Brightside Academy Early Care Education · 2501 McKean St, Philadelphia
Brightside Academy Early Care Education is a certified child care center in Philadelphia, PA, with capacity for 226 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 4 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 6 times. The state cited 6 violations, 1 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep). None of them came in the last 12 months. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #142 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia and has fewer citations per inspection than 86% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
The facility was not in compliance with the CPSL and with Chapter 3490 (relating to protective services): Three facility person's record did not contain the required CPSL hiring documents. (#1-hired 8/5/24- Child Abuse completed 8/8/24- not prior to working with children) (4- hired 8/25/25- Child Abuse completed 8/29/24- not prior to working with children; FBI completed 8/30/25- no proof of request for FBI prior to working with children)
Several facility person's records did not include written verification that emergency plan training was completed at the time of initial employment. (#1, #2, #4, #5 and #6))
Two staff person's records did not contain a health assessment completed within 12 months prior to the date of hire. (#3-hired 7/7/25 health assessment 2/15/24) (#5 hired 9/2/25 health assessment 8/3/24)
The facility was not in compliance with the CPSL and with Chapter 3490 (relating to protective services): One staff person's record did not contain the required CPSL hiring documents. (#1-mandated reporter training more than 60 months old-expired 4/26/24)
Trash cans were observed blocking the rear exit.
The refrigerator in the infant/toddler classroom was in need of cleaning.
“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 Early Care Education 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 Aug 20, 2025 (background checks): “The facility was not in compliance with the CPSL and with Chapter 3490 (relating to protective services): Three facility person's record did not contain the required CPSL hiring documents. (#1-hired 8/5/24- Child Abuse…” 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 Education?
Pennsylvania lists no complaint investigation that found a violation at Brightside Academy Early Care 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 Education’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 4, effective Jan 16, 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 Education compare with other daycares in Philadelphia?
It is tied for #142 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 86% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Brightside Academy Early Care Education last inspected?
Aug 20, 2025 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does Brightside Academy Early Care 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 Education?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Brightside Academy Philadelphia LLC.
Certified centers nearby
1848 Point Breeze Ave, Philadelphia · 0.2 mi away · 19 spots Fewer citations than most Let Me Be Me Shining Starz Academy
2001 S 23rd St, Philadelphia · 0.2 mi away · 20 spots About typical Delaplaine McDaniel School
1901 S 23rd St, Philadelphia · 0.2 mi away More citations than most Little 1 S First Start Daycare
2052 S Hemberger St, Philadelphia · 0.3 mi away · 24 spots More citations than most Brilliant Minds LLC
1610 S 26th St, Philadelphia · 0.3 mi away · 145 spots About typical Dixon Day Care
2201 Moore St, Philadelphia · 0.4 mi away · 200 spots About typical
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.