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Stepping Stones Discovery & Development Center

177 Pleasant Valley Rd S, Groton, CT 06340
licensed capacity
36
open each week
5 days
year first licensed
2020
Call (860) 446-0441Directions

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Licensed by the stateInspection record

About

About Stepping Stones Discovery & Development Center

Stepping Stones Discovery & Development Center is a licensed child care center in Groton, Connecticut. The state has licensed it since March 9, 2020, for up to 36 children, serving infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.

It is open Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM.

Connecticut Office of Early Childhood, Division of Licensing made 3 visits in the last 3 years and cited 30 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

From the state license
Ask when you call: rates, current openings, staff-to-child ratio, teacher qualifications and whether it accepts child care subsidies.
Type
Child care center
Ages
Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children
Hours today
7:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Licensed capacity
36 children

Hours

Hours

MondayToday7:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Tuesday7:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Wednesday7:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Thursday7:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Friday7:00 AM to 5:30 PM
SaturdayNot listed
SundayNot listed
From the state license

Programs

Programs and care

AgesInfants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age childrenFrom the state license
Licensed capacity36 childrenFrom the state license

Cost

Tuition and costs

Stepping Stones Discovery & Development Center has not listed its tuition.

Ask the daycare for its ratesIt has not listed its tuition.

State record

Inspection reports for Stepping Stones Discovery & Development Center

License

Status
Licensed and operating
License type
Child Care Center
Capacity
36 children
Ages
Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children
First licensed
2020
License number
#DCCC.70542
See the state's record

Summary

3 visits in the last 3 years · Last visit Feb 5, 2026: 11 rules cited

Rules cited on 3 of 3 visits · 30 rules in all

  • Records and paperwork 8
  • Health, medication and illness 6
  • Building, equipment and play areas 5
  • Staff training and qualifications 4
  • Safety and hazards 3
  • Background checks 2
  • Food and nutrition 1
  • Safe sleep 1

For comparison: 92% of Connecticut 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 10 visits
  1. Feb 5, 2026Inspection11 rules cited
    • Records and paperwork

      19a-79-4a(a)(1) 019-Staff Health Records

    • Staff training and qualifications

      19a-79-4a(a)(2), (h)(1-2) 033-Professional development

    • Food and nutrition

      19a-79-10(j)-(k)(1-5) 136- Feeding

    • Building, equipment and play areas

      19a-79-7a(c)(2) 066- Licensed premises-clean, good repair, hazard free-maintenance program

    • Health, medication and illness

      19a-79-4a(i)(1-2)(H), (F) 035- Consultants

    • Records and paperwork

      19a-79-5a(a)(2)(A)-(E) 038-Child Health Records

    • Safety and hazards

      19a-79-9a(d) 170- Potassium Iodide (KI) emergency distribution – permission and storage

    • Records and paperwork

      19a-79-3a(l) 014-2.8 yr olds enrolled in preschool-authorization

    • Records and paperwork

      19a-79-10(i)(1)(2A-C) 135- Health consultant visits/documentation

    • Health, medication and illness

      19a-79-5a(2)(C) 039- Immunization records

    • Records and paperwork

      19a-79-3a(d)(1) 012-Daily Attendance Records: Children/Staff

  2. Feb 21, 2025Follow-up visit2 rules cited
    • Staff training and qualifications

      19a-79-4a(i)(1-2) 035- Consultants

    • Background checks

      19a-79-4a(b) 021- Comprehensive background checks

  3. Dec 18, 2024Inspection17 rules cited
    • Staff training and qualifications

      19a-79-8a-(a)(1-11)-(b) 116- Educational requirements

    • Building, equipment and play areas

      19a-79-7a(h)(1-9) 111- Outdoor space

    • Safety and hazards

      19a-79-7a(h)(7)(A-B) 113- Fences installed to protect from water hazards

    • Safety and hazards

      19a-79-7a(e)(10) 095- Potentially hazardous substances, materials – labeled, inaccessible to children

