Small Steps Daycare
LOWELL, MA·Center-based CareLicensed
Contact information
Address1230 Bridge Street, Lowell, MA, 01850
CityLOWELL, MA 01850
Phone(978) 319-8829
Operating details
Capacity36
SubsidiesY
License dateDecember 21, 2015
Compliance snapshot
Last inspection: 1/20/2026 · Counts cover the full published inspection history; search results show the past 2 years.
- High11
- Medium-High9
- Medium5
- Medium-Low0
- Low0
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Location
Using Address for Location
Exact coordinates aren't available, but you can view this location at:
1230 Bridge Street, Lowell, MA, 01850, LOWELL, MA 01850
Questions to ask on a tour
Chosen for this facility's inspection history and profile — bring them along on your visit.
- This facility has supervision-related findings on its state record - ask specifically how ratios are maintained during transitions, outdoor play, and nap time
- Ask what changed after their most recent supervision citation and how compliance is monitored now
- This facility has health or sanitation findings on its state record - ask about their current cleaning, diapering, and handwashing procedures
- This facility has safety-related findings on its state record - ask how the cited hazards were corrected and when emergency drills were last run
Violation summary
Last 2 years · Last inspection: 1/20/2026
- High5
- Medium-High4
- Medium3
- Medium-Low0
- Low0
2026
- High riskStandard 7.091/20/2026
7.09(17)(d), 7.11(18)(d) — Staff First Aid Training
Staff First Aid Training First Aid Training. All educators must obtain within six months of employment, and must maintain thereafter current certification of training in basic first aid appropriate to the population served., First Aid Training. The licensee must document that each educator is certified in first aid within six months of employment. Domain: Administration. Monitoring Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).
Not corrected - High riskStandard 7.111/20/2026
7.11(13)(e), 7.10(05)(a) — Safe Sleep
Safe Sleep Programs serving infants must:, Children younger than six months of age at the time of enrollment must be under direct visual supervision at all times, including while napping, during the first six weeks they are in care. Domain: Care of Children. Monitoring Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).
Not corrected - High riskStandard 7.041/20/2026
7.04(04)(a)(01), 7.10(01), 7.10(02), 7.10(03), 7.10(04), 7.10(09) — Attendance Recording and Group Sizes/Ratios
Attendance Recording and Group Sizes/Ratios daily attendance records indicating each childs attendance, including arrival and departure times;, The licensee must maintain sufficient numbers of qualified staff to promote the health, safety, growth and development of each child. Assignment of staff must take into account the physical environment, requirements of the activities children are engaged in, and the developmental levels and behavioral traits of children in care., Ratios: The program must have the number of educators necessary to:, Staff to Be Included in Ratios., Multi-Age Grouping. A group of children ranging in age from birth through thirteen years (or sixteen years, if such children have special needs), may be assigned on an ongoing basis to a single group, provided all provisions of 606 CMR 7.10(4) are met. The Multi-Age Grouping ratios and group sizes specified at 606 CMR 7.10(4)(d h) may be used by:, Additional Provisions for Large Group and School Age Child Care. Domain: Care of Children. Monitoring Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).
Not corrected - Medium riskStandard 7.101/20/2026
7.10(08)(b)(02), 7.09(05) — Staff Schedule/Qualifications
Staff Schedule/Qualifications the Licensee must keep the schedule current and posted in an area easily visible to educators, parents and visitors., All educators must possess the qualifications required for their positions in accordance with EEC regulations. Domain: Care of Children. Monitoring Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).
Not corrected - Medium riskStandard 7.091/20/2026
7.09(17)(b)(01)
observation of educators while working with children at least every two months by a staff with lead teacher, site coordinator or higher qualifications; Domain: Staff and Educators. Monitoring Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).
Not corrected - Medium-High riskStandard 7.071/20/2026
7.07(01), 7.11(07)(h) — Emergency Evacuation
Emergency Evacuation The licensee must ensure that the physical facilities are safe, clean, in good repair and free from hazards and clutter. The licensee must monitor the environment daily to identify and remove or repair any hazards that may cause injury to children. Exits and evacuation routes must be kept clear of obstructions., The educator must hold practice evacuation drills with all groups of children and all educators from each floor level of the approved space at least monthly. Drills must be held during different times of the program day, and must use alternative exits. The educator must document the date, time, exit route used, number of children evacuated and effectiveness of each drill. Domain: Emergency Preparedness. Monitoring Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).
