Cynthia Francks Childcare
Cynthia Francks Childcare is a certified child care center in Pittsburgh, PA, with capacity for 82 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 3 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 7 times and confirmed violations in 3 complaint investigations. The state cited 47 violations, 8 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for building & playground safety (17 of 47). 10 citations came in the last 12 months. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #108 of 251 centers in Pittsburgh and has more citations per inspection than 78% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
There was an uncovered outlet in the pre-k room by the closet accessible to children 5 years of age or younger.
There was a sanitizer bottles accessible to children in the OT room accessible to children, labeled "Keep out of reach of children". There was a Febreze bottle in the staff bathroom accessible to children labeled "Keep out of reach of children". There was a Lysol bottle in the pre-k room accessible to children labeled "Keep out of reach of children". There was a backpack in the YT room cubbies that contained a Butt Paste, an Aveeno Balm and a Kids Probiotic accessible to children labeled "Keep out of reach of children".
The first-aid kit in room # 12 lacked sterile gauze pads.
There were sharp exposed fence wires in the playground.
There was peeling paint on the playground fence poles.
There were a cracked plastic bin and a broken puppet with exposed foam in the SA room. There was a broken toy chain saw, two cracked plastic lids and a broken puppet with exposed foam in the PK room. There were two cracked orange cones, 3 flower shaped boards with sharp zip ties edges, broken plastic ladybug and a broken white handle on the playground play tree.
The PS cots were not labeled for the use of a specific child and used only by the specified child.
The infant room refrigerator thermometer was reading 54 degrees.
Staff # 1 kept a soiled diaper on the changing table until she was done with the diaper change, instead of discarding it immediately into a plastic-lined, hands-free covered can.
The file for child #1 lacked the address of the individual designated by the parent to whom the child may be released on the emergency contact form.
Show 37 older citations
There was a Sanitizer, an equate Daily Moisturizer lotion and Fresh Cream Body lotion label " Keep out of reach of children" in the lower unlocked metal cabinet in the preschool room accessible to children. There was a GOOGONE label " Keep out of reach of children" in the lower unlocked metal cabinet in the OT room accessible to children. There was a Coppertone sunscreen and a Tylenol label " Keep out of reach of children" in the OT room cubbies accessible to children.
Ther was an unlabeled water bottle with yellow liquid in the stroller that was parked on the hallway.
The first-Aid kit in the preschool room lacked soap and tape.
There was a cracked bin in the YT room. There were 2 cracked bins in the preschool room. There was a broken tricycle in the playground. The red stroller floor is damage.
There were 2 cots in the YT that did not have at least 2 feet of space required on three sides of a cot.
The thermometer in the kitchen refrigerator is not operable.
Staff # 3 did not wash the child's hands after diapering.
Staff # 3 kept a soiled diaper on the changing table until she was done with the diaper change, instead of discarding it immediately into a plastic-lined, hands-free covered can.
The file for child # 1 contained a current health report dated 9/26/24 that was provided after 60. The child was in care longer than 60 days without initial health report.
The OT and the YT room lacked an emergency transportation plan.
Per staff statements, Child #1 received an injury on 3/28/24. The incident report was completed the following day and placed in the child's classroom mailbox for Child #1's parent.
Base on staff statements, staff have been out of ratio in the morning and end of day, when mixed age groups are combined.
The sink by the changing table in the OT room is pulling off the wall.
Based on staff statement the children have not been taken outside daily.
Staff person #1 was observed to be caring for children unsupervised. Staff person #1 has not completed the following pre-service training required prior to caring for children unsupervised: PQAS first aid and CPR.
Staff #1 was observed provided care for children alone without a valid FBI clearance on file. Staff #1 was a provisionally hired employee.
Observed staff #1 leave the Older Toddler room for a break at naptime when 8 older toddlers were in care but they were not all on their mats and sleeping at the time. More than one child was awake.
Staff person #2 has not completed the following required pre-service training within the designated time frame set by OCDEL (12/2022) (see LIS code sheet): health and safety update.
