Brightside Academy · 5422 Media St, Philadelphia
Brightside Academy is a certified child care center in Philadelphia, PA, with capacity for 125 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 4 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 7 times. The state cited 19 violations, 1 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for building & playground safety (8 of 19). 3 citations came in the last 12 months. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #399 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia and has fewer citations per inspection than 68% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
During renewal inspection Cert Rep observed the following: The facility's hot water was measuring at 113 degrees in the classrooms and 119 degrees in the bathrooms
During renewal inspection Cert Rep observed the following: Classroom # 6- windowsills and rugs needed cleaning
During renewal inspection Cert Rep observed the following: The facility's liability insurance was dated 2/1/25-2/1/26
During unannounced monitoring on 7/31/25, Cert Rep observed the following: Staff # 2 was observed to be caring for 12 school aged children unsupervised. Staff person # 2does not have current pediatric first aid/CPR training. This is evidenced by the previously documented pediatric first- aid/CPR training expiration date of 2/22/25
During unannounced monitoring on 7/31/25, Cert Rep observed the following Staff # 2's emergency plan training was dated 1/29/24
During unannounced monitoring on 7/31/25, Cert Rep observed the following Staff # 2's fire safety training was dated 1/29/24
During renewal inspection on 1/23/25, Cert Rep observed the following: Sticky boxes for insects/rodents on the window of the preschool room located in the back right hand side of the facility that were accessible to children
During renewal inspection on 1/23/25, Cert Rep observed the following: Child # 1's immunization record was incomplete and missing- 1 rotavirus/1polio/1 Hep A/ and 1 Pneumococcal vaccine
During renewal inspection on 1/23/25, Cert Rep observed the following: Child # 9 had prescribed medication at the facility, but did not have parental written consent for administration
During renewal inspection on 1/23/25, Cert Rep observed the following: Staff # 9 did not have documentation of 2 years of experience working with children in file
Renewal inspection was completed on 2/21/24, Cert Rep requested BEO on2/27/24 upon notification that it was not received by the Department. Cert Rep sent a blank application, and an email was sent out by Clerk as well. Cert Rep has not received BEO application from facility.
On May 18, 2023, certification representative conducted a renewal inspection. The toilet in the first stall located in bathroom #1 did not flush. (Corrected on site).
On May 18, 2023, certification representative conducted a renewal inspection. The record for staff person #1 did not include an updated written evaluation. (Corrected on site).
ON FEBRUARY 15, 2021, CERTIFICATION REPRESENTATIVE CONDUCTED A FACILITY WALK THROUGH. THE WATER TERMPERATURE IN CLASSROOM #1 WAS 140.2° F.
ON FEBRUARY 15, 2021, CERTIFICATION REPRESENTATIVE CONDUCTED A FACILITY WALK THROUGH. THE SINK COUNTERTOP LOCATED IN BATHROOM #1 WAS LIFTING UP. THE TOILET LID IN BETHROOM #2 (3RD STALL) WAS CHIPPED AND IN POOR REPAIR. THERE WAS RUST ON THE BOTTOM WALLS IN BETHROOM #2 (3RD AND 4TH STALL).
ON FEBRUARY 15, 2022, CERTIFICATION REPRESENTATIVE CONDUCTED A FACILITY WALK THROUGH. THERE WAS YELLOW AND GREEN PEELING CHIPPED PAINT LOCATED IN CLASSROOM #6. (CORRECTED ON SITE).
ON FEBRUARY 15, 2021, CERTIFICATION REPRESENTATIVE CONDUCTED A FACILITY WALK THROUGH. IN ROOM #6 THE TOY BINS (FILLED WITH TOYS) WERE CRACKED WITH SHARP CORNERS AND BROKEN. (CORRECTED ON SITE).
ON FEBRUARY 15, 2022, CERTIFICATION REPRESENTATIVE CHECKED FILES OF CHILDREN WHO RIDE THE SCHOOL BUT. THE CHILDREN FILES DID NOT HAVE PARENT CONSENT FOR CHILDREN WHO RIDE ON THE BUS.
ON FEBRUARY 15, 2022, CERTIFICATION REPRESENTATIVE CONDUCTED A FACILITY WALK THROUGH. THE FACILITY DID NOT HAVE AN EMERGENCY DRILL LOG AVAILIBLE.
“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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 1 violation 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 Jul 31, 2025 (supervision): “During unannounced monitoring on 7/31/25, Cert Rep observed the following: Staff # 2 was observed to be caring for 12 school aged children unsupervised. Staff person # 2does not have current pediatric first aid/CPR…” 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 no complaint investigation that found a violation at Brightside Academy since 2021. 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 May 17, 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 #399 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 68% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Brightside Academy last inspected?
Feb 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.