Smalls Stepping Stone Daycare & Preschool
1408 Clifford Brown Walk, Wilmington, DE
4.1· 17 reviews
YMCA of Delaware Early Learning Academy
- licensed capacity
- 124
- open each week
- 5 days
- monthly, posted tuition
- $1,585
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About
About YMCA of Delaware Early Learning Academy
YMCA of Delaware Early Learning Academy is a licensed child care center in Wilmington, Delaware. It is licensed by the state, for up to 124 children, serving infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
It is open Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. It describes its programs: infant care, pre-k and preschool. It says it provides meals. It lists monthly tuition from $1,585 to $1,795.
Delaware Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing made 8 visits in the last 3 years and cited 6 rules across 4 of them. The visit list, in the state's words, is below.
InfantsPreschool / pre-KMeals providedAccepts child care subsidyPosts tuition
Ages served: infants, toddlers and preschoolers
6 wk
6 mo
1
2
3
4
5
6
8
10
12 yr
Ask when you call: current openings and staff-to-child ratio.
- Type
- Child care center
- Ages
- Infants, toddlers and preschoolers
- Hours today
- Closed today
- Licensed capacity
- 124 children
Hours
Hours
| Monday | 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM |
| Thursday | 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM |
| Friday | 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM |
| Saturday | Not listed |
| SundayToday | Not listed |
Programs
Programs and care
| Ages | Infants, toddlers and preschoolersFrom the state license. It lists: Infants (6 weeks) through Pre-K (5 years) |
|---|---|
| Programs | Infant care, pre-k and preschool |
| Staff | Trained in Infant/Child CPR and First Aid |
| Daily life | USDA food program (CACFP); Meals provided; Snacks provided |
| Child care subsidy | Accepts state child care subsidiesFrom the state license |
| Assistance it accepts | Purchase of Care (POC)/ ECAP |
| Parent updates | Parent app (Procare, Procare App) |
| Licensed capacity | 124 childrenFrom the state license |
Cost
Tuition and costs
YMCA of Delaware Early Learning Academy lists monthly tuition from $1,585 to $1,795. For comparison, full-time infant care at a child care center in New Castle County has a median price of $280 a week (U.S. Department of Labor, 2022).
| Monthly · program, in its own words | Price |
|---|---|
| Infants (0-1 year), 2026 monthly rate | $1,795 |
| Preschool (2-5 years), 2026 monthly rate | $1,585 |
| Toddlers (1-2 years), 2026 monthly rate | $1,715 |
| $50 non-refundable application fee (applied as credit to next month's payment) | $50 |
3 posted prices. Rates change, so confirm before you enroll.
Infant
Center$280
Home daycare$182
Toddler
Center$199
Home daycare$154
Preschool
Center$210
Home daycare$155
School age
Center$106
Home daycare$86
State record
Inspection reports for YMCA of Delaware Early Learning Academy
License
- Status
- Licensed and operating
- License type
- Licensed Child Care Center
- Capacity
- 124 children
- Ages
- Infants, toddlers and preschoolers
- License number
- #1698321
Summary
8 visits with a cited rule in the last 3 years · Most recent Jun 24, 2026
6 rules cited in those visits. Delaware Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing publishes only visits where a rule was cited, so this record cannot show how often it was inspected.
- Records and paperwork 2
- Food and nutrition 1
- Building, equipment and play areas 1
- Other rules 2
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 8 visits
Jun 24, 2026Inspection2 rules cited
72U Feeding of Infants
“Ensure infants have monthly feeding statements. Send Child #1,2,11,and 12 to OCCL”
49U Indoor Space
“Repair the leaking vent in Sunflower's room.”
- Jun 3, 2026VisitNo rules cited
May 20, 2026Visit1 rule cited
OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)
“On April 30, 2026, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received two complaints regarding failing to have sufficient staff to fulfill, at a minimum, administrative, fiscal, clerical, cleaning, maintenance, food services, direct child care, and supervisory functions, failing to have a staff member who is qualified as at least an early childhood teacher who is present and designated as responsible for the center when the administrator is not present, and disrespectful communication by staff. An investigation was conducted on May 13, 2026. Based on documentation and staff interviews, this complaint is substantiated for failing to have a staff member who is qualified as at least an early childhood teacher who is present and designated as responsible for the center when the administrator is not present. While staff members stated Staff #1, Staff #2, and Staff #3 would be in charge if the administrator were not present, none of the staff members had documented training to be designated as such. Based on staff interviews, there is no evidence to substantiate the center for not having sufficient staff or disrespectful communication. Most staff stated parents only occasionally need to wait at the door when staff get busy and all staff members interviewed stated they have no concerns about staff members yelling or using disrespectful communication.”
