Brightside Academy · 701 Market St, Philadelphia
Brightside Academy is a certified child care center in Philadelphia, PA, with capacity for 114 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 4 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 6 times and confirmed violations in 1 complaint investigation. The state cited 26 violations, 5 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for building & playground safety (10 of 26). 13 citations came in the last 12 months, including 1 on a core-safety topic. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #717 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia and has more citations per inspection than 55% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
During the renewal inspection on 12.17.25, the disclosure statement reviewed for Staff Person #1 did not include staff #1 signature and date of document completion.
During the renewal inspection on 12.17.25, Rooms #5/6 #6, #7, and #10 were being used as storage space areas. Rooms#11/12 and #13/14 were not set up for childcare space.
During the renewal inspection on 12.17.25, there were no protective receptable covers in electrical outlets located in Room # 5/6, Room #6, Room #7, Room #8 and Room #10.
During the renewal inspection on 12.17.25, there were no first aid kits located in Room #5/6, Room #6, Room #8, and Room #10.
During the renewal inspection on 12.17.25, the first aid kit located in Infant Room #1 did not contain tweezers.
During the renewal inspection on 12.17.25, chipped paint was located on the green walls in Room #1, Room #2, Room #3, Room #6, Room #7, Room #8, and Room #10.
During the renewal inspection on 12.17.25, plastic bags were located in an unlocked cabinet accessible to the infants and young toddlers receiving childcare in Infant Room #1.
During the renewal inspection on 12.17.25, all three sides of a crib being used in Infant Room#1 was not spaced at least 2 feet apart.
During the renewal inspection on 12.17.25, the bottles in Infant Room #1 were not labeled with children's names.
During the renewal inspection on 12.17.25, a written plan of daily activities was not posted in Room#5/6, Room #6, Room#7, Room#8 and Room#10.
During the renewal inspection on 12.17.25, there was no emergency contact information for children receiving childcare in Infant Room #1, and for child #1 receiving childcare in Room #3.
During the renewal inspection on 12.17.25, a written plan identifying the means of transporting a child to emergency care and staffing provisions in the event of an emergency was not posted in Rooms #5/6, #6, #7, #8 and #10.
During the renewal inspection on 12.17.25, emergency contact information for 6 out of 16 emergency contact forms located in Room#3 were dated past a 6-month period. Emergency Contact Information for 11 out of 16 children receiving childcare in Room #3 was incomplete.
Show 13 older citations
During the renewal inspection on 01.04.24, the record reviewed for Staff Person #1 did not include two written nonfamily references attesting to Staff Person #1's suitability to serve as a facility person.
During a renewal inspection on 02/15/2023, the first aid kit in classroom #3 did not contain scissors.
During a renewal inspection on 02/15/2023, the sink in classroom #2 did not contain a sign telling children and staff when to wash their hands.
During a renewal inspection on 02/15/2023, the file for child # 2 contained a health record dated more than 6-months old.
During a renewal inspection on 02/15/2023,the file for child #1 did not contained a current record of influenza vaccination.
On 2/1/23, it was noticed by Certification Staff that there was an infant sleeping in a car seat in the classroom.
On 2/1/23, it was noticed by Certification Staff that Staff #1 was sleeping in the classroom.
On 2/13/23, during the complaint investigation, in Staff #1 file, was missing the PA State Criminal Clearance.
On 2/13/23, during the complaint investigation, the file of Staff #1 was missing the PA State Criminal Clearance.
On 2/13/23 during the complaint investigation, during the walkthrough in Classroom 3, there was a spray bottle that was not labeled and accessible to children. Certification Representative smelled and verified that it was a cleaning solution.
During time of inspection, the cubbies in room #10-14 we not mounted a could pose a possible hazard to the children if they were to fall over.
At time of inspection, child #1-3 did not have updated influenza immunization and/or signed parent immunization exemption form documented in their records.
At time of inspection, a written play identifying a means of transporting children in the event of an emergency was not posted in the children care spaces as required.
“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.) | $68.00 | $68.00 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $63.60 | $63.60 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $59.60 | $59.60 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $56.40 | $47.00 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $45.60 | $39.40 |
| Older School-Age (4th gr.-15 yrs.) | $45.60 | $39.40 |
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 Brightside Academy had any serious violations?
Pennsylvania cited 5 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 Dec 17, 2025 (background checks): “During the renewal inspection on 12.17.25, the disclosure statement reviewed for Staff Person #1 did not include staff #1 signature and date of document completion.” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Brightside Academy?
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 Brightside Academy’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 4, effective Oct 7, 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 Brightside Academy compare with other daycares in Philadelphia?
It is tied for #717 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has more citations per inspection than 55% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Brightside Academy last inspected?
Dec 17, 2025 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does Brightside Academy cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $68.00 for infant, $63.60 for young toddler, $59.60 for older toddler, $56.40 for preschool in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Brightside Academy?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Brightside Academy Philadelphia 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.