Deborahs Little Shepherds Daycare
Deborahs Little Shepherds Daycare is a certified child care center in Philadelphia, PA, with capacity for 30 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 1 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 5 times and confirmed violations in 1 complaint investigation. The state cited 61 violations, 3 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for records & paperwork (20 of 61). 16 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 #1,119 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia and has more citations per inspection than 92% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
While conducting my inspection I observed that staff 4, did not know whom they were responsible for.
While reviewing the staff's files I observed that staff 1, 3, 4, 5, did not include their annual emergency plan training.
While conducting my inspection I observed peeling paint on the wall by the mirror in the infant room. I observed peeling paint on the wall in the block area, library, and by the bathroom in the preschool room.
While reviewing the child/children's files I observed that child 2, did not include a current copy of their shoot record.
During the inspection, it was observed that the facility's emergency plan did not include accommodations for toddlers, children with disabilities, and children with chronic medical conditions.
During the inspection, it was observed that the facility did not have their evacuation routes posted on the second floor or the third floor.
During my inspection I observed that the facility did not have the update and required policy changes for shaken baby syndrome. 1. Strategies for crying/fussing/distraught children
While reviewing the staff's files I observed that staff 2-4, did not contain a current first aid/CPR training.
While reviewing the staff's files I observed that staff 2, 3, did not include their annual written evaluation.
While conducting my inspection I observed that the toddler room did not contain a posted daily schedule.
While reviewing the child/children's files I observed that child 2, did not include their date of admission on their agreement form.
While reviewing the child/children's files I observed that child 1, did not include the home and work addresses and telephone numbers of the enrolling parent.
While reviewing the child/children's files I observed that child 2, 3, did not include the address of the individual designated by the parent to whom the child may be released.
While reviewing the staff's files I observed that staff 4, did not include acceptable verification of experience.
While reviewing the staff's files I observed that staff 3, 4, did not include a current physical or PPD.
While reviewing the staff's files I observed that staff 3, did not include their 12 clock hours of child care training.
Show 45 older citations
During my investigation, if was found that the facility did not have a qualified director.
During my investigation, it was found that facility did not have a director worker onsite a minimum of 30 hours per week.
During the inspection, it was observed staff 3 an aid was not being supervised by a staff person qualified at minimum as an assistant group supervisor.
While reviewing the staff's files I observed that staff 1-3, did not obtain their annual emergency plan training.
During the inspection, it was observed that there was peeling paint on the wall in the first-floor front room under the window, and in the doorway between the kitchen and the front room.
During the inspection, it was observed that the emergency plan did not provide accommodations for infants, toddlers, children with disabilities, and children with chronic medical conditions.
During the inspection, it was observed that a emergency drill had not been conducted.
During the inspection, it was observed that the facility was not conducting fire drills every 60 days.
While reviewing the staff's files I observed that staff 1, 3, did not obtain their annual fire safety training.
While reviewing the child/children's files I observed that child 1, did not include the name, address and telephone number of the individual designated by the parent to whom the child may be released.
While reviewing the staff files I observed staff 2 hired on January 2 2023, does not contain a completed NSOR certification. Staff 3 hired on October 2023, file does not contain a child abuse clearance, state police clearance, or an FBI clearance.
During my inspection I observed that the facility's emergency plan did not include how they were going to contact their parents after an emergency.
During my inspection I observed that the facility had not reviewed their emergency plan at least annually and update the plan as needed or documented it.
While reviewing the staff's files I observed that staff 1-3, did not have their annual emergency plan training.
During my inspection I observed that the water was temping at 114 degrees.
During my inspection I observed that several rooms were missing items from their first-aid kits. Front Room - scissors, tweezers Back Room - tweezers 2nd Floor - scissors, tweezers, bandages
During my inspection I observed that the door frame to the main hallway is coming off the wall.
During my inspection I observed that the front room & back room did not have all the required play equipment and materials.
During my inspection I observed that the infants did not have written feeding schedules from their parents, and bottles were not labeled.
During my inspection I observed that the facility did not have their pick-up and drop-off procedures posted.
During my inspection I observed that the measured childcare space in the basement was not being used as measured due to construction.
During my inspection I observed that the facility's emergency plan did not include accommodations for infants, toddlers, children with disabilities, and children with chronic medical conditions.
During my inspection I observed that the facility had not conducted their annual emergency drill.
During my inspection I observed that the facility's emergency plan did not include the evacuation routes and evacuation plans to exit the building.
