Center for Learning and Belonging
Center for Learning and Belonging is a certified child care center in Irwin, PA, with capacity for 51 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 1 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 11 times and confirmed violations in 4 complaint investigations. The state cited 97 violations, 16 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for building & playground safety (24 of 97). 33 citations came in the last 12 months, including 6 on a core-safety topic. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is #13 of 17 centers in Irwin and has more citations per inspection than 87% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
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Citations, newest first
THIRD CITATION At approximately 1:35pm 16 children, to include 2 young school age and 14 preschool children, were observed to be on rest equipment in the Preschool Basement Classroom. Five of the children were observed to lack 2 feet of space on 3 sides of their rest equipment. A chart had been put into place identifying placement but did not account for additional children that were present at the time of the inspection, and it appeared that not all equipment was moved as intended to allow for appropriate spacing. FACILITY PREVIOUSLY CITED ON 5.5.26 AND 6.10.26.
A loose crib sheet was observed on one of the cribs in Room A.
The file for Staff Person #1 lacked an out of state child abuse clearance for a state they have resided in within the last 60 months. Staff Person #2 recently updated their personal information at the facility which included information that they had resided outside the state of PA from approximately February 2020 through June 2021. This information would have required Staff Person #2 to provide out of state clearances prior to starting in a child care taking position at the facility. At this time, Staff Person #2 has resided in the State of PA for 60 months.
An infant was observed to be sleeping in a crib with a head shaping pillow under their head. The facility did not have documentation from the child's physician addressing a medical condition for the infant and need for the head shaping pillow.
At approximately 12:38 Staff Person #1 was observed to be providing care to 6 older toddlers. Staff Person #1 was unable to see a child near the door to front porch from their position on the other side of the classroom. SECOND CITATION. THE FACILITY WAS PREVIOUSLY CITED ON 5.5.26.
Two outlets were observed to be missing protective receptable covers in the downstairs Preschool Room.
Diaper creams and a diaper spray were observed under the changing table in Classroom A. The diaper creams and spray were accessible to children receiving care in the classroom. A bottle of hand sanitizer was observed in a bookbag on a chair in the downstairs Preschool Room. The hand sanitizer was accessible to preschool and school age children receiving care in the space.
Unlabeled spray bottles, reported to contain bleach water solutions, were observed on a shelf in Classroom B and in a locked cabinet in the downstairs Preschool Room.
The first aid kit in the downstairs Preschool Room was observed in an unlocked bookbag on a chair. The first aid kit was accessible to preschool and school age children receiving care in the space.
A cold air return vent in Classroom B was observed to be detached from the wall. In the downstairs Preschool Room, a section of carpeting was observed to be lifting creating a tripping hazard. In the outside back play space, an area of damaged siding with sharp edging was observed. The gate latch to the back play space was observed to have a peeling plastic coating, In the outside side play space, a section of the fencing was observed to be leaning and had come disconnected. Rust was also observed on some of the fencing posts in the outside side play space. On the outside porch play space, 6 of the fence pickets were observed to be loose, 1 fence picket was observed to have an exposed screw, and 1 fence picket was observed to have splintering wood.
Peeling paint was observed on the 4 of the railings on the front porch play space. A section of peeling paint was also observed on the brick area on the left side of the front porch. Peeling paint was observed on some of the posts in the outdoor side play space.
A source of running water for handwashing was not present at the changing table in Room D.
The protective plastic coating on a playmat in the Sunroom was observed to be peeling in large sections. The sections did separate when pulled and created a choking hazard to the children.
A bin containing empty plastic bags was observed under the changing table in Classroom A. The plastic bags could be accessible to infants and a young toddler receiving care in Classroom A.
A shelving unit containing bins for the children in the downstairs Preschool Room was observed to be leaning and to wobble when touched.
The rest equipment in Room B, the downstairs Preschool Room and Room D were observed to have numbers on the rest equipment. Charts were also in place identifying which child was to be on which cot. The numbers on the cots did not coordinate with the identifying name chart. It was reported that the name charts were new and the rest equipment all needed to be renumbered to match the name chart.
At approximately 2:47pm, 3 young toddlers and 1 older toddler were observed to be sleeping on rest equipment in Classroom D. At approximately 12:38pm two older toddlers were observed to be on rest equipment in Room B. Two feet of space was not present on 3 sides of the rest equipment the children were resting on. SECOND CITATION. FACILITY PREVIOUSLY CITED ON 5.5.26.