    • Staff training and qualifications

      19a-79-4a(i)(1-2) 035- Consultants

    • Health, medication and illness

      19a-79-5a(a)(2)(E) 040- Individual care plan- signed by parents/staff

    • Building, equipment and play areas

      19a-79-7a(e)(1-2) 084- Air Temperature 65F at 3 ft-Thermometer affixed

    • Building, equipment and play areas

      19a-79-7a(c)(2) 066- Licensed premises-clean, good repair, hazard free-maintenance program

    • Records and paperwork

      19a-79-5a(a)(1)(D)(i-iv) 037- Parent Permissions

    • Records and paperwork

      19a-79-3a(d)(1) 012-Daily Attendance Records: Children/Staff

    • Health, medication and illness

      19a-79-6a(c) 059- First Aid Kit(s):Indoor/Outdoor/Field Trip

    • Health, medication and illness

      19a-79-10(e)(1-10) 128- Diapering

    • Safe sleep

      19a-79-10(d)(2)(Ai-iii) 122- Cribs-in compliance w/CPSC

    • Building, equipment and play areas

      19a-79-7a(g)(1) 104- Equipment-clean and safe, good repair, non-toxic-sturdy, free from protruding nails, rust

    • Background checks

      19a-79-4a(b) 021- Comprehensive background checks

    • Records and paperwork

      19a-79-10(i)(1)(2A-C) 135- Health consultant visits/documentation

    • Health, medication and illness

      19a-79-9a(b)(3)(A-B) 161- Authorized prescriber/parent permission

  4. Oct 18, 2023Inspection13 rules cited
    • Food and nutrition

      19a-79-6a(a)(2) 040-Nutritious Snacks/Meals

    • Safety and hazards

      19a-79-7a(e)(10) 076-Potentially Hazardous Substances Locked

    • Records and paperwork

      19a-79-4a(h)(2)(G) 027-Logs/Visits Documented

    • Records and paperwork

      19a-79-10(i) 134-Health Consultant/Documentation of Visits

    • Safety and hazards

      19a-79-3a(e)(2) 009-Current Fire Marshal Certificate

    • Records and paperwork

      19a-79-3a(b)(8)(B) 004-Documentation of Behavioral Management Techniques Discussed with Parents

    • Food and nutrition

      19a-79-10(k)(5) 140-Bottles Individually Identified w/ Child's Name

    • Discipline and child guidance

      19a-79-3a(b)(8)] thru [19a-79-3a(b)(8)(D) 003b-Managing Child Behavior/Child Protection

    • Safety and hazards

      19a-79-7a(d)(10) 060-Approved Safety Outlets/Covers

    • Records and paperwork

      19a-79-4a(a)(1) and/or 19a-79-4a(a)(2) 016-Staff Health Records

    • Building, equipment and play areas

      19a-79-10(d)(1) 113-Adequate Sinks in Program Space

    • Records and paperwork

      19a-79-4a(h)(1) and/or 19a-79-4a(h)(2) 026-Consultant Agreements/Contracts

    • Building, equipment and play areas

      19a-79-6a and/or 19a-79-7a 045-License Premise Clean/Good Repair/Safe

  5. Feb 1, 2023Follow-up visitNo rules cited
  6. Jan 11, 2023Follow-up visit5 rules cited
    • Staff training and qualifications

      19a-79-4a(c)(1), 19a-79-11(f)&/or19a-79-12(b)(1) 019-Designated Head Teacher/60%

    • Safe sleep

      19a-79-10(g)(3) and/or 19a-79-7a(g)(1) 130-Crib/Bed Free from Observable Hazards

    • Supervision and ratios

      19a-79-4a(d)(1) 023-Designated Director

    • Building, equipment and play areas

      19a-79-6a and/or 19a-79-7a 045-License Premise Clean/Good Repair/Safe

    • Health, medication and illness

      19a-79-9a(b)(3) and/or 19a-79-9a(b)(4) 102-Oral/Topical/Inhalant/Injectable Medications: Authorized Prescriber/Parent Permission/MAR

