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Child care center 

Step Ahead Child Care & Preschool

Clive, IA5.0· 16 reviews
open each week
5 days
weekly, posted tuition
$300

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Licensed by the stateInspection record

About

About Step Ahead Child Care & Preschool

Step Ahead Child Care & Preschool is a licensed child care center in Clive, Iowa. It is licensed by the state.

It is open Monday to Friday, 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM. It describes a Play-based approach, with infant care, preschool and toddler care. It says it provides meals. It lists weekly tuition from $300 to $375.

Iowa Department of Health and Human Services made 2 visits in the last 3 years and cited 3 rules across 2 of them. The visit list, in the state's words, is below.

InfantsMeals providedPosts tuition
Ask when you call: current openings, staff-to-child ratio, teacher qualifications and whether it accepts child care subsidies.
Type
Child care center
Ages
Ask the daycare
Hours today
Closed today
Capacity
Not listed

Hours

Hours

Monday6:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Tuesday6:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Wednesday6:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Thursday6:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Friday6:30 AM to 5:30 PM
SaturdayNot listed
SundayTodayNot listed

Programs

Programs and care

ProgramsInfant care, preschool and toddler care
ApproachPlay-based
Daily lifeMeals provided. Potty training: Juniors class (2-3 years) works on potty training
Discounts$10 discount per week sibling discount for each additional child enrolled
MoreFounded 2016
A daycare without an item may still offer it; ask.

Cost

Tuition and costs

Step Ahead Child Care & Preschool lists weekly tuition from $300 to $375. For comparison, full-time infant care at a child care center in Polk County has a median price of $177 a week (U.S. Department of Labor, 2022).

Weekly · program, in its own wordsPrice
four+ years$300
SIX WEEKS - TWO YEARS$375
three years$315
two years$330
Daily · program, in its own wordsPrice
PART-TIME (if available)$75
5 posted prices. Rates change, so confirm before you enroll.
Polk County medians, full time, per week

Infant

Center$177
Home daycare$119

Toddler

Center$153
Home daycare$117

Preschool

Center$153
Home daycare$117

School age

Center$122
Home daycare$113

County median full-time prices at centers and home daycares, U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices, 2022 (the latest year). Not this daycare's rates; prices have risen since.

State record

Inspection reports for Step Ahead Child Care & Preschool

License

Status
Licensed and operating
License type
Licensed Center
License number
#47932
See the state's record

Summary

2 visits in the last 3 years · Last visit Oct 15, 2025: 2 rules cited

Rules cited on 2 of 2 visits · 3 rules in all

  • Safety and hazards 1
  • Health, medication and illness 1
  • Staff training and qualifications 1

For comparison: 88% of Iowa daycares had at least one rule cited in the last 3 years; the typical daycare had 0.

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 4 visits
  1. Oct 15, 2025Inspection2 rules cited
    • Safety and hazards

      109.10(13)b

      “Emergency instructions, phone numbers, and diagrams for fire, tornado, and flood shall be visibly posted and documented at least once a month for fire and tornado. Records shall be maintained for current and previous year.”
    • Health, medication and illness

      109.10(7)

      “First aid kit: The center shall ensure that a clearly labeled first aid kit that is sufficient to address minor injury or trauma is available and accessible to staff at all times when children are: • In the center. • In the outdoor play area. • On field trips (away from the center).”
  2. Oct 22, 2024Inspection1 rule cited
    • Staff training and qualifications

      109.9(1)e

      “All files contain documentation to indicate that ongoing staff training requirements are met, including current certifications in first aid/CPR and mandatory child abuse training.”
  3. Oct 23, 2023Inspection11 rules cited
    • Staff training and qualifications

      109.7(1)

      “All staff(within first 3 months of employment)”
    • Health, medication and illness

      109.9(1)d

      “All files contain a pre-employment physical exam report completed within six months prior to hire and at least every three years. Physical exams shall be documented on form 470- 5152, Child Care Provider Physical Examination Report.”
    • Records and paperwork

      109.9(2)

      “All files are updated at least annually and when a change occurs.”
    • Health, medication and illness

      109.9(2)b

      “All files contain sufficient information and authorization to allow the center to secure emergency medical and dental services at any time child is in center’s care.”
    • Discipline and child guidance

      109.12(1)

      “• Program structure that uses developmentally appropriate practices and written program of activities planned to the developmental needs of children served. • Program complements but does not duplicate school curriculum. • Schedule of program is posted in a place visible to parents.”
    • Health, medication and illness

      109.12(5)b

      “• Infants diapered in a sanitary manner as needed in central diapering area. • One changing table for every 15 infants/toddlers needing diaper changes. • Diapering, sanitation, and handwashing procedures posted and implemented in central diapering area.”
    • Food and nutrition

