Ducklings Early Learning Center · Media
Ducklings Early Learning Center is a certified child care center in Media, PA, with capacity for 152 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 2 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 8 times and confirmed violations in 7 complaint investigations. The state cited 38 violations, 13 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for building & playground safety (16 of 38). 23 citations came in the last 12 months, including 8 on a core-safety topic. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is #13 of 15 centers in Media and has more citations per inspection than 67% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
On 09/10/26, staff person #1 was giving a bathroom break in the infant room, classroom #1, and did not know the names of the 4 infants in the classroom.
On 06/09/26, during the site visit, it was confirmed that staff persons #1 and #2 use harsh, demeaning, and abusive language in the presence of children.
On 06/11/26, during the allocated unannounced monitoring, an infant in infant room 1 was observed to be sleeping on the floor from 9:45am until at least 10:11am. In addition, a child was observed sleeping in their crib with their bib on and a pacifier attached to it via pacifier strap.
On 06/09/26, during a follow up visit, ongoing non-compliance with ratio requirements was observed in the infant room. One staff member was observed alone in the classroom caring for five infants in infant room 2. On 05/04/26, during the inspection, a staff member confirmed to the certification representative that the facility was out of compliance with ratio requirements in April. The previous inspection summary stated that the facility would come into compliance by 05/18/26.
On 06/09/26, during the site visit, it was confirmed that a child who is known to place objects in their mouth had access to small metal balls with a diameter of less than 1 inch.
On 06/09/26, during the allocated unannounced monitoring, an outlet was observed to be uncovered and broken in classroom 10 where children aged 3-4 are being cared for.
On 06/09/26, during the allocated unannounced monitoring visit, the child lock placed on the cabinet door under the sink was not engaged leaving Windex and other cleaning materials accessible to children, in addition Clorox wipes and baking soda were observed in a stack of supplies by the door. In the bathroom inside of classroom 11 beads to improve the smell labeled "Keep out of reach of children" was placed on the toilet, accessible to children.
On 06/09/26, during the unannounced allocated monitoring visit, both the small and large garbage cans located in room 10 were observed to be unlined and contained trash that has been contaminated by human secretions.
On 06/09/26, during the allocated unannounced visit, room 13 was observed to be without a first-aid kit.
On 06/09/26, during the allocated unannounced monitoring, the cribs in infant room 1 were observed to have less than 2 feet of space on three sides.
On 05/04/26, during the inspection, a staff member confirmed to the certification representative that the facility was out of compliance with ratio requirements in April.
On 03/27/26, during the unannounced monitoring, child #1 was observed to be sleeping with a sound machine in their crib.
On 03/27/26, during the inspection, staff #1 and staff #2 confirmed that the facility is assigning more than one child to a single crib. All cribs did not have labels stating which child uses which crib.
On 01/15/26, during the unannounced follow up visit, ongoing noncompliance was observed for the following violation; On 12/16/25, during the renewal inspection, two of the garbage cans in the ladybugs room and one in butterflies room contained trash that had been contaminated by human secretion did not contain a plastic lining.
On 01/15/26, during the unannounced follow up visit, ongoing noncompliance was observed regarding the following violation; On 12/16/25, during the renewal inspection, there was no first aid kit in the caterpillar's 2 room because the room was engaged in "split groups" and the group that left the classroom took the first aid kit with them.
On 01/15/26, during an unannounced follow up inspection, ongoing noncompliance was observed regarding the following violation; On 12/16/25, during the renewal inspection, the ladybug classroom had peeled paint on the left wall.
On 12/16/25, during the renewal inspection, a sound machine was observed in the crib of a sleeping infant.
On 12/16/25, during the renewal inspection, two of the garbage cans in the ladybugs room and one in butterflies room contained trash that had been contaminated by human secretion did not contain a plastic lining.
On 12/16/25, during the renewal inspection, there was no first aid kit in the caterpillar's 2 room because the room was engaged in "split groups" and the group that left the classroom took the first aid kit with them.
On 12/16/25, during the renewal inspection, the first aid kit in the butterfly's classroom did not contain nonporous gloves.
On 12/16/25, during the renewal inspection, the garbage can, white cabinets, step stool and refrigerator were visibly dirty.
On 12/16/25, during the renewal inspection, the ladybug classroom had peeled paint on the left wall.
On 10/21/25, during the unannounced monitoring, the infant ratio in the infant 1 classroom was not maintained. Staff #1 was alone in the infants 1 classroom with 5 infants, ranging in age from 4 months old to 7 months old.
