Daycare Record Child care inspection records

Bright Horizons at Center City

1601 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19103 · Philadelphia County
Keystone STAR 4 (accredited)

Bright Horizons at Center City is a certified child care center in Philadelphia, PA, with capacity for 155 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 4 (accredited) rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 5 times. The state cited 17 violations, 2 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep). 8 citations came in the last 12 months. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #527 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia and has fewer citations per inspection than 57% of Pennsylvania certified centers.

Inspection record

Fewer citations than 57% of 4,789 Pennsylvania certified centers, per inspection, weighted by topic. About typical
Tied for #527 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia
2 Core-safety citations
15 Other citations
5 Inspections
0 Complaint investigations that found violations
17 citations from 5 state visits since Aug 16, 2021 · 8 in the last 12 months · last inspected Sep 4, 2026

Every state visit

2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 INSPECTIONS (top) · REPORTS & INVESTIGATIONS (bottom) Sep 4, 2026 · Inspection · citation found Sep 3, 2025 · Inspection · citation found Aug 27, 2024 · Inspection · citation found Jun 20, 2023 · Inspection · no citation Aug 25, 2022 · Inspection · citation found
Violation found No violation Top row: inspections · bottom row: complaint investigations, self-reported incidents and other visits

What inspectors cited most

Building & playground safety 4
Records & paperwork 4
Emergency preparedness 3
Health & medication 2
Transportation 2
Supervision 2