  7. Nov 30, 2022Inspection16 rules cited
    • Staff training and qualifications

      19a-79-4a(c)(1), 19a-79-11(f)&/or19a-79-12(b)(1) 019-Designated Head Teacher/60%

    • Staff training and qualifications

      19a-79-4a(a)(3) and/or 19a-79-4a(g) 017-Professional Development

    • Health, medication and illness

      19a-79-5a(a)(2)(E) 038-Individual Care Plan (Signed by Parent/Staff)

    • Staff training and qualifications

      19a-79-4a(e)(2) and/or 19a-79-4a(f) 025-First Aid Trained Staff

    • Records and paperwork

      19a-79-4a(a)(1) and/or 19a-79-4a(a)(2) 016-Staff Health Records

    • Staff training and qualifications

      19a-79-3a(b)(7) &/or 19a-79-4a(3) 002-New Staff/Employee Orientation

    • Health, medication and illness

      19a-79-9a(a)(3) 100-Nonprescription Topical Medications: Labeling/Storage

    • Building, equipment and play areas

      19a-79-6a and/or 19a-79-7a 045-License Premise Clean/Good Repair/Safe

    • Safety and hazards

      19a-79-7a(e)(10) 076-Potentially Hazardous Substances Locked

    • Building, equipment and play areas

      19a-79-7a(h)(7) 093-Outdoor Play Area Protected/Fenced

    • Staff training and qualifications

      19a-79-4a(e)(1) and/or 19a-79-4a(f) 024-CPR Certified Staff

    • Health, medication and illness

      19a-79-9a(b)(3) and/or 19a-79-9a(b)(4) 102-Oral/Topical/Inhalant/Injectable Medications: Authorized Prescriber/Parent Permission/MAR

    • Staff training and qualifications

      19a-79-9a(b)(1) &/or 19a-79-9a(b)(2) 101-Med Trained Staff/Certificates

    • Health, medication and illness

      19a-79-10(e)(5) 121-Disposable Paper Sheets

    • Safety and hazards

      19a-79-7a(d)(10) 060-Approved Safety Outlets/Covers

    • Supervision and ratios

      19a-79-4a(d)(1) 023-Designated Director

  8. May 31, 2022Follow-up visitNo rules cited
  9. Feb 24, 2022Inspection31 rules cited
    • Staff training and qualifications

      19a-79-3a(b)(7) &/or 19a-79-4a(3) 003-Annual Staff Training

    • Staff training and qualifications

      19a-79-3a(b)(7) &/or 19a-79-4a(3) 002-New Staff/Employee Orientation

    • Health, medication and illness

      19a-79-2a(c)(7) 001-Local Health Inspection

    • Health, medication and illness

      19a-6a(c) and/or 19a-6a(d) 044-First Aid Kit(s):Indoor/Outdoor/Field Trip

    • Building, equipment and play areas

      19a-79-7a(e)(1) &/or 19a-79-12(b)(8) 066-Air Temp 65 degrees, Thermometer Affixed

