monthly fire drill.
The state verified the correction on Aug 20, 2026
A child care operator did not notify the Division of any new child care providers, as defined in G.S. 110-90.2(a)(2), who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days.
The state verified the correction on Sep 4, 2026
Operator did not maintain accurate daily attendance records including documentation of arrival and departure for all children in care, including the operator's own preschool children.
The state verified the correction on Aug 20, 2026
Monthly check for hazards on the outdoor play area was not completed using a form supplied by the Division.
The state verified the correction on Aug 20, 2026
Sep 5, 2025Inspection3 rules cited
The operator did not conduct a quarterly lockdown or shelter-in-place drill and or the drill record was incomplete.
The state verified the correction on Sep 15, 2025
A valid qualification letter was not on file and available for review at the facility.
The state verified the correction on Sep 15, 2025
Prior to the expiration date of the qualification letter, the child care provider did not complete and submit required forms to complete a criminal background check (a qualification letter is valid for a maximum of five years from the date of issuance).
The state verified the correction on Sep 15, 2025
Mar 26, 2025Inspection9 rules cited
Sleeping infants, ages 12 months and younger were not visually checked every 15 minutes.
The state verified the correction on Apr 9, 2025
The operator did not review the EPR Plan annually or when information in the plan changed to ensure all information is current.
The state verified the correction on Apr 9, 2025
A valid qualification letter was not on file and available for review at the facility.
The state verified the correction on Apr 9, 2025
Prior to the expiration date of the qualification letter, the child care provider did not complete and submit required forms to complete a criminal background check (a qualification letter is valid for a maximum of five years from the date of issuance).
The state verified the correction on Apr 9, 2025
Written record of up-to-date pet vaccinations as required by NC law and local ordinances, including rabies vaccination for dogs and cats, was not available.
The state verified the correction on Apr 17, 2025
Bacteriological analysis indicating the water is free of bacteria had not been performed on a sample of water from each well used for the children's water supply every two years. Results were not kept on file in the home.
The state verified the correction on Apr 9, 2025
All indoor and outdoor areas used by the children were not kept clean, orderly, and free of items which are potentially hazardous to children including removal of items a child can swallow; the removal of loose nails or screws and splinters on inside; and use of outdoor equipment that is too hot to touch.
The state verified the correction on Apr 17, 2025
Operator did not successfully complete a CPR course as referenced in Rule.1702(b)(2) CPR training was not renewed on or before the expiration of the certification.
The state verified the correction on Mar 26, 2025
Operator did not successfully complete a first aid course as referenced in Rule.1702(b)(2) First aid training was not renewed on or before the expiration of the certification.
The state verified the correction on Mar 26, 2025
- Sep 23, 2024InspectionNo rules cited
Apr 22, 2024Inspection1 rule cited
Corrosive agents, pesticides, bleaches, detergents, cleansers, polishes, and products under pressure in an aerosol dispenser and any substance that may be hazardous to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled were not kept in locked storage when children were in care.
Corrected during the visit
- Oct 9, 2023InspectionNo rules cited
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FAQ
Questions about First Steps Preschool
Is First Steps Preschool licensed?
Yes. The North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education lists it as licensed and operating.
When was First Steps Preschool last inspected?
The North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education lists the most recent visit on August 12, 2026, with no rules cited. It lists 6 visits in the last 3 years.
Has First Steps Preschool had rules cited by the state?
Yes. Inspectors cited 19 rules across 4 of 6 visits in the last 3 years; 19 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 Preschool care for?
8, the licensed capacity on the state record. It is licensed to serve infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.
Does First Steps Preschool accept child care subsidies?
The state record does not list it as accepting subsidies. Ask the provider directly.
What are First Steps Preschool's hours?
Its hours are not listed. Call (828) 507-2189 to confirm.
How much does First Steps Preschool cost?
It has not listed its tuition. Call (828) 507-2189 to ask.
What is First Steps Preschool's phone number?
(828) 507-2189.
Where is First Steps Preschool?
Whittier, NC 28789. It is a home daycare, so the provider shares the street address with families directly.