May 20, 2026Complaint investigation1 rule cited
OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)
“On April 30, 2026, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received two complaints regarding failing to have sufficient staff to fulfill, at a minimum, administrative, fiscal, clerical, cleaning, maintenance, food services, direct child care, and supervisory functions, failing to have a staff member who is qualified as at least an early childhood teacher who is present and designated as responsible for the center when the administrator is not present, and disrespectful communication by staff. An investigation was conducted on May 13, 2026. Based on documentation and staff interviews, this complaint is substantiated for failing to have a staff member who is qualified as at least an early childhood teacher who is present and designated as responsible for the center when the administrator is not present. While staff members stated Staff #1, Staff #2, and Staff #3 would be in charge if the administrator were not present, none of the staff members had documented training to be designated as such. Based on staff interviews, there is no evidence to substantiate the center for not having sufficient staff or disrespectful communication. Most staff stated parents only occasionally need to wait at the door when staff get busy and all staff members interviewed stated they have no concerns about staff members yelling or using disrespectful communication.”
- May 19, 2026VisitNo rules cited
- May 13, 2026VisitNo rules cited
Apr 29, 2026Complaint investigation1 rule cited
OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)
“On April 7, 2026, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding allegations of failing to follow suspension policy, failing to allow parents to access the facility, behavior support requirements, and caring for children in inappropriate indoor space. An investigation began on April 8, 2026, and concluded on April 15, 2026. After interviews with the administrators, a review of the parent handbook, and a review of information from the center's communication application, this complaint is substantiated for caring for children in inappropriate indoor space. Administrator #2 stated they were caring for children in the office on April 7, 2026, due to another staff member calling out. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for failing to follow their suspension policy. Child #1 was withdrawn from care by the parent; the center did not suspend the child from care. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for failing to allow parents to access the facility; the parent handbook states parents may enter the classrooms during drop off. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for failing to provide appropriate behavior support. As Child #1 was disenrolled by their parent on the second day of care, there was no time for a meeting to be held to discuss the concerns and create an action plan.”
Apr 22, 2026Inspection2 rules cited
40U Child Files
“Ensure child files are complete. Child #2 ,9,10 need blood lead results Child # 10 needs a health app, immunizations, and blood lead results Child #3 needs prtk, and screen time permission Child #1 needs a current infant feeding statement”
Correction date in the state record: May 22, 2026
30U Personnel Files
“Ensure staff files are complete. Please see staffing sheet”
Correction date in the state record: May 22, 2026
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FAQ
Questions about YMCA of Delaware Early Learning Academy
Is YMCA of Delaware Early Learning Academy licensed?
Yes. Delaware Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing lists it as licensed and operating.
When was YMCA of Delaware Early Learning Academy last inspected?
Delaware Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing lists the most recent visit on June 24, 2026, with 2 rules cited. It lists 8 visits in the last 3 years.
Has YMCA of Delaware Early Learning Academy had rules cited by the state?
Yes. Inspectors cited 6 rules across 5 of 8 visits in the last 3 years; 2 show a correction in the state record. 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 YMCA of Delaware Early Learning Academy care for?
124, the licensed capacity on the state record. It is licensed to serve infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
Does YMCA of Delaware Early Learning Academy accept child care subsidies?
Yes. The state record says it accepts child care subsidies.
What are YMCA of Delaware Early Learning Academy's hours?
Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Holiday hours can differ.
How much does YMCA of Delaware Early Learning Academy cost?
Monthly tuition from $1,585 to $1,795, as it lists it.
What is YMCA of Delaware Early Learning Academy's phone number?
(302) 779-9622.
Where is YMCA of Delaware Early Learning Academy?
315 E. 12th St., Wilmington, DE 19801. The nearest other daycare we list is J-Tech Learning Center, under 0.1 miles away.