Designing Minds for the Future
Designing Minds for the Future is a certified child care center in Philadelphia, PA, with capacity for 55 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 2 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 6 times and confirmed violations in 1 complaint investigation. The state cited 14 violations, 4 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for health & medication (4 of 14). 2 citations came in the last 12 months, including 2 on a core-safety topic. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #361 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia and has fewer citations per inspection than 70% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
On 1/16/26, during a complaint inspection, two staff persons were observed caring for a mixed age group of 13 infants and young/older toddlers. Staff persons verified the ages of the children. (staff #1 and #2)
The facility was not in compliance with the CPSL and with Chapter 3490 (relating to protective services): Several staff person's record did not contain the required CPSL hiring documents. Several facility person's records did not contain the required CPSL hiring documents (#1-State Police-pending not completed) (#2- no NSOR) (#3-State Police more than 60 months old)
Renewal inspection conducted on 09/17/2025. The Certification Representative reviewed the records of Staff #1 and Staff #2. The records for both staff did not include a current Health Assessment.
During a renewal inspection conducted on 09/11/24, the Certification Representative reviewed the content of records of Staff # 1, and Staff# 2. Staff's #1 content of records had an expired NSOR clearance. Staff's #2 content of records had an expired Criminal, FBI, and Child abuse clearances.
During a renewal inspection conducted on 11/123, the certificate representative reviewed the content of records of staff #2 and staff #3. Staff #2 content of records did not include a NSOR clearance. Staff #3 content of records did not include a child abuse clearance.
During a renewal inspection conducted on 11/1/23, the certification representative reviewed the content of records for staff #2, Staff #3, and Staff #4 and it did not include the Health and Safety trainings.
During a renewal inspection conducted on 11/1/23, the certification representative reviewed content of records of Staff #2, and it did not include a Pediatric First Aid training.
At the time of inspection, the high chairs did not have a T-shaped safety strap.
At the time of inspection, the rest equipment was not labeled for the use of a specific child.
At the time of inspection, certification representative observed a facility person her hands after diapering a child.
AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION CERTIFICATION REPRESENTATIVE OBSERVED CHILDREN SLEEPING ON REST EQUIPEMENT THAT WAS NOT LABELED FOR THEIR SPECIFIC USE.
AT THE TIME OF INPSECTION THE FEE AGREEMENT DID NOT INCLUDE SIGNATURES FROM THE PARENT OR OPERATOR.
AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION THE FEE AGREEMENT FORM DID NOT SPECIFY THE PERSON DESIGNATED BY THE PARENT TO WHOM THE CHILD MAY BE RELEASED.
AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION, ENROLLED CHILDREN DID NOT HAVE EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION.
“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) | $77.00 | $77.00 |
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $77.00 | $77.00 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $60.00 | $60.00 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $60.00 | $60.00 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $60.00 | $60.00 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $60.00 | $60.00 |
| Older School-Age (4th gr.-15 yrs.) | $60.00 | $60.00 |
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 Designing Minds for the Future had any serious violations?
Pennsylvania cited 4 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 Jan 16, 2026 (staff ratios): “On 1/16/26, during a complaint inspection, two staff persons were observed caring for a mixed age group of 13 infants and young/older toddlers. Staff persons verified the ages of the children. (staff #1 and #2)” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Designing Minds for the Future?
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 Designing Minds for the Future’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 2, effective Nov 29, 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 Designing Minds for the Future compare with other daycares in Philadelphia?
It is tied for #361 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 70% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Designing Minds for the Future last inspected?
Jan 16, 2026 (unannounced monitoring). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does Designing Minds for the Future cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $77.00 for newborn, $77.00 for infant, $60.00 for young toddler, $60.00 for older toddler in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Designing Minds for the Future?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Designing Minds For The Future LLC.
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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.