Brightside Academy Early Education · Philadelphia
Brightside Academy Early Education is a certified child care center in Philadelphia, PA, with capacity for 142 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 3 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 5 times. The state cited 8 violations, 2 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for building & playground safety (4 of 8). None of them came in the last 12 months. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #250 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia and has fewer citations per inspection than 78% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
During the investigation conducted on 12.19.23, it was founded/verified facility person #1 used a physical form of punishment on a child, via popping/smacking child on top of child's head.
During the renewal inspection on 10.17.23, there was chipped paint on the yellow wall located in the back of Classroom 5/7.
During the renewal inspection on 12/13/22, staff person #1 did not have a NSOR certificate on file. (National Sex Offender Registry)
During the renewal inspection on 12/13/22: 1. Paint was peeling and chipping from the window seal of the far right and center windows in room #10. 2. There was a large garbage bag and excess foliage growth in the outside play area.
DURING THE RENEWAL INSPECTION ON 2/16/22, IN ROOM 3 THERE WAS A LIGHT TABLE UNASSEMBLED. IN ROOM 12-13, THERE WERE STORAGE BOXES IN THE CHILD CARE SPACE. IN ROOM 14-15 THERE WERE ADDITIONAL EMPTY BOXES IN THE ROOM. THERE WERE ALSO TOOLS AND DRILLS IN ROOM 14-15, THAT POSED AN UNSAFE AREA FOR THE CHILDREN.
DURING THE RENEWAL INSPECTION ON 2/16/22, IN THE INDOOR PLAYSPACE THERE WAS PEELING TAPE ON THE FLOOR.
DURING THE RENEWAL INSPECTION ON 2/16/22, THE REFRIGERATOR IN THE KITCHEN WAS INOPERABLE.
DURING THE RENEWAL INSPECTION ON 2/16/22, CHILD #1, HAD EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION DATED 7/28/21, PUTTING IT OUTSIDE THE REQUIRED 6-MONTH UPDATE.
“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 Education had any serious violations?
Pennsylvania cited 2 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 Dec 19, 2023 (caregiver conduct): “During the investigation conducted on 12.19.23, it was founded/verified facility person #1 used a physical form of punishment on a child, via popping/smacking child on top of child's head.” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Brightside Academy Early Education?
Pennsylvania lists no complaint investigation that found a violation at Brightside Academy Early 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 Education’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 3, effective Aug 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 Early Education compare with other daycares in Philadelphia?
It is tied for #250 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 78% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Brightside Academy Early Education last inspected?
Sep 25, 2025 (renewal). No violations were cited during that visit.
How much does Brightside Academy Early 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 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.