First Steps Preschool
Whittier, NC 28789 · infants to school-age · Home daycare: the provider shares the address with families
Lots-A-Tots
- licensed capacity
- 49
- a week, county median
- $154
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About
About Lots-A-Tots
Lots-A-Tots is a licensed child care center in Bryson City, North Carolina. It is licensed by the state, for up to 49 children, serving infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.
The North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education made 12 visits in the last 3 years and cited 17 rules across 5 of them. The visit list, in the state's words, is below.
InfantsSchool-ageAccepts child care subsidy
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, teacher qualifications and hours.
- Type
- Child care center
- Ages
- Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children
- Hours today
- Not listed
- Licensed capacity
- 49 children
Hours
Hours
Hours not listed. Call (828) 488-3607 to confirm.
Programs
Programs and care
| Ages | Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age childrenFrom the state license |
|---|---|
| Child care subsidy | Accepts state child care subsidiesFrom the state license |
| Licensed capacity | 49 childrenFrom the state license |
Cost
Tuition and costs
Lots-A-Tots has not listed its tuition. For comparison, full-time infant care at a child care center in Swain County has a median price of $154 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$154
Home daycare$117
Toddler
Center$109
Home daycare$126
Preschool
Center$108
Home daycare$126
School age
Center$83
Home daycare$167
State record
Inspection reports for Lots-A-Tots
License
- Status
- Licensed and operating
- License type
- Three Star Center License
- Capacity
- 49 children
- Ages
- Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children
- License number
- #87000084
Summary
12 visits in the last 3 years · Last visit Sep 25, 2026: no rules cited
Rules cited on 5 of 12 visits · 17 rules in all · 17 corrected
- Staff training and qualifications 4
- Records and paperwork 3
- Background checks 3
- Supervision and ratios 2
- Health, medication and illness 2
- Safe sleep 1
- Safety and hazards 1
- Discipline and child guidance 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 14 visits
- Sep 25, 2026InspectionNo rules cited
- Aug 24, 2026InspectionNo rules cited
- Jul 30, 2026InspectionNo rules cited
Jul 15, 2026Inspection1 rule cited
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.
Corrected during the visit
- May 27, 2026InspectionNo rules cited
May 13, 2026Inspection6 rules cited
A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility.
The state verified the correction on Jun 1, 2026
Children's records were not made available for review.
The state verified the correction on May 27, 2026
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 for the date of issuance).
The state verified the correction on Jun 1, 2026
Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed.
The state verified the correction on May 27, 2026
All beds, cots, or mats with individual linen were not provided for each child.
The state verified the correction on May 27, 2026
Children between 12 and 24 months of age were grouped with children 3 years of age or older.
The state verified the correction on May 27, 2026
Apr 30, 2026Inspection5 rules cited
A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility.
The state verified the correction on May 13, 2026
Children's records that include an application for enrollment, medical and immunization records, and permission to seek emergency medical care was not on file for each child.
The state verified the correction on May 13, 2026
Child care providers scheduled to work in the infant room, did not complete ITS-SIDS training within two months of employment or did not complete the training every three years. Child care administrators did not complete the ITS-SIDS training within 90 days of employment and every three years thereafter.
The state verified the correction on May 13, 2026
Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed.
The state verified the correction on May 13, 2026
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
- Mar 5, 2026InspectionNo rules cited
Feb 27, 2026Inspection1 rule cited
Discipline was related to food, rest or toileting.
The state verified the correction on Feb 27, 2026
- May 6, 2025InspectionNo rules cited
Show 4 earlier visits
May 1, 2025Inspection4 rules cited
Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment.
The state verified the correction on May 19, 2025
Each child was not immunized as per Article 6 of Chapter 130A and an immunization record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission.
The state verified the correction on May 19, 2025
Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission.
Corrected during the visit
Children were not adequately supervised at all times.
The state verified the correction on May 6, 2025
- May 29, 2024InspectionNo rules cited
Oct 11, 2023Inspection1 rule cited
Screen time was offered to children under three years of age.
The state verified the correction on Oct 13, 2023
Oct 5, 2023Inspection12 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 Oct 11, 2023
Potential biocontaminants were not stored properly (locked storage, removed from premises, inaccessible to children, or covered plastic lined receptacle).
The state verified the correction on Oct 11, 2023
Each new employee did not complete, within the first two weeks of employment, six clock hours of training in required topic areas.
The state verified the correction on Oct 11, 2023
New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks.
The state verified the correction on Oct 11, 2023
Center staff did not comply with the safe sleep policy.
The state verified the correction on Oct 11, 2023
Parent's medication authorization did not include required information.
The state verified the correction on Oct 11, 2023
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
Equipment and furnishings were not sturdy, stable and free of hazards.
The state verified the correction on Oct 11, 2023
Staff did not wash their hands thoroughly before beginning work, before/after handling food, before bottle feeding or serving to other children, after toileting or handling body fluids, after diaper changing and after handling soiled items.
The state verified the correction on Oct 11, 2023
Children did not wash their hands upon arrival at the center, after each visit to the toilet, before eating, before and after water activity play, after outside play, and after handling animals or animal cages.
The state verified the correction on Oct 11, 2023
A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference.
The state verified the correction on Oct 11, 2023
A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference.
The state verified the correction on Oct 11, 2023
Reviews
Parent reviews
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FAQ
Questions about Lots-A-Tots
Is Lots-A-Tots licensed?
Yes. The North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education lists it as licensed and operating.
When was Lots-A-Tots last inspected?
The North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education lists the most recent visit on September 25, 2026, with no rules cited. It lists 12 visits in the last 3 years.
Has Lots-A-Tots had rules cited by the state?
Yes. Inspectors cited 17 rules across 5 of 12 visits in the last 3 years; 17 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 Lots-A-Tots care for?
49, the licensed capacity on the state record. It is licensed to serve infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.
Does Lots-A-Tots accept child care subsidies?
Yes. The state record says it accepts child care subsidies.
What are Lots-A-Tots' hours?
Its hours are not listed. Call (828) 488-3607 to confirm.
How much does Lots-A-Tots cost?
It has not listed its tuition. Call (828) 488-3607 to ask.
What is Lots-A-Tots' phone number?
(828) 488-3607.
Where is Lots-A-Tots?
30 Morning Star Drive, Bryson City, NC 28713. The nearest other daycare we list is Bright Adventures Pre-Kindergarten, 0.7 miles away.