Brightside Academy Early Care and Education
Brightside Academy Early Care and Education is a certified child care center in Philadelphia, PA, with capacity for 302 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 4 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 6 times. The state cited 38 violations, 3 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for building & playground safety (16 of 38). 2 citations came in the last 12 months. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #922 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia and has more citations per inspection than 71% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
During Renewal Inspection on 11/12/2025, Certification Staff observed that the thermometer in a refrigerator in Infant Room #1 read 52° Fahrenheit.
During Renewal Inspection on 11/12/2025, Certification Staff observed that the updated Health Reports for Child #1 was not provided at least every 6 months.
Facility staff disclosed that staff are sometimes out-of-ratio while transitioning children from the school grounds to the aftercare program.
Staff Person #1 left a child unattended while off the facility premises.
During unannounced visit certification rep checked the water temperature. The water temperature was 118° F in the bathroom in room 19, 125° F in the sink in room 19. The bathroom across room 10 was 114° F (first sink) and 116° F (3rd sink).
During unannounced visit certification rep observed chipped paint in room 2, room 5/6 and room 9
During renewal inspection certification rep observed resolve, cleaning spray bottle and detergent accessible to children.
During renewal inspection certification rep check the water temp in the children's bathroom. The water temperature was 111° F.
During renewal inspection certification rep observed chipped paint in the following rooms: room 2 and room 10. Corrected on site.
During renewal inspection certification rep reviewed staff files. Fire safety training for staff 1 is dated 11-8-23.
Show 28 older citations
During renewal inspection certification rep reviewed staff files. Staff 3 was missing annual evaluation.
Facility doesn't have a director on site for a minimum of 30 hours per week.
During renewal inspection certification rep reviewed children's file. Fee agreement for child 1 was dated 7-11-23.
During renewal inspection certification rep reviewed staff files. Childcare experience for staff 2 needs to be verified.
During renewal inspection certification rep reviewed emergency plan. The emergency plan was last updated on 9-27-22.
During renewal inspection certification rep observed the faceplate for the outlet in room 10 missing
During renewal inspection certification rep observed Lysol toilet bowl cleaner accessible to children in the bathroom in room 20
During renewal inspection certification rep checked the water temp in the infant room. The water temperature was 116° F.
Durig renewal inspection certification rep observed chipped paint in the following rooms: Room 2, Room 7/8, Room 9 and Room 19
During renewal inspection certification rep reviewed children's file. Last health assessment for child 1 was dated 2-28-23.
During renewal inspection certification rep reviewed children's file. The file of child 2 and 3, enrolled more than 60 days at the facility, did not contain documentation of an influenza vaccination within the past year, as required per the ACIP recommended schedule.
During renewal inspection certification rep reviewed children's file. Child 2 was missing updated health assessment. Child's date of enrollment was 8-21-23. Health assessment on file expired on 8-19-23.
During renewal inspection certification rep reviewed children's files. Fee agreement for child 4 did not specify the date of the child's admission.
During renewal inspection certification rep reviewed children's files. Emergency contact for child 1 was missing address of the child's physician or source of medical care.
During renewal inspection certification rep reviewed children's files. Emergency contact for child 1 was missing address and telephone number of the individual designated by the parent to whom the child may be released.
AT TIME OF RENEWAL INSPECTION, THE FILE FOR STAFF PERSON #1 CONTAINED A VOLUNTEER PA CRIMINAL CLEARANCE, NOT A PA CRIMINAL CLEARNACE FOR EMPLOYMENT.
AT TIME OF RENEWAL INSPECTION, CHARGING PORTS OBSERVED IN THE INFANT, AND PRE-K COUNTS CLASSROOMS WERE NOT IN USE AND DID NOT HAVE A PROTECTIVE COVERING ON THEM.
AT TIME OF RENEWAL INSPECTION, AREAS OF THE GREEN AND PURPLE WALL IN THE YOUNG TODDLER ROOM WERE OBSERVED TO BE VISIBLY DIRTY
AT TIME OF RENEWAL INSPECTION, SMALL GOOGLY EYES AND OTHER ART/MANIPULATIVE MATERIALS WERE OBSERVED ON THE SHELF IN THE YOUNG TODDLER ROOM AND WERE ACCESSIBLE TO CHILDREN.
AT TIME OF RENEWAL INSPECTION, THE HEALTH REPORT FOR CHILD #1 WAS MORE THAN 6 MONTHS OLD.
AT TIME OF RENEWAL INSPECTION, THE HEALTH REPORT FOR CHILD #2 DID NOT INCLUDE A STATMENT ANSWERED BY THE PHYSICIAN REGARDING IF THE CHILD IS ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN CHILD CARE AND APPEARS TO BE FREE FROM CONTAGIOUS OR COMMUNICABLE DISEASES.
AT TIME OF RENEWAL INSPECTION, INFORMATION RECORDED ON THE FIRE DRILL LOG DID NOT INCLUDE THE NAMES OF THE PARTICIPATING FACILITY PERSONS, ONLY THE NUMBER OF FACILITY PERSONS.
AT TIME OF RENEWAL INSPECTION, THE FILE FOR FACILTIY PERSON #2 DID NOT HAVE TWO WRITTEN, NON-FAMILY REFERENCES.
AT TIME OF RENEWAL INSPECTION THE FIRST AID KIT IN THE INFANT ROOM DID NOT CONTAIN SCISSORS OR TWEEZERS.
AT TIME OF RENEWAL INSPECTION, THE WALL VENT IN THE TODDLER ROOM HAD VISIBLE RUST AND DIRT ON IT
AT TIME OF RENEWAL INSPECTION, A CUBBIE IN THE PRE-SCHOOL ROOM, AND THREE CUBBIES IN THE SCHOOL AGE ROOM WERE LIGHTWEIGHT AND UNSTABLE AND COULD EASILY BE TIPPED FORWARD.
AT TIME OF RENEWAL INSPECTION, A RECEIPT INDICATING THE DATE OF PURCHASE OR INSTALLATION FOR THE FIRE SYSTEM WAS NOT ON FILE AT THE FACILITY AS REQUIRED UNDER ACT 62.
AT TIME OF RENEWAL INSPECTION, THE DAILY SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES WAS NOT POSTED IN THE TODDLER ROOM.
“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 Early Care and Education 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 5, 2025 (staff ratios): “Facility staff disclosed that staff are sometimes out-of-ratio while transitioning children from the school grounds to the aftercare program.” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Brightside Academy Early Care and Education?
Pennsylvania lists no complaint investigation that found a violation at Brightside Academy Early Care and Education 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 Early Care and Education’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 4, effective May 9, 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 Early Care and Education compare with other daycares in Philadelphia?
It is tied for #922 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has more citations per inspection than 71% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Brightside Academy Early Care and Education last inspected?
Nov 12, 2025 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does Brightside Academy Early Care and Education 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 Early Care and Education?
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.