The file for Child #2, a preschool age child, lacked a current health report. The most recent health report on file was dated 4.3.25.
Written parental consent was missing for teething drops for a child receiving care in Classroom A.
A soiled diaper was observed in the garbage can in the restroom in Room A. The garbage can in the restroom was not hands-free which would not allow for appropriate disposal of a soiled diaper.
Written notification of safe routes was not posted in a conspicuous location at the facility.
The file for Child #1, a young school ager, contained health reports dated 10.10.24 and 1.6.25. The file lacked a 5-year-old health assessment required prior to enrollment in Kindergarten.
The updates to the fire safety training on file for Staff Person #2, #3 and #4 exceeded 12 months between trainings. This is evidenced by trainings dated 11.6.24 and 12.12.25 for Staff Person #2, 11.4.24 and 12.15.25 for Staff Person #3 and 11.4.24 and 12.14.25 for Staff Person #4.
The written staff evaluation on file for Staff Person #2 was not signed off by the Director at the facility.
A written plan of daily activities was not posted in Room D.
The emergency contact forms for Children #1 and #2 lacked the complete addresses for the release persons listed.
An emergency contact form was missing for a child receiving care in Classroom A.
The file for Child #1, who is reported to no longer be enrolled at the facility, lacked a withdrawal date for the last day of care for the child.
The file for Staff Person #2 lacked 5.5 hours of annual child care training in their respective training year of June 2024-June 2025.
At approximately 940am it was observed that staff #1 left 2 preschoolers and 4 older toddlers unsupervised in the rainbow room to answer the main door.
At approximately 940am it was observed that staff #1 left 2 preschoolers and 4 older toddlers unsupervised in the rainbow room to answer the main door.
Two of the gates in the front porch play space were cracked with sharp edges and pinch points.
In the sunroom/infant room, 2 infants were asleep in their cribs. The two cribs were touching and did not have 2 ft of space on 3 sides of the cribs in use. One crib was in the corner by an exit; it had 2 walls touching on two sides and the other crib touching on the third side. The second crib had a wall touching one side, the first crib touching another side, and a stack of sleeping cots on its third side.
The file for Staff Person #1 lacked a completed NSOR Certificate prior to starting in a child care taking position. The NSOR Certificate on file was dated 11 days after starting in a child care taking position.
The file for Staff Person #1 lacked an initial health assessment and tuberculosis screening that had been completed within 12 months prior to starting in a child care taking position. The health report and tuberculosis screening were dated 28 days after starting in a child care taking position.
The facility does not have a Director employed and present at the facility site a minimum of 30 hours per week.
Show 64 older citations
The file for Staff Person #1 lacked a signed disclosure statement prior to starting at the facility. The signed disclosure statement on file was dated 13 days after starting at the facility.
The rest equipment in Classroom D was observed to be labeled with numbers. A chart identifying which number belonged to each child in the classroom was not in place at the time of the inspection.
The file for Child #1, a preschool age child, lacked a current health report that had been completed within the last 12 months. The most recent health report on file for Child #1 was dated 9.27.23. The file for Child #2, an older toddler, lacked an updated health report that had been completed within the last 12 months. The most recent health report on file was dated 3.4.24. A current health report, dated 6.2.25, was not obtained until 6.10.25. The health reports on file for Child #3, a preschool age child, exceeded 12 months between examinations on 11.28.23 and 2.5.25.
At the time of the inspection the file for Child #2 lacked verification that the child had received their 12-15 month MMR, Varicella, HIB and Pneumococcal vaccinations and their 15-18 month DTAP and 12-23 month Hep A vaccinations. The updated immunization record was not on file until 6.10.25.
Written instructions from the prescribing physician were missing for an Albuterol Inhaler in the Basement Preschool classroom medication bin.
In the Basement Preschool classroom, an unlabeled children's Tylenol and an unlabeled Albuterol inhaler were observed in the medication bin. The medications were reported to be present for a child in care.
The facility exceeded 12 months since their last emergency drill. The most recent emergency drill on file was dated 10.31.23.
The facility lacked verification that they had submitted their annual letters to the local traffic safety authorities notifying them of their location and use of pedestrian and vehicular routes around the child care facility.
The files for Children #1 and #3 lacked current child service reports that had been completed within the last 6 months.
The emergency contact form for Child #3 lacked the complete addresses for the release persons listed.