Not corrected - Medium-High riskStandard 7.111/20/2026
7.11(10)(c), 7.11(10)(d), 7.11(10)(f), 7.11(10)(g), 7.11(10)(h), 7.11(10)(i), 7.11(10)(j), 7.11(10)(m), 7.11(10)(l) — Infection Control/Hand Washing
Infection Control/Hand Washing The licensee must ensure that educators and children wash their hands with liquid soap and running water, using friction, in accordance with DPH guidelines. Hands must be dried with individual or disposable towels or automatic hand blow-dryers. The use of common towels is prohibited. Educators and children must wash their hands at least at the following times:, In addition, educators must wash their hands:, The licensee must ensure that equipment, materials, items or surfaces (including floors, walls and clothing used for dramatic play) are washed with soap and water and disinfected as needed to maintain a sanitary environment., All floors used by children must be swept and/or vacuumed daily., All eating surfaces must be washed and disinfected before and after each use., Where applicable, the following items, equipment and surfaces must be washed and disinfected after each use:, Toys mouthed by children must be set aside and stored after each use and may not be used by another child until they are washed and disinfected., The following must be washed and disinfected at least weekly:, The following items must be monitored for cleanliness and washed and disinfected at least daily: Domain: Health. Monitoring Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).
Not corrected - Medium-High riskStandard 7.111/20/2026
7.11(02)(c), 7.11(02)(e) — Medication
Medication All prescription medications must be in the containers in which they were originally dispensed and with their original labels affixed. Over-the-counter medications must be in the original manufacturers packaging., Unless otherwise specified in a childs individual health care plan, the educator must store all medications out of the reach of children and under proper conditions for sanitation, preservation, security and safety during the time the children are in care and during the transportation of children. Domain: Health. Monitoring Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).
Not corrected - High riskStandard 7.111/20/2026
7.11(10)(o), 7.11(10)(n), 7.11(10)(j), 7.11(10)(i), 7.11(10)(h) — Proper sanitizing techniques; Bottles labeled and out of children's reach
Proper sanitizing techniques; Bottles labeled and out of children's reach All disinfectant solutions must be stored in accordance with manufacturers instructions and in a secure place out of the reach of children., The disinfectant solution used to disinfect child care items, equipment and surfaces must be either a bleach solution prepared by the licensee in accordance with EEC guidelines or a commercially prepared disinfectant that has been registered as a sanitizing solution by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Registration by the EPA will be indicated on the product label. Commercially prepared solutions must be used in accordance with manufacturers directions., Toys mouthed by children must be set aside and stored after each use and may not be used by another child until they are washed and disinfected., Where applicable, the following items, equipment and surfaces must be washed and disinfected after each use:, All eating surfaces must be washed and disinfected before and after each use. Domain: Health. Monitoring Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).
Not corrected - Medium-High riskStandard 7.111/20/2026
7.11(03) — Individual Health Care Plan (IHCP)
Individual Health Care Plan (IHCP) Individual Health Care Plans The licensee must maintain as part of a childs record, an individual health care plan for each child with a chronic medical condition, which has been diagnosed by a licensed health care practitioner. The plan must describe the chronic condition, its symptoms, any medical treatment that may be necessary while the child is in care, the potential side effects of that treatment, and the potential consequences to the childs health if the treatment is not administered. Domain: Health. Monitoring Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).
Not corrected - High riskStandard 7.041/20/2026
7.04(05)(a), 7.04(05)(b), 7.04(05)(c), 7.09(09) — Staff Records
Staff Records documentation that the employee has the qualifications required under 606 CMR 7.09, including, but not limited to, health records, as required by 606 CMR 7.09(11);, copies of licenses, certifications and registrations held, including, but not limited to, motor vehicle operators license (if the staff member transports children) and EEC educator qualification;, documentation of orientation, training and professional development, as required by 606 CMR 7.09(15)(d-f), 7.09(16)(c) and 7.09(17)(a), and 7.11(1), 7.09 (18)(d), and 7.09(19)(b),as applicable;, All educators must attend an orientation to early education and care approved by the Department. Domain: Administration. Monitoring Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).
Not corrected
2024
- Medium riskStandard 7.049/19/2024
7.04(04)(a)(01), 7.04(04)(a)(02) — Accurate attendance; arrival/departure times
Accurate attendance; arrival/departure times daily attendance records indicating each childs attendance, including arrival and departure times;, a method of knowing exactly who is present on the premises at any given point in the day. Domain: Care of Children. Renewal - Full Review Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).
Not corrected
Showing the 25 most recent of 51 records on file; the full history loads with the interactive view.
Safety & Compliance Analysis
This daycare has multiple recorded violations. Review the details to make an informed decision.
(Past 6 Months)
Parent Recommendations
Based on the violation data, here are some recommendations:
- Review the detailed violations listed above.
- Ask the daycare about their response to these violations.
- Look at the correction status to see how quickly issues were addressed.
- Schedule a visit during regular hours to observe daily operations.
Note: This analysis is based on publicly available violation data and is intended as a tool to help parents make informed decisions. Always visit a daycare in person and ask specific questions about areas of concern.
Estimated monthly cost
$2,395/month
This is a modeled estimate — based on location, ages served, and program data — not the provider's actual tuition. Real prices vary by age group and services. Contact the daycare for current rates, fees, and availability.
Typical prices in Massachusetts run about $1,933/month for infant care at a center (federal median) — see daycare costs in Massachusetts by age group.
About this daycare
- Location: LOWELL
- Capacity: 36
- Type: Center-based Care
- Years in operation: 11
What parents actually pay
No parent-reported prices yet. If your child attends here, you can be the first to add one.
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