1 / 5Step Ahead Academy
LicensedWhat this score could check
Verified evidence places this provider between 7 and 23. The badge shows the floor: the score the public record can defend.
- State inspection history
- Parent reviews
- Accreditation
- Profile details
- Staff qualifications: not checked
- Staff qualification data is not yet available for this provider.
- Enforcement actions: not checked
- No state enforcement-action feed is available yet, so this score cannot confirm or rule out enforcement history.
Licensing facts on this page were last checked against the state record on . We republish the public licensing record and label absent fields plainly rather than leaving them blank. Where our data comes from · Report an error
On record in Florida.
308 E 124th Ave, Tampa FL, 33612
- Ages
- 6 wks – 5 yrs
- Hours
- 6:30AM to 6:00PM
- Licensed for
- 125 children
- Subsidies
- Accepted
Hours
On the state licence record
6:30AM to 6:00PM
Monday through Friday
Listed on Google
- Mon
- 6:30 AM–6 PM
- Tue
- 6:30 AM–6 PM
- Wed
- 6:30 AM–6 PM
- Thu
- 6:30 AM–6 PM
- Fri
- 6:30 AM–6 PM
- Sat
- Closed
- Sun
- Closed
Hours change without the licence record changing. Call before you plan a drop-off around these times.
Amenities and accessibility
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Reported on the provider's Google business listing, not verified by the state.
Ages and programs
Reported to Department of Children and Families, Office of Child Care Regulation by Step Ahead Academy and published in the state licence record. Availability is not the same as licensing, so confirm openings directly.
Licensed to serve
- 6 wks – 5 yrs
Programs on record
- After School
- Before School
- Food Served
- Full Day
- Half Day
- Infant Care
The public record
- License number
- C13HI0538
- License status
- Licensed
- License type
- Child Care Facility
- Licensed capacity
- 125 children
- Address
- 308 E 124th Ave, Tampa FL, 33612
- County
- Hillsborough County
- Phone
- +18139337416
- Website
- Not listed
- License issued
- April 30, 2018
- License expires
- April 30, 2027
This page republishes the public license record maintained by the Department of Children and Families, Office of Child Care Regulation. Fields marked "Not listed" are absent from the state's published data, not hidden. Verify current license status with the agency before enrolling.
Verified Credentials
- Level 2 Background Checks
- CPR / First Aid Certified Staff
- Secure Entry System
- Continuous Video Monitoring (facilities only)
Minimums required by Florida DCF licensing for every Licensed Child Care Facility. Individual center audits may cover more than the list above.
Inspection record
Individual inspection visits as recorded by Department of Children and Families, Office of Child Care Regulation, shown as reported.
0 clean inspections · 6 with findings in the last 6
FindingApr '24
Apr 5, 2024
32-07: The ground cover or other protective surface under the [ slides and all swings on all 3 playgrounds] was not maintained. CCF Handbook, Section 3.12, D (Section 11.2, number 3) Sanitation and Equipment…
FindingJul '25
Jul 17, 2025
30-07: Items unrelated to diaper changing were stored in the diaper changing area or placed on the diaper changing table/surface. CCF Handbook, Section 3.10.2, G (Section 2.1 Health and Safety, Page 3) Sanit…
FindingDec '25
Dec 5, 2025
12-12: A fire hazard, [buildup of dust in the vents in the bathroom], was observed in the facility. CCF Handbook, Section 3.1, B (Section 2.1 Health and Safety, Page 3) Physical Environment [SR] Comments Dur… | 12-18: The facility did not have electrical outlet covers or the outlet covers were not in place. CCF Handbook, Section 3.1, I (Section 2.1 Health and Safety, Page 3) Physical Environment [SR] Comments Durin… | 17-01: The facilitys outdoor play area contained litter, nails, glass or other hazards that posed a low potential for harm to children. CCF Handbook, Section 3.5, A (Section 2.1 Health and Safety, Page 3) Ph… | 17-07: The base of the fence in the outdoor play area was not at ground level and could allow inside or outside access by children or animals. CCF Handbook, Section 3.5, F (Section 2.1 Health and Safety, Pag… | 18-12: Bedding and/or linens were not stored in a sanita
FindingApr '26
Apr 17, 2026
