Recorded violations per inspection
- This provider
- 1
- Local median
- 0.33
First Steps Learning Academy
1588 State Highway 20 W, Freeport, FL 32439
- License:
- C01WA0021
- Type:
- Child Care Facility
- Status:
- Licensed
- Records checked:
- July 14, 2026
Additional info
- Programs and services:
- School Readiness, VPK, After School, Before School, Drop In, Food Served, Full Day, Half Day, Infant Care, Weekend Care
- Hours:
- Mon-Sun: 6:00AM to 7:00PM
- Capacity:
- 403
- License expiration:
- March 31, 2027
Typical cost: $1,105 (Under 1)
Child’s age
$1,105/mo
Median daily rate: $51.00 (non-Gold Seal only)
Official Florida Division of Early Learning Walton County data.
Not this provider’s price.
Inspection snapshot
Questions worth asking
The available records raise questions worth asking before enrolling.
Next: Review the inspection history below and ask the provider what the records mean and what changed afterward.
Latest inspectionJune 29, 2026
Latest inspection with no recorded violationsJune 29, 2026
Summary
This summary covers 15 available inspections for First Steps Learning Academy from March 8, 2023 through June 29, 2026.
Six inspections recorded violations, with 15 recorded violations in total.
The most recent recorded violation was on November 4, 2025 and involved staff training.
Background screening was a higher-concern topic that showed up in two inspections.
Two later inspections, from February 25, 2026 through June 29, 2026, showed no recorded violations, but the records do not say whether they were formal follow-ups.
At a glance
- Total inspections
- 15
- Recorded violations
- 15
- Higher-concern violations
- 4
- Repeated topics
- 3
3 in last 12 months
1 in last 12 months
0 in last 12 months
Last 36 months
Local comparison
15 total inspections vs 0.5 local median in 32439
Compared to 10 local facilities
Inspections with higher-concern violations
- This provider
- 20%
- Local median
- 0%
Inspections with recorded violations
- This provider
- 40%
- Local median
- 33%
Repeated topics
- This provider
- 3
- Local average
- 0.3
Repeated topics
Topics that appeared in more than one inspection during the last 36 months. They may reveal a pattern worth examining.
Background screening
Appeared across 2 inspections, with 2 recorded violations.
October 17, 2024February 19, 2025Recordkeeping
Appeared across 2 inspections, with 2 recorded violations.
October 17, 2024February 19, 2025Staff training
Appeared across 2 inspections, with 2 recorded violations.
November 16, 2023November 4, 2025Inspection history
Available inspection history. Select a violation topic for more info.
No recorded violations in this report
No recorded violations in this report
Medium concern: Staff training
- Report finding
- The facility did not have documentation to show child care personnel had begun the introductory training within 90 days of employment in the child care industry. CCF Handbook, Section 4.1
- Report comments
- Two staff members did not start their introductory training within 90 days of employment. Staff members enrolled in an introductory training course at the time of inspection.
- Correction status
- Completed at time of inspection
More details
- Report section
- TRAINING - 33 - Training Requirements
- Official code
- 33-03
No recorded violations in this report
No recorded violations in this report
Medium concern: Health or food records
- Report finding
- Child(ren) did not have a Florida Certification of Immunization (DH Form 680) or a Religious Exemption from Immunization (DH Form 681), on file within 30 days of enrollment. CCF Handbook, Section 7.1, B (Section 2.1 Health and Safety, Page 3) Record Keeping [SR]
- Report comments
- 4 children were found to not have a Florida Certificate of Immunization on file. See list in supplemental. Facility Handbook 7.1 Immunization Records The child care facility is responsible for obtaining for each child in care a current, complete and properly executed Florida Certification of Immunization form Part A-1, B, or C, DH 680, which is incorporated by reference in 65C-22.001(7)(o), F.A.C., or the Religious Exemption from Immunization form, DH 681, which is incorporated by reference in 65C- 22.001(7)(p), F.A.C., from the custodial parent or legal guardian. Provider will email copies of children's Florida Certificate of Immunization to the licensing office on or before 3/20/2025.
- Correction status
- Due by March 20, 2025
More details
- Report section
- RECORD KEEPING - 41 - Immunization Records
- Official code
- 41-01
Medium concern: Health or food records
- Report finding
- The Florida Certificate of immunization was not acceptable in that: [ The form was not current (expired)]. CCF Handbook, Section 7.1 (Section 2.1 Health and Safety, Page 3) Record Keeping [SR]
- Report comments
- 1 child was found to have an expired Florida Certificate of Immunization on file. Facility Handbook 7.1 Immunization Records The child care facility is responsible for obtaining for each child in care a current, complete and properly executed Florida Certification of Immunization form Part A-1, B, or C, DH 680, which is incorporated by reference in 65C-22.001(7)(o), F.A.C., or the Religious Exemption from Immunization form, DH 681, which is incorporated by reference in 65C- 22.001(7)(p), F.A.C., from the custodial parent or legal guardian. Provider will email a copy of the child's current Florida Certificate of Immunization to the licensing office on or before 3/20/2025.