During my inspection I observed that the facility had not send a copy of the emergency plan and subsequent plan updates to the local municipality and to the county emergency management agency.
During my inspection I observed that the facility did not have all the update and required policy changes. 1. Strategies for crying/fussing/distraught children 2. Prevention/identification of maltreatment
While reviewing the staff's files I observed that staff 1, did not complete their annual fire safety training.
While reviewing the staff's files I observed that staff 1-3, did not have the health & safety training, and or the 1 hour updated health & safety training.
While reviewing the staff's files I observed that the facility does not a qualified director.
While reviewing the children's files I observed that child 5, 6, did not have signed agreement form by the operator and the parent.
While reviewing the children's files I observed that child 1-5 did not have the specify amount of the fee to be charged per day or per week.
While reviewing the children's files I observed that child 1-5 and 7, did not have the services that the facility provides on their agreement form.
While reviewing the children's files I observed that child 1-6, did not have a specify persons designated by a parent to whom the child may be released.
While reviewing the children's files I observed that child 3-7, did not include the home and work addresses and telephone numbers of the enrolling parent.
While reviewing the children's files I observed that child 4, 5, & 7, did not include health insurance coverage and policy number on their emergency contact sheet.
While reviewing the children's files I observed that child 1, 2, 4, did not have the name, address and telephone number of the individual designated by the parent to whom the child may be released on their emergency contact sheet.
During my inspection I observed that the classrooms did not have emergency contact sheet for the children.
During my inspection I observed that the measured spaces did not have posted emergency transportation plan.
While reviewing the children's files I observed that child 5-8, did not have all the required signatures on their emergency contact sheet.
While reviewing the staff's files I observed that staff 1-3, did not include acceptable verification of experience.
During renewal inspection dated 2/16/2023, certification representative observed that in the first fl middle room, first fl back room and in the room called Justins room upstairs, there was hand soap on the sinks which was accessible to children. Also, there was a large hand sanitizer container near the steps to go upstairs to Justins room. The hand sanitizer was accessible to children.
During the renewal inspection dated 2/16/2023, certification representative observed that child #1 was asleep in a playpen that did not have 2 feet of space on three sides of it.
During inspection dated 2/16/2023, certification representative observed that the facility did not have an annual notification of the local traffic safety authorities.
During initial inspection dated 9/15/2022 certification representative observed a low glass window between the office and revelations room that had no visual identification to identify it.
During the initial inspection dated 9/15/2022, certification representative observed that the cubby in revelations room was not secured to the wall and posed as a safety hazard. Also, a tablet table on lower level was very wabbly and needed to be secured.
“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 |
|---|---|---|
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $60.00 | $40.00 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $60.00 | $40.00 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $55.00 | $38.00 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $50.00 | $35.00 |
| Older School-Age (4th gr.-15 yrs.) | $50.00 | $35.00 |
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 Deborahs Little Shepherds Daycare 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 Feb 2, 2026 (supervision): “While conducting my inspection I observed that staff 4, did not know whom they were responsible for.” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Deborahs Little Shepherds Daycare?
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 Deborahs Little Shepherds Daycare’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 1, effective Mar 31, 2023. 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 Deborahs Little Shepherds Daycare compare with other daycares in Philadelphia?
It is tied for #1,119 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has more citations per inspection than 92% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Deborahs Little Shepherds Daycare last inspected?
Feb 2, 2026 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does Deborahs Little Shepherds Daycare cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $60.00 for young toddler, $60.00 for older toddler, $55.00 for preschool, $50.00 for young school-age in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Deborahs Little Shepherds Daycare?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Deborahs Little Shepherds Child Care INC.
Certified centers nearby
5943 Chestnut St, Philadelphia · under 0.1 mi away · 13 spots Among the most cited The Seed School LLC
5949 Chestnut St, Philadelphia · under 0.1 mi away · 139 spots About typical Dreamscape Early Childhood Education Center
35 S 60th St, Philadelphia · under 0.1 mi away · 24 spots Fewer citations than most Turning Paiges Islamic Learning Center
27 S 60th St, Philadelphia · under 0.1 mi away · 78 spots Fewer citations than most Chosen Leaders Early Education Center
203 S 60th St, Philadelphia · 0.1 mi away · 13 spots Among the most cited Wonderspring New Market West
5901 Market St, Philadelphia · 0.1 mi away · 123 spots Fewer 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.