Bethany School Age Care
Bethany School Age Care is a certified child care center in Ephrata, PA, with capacity for 171 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 4 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 6 times. The state cited 20 violations, 3 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for building & playground safety (11 of 20). 3 citations came in the last 12 months, including 1 on a core-safety topic. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is #4 of 9 centers in Ephrata and has fewer citations per inspection than 54% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
Staff person #1 was observed sitting on a bench near the towel area focusing on applying sunscreen for approximately 3 minutes. The staff person was not watching the children he was responsible for supervising during this time. Once certification staff intervened and asked the staff person to identify their care group, the staff person took approximately 2 minutes to locate the four children in the care group.
The first aid kit and the sunscreen were observed in a wagon in an area accessible to the children at the pool.
The staff present at the pool were unable to identify who was responsible in the director's absence.
On 10/7/24, it was observed that staff person 1 had clearances on file which indicated previous criminal history, but no RAP sheets were available. CORRECTED ON SITE.
On 10/7/24, it was observed that the facility did not have a Continuity of Care plan as part of the facility emergency plan.
On 10/7/24, it was observed that outlet covers were missing in the facility. An uncovered outlet was observed in the Preschool 2 classroom on the wall beside the refrigerator. CORRECTED ON SITE. An uncovered outlet was observed on the right side (from the door) wall in Zwingli Hall. CORRECTED ON SITE.
On 10/7/24, it was observed that a Devil's Ivy plant was present in the Preschool 1 classroom, which is considered toxic.
On 10/7/24, it was observed that furniture was in need of repair. The cork cabinet in the school age classroom was observed to have a hole in the door on the left side. CORRECTED ON SITE. The shelf in the Kindergarten classroom where the play cash register was located was observed to have peeling wood trim. CORRECTED ON SITE.
On 10/7/24 it was observed that staff person 2 had a health assessment on file that expired on 6/29/24 that was not updated until 7/29/24.
On 10/7/24, it was observed that the emergency contact sheet for child 2 did not include an address for one of their release persons.
On 10/20/23, it was observed that there was the vent covers in the Young School Age and the Preschool 2 classroom had peeling paint.
On 10/20/23, it was observed that furniture in the facility was in need of repair. The black bookshelves in the reading area of the older school age classroom had peeling/chipped paint. The play kitchen stove in the older school age classroom was chipping across the front. The wooden chairs in the preschool 1 classroom had splintering/chipping wood on the seats and backs.
On 10/24/22, it was observed that outlet covers were missing on 2 outlets in the big room that is used for Gross Motor play. The regular outlet under the red bulletin board was uncovered and the 3 prong outlet on the right side of the room was uncovered. CORRECTED ON SITE.
On 10/24/22, it was observed that toxics were accessible to children. Clorox Cleaner was stored under the sink, in the unlocked cabinet in the school age bathroom. CORRECTED ON SITE. Hand Sanitizer was observed on a table in the large room used for gross motor play. CORRECTED ON SITE.
On 10/24/22, it was observed that the Lego lap table in the Preschool 1 classroom was broken and had a sharp prong on top of the Lego board.
On 10/24/22, it was observed that the nap cots were numbered for individual use but there was no chart to specify which child was assigned to each numbered cot. CORRECTED 10/25/22.
On 10/24/22, it was observed that the refrigerator in the kitchen which is used to store milk for the facility did not have a thermometer. CORRECTED ON SITE,
On 10/25/21, it was observed that CPSL (Child Protective Services Law) was not followed. Staff person 1 (hire date 1/25/21) did not have a NSOR (National Sex Offender Registry) clearance on file. Provisional paperwork was dated 5/26/21. Staff person 1 may not work until NSOR clearance is on file.
On 10/25/21, it was observed that the green carpet, on the stage, in the Big Room was torn. CORRECTED ON SITE.
On 10/25/21 it was observed that there was peeling paint with damaged plaster in the Preschool 1 classroom, by the cubbies.
“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.
Daily rates
| Age group | Full time, per day | Part time, per day |
|---|---|---|
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $45.20 | $22.60 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $40.80 | $23.80 |
| Older School-Age (4th gr.-15 yrs.) | $40.80 | $23.80 |
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 Bethany School Age Care had any serious violations?
Pennsylvania cited 3 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 Aug 4, 2026 (supervision): “Staff person #1 was observed sitting on a bench near the towel area focusing on applying sunscreen for approximately 3 minutes. The staff person was not watching the children he was responsible for supervising during…” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Bethany School Age Care?
Pennsylvania lists no complaint investigation that found a violation at Bethany School Age Care since 2021. Its search shows these “verified complaints” but not what a complaint alleged, or whether every violation relates to it.
What is Bethany School Age Care’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 4, effective Oct 5, 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 Bethany School Age Care compare with other daycares in Ephrata?
It is #4 of 9 centers in Ephrata by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 54% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Bethany School Age Care last inspected?
Oct 1, 2025 (renewal). No violations were cited during that visit.
How much does Bethany School Age Care cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $45.20 for preschool, $40.80 for young school-age, $40.80 for older school-age in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Bethany School Age Care?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Bethany United Church of Christ.
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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.