
Report
TheVardellReport
Stepping Stones Early Learning Lab School
Child care center
303 West Ave
Norwalk, CT 06850

TheVardellReport
Child care center
303 West Ave
Norwalk, CT 06850
Life by Vardell Presents
The deeper story, beautifully organized. Available records, historical context, and questions worth asking.
This report is free. Vardell does not certify, grade or endorse; it shows what the record documents.
The Essentials
Across 23 licensing visits from April 2013 to November 2025, OEC cited 54 violations at Stepping Stones Early Learning Lab School.
* Partial year, through November 1, 2026.
| Year | Visits | Violations |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | 1 | 0 |
| 2014 | 1 | 0 |
| 2015 | 1 | 5 |
| 2016 | 2 | 5 |
| 2017 | 1 | 8 |
| 2018 | 2 | 0 |
| 2019 | 3 | 8 |
| 2020 | 2 | 5 |
| 2021 | 2 | 1 |
| 2022 | 3 | 9 |
| 2023 | 2 | 7 |
| 2024 | 2 | 6 |
| 2025 | 1 | 0 |
| 2026 | 0 | 0 |
Chronology
Every visit in the record window, newest first. A violation is a licensing regulation Connecticut found was not met. OEC publishes what an investigation found, not what the complaint alleged.
No violations
Source: Inspection or investigation, with the violations cited (data.ct.gov: 6rnk-h6iy, tett-bw6q and ccit-2ev8), X2025-4365
4 violations
OEC's resolution: Corrective Action Plan.
Source: Inspection or investigation, with the violations cited (data.ct.gov: 6rnk-h6iy, tett-bw6q and ccit-2ev8), X2024-4176
2 violations
Opened on a report the program made itself. OEC's resolution: Corrective Action Plan.
Source: Inspection or investigation, with the violations cited (data.ct.gov: 6rnk-h6iy, tett-bw6q and ccit-2ev8), 2024-420
6 violations
OEC's resolution: Corrective Action Plan.
Source: Inspection or investigation, with the violations cited (data.ct.gov: 6rnk-h6iy, tett-bw6q and ccit-2ev8), X2023-4934
1 violation
OEC's resolution: Corrective Action Plan.
Source: Inspection or investigation, with the violations cited (data.ct.gov: 6rnk-h6iy, tett-bw6q and ccit-2ev8), X2023-136
2 violations
Opened on a complaint. OEC's resolution: Corrective Action Plan.
Source: Inspection or investigation, with the violations cited (data.ct.gov: 6rnk-h6iy, tett-bw6q and ccit-2ev8), 2022-813
No violations
Source: Inspection or investigation, with the violations cited (data.ct.gov: 6rnk-h6iy, tett-bw6q and ccit-2ev8), X2022-182
7 violations
OEC's resolution: Corrective Action Plan.
Source: Inspection or investigation, with the violations cited (data.ct.gov: 6rnk-h6iy, tett-bw6q and ccit-2ev8), X2022-183
No violations
Source: Inspection or investigation, with the violations cited (data.ct.gov: 6rnk-h6iy, tett-bw6q and ccit-2ev8), X2021-1681
1 violation
Opened on a report the program made itself. OEC's resolution: Corrective Action Plan.
Source: Inspection or investigation, with the violations cited (data.ct.gov: 6rnk-h6iy, tett-bw6q and ccit-2ev8), 2021-272
No violations
Source: Inspection or investigation, with the violations cited (data.ct.gov: 6rnk-h6iy, tett-bw6q and ccit-2ev8), X2020-3377
5 violations
OEC's resolution: Corrective Action Plan.
Source: Inspection or investigation, with the violations cited (data.ct.gov: 6rnk-h6iy, tett-bw6q and ccit-2ev8), X2020-1043
1 violation
Opened on a report the program made itself. OEC's resolution: Corrective Action Plan.
Source: Inspection or investigation, with the violations cited (data.ct.gov: 6rnk-h6iy, tett-bw6q and ccit-2ev8), 2019-306
No violations
Source: Inspection or investigation, with the violations cited (data.ct.gov: 6rnk-h6iy, tett-bw6q and ccit-2ev8), X2019-1792
7 violations
OEC's resolution: Corrective Action Plan.
Source: Inspection or investigation, with the violations cited (data.ct.gov: 6rnk-h6iy, tett-bw6q and ccit-2ev8), X2019-1792
No violations
Source: Inspection or investigation, with the violations cited (data.ct.gov: 6rnk-h6iy, tett-bw6q and ccit-2ev8), X2018-4402
No violations
Source: Inspection or investigation, with the violations cited (data.ct.gov: 6rnk-h6iy, tett-bw6q and ccit-2ev8), X2018-4402
8 violations
OEC's resolution: Corrective Action Plan.