- Correction status
- Due by March 20, 2025
More details
- Report section
- RECORD KEEPING - 41 - Immunization Records
- Official code
- 41-02
Medium concern: Health or food records
- Report finding
- Child(ren) did not have a Student Health Examination/DH (Form 3040), or an equivalent health statement on file within 30 days of enrollment. CCF Handbook, Section 7.2, C (Section 2.1 Health and Safety, Page 3) Record Keeping [SR]
- Report comments
- 3 children did not have Student Health Examinations on file. Facility Handbook7.2 Student Health Records The child care facility is responsible for obtaining for each child in care a current, complete and properly executed Student Health Examination form DH 3040, which is incorporated by reference in 65C-22.001(7)(q), F.A.C. and may be obtained from the local county health department, the parent or legal guardian [...]. Provider will email copies of children's current Student Health Examinations to the licensing office on or before 3/20/2025.
- Correction status
- Due by March 20, 2025
More details
- Report section
- RECORD KEEPING - 42 - Student Health and Records
- Official code
- 42-01
Low concern: Recordkeeping
- Report finding
- The facility did not have a fully-completed enrollment form (CF-FSP Form 5219) or equivalent form for the child(ren) in care. CCF Handbook, Section 7.3 (Section 2.1 Health and Safety, Page 3) Record Keeping [SR]
- Correction / follow-up note
- 3 children were found not to have an enrollment form on file with the facility. Facility Handbook 7.3 Enrollment Information The facility operator shall obtain enrollment information from the childs custodial parent or legal guardian prior to accepting a child in care. This information shall be documented on CF-FSP Form 5219, Child Care Application for Enrollment, which is incorporated by reference in 65C-22.001(7)(f), F.A.C., or an equivalent form that contains all the information required by the Department on CF-FSP Form 5219. CF- FSP Form 5219 may be obtained from the licensing authority or on the Departments website at www.myflfamilies.com/childcare. A. Enrollment informa ... [truncated]
- Correction status
- Due by March 20, 2025
More details
- Report section
- RECORD KEEPING - 43 - Enrollment Information
- Official code
- 43-02
Higher concern: Background screening
- Report finding
- The facility failed to maintain a current Employee/Contractor Roster for all child care personnel in the Clearinghouse. CCF Handbook, Section 5.1, K (Section 2.1 Health and Safety, Page 3) Record Keeping [SR]
- Report comments
- 7 former staff members did not have end dates on the Clearinghouse Roster. 1 current staff member was not on the facility's roster at time of inspection. See list in supplemental. Facility Handbook, Section 5/1, K. The employer/owner/operator must add child care personnel to their Employee/Contractor Roster in the Clearinghouse within 10 days of when the individual has received a child care eligible result and has been hired at the facility. Employer/owner/operator must add an end date for individuals on the Employee/Contractor Roster in the Clearinghouse within 10 days of the employment termination. Provider will update their Clearinghouse Roster and email a copy of the rost ... [truncated]
- Correction status
- Due by March 20, 2025
More details
- Report section
- RECORD KEEPING - 45 - Background Screening Documents
- Official code
- 45-09
Higher concern: Staff-to-child ratio
- Report finding
- At least one of the two teachers required to maintain staff to child ratio for a group size of [12/22] for [one-year-olds/two-year-olds] did not possess an active credential as recognized by the department. (Sections 2.2.1 and 2.2.4 Group Size, Page 4) School Readiness [SR]
- Inspector notes
- During Inspection none of the staff in the one-year-old and two-year-old classrooms was in possession of a staff credential. School Readiness Program Health and Safety Standards Handbook 2.2.1 Facility Group Size B. For children 1 year up to 24 months of age, group size may not exceed twelve (12) children in a single classroom. For classrooms operating with 7 to 12 children, there must be one designated lead teacher, and one of the two child care personnel must possess, at a minimum, an active credential pursuant to s. 402.305(3), F.S. For classrooms operating with 6 or fewer children, the child care personnel is not required to have an active credential. C. For children 2 ye ... [truncated]
- Correction status
- Due by March 20, 2025
More details
- Report section
- RECORD KEEPING - 48 - Group Size (Form DEL-SR-6200A)
- Official code
- 48-02
No recorded violations in this report
Medium concern: Facility condition
- Report finding
- The floor mats available for children in care were not covered with an impermeable surface. CCF Handbook, Section 3.6.1, D Physical Environment [SR]
- Inspector notes
- A large amount of torn floor mats was in use in several classrooms. With insides exposed, the mats no longer have an impermeable surface. Provider removed and replaced torn mats during inspection. Not Monitored Comments Not nap time during inspection.
- Correction status
- Completed at time of inspection
More details
- Report section
- PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT - 18 - Bedding and Linens
- Official code
- 18-06
Medium concern: Emergency preparedness
- Report finding
- The written record of the fire and emergency preparedness drills conducted was not available at the time of inspection. CCF Handbook, Section 3.8.5, D Physical Environment [SR]
- Report comments
- The fire drill log was not accessible to the assistant director in the director's absence. Counselor was not able to confirm adherence to the requirements for fire and emergency preparedness drills. The provider will email a copy of the filled-in fire/emergency preparedness drill log to the licensing office on or before 11/18/2024.