The file for Staff Person #2 lacked 3 of their 12 hours of annual child care training during the assessed year of 6.2023 through 6.2024. The additional 3 hours of training had been completed in 9.2024.
The file for Staff Person #7, who was observed to be caring for children alone, lacked verification that they had completed their 1-hour health and safety training update. The completion of all required health and safety training requirements is required prior to caring for children unsupervised.
The disclosure statements on file for Staff Person's #4, #5 and #7 lacked a date of signature. The updates to the State Police and Child Abuse Clearances on file for Staff Person #2 exceeded 60 months between update. This was evidenced by State Police Clearances dated 2.1.19 and 3.20.24 and Child Abuse Clearances dated 1.10.19 and 2.5.24.
The updates to the emergency plan review for Staff Person #1 exceeded 12 months between trainings on 8.24.23 and 9.30.24. The file for Staff Person #3 lacked current emergency plan training that had been completed within the last 12 months. The most recent training on file for Staff Person #3 was dated 6.2.23.
The emergency plan was not posted in a conspicuous location at the facility.
One uncovered electrical outlet was observed in Classroom D.
A bottle of white out was observed on a desk and could be accessible to preschool children receiving care in the Basement Classroom. The white out was labeled Keep Out of Reach of Children.
On the fencing in the outdoor play space 5 zip ties were observed to have been looped through the fencing and then cut. The ends of the cut zip ties were sharp and caused a hazard.
Damaged plaster was observed around the sink area in the Basement Classroom. An area of damaged plaster was also observed along the wall at the bottom of the steps in the Basement Classroom.
The refrigerator in Classroom D was missing an operable thermometer.
The file for Staff Person #6 lacked an initial health assessment and tuberculosis screening that had been completed within 12 months prior to restarting at the facility. The health assessments on file for Staff Person #1 exceeded 24 months between examinations on 2.14.22 and 4.1.24.
The health assessment on file for Staff Person #2 lacked information that they had been examined for communicable diseases and the results of that examination and the physician's assessment of their suitability to provide child care. The current health assessment on file for Staff Person #1 lacked information related to an examination for communicable diseases.
The facility exceeded 30 days between fire detection system testing on 7.2.24 and 8.2.24 and then between testing on 8.30.24 and 10.1.24.
A copy of the current insurance policy was not on file at the time of the inspection. The policy on file expired on 10.1.24.
The files for Staff Person's #1 and #3 lacked current fire safety training that had been completed within the last 12 months.
The file for Staff Person #1 lacked a written evaluation that had been completed by the Director within the last 12 months. The most recent evaluation on file was dated 2.27.23.
The file for Child #4 lacked an agreement that had been signed by the operator and the parent. The current agreement on file for Child #2 lacked an Operator signature.
The agreement for Child #2 lacked the fee to be charged and the date the fee is to be paid.
The files for Children #1, #3 and #5 lacked acceptable assessments of the child's development that had been completed within the last 6 months. The assessments on file were screening tools and not developmental assessments.
The current agreements on file for Children #1 and #3 lacked the arrival and departure times for the child.
The current agreement on file for Children #1 and #3 lacked the designated release persons to whom the child may be released.
The current agreements on file for Children #1 and #3 lacked an admission date.
The original agreements were observed on file for Children #1, #2 and #3.
The emergency contact forms on file for Children #2 and #4 lacked the work address of the parent.
The emergency contact forms for Children #2 and #4 lacked the health insurance coverage and policy number for the child. The emergency contact form for Child #3 lacked the insurance policy number for the child.
The emergency contact forms for Child #2, #3 and #4 lacked the addresses of the release persons listed.
An emergency contact form was missing for one of the children receiving care in the Sunroom/Infant Classroom.
The file for Staff Person #5 lacked verification of 2 years of experience to qualify them for the position they were observed to be performing. The file for Staff Person #7 lacked verification that their education qualified them for the position they were observed to be performing.
The files for Staff Person #5 and #7 lacked two written, nonfamily references attesting to their suitability to serve as a facility person.
The current certificate of compliance was not posted in a conspicuous location at the facility. The posted certificate expired in January 2024.
At the time of the unannounced inspection on 6.20.24, the last documented fire alarm testing occurred on 5.17.24. The alarms are required to be tested and documented every 30 days.
The facility does not have a qualified Director employed at the facility and present a minimum of 30 hours per week.
