Acorn Academy Pittsburgh is a certified child care center in Sewickley, PA, with capacity for 41 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 1 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 3 times. The state cited 45 violations, 1 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for building & playground safety (19 of 45). 17 citations came in the last 12 months. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #8 of 11 centers in Sewickley and has more citations per inspection than 97% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
The letter to the parents of enrolled children regarding the facility emergency plan does not include information regarding accommodations for infants and toddlers, children with disabilities, and children with chronic medical conditions.
There were 2 outlets in the women's bathroom at the end of the hall that were missing an outlet covers and were accessible to children. There were multiple accessible, uncovered outlets in the new indoor gross motor space that the provider added during the renewal inspection.
There was an unlidded trashcan in Room 4-B where soiled facial tissues were observed.
The first aid kit in Room 4-B did not include band aids.
The microwave in the play kitchen in Room 2 had a loose sidewall that left an exposed bolt that posed an injury hazard.
The mulch under the embedded play structure in the outdoor playground did not measure to a depth on 9", recommended by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The health assessment on file for Child #1 does not indicate if the child is free from contagious disease and is able to participate in child care.
The immunization record on file for Child #2, who is a preschool age child, included 0 of 4 HIB vaccines recommended by the ACIP for a child this age; 1 of 4 pneumococcal vaccines recommended by the ACIP for a child this age; 1 of 2 Hepatitis A vaccines recommended by the ACIP for a child this age.
There was an unlabeled pink tablet in Room 2 that was not in the original container and was therefore unidentified.
The initial health assessment on file for Child #4 is dated 11.26.25, more than 60 days after enrollment. The health assessment on file for Child #2, #4, and #5 does not include a signature from the healthcare professional who completed the health assessment, or the date that the health assessment was completed, making the form invalid.
The Shaken Baby Policy submitted by the facility does not include language regarding the prevention and identification of child maltreatment.
There was no written daily activity schedule in the indoor gross motor room that the provider added during the renewal inspection.
The emergency contact form on file for Child #1 does not include the address and/or telephone number for the enrolling parent's employment.
The file for Child #2 does not include written parental consent for the facility to obtain emergency medical care.
The emergency contact form on file for Child #1 and #3 does not include a complete address for all listed release persons.
There was no emergency transportation plan posted in a conspicuous location in the indoor Gross Motor room that the provider added during the renewal inspection.
The file for Child #2 does not include written parental permission for the facility to administer minor first aid procedures.
Show 28 older citations
The signed disclosure statement on file for Staff person #1, #2, #3, #4 is not dated, making them invalid (See LIS Code Sheet). The file for Staff person #1 includes a PA Child Abuse clearance that was obtained for volunteer purposes, making it invalid for childcare employment; does not include a complete FBI clearance or proof of being fingerprinted prior to date of hire, required for provisional hiring under the CPSL; and does not include a complete, valid NSOR certificate, required prior to working in a childcare position. The file for Staff person #3 did not include a valid PA Child Abuse clearance, required prior to hire, per CPSL requirements.
There was an outlet in Room 2 below the apples and in Room 3 under the alphabet that was missing an outlet cover and was accessible to children.
The Art room contained the following items that were on a shelf that was accessible to children and were labeled to keep out of reach of children: Up & Up brand disinfectant wipes; Clorox wipes; hand sanitizer.
There was no lidded trashcan in Room 2 and Room 4; the certification representative observed soiled facial tissues and used band aids in the unlidded cans.
The first aid kit in the Art room did not include soap.
The 2 bathrooms at the end of the hall used by Rooms 3 & 4 did not include a lidded waste receptacle.
There were empty plastic shopping bags in an unlatched drawer accessible to children in Room 4B.
The facility did not have a fire drill log available to the certification representative at the inspection.
The facility does not have a fire alarm 30-day test log, as required with Announcement C-23-02.
The facility does not have a Shaken Baby Policy that addresses the following: Recognition of potential signs and symptoms of shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma; Strategies for coping with a crying, fussing, or distraught child; and the prevention and identification of child maltreatment.
The file for Staff person #1, #2, classified as an assistant group supervisor, does not include a high school diploma or a general educational development certificate and 30 credit hours in education or a related human services field; or a high school diploma or a general educational development certificate with 15 credits in education or a related human services field and 1 year of experience with children; or a high school diploma or a general educational development certificate and 2 years' experience with children. The file for Staff person #3, who was classified as a group supervisor, does not have verification of a Bachelor's degree in education or a related human services field; or a Bachelor's degree with 30 credits in education or a related human services field and 1 year of verified child care experience; or an Associate's degree in education or a related human services field and 2 years of verified child care experience; or an Associate's degree with 30 credits in education or a related human services field and 3 years of verified child care experience.
