Children of the Ark Day Care Center
Children of the Ark Day Care Center is a certified child care center in Lewistown, PA, with capacity for 43 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 2 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 4 times and confirmed violations in 1 complaint investigation. The state cited 16 violations, 3 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for records & paperwork (6 of 16). None of them came in the last 12 months. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is #4 of 5 centers in Lewistown and has fewer citations per inspection than 51% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
Staff number 1 was observed to be working without a complete State Police clearance. State Police clearance that listed the results as Pending, which is not a completed clearance. Corrected on site by obtaining the complete clearance.
There was no first aid kit present with children while on the playground.
In the outside playspace, a wall opposite of the entrance was observed to have peeling paint accessible to children. Peeled paint chips were observed on the ground in the area
In the backroom, toy bins were observed to be greasy and dirty. A Cocomelon steering wheel was also observed to be greasy and dirty. In the infant area a stand and play with blue legs, a yellow and green pop up toy, and a teal sit and stand toy were observed to be greasy and dirty.
A written plan of daily activities was missing from the back room.
Agreement form for child #1 was not signed by the operator.
Agreement form for child #1 was missing the fee amount.
Agreement form for child #1 did not list the date fot he fee to be paid.
Emergency contact form for child #1 was missing the parent work address. Emergency contact form for child #2 was missing the mother's home and work address.
Emergency contact forms were observed to not be present with children and teachers while on the outside playground.
In the back room, a staff was observed changing a child's diaper. During the diaper change, the staff could not actively supervise infants across the room in a separate area due to the placement of the changing table.
Window sills in the back child care space were observed to be dusty
Staff #1 was observed to have an initial health assessment dated 8/30/24, which was completed after initial employment.
During the smoke detection testing, both alarms were observed to operate independently. Both alarms were operable but were not interconnected as required per Act 62.
Records for Children #1, #2 and #3 did not contain documentation of annual influenza vaccine nor any parental exemption. Child #3 last record of said vaccine was 2020.
During the inspection, it was verified that Staff #1 was in ratio and in the room while Child #1 was lying on the floor. Child #1 was subsequently bitten multiple times by another child without intervention. Staff #1 did not maintain appropriate supervision during that time.
“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) | $57.00 | $52.00 |
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $57.00 | $52.00 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $55.00 | $48.00 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $52.00 | $46.00 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $47.00 | $41.00 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $43.00 | $38.00 |
| Older School-Age (4th gr.-15 yrs.) | $43.00 | $38.00 |
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 Children of the Ark Day Care Center 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 Sep 19, 2025 (background checks): “Staff number 1 was observed to be working without a complete State Police clearance. State Police clearance that listed the results as Pending, which is not a completed clearance. Corrected on site by obtaining the…” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Children of the Ark Day Care Center?
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 Children of the Ark Day Care Center’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 2, effective Oct 31, 2025. 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 Children of the Ark Day Care Center compare with other daycares in Lewistown?
It is #4 of 5 centers in Lewistown by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 51% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Children of the Ark Day Care Center last inspected?
Sep 19, 2025 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does Children of the Ark Day Care Center cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $57.00 for newborn, $57.00 for infant, $55.00 for young toddler, $52.00 for older toddler in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Children of the Ark Day Care Center?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is D M Reish 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.