    • Building, equipment and play areas

      19a-79-7a(e)(4) 068-Portable Space Heaters

    • Food and nutrition

      19a-79-6a(a)(2) 040-Nutritious Snacks/Meals

    • Building, equipment and play areas

      19a-79-7a(e)(9) 075-Light Fixtures Shielded/Shatter Proof

    • Food and nutrition

      19a-79-3a(e)(4) 011-Food Service Certificate

    • Safety and hazards

      19a-79-7a(g)(4) and/or 19a-79-7a(h) 089-Playground Free From Hazards

    • Health, medication and illness

      19a-79-10(e)(4) 120-Washed/Disinfected

    • Building, equipment and play areas

      19a-79-7a(h)(7) 093-Outdoor Play Area Protected/Fenced

    • Building, equipment and play areas

      19-79-6a(a)(6) and/or 19a-79-7a 052-All Openings for Ventilation Screened

    • Building, equipment and play areas

      19a-79-10(d)(1) 113-Adequate Sinks in Program Space

    • Records and paperwork

      19a-79-4a(h)(2)(G) 027-Logs/Visits Documented

    • Food and nutrition

      19a-79-10(d)(2)(C) 116-Chairs for Feeding/Stable/Safety Straps/Locking Tray

    • Health, medication and illness

      19a-79-9a(b)(5) 103-Oral/Topical/Inhalant/Injectable Medications: Labeling/Storage

    • Building, equipment and play areas

      19a-79-3a(e)(9) 015-Radon Test

    • Building, equipment and play areas

      19a-79-7a(h)(2) 088-Impact Absorbing Material under Equipment

    • Staff training and qualifications

      19a-79-4a(a)(3) and/or 19a-79-4a(g) 017-Professional Development

    • Records and paperwork

      19a-79-4a(h)(1) and/or 19a-79-4a(h)(2) 026-Consultant Agreements/Contracts

    • Safety and hazards

      19a-79-7a(e)(10) 076-Potentially Hazardous Substances Locked

    • Safety and hazards

      19a-79-7a(a) and/or 19a-79-7a(c)(3) 049-Lead Water Test/Bottled Water

    • Safety and hazards

      19a-79-7a(d)(10) 060-Approved Safety Outlets/Covers

    • Building, equipment and play areas

      19a-79-6a and/or 19a-79-7a 045-License Premise Clean/Good Repair/Safe

    • Safety and hazards

      19a-79-3a(e)(2) 009-Current Fire Marshal Certificate

    • Health, medication and illness

      19a-79-9a(a)(2) 099-Nonprescription Topical Medications: Administration/Parent Permission/MAR

    • Discipline and child guidance

      Public Act 19-106 015a-Dev.Milestones

    • Building, equipment and play areas

      19a-79-7a(e)(5) 069-Walls/Ceilings/Floors/Rugs: Clean/Good Repair

    • Safe sleep

      19a-79-10(e)(1)(2)(3) 119-Sturdy/Safety Rail/Nonporous/Exclusive Use

    • Building, equipment and play areas

      19a-79-7a(d)(11) 062-Required Toilets/Sinks/Supplies

  10. Aug 20, 2020InspectionNo rules cited

Copied from Connecticut Office of Early Childhood, Division of Licensing on October 1, 2026; the state's records start around Mar 1990. Rule wording, severity and dates are the state's.

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FAQ

Questions about Stepping Stones Discovery & Development Center

Is Stepping Stones Discovery & Development Center licensed?

Yes. Connecticut Office of Early Childhood, Division of Licensing lists it as licensed and operating, first licensed March 9, 2020.

When was Stepping Stones Discovery & Development Center last inspected?

Connecticut Office of Early Childhood, Division of Licensing lists the most recent visit on February 5, 2026, with 11 rules cited. It lists 3 visits in the last 3 years.

Has Stepping Stones Discovery & Development Center had rules cited by the state?

Yes. Inspectors cited 30 rules across 3 of 3 visits in the last 3 years. For comparison: 92% of Connecticut 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 Stepping Stones Discovery & Development Center care for?

36, the licensed capacity on the state record. It is licensed to serve infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.

What are Stepping Stones Discovery & Development Center's hours?

Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. These are the hours on the state record. Holiday hours can differ.

How much does Stepping Stones Discovery & Development Center cost?

It has not listed its tuition. Call (860) 446-0441 to ask.

What is Stepping Stones Discovery & Development Center's phone number?

(860) 446-0441.

Where is Stepping Stones Discovery & Development Center?

177 Pleasant Valley Rd S, Groton, CT 06340. The nearest other daycare we list is Tollgate Christian Preschool, 0.2 miles away.

Sources: Connecticut Office of Early Childhood, Division of Licensing (license and visits).