Center of Xcellence
Center of Xcellence is a certified child care center in Philadelphia, PA, with capacity for 18 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 1 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 6 times. The state cited 34 violations, 3 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for building & playground safety (10 of 34). 6 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 #864 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia and has more citations per inspection than 66% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
FACILITY HAS NOT SUBMITTED THE BEO/CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLIANCE PAPERWORK.
During the renewal inspection, certification representative reviewed 3 staff files and the files for staff #1, staff #2 and staff #3 did not include emergency plan training.
During the renewal inspection, certification representative reviewed 3 staff files and the file for staff #2 did not have TB test results.
During the renewal inspection, certification representative reviewed the facility files and there was no fire drill log on file.
During the renewal inspection, certification representative conducted a facility walkthrough and staff #1 was working alone with 10 children, at least one was an infant.
During the unannounced monitoring, there was chipped paint on the walls surrounding the bathroom. (Continued noncompliance from renewal inspection conducted on 8/25/25 and the unannounced monitoring on 10/6/25)
During the unannounced monitoring, there were no accommodations for infants or toddlers in the emergency plan. (Continued noncompliance from renewal inspection conducted on 8/25/25 and unannounced monitoring on 10/6/25.)
During the unannounced monitoring, the emergency plan was not sent to the local municipality and county emergency management agency. (Continued noncompliance from renewal inspection conducted on 8/25/25 and unannounced monitoring on 10/6/25)
During the unannounced monitoring, there was 13 children present at the facility when the total capacity is 11.
During the unannounced monitoring, there was no annual written notification to the local traffic safety authorities. (Continued noncompliance from renewal inspection conducted on 8/25/25 and unannounced monitoring on 10/6/25)
During the unannounced monitoring, the daily activity chart does not reflect the activities being conducted or address when the children go to the play area for large muscle activity. (Continued noncompliance from renewal inspection conducted on 8/25/25 and unannounced monitoring on 10/6/25)
During the unannounced monitoring, the file for staff #1 did not include a verification of education. (Continued noncompliance from renewal inspection conducted on 8/25/25 and unannounced monitoring on 10/6/25)
Show 35 older citations
During the unannounced monitoring, half of the indoor play space was being utilized as childcare space. There was a desk and chairs and other office furniture/equipment. (Continued noncompliance from renewal inspection conducted on 8/25/25)
During the unannounced monitoring, there was chipped paint on the walls surrounding the bathroom. (Continued noncompliance from renewal inspection conducted on 8/25/25)
During the unannounced monitoring, there were no accommodations for infants or toddlers in the emergency plan. (Continued noncompliance from renewal inspection conducted on 8/25/25)
During the unannounced monitoring, the emergency plan was not sent to the local municipality and county emergency management agency. (Continued noncompliance from renewal inspection conducted on 8/25/25)
During the unannounced monitoring, there was no annual written notification to the local traffic safety authorities. (Continued noncompliance from renewal inspection conducted on 8/25/25)
During the unannounced monitoring, the daily activity chart does not reflect the activities being conducted or address when the children go to the play area for large muscle activity. (Continued noncompliance from renewal inspection conducted on 8/25/25)
During the unannounced monitoring, the file for staff #1 did not include a verification of education. (Continued noncompliance from renewal inspection conducted on 8/25/25)
During the renewal inspection, certification representative reviewed 4 staff files and the files for staff #4 is missing the FBI clearance(the one on file has the wrong name) and the state criminal history clearances
During the renewal inspection, certification representative did a facility walk through. Staff #2 left an infant (who was in the staff person's assigned group) unattended in a bouncy chair on the floor in the corner between a wall and highchairs. The child was not supervised by a staff person. Staff person # 1, # 2, # 3 and # 4 were present in the space and supervising additional children.
During the renewal inspection, certification representative reviewed the facility files, and the emergency plan did not include a method for facility persons to contact parents as soon as reasonably possible when an emergency arises and did not provide a method for facility persons to contact parents that the emergency has ended and to provide instruction as to how parents can safely be reunited with their children.
During the renewal inspection, certification representative reviewed 4 staff files and the files for staff #1, staff #2,STAFF #3 and staff #4 did not include emergency plan training.
During the renewal inspection, observation of the indoor play space showed that half of the space is being utilized as childcare space. There is a desk and chairs and other office furniture/equipment.
During the renewal inspection, While an infant slept, children were observed engaging in large muscle activities in the main childcare space while staff watched.
During the renewal inspection, certification representative did a facility walk through, and there was a bottle of bleach sitting on top of the toilet.
During the renewal inspection, certification representative conducted a facility walk through and there was chipped paint throughout on the walls surrounding the bathroom.
During the renewal inspection, certification representative conducted a facility walk through and the toilet on the left is clogged up with excrements inside of bowl.
