Close to Home Child Care and Learning Center
Close to Home Child Care and Learning Center is a certified child care center in Avoca, PA, with capacity for 40 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 1 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 6 times and confirmed violations in 1 complaint investigation. The state cited 6 violations, none of them core-safety, most often for building & playground safety (3 of 6). None of them came in the last 12 months. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #17 of 102 centers in Luzerne County and has fewer citations per inspection than 87% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
A hand washing sign was not observed at the double sink in the Toddler Room.
Two thick blankets were observed on a wooden shelf that was near the entrance to the playground. Staff #1 acknowledged that these blankets were solely being used as rest equipment for two children.
A renewal inspection was conducted on 11/15/23. The ceiling tile in the bathroom located outside of the Pre K 2 room has a damaged ceiling tile.
A renewal inspection was conducted on 11/15/23. The changing table mat located in the Pre-K 2 classroom had a rip exposing the inner foam and preventing it from being sanitized properly.
A renewal inspection was conducted on 11/15/23. The parent handbook did not contain a supervision policy. The operator acknowledged that this not given to the parents in writing.
On 10/13/23, cert rep was at the facility for a complaint investigation. Staff reported that the facility had roaches in the preschool room, infant room, and kitchen. The operator verified that roaches were present and she immediately contacted the exterminator to come and spray the facility.
“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) | $50.00 | $50.00 |
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $50.00 | $50.00 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $45.00 | $45.00 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $45.00 | $45.00 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $43.00 | $43.00 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $43.00 | $30.00 |
| Older School-Age (4th gr.-15 yrs.) | $43.00 | $30.00 |
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 Close to Home Child Care and Learning Center had any serious violations?
No citations on supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep since 2021. It has 6 other citations, listed above.
Have there been complaints about Close to Home Child Care and Learning 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 Close to Home Child Care and Learning Center’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 1, effective Jun 11, 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 Close to Home Child Care and Learning Center compare with other daycares in Luzerne County?
It is tied for #17 of 102 centers in Luzerne County by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 87% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Close to Home Child Care and Learning Center last inspected?
Jun 22, 2026 (allocated unannounced monitoring). No violations were cited during that visit.
How much does Close to Home Child Care and Learning Center cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $50.00 for newborn, $50.00 for infant, $45.00 for young toddler, $45.00 for older toddler in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Close to Home Child Care and Learning Center?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Close To Home Child Care & Learning Center.
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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.