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Child care center 

Stepping Stones Early Learning Center

5997 Carlson Avenue, Portage, IN 463683.7· 26 reviews
licensed capacity
189
open each week
5 days

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Licensed by the stateInspection record

About

About Stepping Stones Early Learning Center

Stepping Stones Early Learning Center is a licensed child care center in Portage, Indiana. It is licensed by the state, for up to 189 children, serving infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.

It is open Monday to Friday, 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM.

Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning made 18 visits in the last 3 years and cited 2 rules across 1 of them. The visit list, in the state's words, is below.

InfantsSchool-ageAccepts child care subsidyOpens before 7 AM

Ages served: infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children

From the state license
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
189 children

Hours

Hours

Monday6:30 AM to 6:00 PM
Tuesday6:30 AM to 6:00 PM
Wednesday6:30 AM to 6:00 PM
Thursday6:30 AM to 6:00 PM
Friday6:30 AM to 6:00 PM
SaturdayNot listed
SundayTodayNot listed
From the state license

Programs

Programs and care

AgesInfants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age childrenFrom the state license
Child care subsidyAccepts state child care subsidiesFrom the state license
Licensed capacity189 childrenFrom the state license
A daycare without an item may still offer it; ask.

Cost

Tuition and costs

Stepping Stones Early Learning Center has not listed its tuition.

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

State record

Inspection reports for Stepping Stones Early Learning Center

License

Status
Licensed and operating
License type
Licensed Child Care Center
Capacity
189 children
Ages
Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children
License number
#1101246
See the state's record

Summary

18 visits in the last 3 years · Last visit Sep 16, 2026: no rules cited

Rules cited on 2 of 18 visits · 2 rules in all · 2 corrected

  • Records and paperwork 1
  • Food and nutrition 1

For comparison: 70% of Indiana daycares had at least one rule cited in the last 3 years; the typical daycare had 3.

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 18 visits
  1. Sep 16, 2026InspectionNo rules cited
  2. Aug 5, 2026InspectionNo rules cited
  3. Mar 20, 2026InspectionNo rules cited
  4. Mar 9, 2026InspectionNo rules cited
  5. Mar 9, 2026InspectionNo rules cited
  6. Jan 27, 2026InspectionNo rules cited
  7. Jan 20, 2026InspectionNo rules cited
  8. Nov 21, 2025InspectionNo rules cited
  9. Oct 2, 2025InspectionNo rules cited
  10. Aug 26, 2025InspectionNo rules cited
Show 8 earlier visits
  1. Aug 26, 2025InspectionNo rules cited
  2. Jul 10, 2025InspectionNo rules cited
  3. Sep 19, 2024InspectionNo rules cited
  4. Aug 21, 2024InspectionNo rules cited
  5. Aug 9, 2024InspectionNo rules cited
  6. Jun 7, 2024InspectionNo rules cited
  7. Mar 26, 2024Inspection2 rules cited
    • Records and paperwork

      470 IAC 3-4.7-41 Staff, substitutes, and volunteer records

      “At time of visit, one staff missing drug test results.”

      Correction date in the state record: Mar 29, 2024

    • Food and nutrition

      470 IAC 3-4.7-116 Kitchen and food preparation areas

      “At time of visit, sanitization strips missing.”

      Correction date in the state record: Mar 27, 2024

  8. Mar 26, 2024Inspection2 rules cited
    • Records and paperwork

      470 IAC 3-4.7-41 Staff, substitutes, and volunteer records

      “At time of visit, one staff missing drug test results.”

      Correction date in the state record: Mar 29, 2024

    • Food and nutrition

      470 IAC 3-4.7-116 Kitchen and food preparation areas

      “At time of visit, sanitization strips missing.”

      Correction date in the state record: Mar 27, 2024

Copied from Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning 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 Stepping Stones Early Learning Center

Is Stepping Stones Early Learning Center licensed?

Yes. Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning lists it as licensed and operating.

When was Stepping Stones Early Learning Center last inspected?

Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning lists the most recent visit on September 16, 2026, with no rules cited. It lists 18 visits in the last 3 years.

Has Stepping Stones Early Learning Center had rules cited by the state?

Yes. Inspectors cited 2 rules across 2 of 18 visits in the last 3 years; 2 show a correction in the state record. For comparison: 70% of Indiana daycares had at least one rule cited in the last 3 years; the typical daycare had 3. 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 Early Learning Center care for?

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

Does Stepping Stones Early Learning Center accept child care subsidies?

Yes. The state record says it accepts child care subsidies.

What are Stepping Stones Early Learning Center's hours?

Monday to Friday, 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM. These are the hours on the state record. Holiday hours can differ.

How much does Stepping Stones Early Learning Center cost?

It has not listed its tuition. Call (219) 241-8229 to ask.

What is Stepping Stones Early Learning Center's phone number?

(219) 241-8229.

Where is Stepping Stones Early Learning Center?

5997 Carlson Avenue, Portage, IN 46368. The nearest other daycare we list is Lisa's Home Day Care, 0.5 miles away.

Sources: Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (license and visits).