Source: Inspection or investigation, with the violations cited (data.ct.gov: 6rnk-h6iy, tett-bw6q and ccit-2ev8), X2017-5291
No violations
Source: Inspection or investigation, with the violations cited (data.ct.gov: 6rnk-h6iy, tett-bw6q and ccit-2ev8), X2016-5341
5 violations
OEC's resolution: Corrective Action Plan.
Source: Inspection or investigation, with the violations cited (data.ct.gov: 6rnk-h6iy, tett-bw6q and ccit-2ev8), X2016-669
5 violations
OEC's resolution: Corrective Action Plan.
Source: Inspection or investigation, with the violations cited (data.ct.gov: 6rnk-h6iy, tett-bw6q and ccit-2ev8), X2015-3150
No violations
Source: Inspection or investigation, with the violations cited (data.ct.gov: 6rnk-h6iy, tett-bw6q and ccit-2ev8), X2014-2585
No violations
Source: Inspection or investigation, with the violations cited (data.ct.gov: 6rnk-h6iy, tett-bw6q and ccit-2ev8), X2013-775
Connecticut’s Office of Early Childhood publishes each violation it cites, not a risk level for it.
Context
A repeated citation can merit attention, but context and corrective action must be reviewed before drawing a conclusion.
OEC licensing staff cited 19a-79-4a(h)(1) and/or 19a-79-4a(h)(2) in July 2015, February 2016, February 2020, February 2022 and December 2023. The agency describes it this way: Consultant Agreements/Contracts. Connecticut does not publish a risk level for each violation. OEC does not publish when a violation was corrected, so it is worth asking what changed after each one.
OEC licensing staff cited 19a-79-4a(h)(2)(G) in July 2015, February 2016, February 2020, February 2022 and December 2023. The agency describes it this way: Logs/Visits Documented. Connecticut does not publish a risk level for each violation. OEC does not publish when a violation was corrected, so it is worth asking what changed after each one.
OEC licensing staff cited 19a-79-2a(c)(7) in July 2015, February 2020 and December 2023. The agency describes it this way: Local Health Inspection. Connecticut does not publish a risk level for each violation. OEC does not publish when a violation was corrected, so it is worth asking what changed after each one.
OEC licensing staff cited 19a-79-4a(c) in April 2019, May 2021 and October 2022. The agency describes it this way: Staffing- Supervision. Connecticut does not publish a risk level for each violation. OEC does not publish when a violation was corrected, so it is worth asking what changed after each one.
OEC licensing staff cited 19a-79-5a(a)(2)(E) in February 2016, April 2019 and October 2024. The agency describes it this way: Individual Care Plan (Signed by Parent/Staff). Connecticut does not publish a risk level for each violation. OEC does not publish when a violation was corrected, so it is worth asking what changed after each one.
OEC licensing staff cited 19a-79-3a(d)(2) thru (8) &/or19a-79-7a(d)(11)(A) in April 2019 and May 2024. The agency describes it this way: Policies. Connecticut does not publish a risk level for each violation. OEC does not publish when a violation was corrected, so it is worth asking what changed after each one.
OEC licensing staff cited 19a-79-3a(e)(2) in July 2015 and February 2022. The agency describes it this way: Current Fire Marshal Certificate. Connecticut does not publish a risk level for each violation. OEC does not publish when a violation was corrected, so it is worth asking what changed after each one.
OEC licensing staff cited 19a-79-7a(a) and/or 19a-79-7a(c)(3) in October 2017 and February 2022. The agency describes it this way: Lead Water Test/Bottled Water. Connecticut does not publish a risk level for each violation. OEC does not publish when a violation was corrected, so it is worth asking what changed after each one.
OEC licensing staff cited 19a-79-7a(e)(18) in October 2017 and October 2024. The agency describes it this way: Operable CO Detector on Each Level. Connecticut does not publish a risk level for each violation. OEC does not publish when a violation was corrected, so it is worth asking what changed after each one.
OEC licensing staff cited 19a-79-7a(e)(8) &/or 19a-79-7a(e)(9) in April 2019 and January 2023. The agency describes it this way: Adequate Lighting: 50/30 Candle Feet. Connecticut does not publish a risk level for each violation. OEC does not publish when a violation was corrected, so it is worth asking what changed after each one.
OEC licensing staff cited 19a-79-9a(b)(3) and/or 19a-79-9a(b)(4) in February 2016 and December 2023. The agency describes it this way: Oral/Topical/Inhalant/Injectable Medications: Authorized Prescriber/Parent Permission/MAR. Connecticut does not publish a risk level for each violation. OEC does not publish when a violation was corrected, so it is worth asking what changed after each one.
For Your Next Visit
Bring these to the tour. Each one comes from something in the record; the reason is under the question.
What changed after 19a-79-4a(h)(1) and/or 19a-79-4a(h)(2) was cited, and how do you check it now?
Consultant Agreements/Contracts: cited in five visits, with no risk level published.
What changed after 19a-79-4a(h)(2)(G) was cited, and how do you check it now?
