Begin With Us Child Care and Preschool
Begin With Us Child Care and Preschool is a certified child care center in Altoona, PA, with capacity for 80 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 4 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 7 times and confirmed violations in 1 complaint investigation. The state cited 10 violations, 4 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for caregiver conduct (3 of 10). 2 citations came in the last 12 months. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is #8 of 22 centers in Altoona and has fewer citations per inspection than 77% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
The facility was observed to have a cracked/broken plastic play cup in the beach room. A broken plastic steppingstone was observed in the facility's outside play area.
The facility was observed to lack a posting of evacuation routes on the 2nd floor of the facility.
The facility was observed to lack a hand washing sign at toilet #2 in the Greenhouse room.
The FBI clearance on file for Staff #1 was observed to be greater than 60 months. This is evidenced by 5/17/18 to 6/15/23.
On 3/16/22 observed rest equipment not labeled for the use of a specific child in the following classrooms: Playhouse; Beach House; and Green House.
The file of Child #1 lacked an updated health report at least every 12 months for an older toddler or preschool child. The file of Child #1 contained health reports dated 1/19/21 and 2/16/22.
Based on interviews, Staff #1 dragged a child across the room by the wrist, grabbed a child by the shoulders and yelled in the child's face, and pulled a child to the table by the bicep.
Based on interviews, Staff #1 singled out children by calling them derogatory names. Based on interviews, Staff #1 also called children evil child, brat, baby, and jerk.
Based on interviews, Staff #1 yelled at children loudly enough to be heard throughout the building.
Based on staff interviews, Staff #1 withheld documented special dietary needs from Child #1 at lunch time until Child #1 ate at least a few bites of food.
“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.
Complaint investigations and reported incidents
Pennsylvania’s search lists complaint investigations in which the state found at least one violation (“verified complaints”). It does not say what a complaint alleged, or whether every violation relates to it. Incident investigations look into something that happened at the center; self-reported violations are ones the center reported to the state itself.
Daily rates
| Age group | Full time, per day | Part time, per day |
|---|---|---|
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $43.00 | $43.00 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $43.00 | $43.00 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $43.00 | $43.00 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $43.00 | $43.00 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $31.00 | $31.00 |
| Older School-Age (4th gr.-15 yrs.) | $31.00 | $31.00 |
The daily price the center lists in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search for families paying privately. The state notes that rates are subject to change and programs don’t have to share them, so confirm with the center. See what daycare costs in Pennsylvania.
About this center
Common questions
Has Begin With Us Child Care and Preschool had any serious violations?
Pennsylvania cited 4 violations 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 Mar 26, 2024 (background checks): “The FBI clearance on file for Staff #1 was observed to be greater than 60 months. This is evidenced by 5/17/18 to 6/15/23.” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Begin With Us Child Care and Preschool?
Pennsylvania lists 1 complaint investigation since 2021 in which it found at least one violation; the violations are listed above. Its search shows these “verified complaints” but not what a complaint alleged, or whether every violation relates to it.
What is Begin With Us Child Care and Preschool’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 4, effective Dec 13, 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 Begin With Us Child Care and Preschool compare with other daycares in Altoona?
It is #8 of 22 centers in Altoona by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 77% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Begin With Us Child Care and Preschool last inspected?
Mar 17, 2026 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does Begin With Us Child Care and Preschool cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $43.00 for infant, $43.00 for young toddler, $43.00 for older toddler, $43.00 for preschool in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Begin With Us Child Care and Preschool?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Begin With Us Childcare and Preschool INC.
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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.