Brightside Academy · 111 W Erie Ave, Philadelphia
Brightside Academy is a certified child care center in Philadelphia, PA, with capacity for 197 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 4 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 8 times and confirmed violations in 1 complaint investigation. The state cited 25 violations, 3 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for building & playground safety (13 of 25). 5 citations came in the last 12 months. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #498 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia and has fewer citations per inspection than 59% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
The water temperature in the first bathroom was 131° F,134° F,134° F, and 134° F. The temperature in the second bathroom was 127° F,125° F,123° F and 120° F.
The wall near the entrance to the gym needs repair. The wall in room 107 needs repair and the wall in room 107 near the sink has a dent. The wall near the sink in room 115 has a small dent.
Chipped paint was observed in the following rooms: 103, 101,102,105,107,109,110B,111A,115.
The blue sofa in room 114 has a rip on each side of the arm rest exposing the foam. The cot in room 103 is ripped
The cots in room 103 were not labeled
Staff person #1 aggressively wiped a child's face.
During renewal inspection, certification supervisor observed several classrooms which were under construction. Classroom #115 was missing several outlet covers.
During renewal inspection, certification supervisor observed toxic cleaning materials accessible to children.
During renewal inspection, certification supervisor observed that the first aid kit used for excursions in classroom #102 did not contain a bottle of water.
During renewal inspection, certification supervisor observed several classrooms which were under construction. These classrooms contained stained ceiling tiles and other surfaces which needed to be cleaned and free from visible hazards. Classrooms #117, 115, 114
During renewal inspection, certification supervisor observed chipped or peeling paint in classrooms 117, 115, 103 and 104
During renewal inspection, certification supervisor observed the rest equipment in classroom 102 did not have 2 feet of space on 3 sides while in use during nap time.
During renewal inspection, certification supervisor observed medication contained inside the excursion first aid kit that did not contain the professional's instructions or the original label.
During renewal inspection, certification supervisor reviewed the emergency contact forms in the classroom. Certification supervisor observed that classroom 102 did not have updated emergency contact forms in the classroom.
During renewal inspection certification rep observed chipped paint in rooms 103/104, 105/106 and plaster in hallway
During renewal inspection certification rep reviewed children's file. Emergency contact for child 1 was missing full address of release person and child 2 was missing telephone number of individual designated by the parent to whom the child may be released.
During renewal inspection on 7/6/23, A wooden fence in the outdoor play area was not stable/secure and could easily be moved back and forth. The wooden fence also had some protruding nails, and the surface was splintery.
AT TIME OF RENEWAL INSPECTION, THE FILE FOR STAFF PERSON #1 (WHO IS PAST THE PROVISIONAL HIRE PERIOD) DID NOT CONTAIN COMPLETE CRIMINAL HISTORY INFORMATION AS REQUIRED BY THE CPSL. THE FILE FOR STAFF PERSON #1 DID NOT CONTAIN A FBI CLEARANCE OR A RECEIPT FOR THE CLEARANCE.
AT TIME OF RENEWAL INSPECTION, THE OUTDOOR PLAY AREA HAD POUR IN PLACE SURFACING THAT WAS DIRTY AND COVERED WITH MOSS, AND WAS IN NEED OF BEING CLEANED. IN THE CORNER OF THE PLAY YARD, UNUSED EQUIPMENT AND PIECES OF PLAY EQUIPMENT WERE STACKED ON TOP OF EACH OTHER POSING A HAZARD IF THE ITEMS WERE TO FALL. ALSO, ROCK SALT AND DRYWALL PRIMER WERE STORED IN THIS AREA AND ACCESSIBLE TO CHILDREN.
AT TIME OF RENEWAL INSPECTION THE HEALTH ASSESSMENTS FOR CHILD #1 AND #2 WERE MORE THAN SIX MONTHS OLD.
AT TIME OF RENEWAL INSPECTION, A RECEIPT INDICATING THE DATE OF PURCHASE OR INSTALLATION FOR THE INTERCONNECTED FIRE SYSTEM WAS NOT ON FILE AT THE FACILITY AS REQUIRED UNDER ACT 62.
AT TIME OF UNANNOUNCED INSPECTION ON 3/16/22, AN INFANT WAS OBSERVED SLEEPING IN CRIB #2, AND THERE WAS NOT AT LEAST 2 FEET OF SPACE ON THREE SIDES OF THE CRIB.
AT TIME OF UNANNOUNCED INSPECTION ON 3/16/22, THE FILE FOR CHILD #1 WAS TRANSFERRED TO A DIFFERENT LOCATION. UPON REVIEW OF THE FILE, IT WAS OBSERVED THAT IT DID NOT CONTAIN WRITTEN PARENTAL CONSENT OR INFORMATION REQUIRED UNDER 3270.184 (b) (1)-(5).
AT TIME OF UNANNOUNCED INSPECTION ON 10/21/21, STAFF PERSON #1, WHO WAS DESIGNATED TO BE IN CHARGE OF COMPLIANCE WHILE THE DIRECTOR WAS NOT IN THE BUILDING, WAS NOT ABLE TO MAINTAIN COMPLIANCE DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO ACCESS THE STAFF AND CHILD FILES UPON REQUEST.
DURING COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION WHICH BEGAN ON 10/21/21, IT WAS FOUNDED THAT FACILITY PERSON # 1 HAS BEEN NAMED AS A PERPETRATOR IN A FOUNDED/INDICATED REPORT OF CHILD ABUSE.
“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 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 Sep 9, 2025 (caregiver conduct): “Staff person #1 aggressively wiped a child's face.” 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 Jan 18, 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 Brightside Academy compare with other daycares in Philadelphia?
It is tied for #498 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 59% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Brightside Academy last inspected?
Sep 2, 2026 (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.