      109.15(1)

      “• Center shall serve each child a full, nutritionally balanced meal as defined by CACFP guidelines. • Staff shall provide supervision at table during snacks and meals. • Children at center two hours or longer shall be offered food of not less than two hours and no more than three hours apart unless child is asleep.”
    • Safety and hazards

      109.10(3)a

      “All medications shall be stored in original containers with physician or pharmacist directions. Labels should be intact and stored so they are inaccessible to children and public. Nonprescription medications shall be labeled with the child’s name.”
    • Health, medication and illness

      109.10(9)

      “First aid kit: The center shall ensure that a clearly labeled first aid kit that is sufficient to address minor injury or trauma is available and accessible to staff at all times when children are: • In the center. • In the outdoor play area. • On field trips.”
    • Safety and hazards

      109.10(15)b

      “Emergency instructions, phone numbers, and diagrams for fire, tornado, and flood shall be visibly posted and documented at least once a month for fire and tornado. Records shall be maintained for current and previous year.”
    • Building, equipment and play areas

      109.11(3)a

      “Center shall ensure that: 1. Facility and premises are sanitary, safe, and hazard free. 2. Adequate indoor and outdoor space is provided. The outdoor area shall include safe play equipment and area of shade. 3. Sufficient space provided for dining. 4. Sufficient lighting shall be provided. 5. Sufficient ventilation. 6. Sufficient heating. 7. sufficient cooling. 8. Sufficient bathroom and diapering facilities. 9. Equipment, including kitchen appliances, are maintained so as not to result in burns, shock, or injury to children. 10. Sanitation and safety procedures for the center are developed and implemented to reduce risk or injury or harm to children and reduce transmission of disease.”
  4. Oct 26, 2022Inspection4 rules cited
    • Building, equipment and play areas

      109.11(3)a

      “Center shall ensure that: 1. Facility and premises are sanitary, safe, and hazard free. 2. Adequate indoor and outdoor space is provided. The outdoor area shall include safe play equipment and area of shade. 3. Sufficient space provided for dining. 4. Sufficient lighting shall be provided. 5. Sufficient ventilation. 6. Sufficient heating. 7. sufficient cooling. 8. Sufficient bathroom and diapering facilities. 9. Equipment, including kitchen appliances, are maintained so as not to result in burns, shock, or injury to children. 10. Sanitation and safety procedures for the center are developed and implemented to reduce risk or injury or harm to children and reduce transmission of disease.”
    • Health, medication and illness

      109.10(3)c

      “For ongoing, long term medications, authorization shall be obtained for a period not to exceed the duration of prescription.”
    • Building, equipment and play areas

      109.12(4)

      “• Sufficient toilet articles are provided for handwashing. • Sufficient and safe indoor play equipment, materials, and furniture that conforms with CPSC or ASTM. • Play equipment, materials, and furniture meet the developmental, activity, and special needs of the children. • Room’s arrangement does not obstruct the direct observation of children. • Individual covered mats, beds, or cots, and appropriate bedding is provided for all children who nap. • Procedures are developed and implemented to maintain equipment and materials in a sanitary manner. • Sufficient spacing is maintained between equipment to reduce transmission of disease and allow ease of movement by children and staff to respond to activities and care needs. • Sanitary procedures are followed for use and storage of personal hygiene articles.”
    • Records and paperwork

      109.9(2)

      “All files are updated at least annually and when a change occurs.”

Copied from Iowa Department of Health and Human Services on October 2, 2026; the state's records start around Nov 2021. Rule wording, severity and dates are the state's.

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FAQ

Questions about Step Ahead Child Care & Preschool

Is Step Ahead Child Care & Preschool licensed?

Yes. Iowa Department of Health and Human Services lists it as licensed and operating.

When was Step Ahead Child Care & Preschool last inspected?

Iowa Department of Health and Human Services lists the most recent visit on October 15, 2025, with 2 rules cited. It lists 2 visits in the last 3 years.

Has Step Ahead Child Care & Preschool had rules cited by the state?

Yes. Inspectors cited 3 rules across 2 of 2 visits in the last 3 years. For comparison: 88% of Iowa daycares had at least one rule cited in the last 3 years; the typical daycare had 0. A cited rule is what an inspector found on the day of a visit. It is not a rating of the daycare today.

What are Step Ahead Child Care & Preschool's hours?

Monday to Friday, 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Holiday hours can differ.

How much does Step Ahead Child Care & Preschool cost?

Weekly tuition from $300 to $375, as it lists it.

What is Step Ahead Child Care & Preschool's phone number?

(515) 987-6991.

Where is Step Ahead Child Care & Preschool?

Clive, IA.

Sources: Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (license and visits) · U.S. Department of Labor, 2022 (county prices).