Building Blocks for Tots
Building Blocks for Tots is a certified child care center in Drexel Hill, PA, with capacity for 37 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 1 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 7 times and confirmed violations in 1 complaint investigation. The state cited 35 violations, 5 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for health & medication (9 of 35). 3 citations came in the last 12 months. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is #18 of 20 centers in Drexel Hill and has more citations per inspection than 56% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
At the time of inspection, the bottom area of the refrigerator was not clean.
At the time of inspection, staff person #1 did not have verification of valid health assessments.
During the inspection period, the operator did not maintain a written record of testing all fire detection devices at least once every thirty days.
The file of staff person #1 doh (see lis code sheet), did not include a copy for Child abuse history information as required under the CPSL. The file of staff person #2 doh (see lis code sheet), did not include a copy for Child abuse history information as required under the CPSL. The file of staff person #3, did not include an updated copy of mandated reporter training as required under the CPSL.
At the time of inspection, certification representative observed several damaged ceiling tiles in the infant and toddler rooms.
At the time of inspection, certification representative observed a child's hands not washed after being diapered.
At the time of inspection, certification representative observed a staff member not clean the diaper changing surface after changing a child.
At the time of inspection, staff person #2 did not have verification of child care experience and education.
At the time of inspection, the emergency contact information for children #1 and 2 did not include the address of the individual designated by the parent to whom the child may be released.
At the time of inspection, the records for staff person #2 did not include two written, nonfamily references from individuals attesting to the persons' suitability to serve as a staff person.
Show 25 older citations
At the time of inspection, the rest equipment was not labeled for the use of a specific child.
At the time of inspection, the emergency contact information for children #1,2 and 3 did not include the address of the individual designated by the parent to whom the child may be released.
At the time of inspection, staff persons #1,2 and 3 did not have verification of an annual minimum of 12 clock hours of child care training.
During the renewal inspection on 4/20/23 there were missing outlet covers observed in bathroom #1 and bathroom #2.
During the renewal inspection on 4/20/23, during naptime child #6 was observed laying on rest equipment labeled for the use of another child.
During the renewal inspection on 4/20/23 the health assessment reviewed for child #2 was not updated within 12 months. Health assessment reviewed was dated 2/9/22.
During the renewal inspection on 4/20/23 the file reviewed for child #5 was missing initial health assessment within 60 days of enrollment.
During the renewal inspection on 4/20/23 the training record reviewed for staff person #1 did not contain fire safety training,
During the renewal inspection on 4/20/23 the file reviewed for staff person #1 did not contain annual written evaluation.
During the renewal inspection on 4/20/23 the fee agreement reviewed for child #1, child #2, child #3, child #4 and child #5 were missing release person(s).
During the renewal inspection on 4/20/23 the emergency contact form reviewed for child #3 and child #6 was missing release person's name, address and phone number. The emergency contact form reviewed for child #4 was missing release person's address and phone number.
During the renewal inspection on 4/20/23 the file reviewed for staff person #2 did not contain verification of education.
While conducting my complaint investigation I observed that their were only 2 staff and 23 children ranging from infants to preschoolers.
While conducting my complaint investigation I observed that a child was strapped in a high chair during nap time because he would not sit still, or take a nap.
During the record review on 3/29/2022 the file for staff person #3 (see coding sheet for date of hire) did not contain a completed state police clearance.
During the onsite inspection on two separate occasions during the AM preschool children being cared for in the front of the building were observed leaving the classroom and going to the bathroom with no staff person present.
Two of the firstaid kits present in the child care space did not contain gloves.
A heavy free standing cubby in the front section of the child care area was not anchored creating a safety hazard for children receiving care.
A review of the file for staff person number 1 did not show proof of an up to date health assessment
A review of the record for staff person #2 did not show proof of a negative TB test.
The operator was not able to show proof that the interconnected fire detection system had been certified annually bt a firesafety professional.
During the record review on 3/29/2022 the file for staff person #2 (see coding sheet for date of hire) did not contain proof of current mandated child abuse reporting training.
A review of agreements in records for child #2 and 5 showed that persons to whom the child could be released had not been entered on the form.
A review of the records for child #2,3,4,and 5 showed that either the parent's work address, and or work phone number was not entered on the emergency contact form.
A review of the staff records for staff persons #1, and 3 (see coding sheet for dates of hire) did not show proof of 12 hours of annual child care training.
“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 |
|---|---|---|
| Newborn (Under 6 Weeks) | $67.00 | $55.00 |
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $67.00 | $55.00 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $63.00 | $52.00 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $60.00 | $50.00 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $56.00 | $46.00 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $48.00 | $39.00 |
| Older School-Age (4th gr.-15 yrs.) | $48.00 | $39.00 |
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 for Tots had any serious violations?
Pennsylvania cited 5 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 Mar 18, 2025 (background checks): “The file of staff person #1 doh (see lis code sheet), did not include a copy for Child abuse history information as required under the CPSL. The file of staff person #2 doh (see lis code sheet), did not include a copy…” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Building Blocks for Tots?
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 for Tots’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 1, effective Jun 13, 2019. 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 for Tots compare with other daycares in Drexel Hill?
It is #18 of 20 centers in Drexel Hill by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has more citations per inspection than 56% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Building Blocks for Tots last inspected?
Mar 23, 2026 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does Building Blocks for Tots cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $67.00 for newborn, $67.00 for infant, $63.00 for young toddler, $60.00 for older toddler in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Building Blocks for Tots?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Building Blocks For Tots 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.