First Steps Preschool
Daycare center in Milford, DE. 104 McCoy Street, Milford, DE 19963
About the program
First Steps Preschool is a licensed daycare center in Milford, Delaware. It is licensed for 63 children and serves infant, toddler, preschool and school age ages.
My First Steps Preschool provides daycare and preschool services in Milford and Lincoln, Delaware, with meals included.
The program follows a play-based approach, states Delaware Stars accreditation, offers Bi-Lingual and includes meals.
It accepts child care subsidy.
Tuition and capacity
Tuition: not listed. First Steps Preschool does not publish a fee schedule on its website.
Licensing and safety
Open the state record →Most violations are record-keeping, training or maintenance items, and nearly every program has some. Read what each one was and how fast it was fixed. Delaware records each regulation found out of compliance at a review, with the corrective action required and the date it was corrected. The state does not assign a risk level.
Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision (regulation 27U)
Based on daily attendance the infant classroom was out of ratio. Ensure the infant classroom maintain correct staff to child ratios at all times.
Personnel Files (regulation 30U)
Ensure staff files are complete.
Child Files (regulation 40U)
Ensure staff files are complete.
Hazardous Materials (regulation 45U)
Label the cleaner bottle in the one year old classroom.
Kitchen and Food Preparation (regulation 50U)
Label the contents and date of expiration for bulk snack items in containers.
Show all 27 violations on file
Outdoor Area (regulation 53U)
Replace or repair the gates on the playground to ensure they are self- closing. Replace or repair the beach fencing on the playground, slats are broken exposing sharp edges around the fence. Children were observed playing on a splash pad in the parking lot. Children are only permitted to play in licensed space, refrain from using the parking lot.
Pools and Swimming (regulation 54U)
Refrain from using the splash pad that holds water.
Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments (regulation 56U)
Ensure all cribs are set to the lowest setting.
Personnel Files (regulation 30U)
Staff files must be complete Staff #1 needs medication training and a health appraisal to include TB testing. Staff #2 needs seven hour OCCL Health & Safety training, Staff #3 needs medication training, seven hour OCCL Heath & Safety training, and an application for employment with First Steps
Staff Attendance (regulation 36U)
Staff members must sign in/out of their classrooms with exact hours of arrival/departure. Send one weeks attendance for each classroom.
Child Files (regulation 40U)
Child files must be complete Child # 2, #5 and #6 need health appraisals Child #7 needs days and hours to attend
Administration of Medication (regulation 63U)
One child in the one year old classroom needs an MAR for sunscreen
Feeding of Infants (regulation 72U)
An infant feeding schedule is needed for one infant
Personnel Files (regulation 30U)
Ensure staff files are complete. Staff #1 needs OCCL seven hour health and safety training. Forward certificate to OCCL.
Outdoor Area (regulation 53U)
Ensure the gates are self-closing and self latching. Repair the gate in the toddler play yard
Personnel Files (regulation 30U)
Staff files must be complete. Staff #3 needs CPR/1st aid, a health appraisal with TB, a service letter, medication certification and one additional reference. Staff #6 needs a service letter Staff #10 needs a service letter
Child Files (regulation 40U)
Child files must be complete Child #3 needs blood lead test results Child #6 needs a health appraisal
Emergency Planning (regulation 66U)
Evacuation routes must be posted in each classroom. This was corrected at the visit when the evacuation route was posted.
Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision (regulation 27U)
There were 13 one and two year old's napping together. Maximum capacity is 12. This was corrected when one two year old was moved to nap with the three year old's.
Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision (regulation 27U)
Ensure staff-to-child ratios are maintained. School age classroom was observed with 17 children and one staff member. Ensure supervision for each classroom. Three children were observed walking out of the classroom unsupervised.
General Qualifications (regulation 28U)
Staff must be fingerprinted before their start date/start of employment.
Personnel Files (regulation 30U)
Staff files must be complete Staff #7 needs a job description, a health appraisal w/TB, two additional references or a service letter Staff #9 needs proof of eligibiloity, TB results and release of employment/service letter
Staff Attendance (regulation 36U)
Staff must be signed into the areas w/exact hours worked and correct classroom assignment.
Child Files (regulation 40U)
Child files must be complete Child # 3,5,7 and 9 need proof of blood lead test Child#4 needs a health appraisal and immunization shot records Child #12 needs documentation of date of enrollment Medication permission is need for each child enrolled Center has sunscreen, lip balm, asthma pumps and epi pens. Obtain medication permission
Children's Attendance (regulation 43U)
Exact hours of arrival and departure is required for each child when not with assigned class. Two school agers were not signed into their assigned classroom.
Outdoor Area (regulation 53U)
Fencing does not meet OCCL requirements. Ensure the gates are self closing
Emergency Planning (regulation 66U)
Ensure monthly evacuation and fire prevention is carried out and documented.
What parents say
My son has been enrolled at first steps for 4 years. I used to work there as well for a couple years and always recommend them as a safe and nurturing place to send your child. I wouldn’t trust anyone else locally, and I’ve worked at and/or experienced a few centers in our area. The administrators, Katy and Christina, truly care about children and their families as well as the community. It might not look like much…
Catherine Lathbury · 5/5 on Google · 2 years agoFirst Steps very quickly became my daughter’s best friend! The conversations I have with her teacher at drop off and pick up are proof of how much they care for my child’s growth and development. They are easy to reach during the day if I have a question, which is extremely reassuring. Every time I have been inside the classroom it is neat and tidy with all of her favorite toys and puzzles. It’s a great place for…
Molly Garbrick · 5/5 on Google · 2 years agoI’ve had my son enrolled at first steps since he was an infant. The teachers have been so amazing with the care they provide, and the education with early development. My son is now 4 years old and looks forward to going to school every day. I have had the best experience with keeping my son enrolled at first steps. Would highly recommended 🤘😎
Justin Harding · 5/5 on Google · 2 years agoFirst Steps has been nothing but amazing to our family for the past 3 years. If you want a center that actually cares about your child and not just your money, then this is where you need to be. These teachers treat the children like their own and stay in constant contact with you throughout the day, providing updates on their daily activities via the app. You will be nothing but impressed when sending your child…
Victoria Handlin · 5/5 on Google · 2 years agoGetting there
104 McCoy Street, Milford, DE 19963
Questions about First Steps Preschool
Is First Steps Preschool licensed?
Yes. First Steps Preschool holds an active Child Care Center licence from Delaware Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing (licence 973652), with a licensed capacity of 63 children. The state record was synced in September 2026.
Has First Steps Preschool had any inspection violations?
Delaware records 15 violations for First Steps Preschool in the last three years, across 6 inspections on file. The median daycare center in the area has 8. Each one is listed above with the date it was corrected.
What ages does First Steps Preschool take?
First Steps Preschool is licensed to serve infant, toddler, preschool and school age ages, and is open 6:30 am to 5:30 pm, Mon to Fri.
How much does First Steps Preschool cost?
First Steps Preschool does not publish tuition on its website. Ask for the full fee schedule on a tour, including registration, supply and late pick-up fees. The program accepts child care subsidy.
