One Step Ahead Childcare & Preschool
Daycare center in Newark, DE. 432 Salem Church Road, Newark, DE 19702
About the program
One Step Ahead Childcare & Preschool is a licensed daycare center in Newark, Delaware. It is licensed for 84 children and serves toddler, preschool and school age ages.
It accepts child care subsidy.
Tuition and capacity
Tuition: not listed. One Step Ahead Childcare & Preschool does not publish a fee schedule. Programs in the area that publish full-time tuition have a median starting price of $590 a month.
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.
Personnel Files (regulation 30U)
Ensure staff files are complete. Staff #1: 8.5 training hours (ND) Staff #2: 8.5 training hours (ND) Staff #3: 8.5 training hours (ND), annual review of abuse and neglect Staff #4: 15.5 training hours (ND) Staff #5: CPR/FA (ND), Administration of Medication, Health/Safety training, adult health appraisal with TB, 6 training hours (ND) Staff #6: Health/Safety training, 1 more reference Staff #7: CPR/FA (ND), 1 more reference All training hours are not determined and are due on 12/31/2025. CPR/FA is not determined for Staff #5 and 7 because the appointment was scheduled for 12/16/2025. CPR/FA cards will be sent once completed.
Indoor Space (regulation 49U)
Ensure all outlets are covered. This was corrected at the visit.
License Renewal (regulation 8U)
Submit renewal application by 12/31/2025.
Insurance Coverage (regulation 16U)
Submit liability insurance to OCCL.
Staff Qualifications (regulation 24U)
Ensure there is sufficient staffing to prepare meals, facilitate nap time, and transitions. Upon arrival, there were 2 teachers and 12 children. 3 toddlers with 1 teacher, and 9 preschoolers with the Administrator. There was no one to answer the door or answer phone calls. Send in a staffing plan that shows the days/times for all staff, identify who makes meals and what time, who is covering for nap, who is assigned to each classroom, etc. to OCCL.
Show all 18 violations on file
Personnel Files (regulation 30U)
Ensure staff files are complete. Staff #1 and 2 need CPR/FA certification, and Staff #2 needs 2 documented attempts of sending their service letter.
Hazardous Materials (regulation 45U)
Submit Radon results.
Indoor Space (regulation 49U)
Remove Febreze plug-ins and spray in all bathrooms and send a picture to OCCL.
Toilet Facilities (regulation 51U)
Repair sink handle in the 1st floor bathroom and send a video to OCCL.
Personnel Files (regulation 30U)
Ensure staff files are complete. Submit Health and Safety training for Staff #2 and #4.
Indoor Space (regulation 49U)
Ensure the three's bathroom and the Pre-K bathroom have trashcans with lids. Send a picture of covered trashcans to OCCL.
Personnel Files (regulation 30U)
Ensure staff files are complete. Staff #1 needs two hours in health and safety. Send student transcript to OCCL.
Child Files (regulation 40U)
Ensure child files are complete. Child #2 needs a note from their parent stating their religious exemption. Ensure statement is notarized. Child #12 needs an updated health appraisal. Send forms to OCCL.
Personnel Files (regulation 30U)
Ensure all staff files are complete. Staff #1 needs administration of medication training, professional development plan, orientation, job description, adult abuse registry check, release of employment history, and service letters. Staff #2 needs a professional development plan.
Child Files (regulation 40U)
Ensure all child files are complete. Child #3, #5, and #6 need a medication of administration record (MAR) completed by a parent with the medication in original packaging.
Hazardous Materials (regulation 45U)
Ensure cabinets are secure with locks when storing chemicals. Replace or repair lock on cabinet in pre-k classroom.
Outdoor Area (regulation 53U)
Ensure outdoor area is free from hazards. Remove unused umbrella with metal from 1's playground. Ensure fall zones are covered. Add protection around canopy base on Pre-K playground.
Emergency Planning (regulation 66U)
Ensure to perform monthly fire drill/inspections. A fire drill/inspection was not documented for November or December of 2021.
What parents say
When looking for a daycare safe that I can trust and depend on, This daycare is the first on my contact list. I couldn’t wait until my kids turned 1 to go here! I’ve had all 4 of my kids start and finish at this daycare for the pass 11 years. In every class and with every staff, From the 1 year old class all the way to the after school program. I love this place and know my kids are in good hands. They are very…
Anya Hamilton · 5/5 on Google · 2 years agoThis daycare is WONDERFUL!! I recommend to anyone looking- My daughter has been here for about a year and some. I have never had ANY issues not even one. My daughter always has nothing but good things to say when I pick her up. The staff is SUPER AMAZING...my daughter makes it a point to say goodbye to almost half the staff as she leaves for the day =] with that being said this is my daughters second family and I…
CORTNEY MCDONALD · 5/5 on Google · 6 years agoI couldn't disagree more. I've had my son at the center now for 3 years. The staff are more than qualified to do their job, and have always taken care of any questions or concerns that I've had. If contacted, there is a good reason for it, and I've been very grateful for the job they've done over the years.
C Shahan · 4/5 on Google · 12 years agoI am in the market for a daycare for my child and this was one of many that I called. Upon answering the phone I asked the woman if they had any room available for a 4 year old and before she answered she asked if she was fully potty trained. I told her almost as she does occasionally have accidents. She immediately told me they do have room but only accept children who are fully potty trained at that age and then…
Tia Dial · 1/5 on Google · 9 years agoGetting there
432 Salem Church Road, Newark, DE 19702
Questions about One Step Ahead Childcare & Preschool
Is One Step Ahead Childcare & Preschool licensed?
Yes. One Step Ahead Childcare & Preschool holds an active Child Care Center licence from Delaware Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing (licence 396672), with a licensed capacity of 84 children. The state record was synced in September 2026.
Has One Step Ahead Childcare & Preschool had any inspection violations?
Delaware records 11 violations for One Step Ahead Childcare & Preschool in the last three years, across 5 inspections on file. The median daycare center in the area has 7. Each one is listed above with the date it was corrected.
What ages does One Step Ahead Childcare & Preschool take?
One Step Ahead Childcare & Preschool is licensed to serve toddler, preschool and school age ages, and is open 7 am to 5:30 pm, Mon to Fri.
How much does One Step Ahead Childcare & Preschool cost?
One Step Ahead Childcare & Preschool does not publish tuition. Ask for the full fee schedule on a tour, including registration, supply and late pick-up fees. The program accepts child care subsidy.