17-01: The facilitys outdoor play area contained litter, nails, glass or other hazards that posed a low potential for harm to children. CCF Handbook, Section 3.5, A Physical Environment [SR] Comments 17- Dur…
FindingApr '26
Apr 17, 2026
12-01: Areas of the facility were found to be in need of cleaning. CCF Handbook, Section 3.1, A (Section 2.1 Health and Safety, Page 3) Physical Environment [SR] Comments During the inspection, Licensing Spe… | 12-02: An area(s) of the facility was observed to not be in good repair. CCF Handbook, Section 3.1, A (Section 2.1 Health and Safety, Page 3) Physical Environment [SR] Comments During the inspection, Licensi… | 13-03: Harmful items including cleaning supplies, flammable products, poisonous, toxic, and hazardous materials were accessible to children in care. CCF Handbook, Section 3.2, B (Section 2.1 Health and Safet… | 23-06: During the facilitys licensure year, fire drills utilizing the approved alarm system were not conducted monthly at various dates and times when children were in care [No fire drill was conducted in Ma… | 30-06: Diaper changing occurred on a surface that was no
FindingJun '26
Jun 16, 2026
17-01: The facilitys outdoor play area contained litter, nails, glass or other hazards that posed a low potential for harm to children. CCF Handbook, Section 3.5, A Physical Environment [SR] Comments 17- Dur…
Click a finding pill to expand the summary. Fresh violations may show “Summary pending” while business profiles are being updated. Findings are summarized from the official inspection report published by Department of Children and Families, Office of Child Care Regulation.
What the record says
Provider highlights
Drawn from licensing flags published by the Department of Children and Families, Office of Child Care Regulation. Parent-review summaries will appear here once enough reviews have been collected.
Signals of care
Strengths
- Quality: Gold Seal accredited by the state
- Programs: Offers Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK)
- Affordability: Accepts School Readiness funding
Points to verify
Consider before choosing
Not enough signal recorded yet.
From Yelp
Recent parent reviews
- Yelp
It's funny how they like to say negative things about you and your child, but cannot tell you who bit your child while in their care. Anytime you hold them...
Cee R.Oct 9, 2020
Review insights powered by Yelp. Reviews shown verbatim as returned by Yelp Fusion.
How the reviews split
The 4.0 average comes from 22 Google reviews. An average hides whether opinion is consistent or divided, so the spread is shown too.
- 5 star16
- 4 star0
- 3 star1
- 2 star0
- 1 star5
Questions parents ask about Step Ahead Academy
Is Step Ahead Academy a licensed child care provider in Florida?
- Yes. Step Ahead Academy holds Florida DCF licence C13HI0538, currently listed as "Licensed" by the Department of Children and Families, first licensed on April 30, 2018. Confirm current standing with DCF before enrolling.
Does Step Ahead Academy offer free VPK?
- Yes. Step Ahead Academy is on record with Florida DCF as a Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) provider, so eligible 4-year-olds can attend the state-funded program here at no cost. Confirm current VPK enrollment with the provider.
Is Step Ahead Academy a Gold Seal provider?
- Yes. Step Ahead Academy holds Florida's Gold Seal Quality Care designation, which requires accreditation by a DCF-approved accrediting association in good standing.
Does Step Ahead Academy accept School Readiness subsidies?
- Yes. The DCF record shows Step Ahead Academy participates in Florida's School Readiness program, so families approved for child care assistance through their local Early Learning Coalition may be able to use it here.
What are Step Ahead Academy's hours?
- Weekday hours listed on its Google business profile are 6:30 AM–6 PM. Listings change, so call ahead to confirm.
How many children can Step Ahead Academy care for?
- Step Ahead Academy is licensed for up to 125 children. Licensed capacity is a legal maximum, not current availability or enrollment.
Has Step Ahead Academy had any licensing violations?
- Florida DCF has recorded 8 inspections at Step Ahead Academy, 6 of which recorded at least one finding. Reports are published by the state and summarized as reported; a finding is a cited standard, not a judgment of overall quality.