- Correction status
- Due by November 18, 2024
More details
- Report section
- PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT - 23 - Fire Drills & Emergency Preparedness
- Official code
- 23-18
Low concern: Recordkeeping
- Report finding
- Personnel records or copies of records were not being maintained at the facility and available for review by the licensing authority. CCF Handbook, Section 7.4 Record Keeping [SR]
- Correction / follow-up note
- While maintained at the facility, personnel records were not available to the counselor at the inspection. No information could be obtained on two new employees working at the facility. Provider will send copies of the contents of the two new employees' files via email to the licensing office on or before 11/18/2024.
- Correction status
- Due by November 18, 2024
More details
- Report section
- RECORD KEEPING - 44 - Personnel Records
- Official code
- 44-01
Higher concern: Background screening
- Report finding
- The facility failed to maintain a current Employee/Contractor Roster for all child care personnel in the Clearinghouse. CCF Handbook, Section 5.1, K Record Keeping [SR]
- Report comments
- New childcare personnel in the classroom with children is not on the facility clearinghouse roster. Provider will update clearinghouse roster to reflect background screenings performed on new personnel and email a copy to the licensing office on or before 11/18/2024.
- Correction status
- Due by November 18, 2024
More details
- Report section
- RECORD KEEPING - 45 - Background Screening Documents
- Official code
- 45-09
No recorded violations in this report
No recorded violations in this report
No recorded violations in this report
Medium concern: Staff training
- Report finding
- The facility did not have documentation to show child care personnel had begun the introductory training within 90 days of employment in the child care industry. CCF Handbook, Section 4.1
- Inspector notes
- Counselor observed 2 employees that had not started training within 90 days of employment.
- Correction status
- Due by December 7, 2023
More details
- Report section
- TRAINING - 33 - Training Requirements
- Official code
- 33-03
Higher concern: Medication
- Report finding
- Medication which had expired or is no longer being administered was not discarded or returned to the custodial parent or legal guardian. CCF Handbook, Section 6.5, H Health Requirements [SR]
- Report comments
- Two medications that were in locked medication spots in classrooms were expired. These two children are no longer in attendance. Director took both of these medications out of the classrooms and into her office. Director states she will dispose of medication properly. 12 medications and medication authorization forms were monitored.
- Correction status
- Completed at time of inspection
More details
- Report section
- HEALTH REQUIREMENTS - 40 - Medication
- Official code
- 40-17
No recorded violations in this report
Medium concern: Emergency preparedness
- Report finding
- The facility did not maintain emergency preparedness drill records for the months of operation for a minimum of 12 months from the date of the emergency preparedness drill. CCF Handbook, Section 3.8.5, B Physical Environment [SR]
- Report comments
- Provider did not document at least 2 emergency preparedness drills over the previous 12 months. Provider should complete one of each type of emergency preparedness drill, document on log, and email log to counselor no later than 3/31/23.
- Correction status
- Due by March 31, 2023
More details
- Report section
- PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT - 23 - Fire Drills & Emergency Preparedness
- Official code
- 23-17
Medium concern: Health or food records
- Report finding
- The Florida Certificate of immunization was not acceptable in that: [ The form was not current (expired)]. CCF Handbook, Section 7.1 Record Keeping [SR]
- Correction / follow-up note
- 3 children did not have current immunization records on file. Director should obtain current records and email to counselor no later than 3/31/23.
- Correction status
- Due by March 31, 2023
More details
- Report section
- RECORD KEEPING - 41 - Immunization Records
- Official code
- 41-02
Questions to ask
Suggested questions for parents based on recorded violations in inspection reports. If there are not enough source-backed violations, you will see general questions for daycare.
Finding-specific
Could you describe your current process for managing staff background screening rosters to ensure all personnel are correctly documented?
Why ask this
- Why ask this
- Public records show that the facility has been cited in multiple inspections for issues related to maintaining a current Employee/Contractor Roster in the Clearinghouse.
Related violations
Finding-specific
How do you ensure that lead teachers in classrooms meet the specific credential requirements for group sizes?
Why ask this
- Why ask this
- An official inspection report from February 2025 noted that staff in certain classrooms did not possess the required active credentials for the group sizes present.
Related violations
Finding-specific
What steps does your team take to ensure all staff members complete their required introductory training within the 90-day window?
Why ask this
- Why ask this
- Available inspection records show that the facility has been cited for staff training documentation gaps in both 2023 and 2025.
Related violations
Finding-specific
How do you maintain and organize student health and immunization records to ensure they remain current for every child?
Why ask this
- Why ask this
- Public records from a February 2025 inspection indicate that some children did not have the required immunization or health examination forms on file.
Related violations
General question
What is your approach to communicating with parents about daily routines and classroom activities?
Why ask this
- Why ask this
- Understanding how the center shares information helps parents feel connected to their child's daily experience and ensures they are informed about center policies.