Based on staff statements, staff #1 raised her voice and yelled directly at a child on at least two occasions in December 2023.
Based on staff statements, staff #1 raised her voice and yelled directly at a child on at least two occasions in December 2023.
The Fire Detection Letter attesting to the operability of the Fire Detection System at the facility had not been updated in the previous year. The facility had not been testing the system every 30 days upon expiration of the letter.
The file for staff person #1 did not contain documentation of being fingerprinted for an FBI clearance prior to date of hire (See IS CODE SHEET) required for provisional hiring under the CPSL. The FBI clearance is dated 9/9/22.
The child abuse clearance on file for Staff person #1 was obtained for volunteer purposes, making it invalid (See LIS Code Sheet).
The emergency plan on site does not include provisions regarding volunteer emergency preparedness training, required as of 7/1/22, as per Announcement C-22-04.
The ABC rug and the World Map rug in the preschool room was frayed and curled on the edges and corner, causing a tripping hazard.
There were 2 foam blocks in the young toddler room that had teeth marks in them.
The most recent influenza vaccination on file for Child #1, who is 5 years old, is dated 11/26/18, more than 1 year ago, as recommended annually for a child this age. The immunization record on file for Child #2, who is 4 years old, includes 0 of 1 recommended MMR immunizations recommended for a child this age by the ACIP; 0 of 1 Varicella immunizations recommended for a child this age by the ACIP; and 0 annual influenza vaccines recommended annually for a child this age by the ACIP. The immunization record on file for Child #3, who is 16 months old, includes 3 of 4 recommended Pneumococcal immunizations recommended for a child this age by the ACIP. The immunization record on file for Child #4, who is 15 months old, includes 0 Influenza immunizations recommended annually for a child this age by the ACIP.
Staff were observed changing diapers in the young toddler room and not washing the child's hands following the diaper change.
There were infant feeding bottles for 2 infants that were not labeled with the name of the child for whom they were intended.
There was no written daily activity schedule in the middle school-age room.
The two most recent child service reports on file for Child #3 are dated 2/23/22 and 9/1/22, more than 6 months apart. The two most recent child service reports on file for Child #5 are dated 3/1/22 and 10/6/22, more than 6 months apart.
The emergency contact form on file for Child #1 does not include the complete address for the child's pediatrician/source for medical care.
In the young toddler room, the cabinet under the changing table had multiple toxics labeled "Keep out of reach of children," and had the handle broken preventing the lock on the cabinet from keeping the cabinet closed, resulting in the toxics being accessible to children.
In the young toddler room, the cabinet with the first-aid bag was unlocked resulting in the first-aid kit being accessible to children.
The exit door to the front sidewalk in the young toddler room was unable to be opened, and the exit door to the front sidewalk in the older toddler room was sticking to the doorframe, obstructing the door from being opened.
In the infant room, there was Infants' Tylenol for child #1 that lacked written parental consent for administration of the medication.
The parent of each enrolled child was not provided with information on how to access the DHS child care regulations electronically.
“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) | $75.03 | $58.79 |
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $75.03 | $58.79 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $72.99 | $55.63 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $71.74 | $54.17 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $64.27 | $48.74 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $57.87 | $38.47 |
| Older School-Age (4th gr.-15 yrs.) | $57.87 | $38.47 |
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 Cynthia Francks Childcare had any serious violations?
Pennsylvania cited 8 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 Feb 16, 2024 (staff ratios): “Base on staff statements, staff have been out of ratio in the morning and end of day, when mixed age groups are combined.” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Cynthia Francks Childcare?
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 Cynthia Francks Childcare’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 3, effective Oct 23, 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 Cynthia Francks Childcare compare with other daycares in Pittsburgh?
It is tied for #108 of 251 centers in Pittsburgh by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has more citations per inspection than 78% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Cynthia Francks Childcare last inspected?
Jan 13, 2026 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does Cynthia Francks Childcare cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $75.03 for newborn, $75.03 for infant, $72.99 for young toddler, $71.74 for older toddler in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Cynthia Francks Childcare?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Cynthia K Francks Child Care 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.
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