Logs/Visits Documented: cited in five visits, with no risk level published.
What changed after 19a-79-2a(c)(7) was cited, and how do you check it now?
Local Health Inspection: cited in three visits, with no risk level published.
What changed after 19a-79-4a(c) was cited, and how do you check it now?
Staffing- Supervision: cited in three visits, with no risk level published.
What changed after 19a-79-5a(a)(2)(E) was cited, and how do you check it now?
Individual Care Plan (Signed by Parent/Staff): cited in three visits, with no risk level published.
What changed after 19a-79-3a(d)(2) thru (8) &/or19a-79-7a(d)(11)(A) was cited, and how do you check it now?
Policies: cited in two visits, with no risk level published.
What changed after 19a-79-3a(e)(2) was cited, and how do you check it now?
Current Fire Marshal Certificate: cited in two visits, with no risk level published.
What changed after 19a-79-7a(a) and/or 19a-79-7a(c)(3) was cited, and how do you check it now?
Lead Water Test/Bottled Water: cited in two visits, with no risk level published.
What changed after 19a-79-7a(e)(18) was cited, and how do you check it now?
Operable CO Detector on Each Level: cited in two visits, with no risk level published.
What changed after 19a-79-7a(e)(8) &/or 19a-79-7a(e)(9) was cited, and how do you check it now?
Adequate Lighting: 50/30 Candle Feet: cited in two visits, with no risk level published.
What changed after 19a-79-9a(b)(3) and/or 19a-79-9a(b)(4) was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation 19a-79-9a(b)(3) and/or 19a-79-9a(b)(4): cited in two visits, with no risk level published.
What is the ratio in the room my child would join, and how is every child accounted for at nap time, pickup and on the playground?
Ratios change through the day, so they are worth counting yourself on a visit.
Has the center ever been referred for legal action or put on a corrective plan, and what changed afterward?
OEC’s files list no enforcement action in this window.
The Evidence
Program details, inspections, investigations and the violations cited at each are published by the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood's Division of Licensing in its daily files on data.ct.gov.
Connecticut Office of Early Childhood · DCCC.70093
Published Nov 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Connecticut Office of Early Childhood · X2013-775
Visit Apr 10, 2013 · Published Nov 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Connecticut Office of Early Childhood · X2014-2585
Visit Aug 6, 2014 · Published Nov 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Connecticut Office of Early Childhood · X2015-3150
Visit Jul 16, 2015 · Published Nov 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Connecticut Office of Early Childhood · X2016-669
Visit Feb 16, 2016 · Published Nov 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Connecticut Office of Early Childhood · X2016-5341
Visit Nov 14, 2016 · Published Nov 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Connecticut Office of Early Childhood · X2017-5291
Visit Oct 30, 2017 · Published Nov 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Connecticut Office of Early Childhood · X2018-4402
Visit Aug 10, 2018 · Published Nov 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Connecticut Office of Early Childhood · X2018-4402
Visit Aug 20, 2018 · Published Nov 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Connecticut Office of Early Childhood · X2019-1792
Visit Apr 12, 2019 · Published Nov 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Connecticut Office of Early Childhood · X2019-1792
Visit Apr 26, 2019 · Published Nov 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Connecticut Office of Early Childhood · 2019-306
Visit Apr 29, 2019 · Published Nov 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Connecticut Office of Early Childhood · X2020-1043
Visit Feb 27, 2020 · Published Nov 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Connecticut Office of Early Childhood · X2020-3377
Visit Oct 2, 2020 · Published Nov 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Connecticut Office of Early Childhood · 2021-272
Visit May 7, 2021 · Published Nov 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Connecticut Office of Early Childhood · X2021-1681
Visit Aug 12, 2021 · Published Nov 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Connecticut Office of Early Childhood · X2022-182
Visit Feb 3, 2022 · Published Nov 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Connecticut Office of Early Childhood · X2022-183
Visit Feb 3, 2022 · Published Nov 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Connecticut Office of Early Childhood · 2022-813
Visit Oct 4, 2022 · Published Nov 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Connecticut Office of Early Childhood · X2023-136
Visit Jan 13, 2023 · Published Nov 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Connecticut Office of Early Childhood · X2023-4934
Visit Dec 1, 2023 · Published Nov 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Connecticut Office of Early Childhood · 2024-420
Visit May 16, 2024 · Published Nov 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Connecticut Office of Early Childhood · X2024-4176
Visit Oct 4, 2024 · Published Nov 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Connecticut Office of Early Childhood · X2025-4365
Visit Nov 18, 2025 · Published Nov 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Record windowSeptember 1, 2011 – November 1, 2026
Historical coverage varies by agency and location. Missing records do not mean that no complaint or violation occurred.
Data architecture: Cierto supplies the source-backed machine-readable bundle. Life by Vardell independently creates the narrative, design, and consumer report.