The agreement on file for Child #1, #3, #4, and #5 does not include the child's date of admission.
The emergency contact form on file for Child #1, #2, #3, #4, and #5 does not include the work address and telephone number for the enrolling parent.
The file for Child #3 does not include written parental permission for the facility to obtain emergency medical care.
The emergency contact form on file for Child #2, #4 and #5 does not include a complete address for all listed release persons.
There were no emergency contact forms in Rooms 2, 3, or 4B, where children were observed to be receiving care. The director stated while they had contact numbers for the children in each childcare space, copies of the emergency contact forms were not kept in any of the childcare spaces.
The file for Child #3 does not include written parental permission for the facility to administer minor first aid procedures.
The file for Staff person #1 includes only 1 written nonfamily reference.
The facility did not have a letter for parents regarding the emergency plan and explaining the emergency procedures.
There were paint dabbers in Room 4-A labeled "Keep out of reach of children" that were accessible to children.
There was no first aid kit in each childcare room.
The bathrooms in Room 2 and Room 4-B, and the bathroom at the end of the hallway did not include handwashing signs at each sink and at each toilet.
There was a cracked Mega Block in Room 2.
There was not 9 inches of mulch under the embedded play equipment in the outdoor play space.
Styrofoam cups were present in Room 4-A, that were used for arts and crafts projects.
The health assessment on file for Staff person #1 does not include the physician or health care professional's assessment of the person's suitability to provide childcare.
The childcare facility did not have proof of purchase for the interconnected fire detection system in the facility. The childcare facility, which is unable to test the interconnected fire detection system, does not have an annual inspection dated within the last 12 months confirming that the fire detection system in operable.
The emergency plan lacked an evacuation location away from the premises.
“Core safety” marks citations about supervision and staff ratios, discipline and caregiver conduct, background checks, child protection and safe sleep, the topics our score weights most. Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity. “Follow-up” marks a violation re-cited at a follow-up visit, counted once. How scores work.
About this center
Common questions
Has Acorn Academy Pittsburgh had any serious violations?
Pennsylvania cited 1 violation since 2021 on the topics Daycare Record treats as core safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep). The most recent, on Sep 19, 2025 (background checks): “The signed disclosure statement on file for Staff person #1, #2, #3, #4 is not dated, making them invalid (See LIS Code Sheet). The file for Staff person #1 includes a PA Child Abuse clearance that was obtained for…” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Acorn Academy Pittsburgh?
Pennsylvania lists no complaint investigation that found a violation at Acorn Academy Pittsburgh since 2021. Its search shows these “verified complaints” but not what a complaint alleged, or whether every violation relates to it.
What is Acorn Academy Pittsburgh’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 1, effective Dec 22, 2025. Keystone STARS is Pennsylvania’s quality rating program for child care, from STAR 1 to STAR 4. It measures program quality, not inspection results, so read both.
How does Acorn Academy Pittsburgh compare with other daycares in Sewickley?
It is tied for #8 of 11 centers in Sewickley by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has more citations per inspection than 97% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Acorn Academy Pittsburgh last inspected?
Mar 19, 2026 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
Who runs Acorn Academy Pittsburgh?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Acorn Academy PGH.
Certified centers nearby
2401 Rochester Rd, Sewickley · 0.8 mi away About typical Bahs Place
2590 Wexford Bayne Rd, Sewickley · 1.0 mi away · 91 spots More citations than most Primrose School of Wexford
2598 Wexford Bayne Rd, Sewickley · 1.1 mi away · 209 spots Among the most cited KinderCare Learning Center/Wexford
106 Vip Dr, Wexford · 1.4 mi away Among the most cited Ingomar United Methodist Church Child DVPT Center
1500 W Ingomar Rd, Pittsburgh · 1.9 mi away · 76 spots More citations than most The Goddard School
3000 Brooktree Rd, Wexford · 2.4 mi away · 135 spots Among the most cited
Citations are quoted from Pennsylvania Department of Human Services inspection records (Office of Child Development and Early Learning, Bureau of Certification Services), including each finding and the center’s plan of correction. Rule numbers refer mostly to 55 Pa. Code Chapter 3270, the rules for child care centers; a few cite Chapter 20, which covers every certified facility. Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; the “core safety” label and the score are Daycare Record’s.
To check the state’s own record, search the center’s name on COMPASS Child Care Provider Search and open its inspection history. Data refreshed Oct 16, 2026.
Comparing centers? See how to choose a daycare: 30 questions to ask and a printable checklist.
Concerned about this center? See how to report a daycare: which state line to call, what to write down and what happens next.