Citations, newest first

Citation Sep 4, 2026 Inspection Emergency preparedness
Plan posted 55 Pa. Code §3270.27(d)
During the renewal inspection on 9/4/26, the operator did not have the Emergency Plan posted conspicuously for the parents to view.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Sep 22, 2026): “The center's Emergency Plan was moved to the wall by the front door instead of being on the far side of the lobby. It is now posted right inside the door of the center.”
Citation Sep 4, 2026 Inspection Building & playground safety
Building Surfaces 55 Pa. Code §3270.76
During the renewal inspection on 9/4/26: 1. In the Two's room, there was sever water damage on the ceiling that produced peeling paint and plaster that was also on the floor below. 2. In the Two's room, the entrance door would not open and was in poor repair. 3. In the K-Prep room, there was a malfunctioning refrigerator that did not work.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Sep 22, 2026): “1. Building maintenance repaired the damaged ceiling in two's classroom. The paint and plaster that was on the floor has been cleaned up. 2. Building maintenance repaired the stuck entrance door to the two's classroom. 3. The malfunctioning refrigerator was removed from the K-Prep classroom and was…”
Citation Sep 4, 2026 Inspection Health & medication
12 months prior to service and every 24 months thereafter/Health assessment, TB test 55 Pa. Code §3270.151(a)/3270.192(3)
During the renewal inspection on 9/4/26, staff person #1 did not have a health assessment completed within the last 24 months.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Sep 22, 2026): “Staff person #1 was on a leave of absence at the time of renewal inspection but upon her return the health assessment was completed on 9/18/26.”
Citation Sep 4, 2026 Inspection Transportation
Safe routes posted 55 Pa. Code §3270.171(c)
During the renewal inspection on 9/4/26, the operator did not have the Pick-up and Drop-off procedure posted conspicuously for the parents to view.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Sep 22, 2026): “Pick-up and Drop-off procedure was posted right by the front door of the center so it is easily viewed by parents.”
Citation Sep 4, 2026 Inspection Emergency preparedness
Emergency plan 55 Pa. Code §3270.27(f)
During the renewal inspection on 9/4/26, the operator did not have verification that the emergency plan was sent to the local municipality and to the county emergency management agency.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Sep 22, 2026): “A copy of the center's emergency plan was submitted to the local municipality and the county emergency management agency via the online submission portal.”
Citation Sep 4, 2026 Inspection Transportation
Pick-up and drop-off points 55 Pa. Code §3270.171(a)
During the renewal inspection on 9/4/26, the operator did not have verification on file that notification was sent to the local traffic safety authorities of the location of the facility and the program's use of pedestrian and vehicular routes around the childcare facility.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Sep 22, 2026): “Notification was sent to local traffic safety authorities of the location of the facility and the program's use of pedestrian and vehicular routes around the childcare facility. There is a copy of the letter on file at the center, along with a picture of it before it was mailed.”
Citation Sep 4, 2026 Inspection Records & paperwork
Parent home/work address, phone 55 Pa. Code §3270.124(b)(3)
During the renewal inspection on 9/4/26, in the Preschool 1 room, child #1 had emergency contact information that did not have the enrolling parent's phone number.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Sep 22, 2026): “Child #1's emergency contact information was updated by the parent to include the parent's phone number.”
Citation Sep 4, 2026 Inspection Records & paperwork
Updated every 6 months 55 Pa. Code §3270.124(f)
During the renewal inspection on 9/4/26, in the Toddler 2 room, child #2 had emergency contact information that was not updated within the last 6-months. (It was dated 9/2/25).
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Sep 22, 2026): “Child #2's emergency contact information was updated on 9/4/26.”
Core safety Sep 3, 2025 Inspection Supervision
Supervised at all times 55 Pa. Code §3270.113(a)
During the renewal inspection on 9/4/25, during the preparation to transition from the Two's 2 Room to the Indoor play space, staff person #3 lost supervision of child#1 as the child was able to get out of the room and into the Indoor play space alone and out of staff person #3 sight.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Sep 16, 2025): “Staff person #3 was promptly retrained through our Transition Tracking and Supervision professional development course. This course emphasizes proactive supervision strategies, environmental scanning, and transition protocols to ensure no child is ever unsupervised. A reflective supervision session…”
Core safety Sep 3, 2025 Inspection Supervision
Staff assigned to specific children 55 Pa. Code §3270.113(a)(1)
During the renewal inspection on 9/4/25, in Infant Room #3, staff persons #1 and 2 were not able to effectively identify the specific group of children they were responsible for.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Sep 16, 2025): “Staff persons #1 and #2 were immediately provided with updated child assignment rosters. These rosters are now reviewed and confirmed at the start of each shift. Both staff members completed a targeted training session on Primary Caregiving Quality Expectations, emphasizing the importance of…”
Citation Sep 3, 2025 Inspection Building & playground safety
Building Surfaces 55 Pa. Code §3270.76
During the renewal inspection on 9/4/25, the protective Fire Pull Station Enclosure was improperly secured and in poor repair resulting in it falling off of the wall while entering the Indoor play space, creating a hazard for the children.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Sep 16, 2025): “Upon discovery, the damaged enclosure was promptly removed from the area to eliminate any immediate risk to children and staff. A new, securely mounted enclosure -- meeting all fire safety and building code standards -- was installed within 24 hours of the inspection. We conducted a comprehensive…”
Citation Sep 3, 2025 Inspection Records & paperwork
Written emergency plan posted 55 Pa. Code §3270.124(e)
During the renewal inspection on 9/4/25, there was no transportation plan posted in the Infant Room 1.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Sep 16, 2025): “A comprehensive emergency transportation plan was created and posted conspicuously in Infant Room 1 and all other classrooms within 24 hour of the inspection. This plan includes: - Designated emergency transport method (e.g., ambulance or approved staff vehicle) - Roles and responsibilities of…”
Citation Aug 27, 2024 Inspection Building & playground safety
Protective Outlet Covers 5 yrs. or less 55 Pa. Code §3270.65
During the renewal inspection on 8/27/24, there was an unused electrical outlet in the Infant/Toddler back up room that did not have a protective receptacle cover.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Sep 4, 2024): “Make sure protective covers are in placed and follow up with the janitorial services to place the covers back in place after use of vacuuming.”
Citation Aug 27, 2024 Inspection Building & playground safety
Building Surfaces 55 Pa. Code §3270.76
During the renewal inspection on 8/27/24, there was a water hose running from inside the facility, down the hall and to the outside play area that posed a hazard to the children. Water hose must be wound or put away after use.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Sep 4, 2024): “I will talk to the teachers to let them know that the water hose need to be put away after each use.”
Citation Aug 27, 2024 Inspection Health & medication
Clean, age appropriate 55 Pa. Code §3270.106(a)
During the renewal inspection on 8/27/24, Infant Room 2 and Infant room 3 combined into one class because a staff person was out sick and the list/label for child #1 new crib was not updated to reflect the change.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Sep 4, 2024): “I will talk to the teachers to make sure the the crib list is updated to reflect the children when they combine and labeled for each child.”
Citation Aug 27, 2024 Inspection Records & paperwork
Each child care space 55 Pa. Code §3270.124(c)
During the renewal inspection on 8/27/24, child #2 did not have emergency contact information in the Indoor play space while in care in that space.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Sep 4, 2024): “Talk to the teachers to make sure all emergency contact information is with them while visiting other spaces.”
Citation Aug 25, 2022 Inspection Emergency preparedness
Contact when ended/Emergency plan 55 Pa. Code §3270.27(a)(4)/3270.27(a)(5)
DURING THE RENEWAL INSPECTION THE CERTIFICATION REPRESENTATIVE REVIEWED THE EMERGENCY PLAN AND THERE WERE NO ACCOMODATIONS FOR INFANTS, TODDLERS, CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES OR CHILDREN WITH CHRONIC MEDICAL CONDITIONS AND NO METHODS TO CONTACT PARENTS WHEN THE EMERGENCY SITUATION END. (IMPLEMENTED ON SITE).
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Aug 25, 2022): “THE PROVIDER ADDED THE INFORMATION TO THE EMERGENCY PLAN.”

“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

Capacity 155 children
Certificate status Regular
Certificate valid through Sep 14, 2027
Keystone STARS STAR 4 (accredited)
since Jun 7, 2026 · what STARS means
Operator Bright Horizons Childrens Centers LLC
Phone —
State certificate # CER-00262091
Parent reviews Google Maps reviews
Not checked by Daycare Record

Common questions

Has Bright Horizons at Center City had any serious violations?

Pennsylvania cited 2 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 Sep 3, 2025 (supervision): “During the renewal inspection on 9/4/25, during the preparation to transition from the Two's 2 Room to the Indoor play space, staff person #3 lost supervision of child#1 as the child was able to get out of the room and…” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.

Have there been complaints about Bright Horizons at Center City?

Pennsylvania lists no complaint investigation that found a violation at Bright Horizons at Center City since 2021. Its search shows these “verified complaints” but not what a complaint alleged, or whether every violation relates to it.

What is Bright Horizons at Center City’s Keystone STARS rating?

STAR 4 (accredited), effective Jun 7, 2026. 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 Bright Horizons at Center City compare with other daycares in Philadelphia?

It is tied for #527 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 57% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.

When was Bright Horizons at Center City last inspected?

Sep 4, 2026 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.

Who runs Bright Horizons at Center City?

The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Bright Horizons Childrens Centers LLC.

Certified centers nearby

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.