The disclosure statement for Staff person #1 is dated 4/28/23 which is after hire date (see LIS code sheet).
The emergency plan training on file for staff person #2 was dated 6/14/23 which was not at the time of initial employment (see LIS code sheet).
It was observed on the front porch of the facility that is used for outdoor play space that there is loose carpet that could potentially cause a tripping hazard. In the back outdoor playground, it was observed that the chain link fencing is not attached to the upper support bars.
Under the window in Room F it was observed that there was peeling and chipping paint.
It was observed in Room D that there were magnetic tiles toys that were cracked and not in good repair.
The immunization record on file for Child #2 does not include verification of an annual influenza vaccination, as recommended annually by the ACIP.
The initial health assessment for Staff person #2 is dated 6/5/23 which is after their hire date (see LIS code sheet). The initial health assessment for Staff person #3 is dated 6/18/23 which is after their hire date (see LIS code sheet).
The current health assessment on file for Staff person #2 indicates that the staff person has a communicable/contagious disease, with no additional information given,
The agreement on file for Child #1 does not include the date of admission.
*During the ratio and supervision check at the beginning of inspection it was observed that Staff #1 was in the Toddler Room with 3 YT and 1 OT who were napping, the lights were off in the room and there was no natural light causing the room to be too dark so that the children could not be seen.
**During the ratio and supervision check at the beginning of inspection it was observed that Staff #1 was in the Toddler Room with 3 YT and 1 OT who were napping, the lights were off in the room and there was no natural light causing the room to be too dark so that the children could not be seen.
The fire detection testing log had dates of testing from 1-6-23 to 2-6-23, 3-6-23 to 4-6-23 and 5-5-23 with not a current testing as of 6-12-23. These dates are all over the 30 day time period required for testing the fire detection system.
At 11:27 a.m., observed 3 young toddlers unsupervised in the young toddler room (Room A). Staff person #1 then entered the room from the adjoining bathroom. Staff person #1 was unable to see, direct, and assess the children from the bathroom.
At 11:27 a.m., observed 3 young toddlers unsupervised in the young toddler room (Room A). Staff person #1 then entered the room from the adjoining bathroom. Staff person #1 was unable to see, direct, and assess the children from the bathroom.
At 11:27 a.m., observed 3 young toddlers unsupervised in the young toddler room (Room A). Staff person #1 then entered the room from the adjoining bathroom. Staff person #1 was unable to see, direct, and assess the children from the bathroom.
Observed chipping paint to the right of the exit door frame in the basement classroom.
The refrigerator in the infant room measured at 50° F.
The file for child #1 lacks verification of a current Influenza vaccine administered in accordance with the schedule recommended by the ACIP.
The file for Facility Person #1 lacked the current disclosure statement. The disclosure statement on file was an older version and did not include all needed information required by the CPSL.
The first aid kit in Classroom A was observed to be missing gauze.
Written parental consent was missing for a Tylenol intended for a child in care at the facility.
The facility lacked proof of purchase for the interconnected fire detection system.
“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.
Enforcement actions
Negative sanctions Pennsylvania lists for this center, such as a downgrade to a provisional certificate, refusing to renew or revoking its certificate of compliance, with the status COMPASS shows. “Operation permitted” means the center may keep operating while it appeals; “operation not permitted” means it may not.
Daily rates
| Age group | Full time, per day | Part time, per day |
|---|---|---|
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $54.00 | $32.40 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $46.00 | $27.60 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $41.00 | $24.60 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $37.00 | $22.20 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $30.00 | $15.00 |
| Older School-Age (4th gr.-15 yrs.) | $30.00 | $15.00 |
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 Center for Learning and Belonging had any serious violations?
Pennsylvania cited 16 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 Jun 10, 2026 (sleep safety): “A loose crib sheet was observed on one of the cribs in Room A.” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Center for Learning and Belonging?
Pennsylvania lists 4 complaint investigations 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 Center for Learning and Belonging’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 1, effective Jan 27, 2023. 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 Center for Learning and Belonging compare with other daycares in Irwin?
It is #13 of 17 centers in Irwin by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has more citations per inspection than 87% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Center for Learning and Belonging last inspected?
Aug 3, 2026 (unannounced monitoring). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does Center for Learning and Belonging cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $54.00 for infant, $46.00 for young toddler, $41.00 for older toddler, $37.00 for preschool in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Center for Learning and Belonging?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Achieving True Self INC.
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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.