Big Kids Castle
Big Kids Castle is a certified child care center in Ford City, PA, with capacity for 30 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 1 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 5 times. The state cited 18 violations, 3 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for building & playground safety (5 of 18). 6 citations came in the last 12 months, including 1 on a core-safety topic. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is #3 of 14 centers in Armstrong County and has fewer citations per inspection than 58% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
The file for Staff #1 contained a current PA Child Abuse clearance dated 7/2/25 which was obtained more than 60 months from the previous PA Child Abuse clearance dated 6/29/20.
There was an open outlet in the main room next to the green table lacking a receptacle cover accessible to children 5 years of age or younger.
Paint and cleaning materials labeled "Keep out of reach of children" were stored behind an unlocked door in the hallway accessible to children.
The material on the basket ball equipment in the back room was torn exposing metal frame.
There was a table in the back room with 2 screws protruding, one from the top and the other from the side.
The agreement form for Child #1 lacked arrival and departure times. The agreement form for Child #2 lacked departure times.
The file for Staff Person #4 lacked a PA State Police Clearance for the purpose of employment. The file contained a volunteer PA State Police Clearance dated 12/31/23. (See LIS Code Sheet)
The facility's Parent Letter explaining emergency procedures lacked information related to lockdown, method to contact parents, method to inform parents when the emergency situation has ended and how to reunite with their children, as well as accommodations for infants, toddlers, children with disabilities and chronic medical conditions.
The facility lacked documentation of fire alarm testing conducted at least every 30 days as required by Announcement C-23-02.
The files for Staff Persons #1, #2, and #3 contained pediatric first aid and CPR training dated 5/9/24 which was not obtained prior to the previous training expiration of 4/2024.
The files for Staff Persons #1, #2, and #3 contained fire safety training dated 12/18/24 which was more than 12 months from the previous training dated 10/17/23.
The file for Staff #1 was lacking a Child Abuse Clearance. The file for Staff #2 was lacking an FBI clearance and Mandated Reporter Training.
The file for Child #1 contains a Health Assessment dated 6/30/21, which is more than 60 days after the child's enrollment date.
Staff person #2 has not completed the following required pre-service training within 90 days of their date of hire (see LIS code sheet): Mandated Reporter.
Owner/Director was unable to show operability of fire detection system during the renewal inspection.
At the time of the renewal inspection, the owner/Director was unable to show operability of the smoke detection system to Certification Representative.
The middle gym and back room child care areas were being used and were lacking emergency contact forms of the children in care at that time.
The facility was lacking information available to parents on how to access the regulations electronically.
“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) | $46.00 | $40.00 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $42.00 | $33.00 |
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 Big Kids Castle 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 Jan 7, 2026 (background checks): “The file for Staff #1 contained a current PA Child Abuse clearance dated 7/2/25 which was obtained more than 60 months from the previous PA Child Abuse clearance dated 6/29/20.” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Big Kids Castle?
Pennsylvania lists no complaint investigation that found a violation at Big Kids Castle since 2021. Its search shows these “verified complaints” but not what a complaint alleged, or whether every violation relates to it.
What is Big Kids Castle’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 1, effective Jul 18, 2019. 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 Big Kids Castle compare with other daycares in Armstrong County?
It is #3 of 14 centers in Armstrong County by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 58% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Big Kids Castle last inspected?
Jan 7, 2026 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does Big Kids Castle cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $46.00 for preschool, $42.00 for young school-age in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Big Kids Castle?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Big Kids Castle LLC.
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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.