Childrens Garden Child Care Center · Darby
Childrens Garden Child Care Center is a certified child care center in Darby, PA, with capacity for 40 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 4 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 6 times and confirmed violations in 3 complaint investigations. The state cited 9 violations, 7 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 tied for #7 of 14 centers in Darby and has fewer citations per inspection than 73% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
At the time of inspection, staff person #1 admitted to tapping a child on the head.
Per the legal entity's admission, the date on the clearances for staff person #1 were changed.
PER THE PROVIDER'S ADMISSION, STAFF PERSON #1 WAS OBSERVED DRAGGING A CHILD #1.
THE FILE OF STAFF PERSON #2 DOH (SEE LIS CODE SHEET), DID NOT INCLUDE A COPY OF THE NSOR CLEARANCE HISTORY AS REQUIRED UNDER THE CPSL. THE FILE OF STAFF PERSON #3 DOH (SEE LIS CODE SHEET), DID NOT INCLUDE A COPY OF THE NSOR CLEARANCE HISTORY AS REQUIRED UNDER THE CPSL.
AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION, FACILITY #1, A AIDE, WAS OBSERVED IN THE INFANT ROOM WORKING ALONE WITH CHILDREN AND WAS NOT IN THE VICINITY OF A PERMANENT EMPLOYEE.
AT THE TIME INSPECTION CERTIFICATION REPRESENTATIVE OBSERVED STAFF PERSON #1 WORKING ALONE WITH 5 INFANTS.
AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION THE HEALTH ASSESSMENT FOR STAFF PERSON #3 DID INCLUDE AN EXAMINATION FOR COMMUNICABLE DISEASES AND AN ASSESSMENT OF THE PERSON'S SUITABILITY TO PROVIDE CHILD CARE.
ON OCTOBER 20, 2021, STAFF PERSON #1 DID NOT SUPERVISE CHILD #1 TO PREVENT INJURY.
THE OPERATOR DID NOT NOTIFY THE REGIONAL OFFICE WITHIN 24 HOURS OF A CHILD IN CARE RECEIVING MEDICAL TREATEMENT.
“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) | $68.00 | $57.00 |
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $68.00 | $57.00 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $63.60 | $55.00 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $59.60 | $49.60 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $56.20 | $47.00 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $48.00 | $39.40 |
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 Childrens Garden Child Care Center had any serious violations?
Pennsylvania cited 7 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 May 25, 2023 (caregiver conduct): “At the time of inspection, staff person #1 admitted to tapping a child on the head.” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Childrens Garden Child Care Center?
Pennsylvania lists 3 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 Childrens Garden Child Care Center’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 4, effective Jul 26, 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 Childrens Garden Child Care Center compare with other daycares in Darby?
It is tied for #7 of 14 centers in Darby by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 73% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Childrens Garden Child Care Center last inspected?
Feb 20, 2026 (renewal). No violations were cited during that visit.
How much does Childrens Garden Child Care Center cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $68.00 for newborn, $68.00 for infant, $63.60 for young toddler, $59.60 for older toddler in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Childrens Garden Child Care Center?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Childrens Garden One INC.
Certified centers nearby
218 N Front St, Darby · 0.1 mi away · 25 spots About typical Todays Child Learning Center
328 Main St, Darby · 0.2 mi away · 204 spots About typical The Little Sprouts Learning Center
611 Cedar Ave, Lansdowne · 0.3 mi away · 35 spots About typical Tender Years Preschool
521 Walnut St, Darby · 0.4 mi away · 92 spots Fewer citations than most Discovery Place Preschool for Little People
125 Chester Ave, Lansdowne · 0.4 mi away · 136 spots About typical Greater Hope Christian Academy
7029 Woodland Ave # 7037, Philadelphia · 0.4 mi away · 82 spots More citations than most
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.