Building Blocks Early Learning Academy · Wilkes-Barre
Building Blocks Early Learning Academy is a certified child care center in Wilkes-Barre, PA, with capacity for 127 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 4 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 4 times and confirmed violations in 1 complaint investigation. The state cited 3 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 #1 of 15 centers in Wilkes-Barre and has fewer citations per inspection than 88% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
On 3/10/25 child #1 slid between the wall and back of the bathroom door and pushed their hand through the door jam and wall resulting in the hand and lower arm becoming stuck. The door was required to be spread apart to free the child.
Durning the unannounced annual renewal inspection on 2/28/25 the inspector observed an Eppi Pen for child #1 and found it to being missing the original container and to have expired March of 2024.
During the unannounced visit to the facility on 9/26/24 staff confirmed that on 9/24/24, prior to 9am, two older toddlers left their classroom and the staff who were assigned their supervision. The two children were intercepted by the director in the hallway, just outside the door to the classroom. The children were brought back into the classroom by the director and both staff were asked if they knew the children were missing to which both staff stated they were not aware the children had left the 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.) | $70.00 | — |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $70.00 | — |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $60.00 | $50.00 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $60.00 | $50.00 |
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 Building Blocks Early Learning 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 Sep 26, 2024 (supervision): “During the unannounced visit to the facility on 9/26/24 staff confirmed that on 9/24/24, prior to 9am, two older toddlers left their classroom and the staff who were assigned their supervision. The two children were…” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Building Blocks Early Learning Academy?
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 Building Blocks Early Learning Academy’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 4, effective May 21, 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 Building Blocks Early Learning Academy compare with other daycares in Wilkes-Barre?
It is #1 of 15 centers in Wilkes-Barre by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 88% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Building Blocks Early Learning Academy last inspected?
Feb 18, 2026 (renewal). No violations were cited during that visit.
How much does Building Blocks Early Learning Academy cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $70.00 for infant, $70.00 for young toddler, $60.00 for older toddler, $60.00 for preschool in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Building Blocks Early Learning Academy?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Z & L Holdings Corporation.
Certified centers nearby
40 W Northampton St, Wilkes-Barre · 0.1 mi away · 335 spots About typical Catholic Youth Center Day Care
36 S Washington St, Wilkes-Barre · 0.3 mi away · 451 spots Among the most cited Little Stars Child Care LLC
33 S Wilkes Barre Blvd, Wilkes-Barre · 0.4 mi away · 76 spots Too few inspections to compare Wilkes-Barre Child Development Center
161 E Market St, Wilkes-Barre · 0.4 mi away · 75 spots About typical Cheder Menachem
80 N Washington St, Wilkes-Barre · 0.5 mi away · 588 spots Among the most cited Kings College Early Learning Center
177 N Main St, Wilkes-Barre · 0.7 mi away · 225 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.