Brightside Academy Early Care & Education · 4829 Lancaster Ave, Philadelphia
Brightside Academy Early Care & Education is a certified child care center in Philadelphia, PA, with capacity for 172 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 4 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 7 times and confirmed violations in 1 complaint investigation. The state cited 26 violations, 4 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for building & playground safety (9 of 26). 3 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 #609 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia and has fewer citations per inspection than 51% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
During renewal inspection on 9/9/26, Cert Rep observed the following Child# 6's health assessment was dated 5/7/25
During unannounced monitoring on 7/22/26, Cert Rep observed the following: 1. The carpet in the indoor play space was ripped and threading on several places that was accessible to children. 2. The facility had a leak in the roof that damaged some ceiling tiles and wall in the classtoom
During complaint investigation on 5/21/26, while conducting investigation, it was determined that on 5/19/26, Staff # 1 used harsh language to a parent and in the presence of children.
During unannounced monitoring on 10/14/25, Cert Rep observed the following: The facility's hot water read at 122 degrees
During unannounced monitoring on 10/14/25, Cert Rep observed the following: Room # 9 had an active leak in the ceiling
During renewal inspection on 9/3/25, Cert Rep observed the following: Staff # 1 did not have documentation of out of sate clearances in file
During renewal inspection on 9/3/25, Cert Rep observed the following: Staff # 5 listed as an Aide was alone in the classroom during nap time
During renewal inspection on 9/3/25, Cert Rep observed the following: Staff # 5 was observed being on the cellphone in the classroom while children were getting ready to nap
During renewal inspection on 9/3/25, Cert Rep observed the following: The facility's emergency plan was last updated on 2/23/24
During renewal inspection on 9/3/25, Cert Rep observed the following: The facility' s hot water measured from 120 degrees - 142 degrees
Show 16 older citations
During renewal inspection on 9/3/25, Cert Rep observed the following: The facility did not have a first aid kit in Rooms 1, 3, 5,
During renewal inspection on 9/3/25, Cert Rep observed the following: -The ceiling in the playroom was soiled - Room # 1, and Room # 6 needed cleaning - Room # 6 had a ripped chair (corrected) - Room # 6 skirting towards the back of the classroom on the lower wall was peeled
During renewal inspection on 9/3/25, Cert Rep observed the following: The cots in the toddler room were not labeled
During renewal inspection on 9/3/25, Cert Rep observed the following: The thermometer in the infant room read 48 degrees
During renewal inspection on 9/3/25, Cert Rep observed the following: The facility did not have the following room set up and ready to receive children in care. Room # 1
During renewal inspection on 9/3/25, Cert Rep observed the following: The facility did not have annual documentation of sending the emergency plan to the local municipality and notifying the local traffic authority of the location of the facility and vehicular route
During renewal inspection on 9/3/25, Cert Rep observed the following: There was no file for the director onsite. Staff # 3 did not meet the requirements for the position
During renewal inspection on 9/3/25, Cert Rep observed the following: Staff # 2's file did not have documentation of annual staff evaluation in file
During renewal inspection on 9/3/25, Cert Rep observed the following: Child # 3's file did not have documentation of a child service report in file
During renewal inspection on 9/3/25, Cert Rep observed the following: Staff # 1 did not have documentation of 12 clock hours of childcare in file
During renewal inspection on 9/23/24, Cert Rep observed the following: The facility's water tested at 118 degrees
ON AUGUST 18, 2022, CERTIFICATION REPRESENTATIVE CONDUCTED A RENEWAL INSPECTION. THE FIRST AID KIT IN THE INFANT ROOM THAT IS USED TO ACCOMPANY STAFF AND CHILDREN ON EXCURSIONS DID NOT CONTAIN A BOTTLE OF WATER. (CORRECTED ON SITE).
ON AUGUST 18, 2022, CERTIFICATION REPRESENTATIVE CONDUCTED A RENEWAL INSPECTION. THE RECORD FOR CHILD #1 HAD AN EXPIRED HEALTH ASSESSMENT ON FILE.
ON AUGUST 18, 2022, CERTIFICATION REPRESENTATIVE CONDUCTED A RENEWAL INSPECTION. THE FACILITY DID NOT HAVE A COMPLETED EMERGENCY DRILL LOG AVAILIBLE.
ON AUGUST 18, 2022, CERTIFICATION REPRESENTATIVE CONDUCTED A RENEWAL INSPECTION. THE FACILITY UPDATED EMERGENCY PLAN HAD NOT BEEN SENT TO THEIR LOCAL MUNICIPALITY.
ON AUGUST 18, 2022, DURING THE RENEWAL INSPECTION, THE RECORD FOR STAFF PERSON #1 DID NOT INCLUDE AN UPDATED YEARLY EVALUATION.
“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 & Education had any serious violations?
Pennsylvania cited 4 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 May 21, 2026 (caregiver conduct): “During complaint investigation on 5/21/26, while conducting investigation, it was determined that on 5/19/26, Staff # 1 used harsh language to a parent and in the presence of children.” 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 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 Early Care & Education’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 4, effective Feb 23, 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 #609 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 51% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Brightside Academy Early Care & Education last inspected?
Sep 9, 2026 (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.
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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.