Show 15 older citations
At the time of the inspection, Staff 5 did not have proof of the FBI clearance on file, and was past their provisional hire period and was with the children.
At the time of the inspection, 2 ceiling tiles in the gym appeared to have water damage.
At the time of the inspection, Staff 1 and Staff 2 had physicals that did not contain the results for communicable diseases.
At the time of the inspection, Staff 3 and Staff 4's did not have proof of prior experience on file.
On 1/7/25, staff person #3 and staff person #6 were observed to be caring for children unsupervised. Staff person #3 has not completed the following pre-service training required prior to caring for children unsupervised: Health & Safety, Mandated Reporter Training and Pediatric First Aid/CPR. Staff person #6 has not completed Pediatric First Aid/CPR.
On 1/7/25, Staff #1 file did not contain results of NSOR Clearance and PA Criminal Clearance as required by CPSL. Staff #2 file did not contain results of NSOR Clearance as required by CPSL.
On 1/7/25, two red bags containing first aid kits were observed accessible to children on the floor of the indoor gross motor room where toddlers were playing.
On 1/7/25, at approximately 10:35am, Child #1 was observed drinking a bottle on the floor of the infant room while staff person was attending to classroom duties. Child #1 is younger than 6 months of age.
On 1/7/25, Staff person #5 has not completed the following required pre-service training within 90 days of their date of hire: Health & Safety 1hr Update. Staff #7 has not completed the following required pre-service training within 90 days of their date of hire: Health & Safety Training and Pediatric First Aid/CPR.
On 1/7/25, Staff #1 and Staff #4 have not completed the mandated reporter training within 90 days of their date of hire.
On 1/7/25, Staff #2 was observed working unsupervised with 5 Young Toddlers. Staff #3 and Staff #4 were observed working unsupervised with 8 Young Toddlers. Staff #2, #3 and #4 files did not contain verification of two years' experience. Staff #2, #3 and #4 are qualified as aides.
On 1/7/25, staff in the toddler rooms stated they were not assigned specific children in the group for the purpose of supervision.
On 1/7/25, Staff #1 was observed working unsupervised in the Older Toddler Room. Staff #1 file did not contain verification of education and experience required in order to qualify for the position in which they were performing.
During the initial inspection cert rep observed the hot water temperature in the kitchen was 113 degrees, the Doodlebugs classroom 111 and 112 degrees, the Fireflies classroom 111 degrees, the Before and After classroom 111 degrees, the Caterpillar classroom 111 degrees and the Ladybugs classroom 113 degrees.
During the initial inspection the cert rep observed the refrigerator in the Dragonflies classroom was 77 degrees.
“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 |
|---|---|---|
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $108.30 | $108.30 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $105.08 | $105.08 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $101.85 | $101.85 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $99.73 | $99.73 |
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 Ducklings Early Learning Center had any serious violations?
Pennsylvania cited 13 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 Sep 3, 2026 (supervision): “On 09/10/26, staff person #1 was giving a bathroom break in the infant room, classroom #1, and did not know the names of the 4 infants in the classroom.” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Ducklings Early Learning Center?
Pennsylvania lists 7 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 Ducklings Early Learning Center’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 2, effective Oct 9, 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 Ducklings Early Learning Center compare with other daycares in Media?
It is #13 of 15 centers in Media by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has more citations per inspection than 67% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Ducklings Early Learning Center last inspected?
Jun 9, 2026 (allocated unannounced monitoring). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does Ducklings Early Learning Center cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $108.30 for infant, $105.08 for young toddler, $101.85 for older toddler, $99.73 for preschool in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Ducklings Early Learning Center?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Ducks At Ponds Edge LLC.
Certified centers nearby
1299 W Baltimore Pike, Media · under 0.1 mi away · 134 spots More citations than most Glenwood Elementary School
122 S Pennell Rd, Media · 0.5 mi away About typical Lima United Methodist Church Bus Stop Program
209 N Middletown Rd, Media · 0.8 mi away · 63 spots About typical The Childrens Academy
25 N Middletown Rd, Media · 1.3 mi away · 151 spots Fewer citations than most Middletown Montessori School
30 E Forge Rd, Media · 1.8 mi away · 60 spots Fewer citations than most Smart From the Start A INC
221 Llewllyn Rd, Chester Heights · 1.8 mi away · 59 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.