During the renewal inspection, certification representative conducted a facility walk through and there were no handwashing signs that stated that "a facility person and an able child shall wash his hands after toileting and before eating" requirement is written shall be in the children's bathrooms/at all sinks.
During the renewal inspection, certification representative reviewed 4 staff files and the file for staff #2 did not have a physical or TB test results.
During the renewal inspection, certification representative conducted a facility walk through and there was no pick up and drop off procedures posted.
During the renewal inspection, certification representative reviewed the facility files, and the emergency plan did not include accommodations for infants, toddlers, children with special needs and children with chronic medical conditions.
During the renewal inspection, certification representative reviewed the facility files and the emergency plan did not include information on how staff are to respond(specific duties) in the event of an evacuation or relocation and did not include a location for staff and children to relocate to.
During the renewal inspection, there was no documentation to show that the emergency plan was sent to the local municipality and county emergency management agency.
During the renewal inspection, certification representative reviewed facility files and there was no annual written notification to the local traffic safety authorities.
During the renewal inspection, certification representative reviewed 4 staff files and: 1. the file for staff #4 did not contain the part 1 health and safety training. 2.There was no policy for Shaken Baby Syndrome and Child Maltreatment per Announcement C-22-03 that was issued on January 24,2022.
During the renewal inspection, certification representative reviewed 4 staff files and the file for staff #2 did not contain fire safety training.
During the renewal inspection, certification representative conducted a facility walk through and the daily activity chart/list does not specify the activities being conducted or address when the children go to the play area for large muscle activity.
During the renewal inspection, certification representative reviewed staff files and the file for staff #1 and staff #4 did not include a verification of childcare experience and the file for staff #2 did not include a verification of childcare experience or education.
During the initial inspection, certification representative reviewed two staff files and the facility paperwork and the file for staff #2 did not include the 1hr health and safety update or emergency plan training. The emergency plan did not include or address an emergency situation while children were in the basement of the facility or specific staff duties per announcement c-22-04, issued 4/19/22.
During the initial inspection, certification representative conducted a facility walk through and there was no first aid kit in the indoor childcare space.
During the initial inspection, certification representative conducted a facility walkthrough and there were no tweezers in the first aid kit in the main childcare area.
During the initial inspection, certification representative conducted a facility walk through and there were no handwashing signs that stated that a facility person and an able child shall wash his hands after toileting and before eating in the children's bathrooms.
During the initial inspection, certification representative conducted a facility walk through and the refrigerator temperature was greater than 45° F per the thermometer.
During the initial inspection, certification representative reviewed two staff files and the file for staff #1 and staff #2 did not have a verification of childcare experience.
During the initial inspection, certification representative reviewed 2 staff files and the file for staff #1 and staff #2 did not include two non-family references.
During the initial inspection, certification representative reviewed 2 staff files and the file for staff #2 did not include 12 hrs of childcare 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.
Daily rates
| Age group | Full time, per day | Part time, per day |
|---|---|---|
| Newborn (Under 6 Weeks) | $67.83 | $55.72 |
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $67.83 | $55.72 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $63.49 | $52.27 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $59.54 | $49.58 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $56.23 | $40.23 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $53.50 | $35.14 |
| Older School-Age (4th gr.-15 yrs.) | $53.50 | $35.14 |
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 of Xcellence had any serious violations?
Pennsylvania cited 3 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 Nov 3, 2025 (staff ratios): “During the renewal inspection, certification representative conducted a facility walkthrough and staff #1 was working alone with 10 children, at least one was an infant.” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Center of Xcellence?
Pennsylvania lists no complaint investigation that found a violation at Center of Xcellence since 2021. Its search shows these “verified complaints” but not what a complaint alleged, or whether every violation relates to it.
What is Center of Xcellence’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 1, effective May 15, 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 Center of Xcellence compare with other daycares in Philadelphia?
It is tied for #864 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has more citations per inspection than 66% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Center of Xcellence last inspected?
Apr 29, 2026 (unannounced monitoring). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does Center of Xcellence cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $67.83 for newborn, $67.83 for infant, $63.49 for young toddler, $59.54 for older toddler in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Center of Xcellence?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Center Of Xcellence.
Certified centers nearby
3401 Baring St, Philadelphia · 0.2 mi away · 23 spots About typical Sunrise OST at McMicheal Morton
700 N 35th St, Philadelphia · 0.2 mi away About typical The Caring Center Enrichment Academy
501 N 32nd St, Philadelphia · 0.2 mi away · 53 spots Fewer citations than most The Caring Center
3101 Spring Garden St, Philadelphia · 0.3 mi away · 177 spots Fewer citations than most Sunrise Ost at Samuel Powell Elementary
60 N 36th St, Philadelphia · 0.4 mi away About typical Chesterbrook Academy
3201 Race St, Philadelphia · 0.4 mi away · 236 spots Among the most cited
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.