Ducklings Early Learning Center · West Chester
Ducklings Early Learning Center is a certified child care center in West Chester, PA, with capacity for 174 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 4 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 6 times and confirmed violations in 6 complaint investigations. The state cited 26 violations, 7 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for health & medication (6 of 26). 2 citations came in the last 12 months. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is #26 of 37 centers in West Chester and has more citations per inspection than 60% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
Children in the Jitterbugs classroom did not have cots specifically assigned to them.
Staff person did not wash child's hands after their diaper was changed in the infant classroom.
Teacher in the Doodlebugs classroom could not accurately identify all the children specifically assigned to them in their care group.
Lock on the cabinet on the diaper changing table in the Ladybugs classroom was left unlatched leaving containers of diaper cream accessible to children.
There was chipped paint found on the lower left wall in the Dragonflies B classroom.
Crickets classroom had a glass door that did not have a visual strip or other visual identification.
In the Honeybees classroom, the cots were not labeled with children's names and there was no cot chart present showing which mat belongs to each specific child.
Bottle of child in the Crickets classroom was missing label with child's name.
While reviewing video footage during complaint investigation, Cert Rep observed two children left unsupervised in the bathroom area in the Doodlebugs classroom while the 2 staff were setting up for nap in the classroom area.
During the renewal inspection conducted on 12/4/23, the first-aid kit in the Dragonflies B classroom was placed in an area accessible to children.
Show 16 older citations
During the renewal inspection conducted on 12/4/23, child #1 and #2 had expired EpiPens. Child #1's EpiPen was dated 3/2023 and child #2's EpiPen was dated 12/2022.
On 5/31/2023, a Staff member thought they heard a child get slapped and reported the incident to management. Management reviewed video footage and confirmed there was a slap and immediately terminated the employee.
STAFF (ALSO PARENT OF CHILD) OBSERVED STAFF #1 YANKED HER CHILD FROM THE FLOOR BY HER UPPER ARM. CHILD HAD BEEN UPSET. CHILD DID NOT APPEAR INJURED BY THIS TREATMENT. DIRECTOR AND LE VIEWED THE VIDEO OF THIS INCIDENT WITH THE PARENT.
Staff member #1 admitted to violating confidentiality by speaking with a parent about their child's health while another parent was able to hear the conversation.
On 5/3/22, staff member #1 was observed by other staff picking a child up off the floor with one hand by the wrist because the child did not want to walk.
On 1/24/22, a young toddler walked out of the caterpillars classroom and was later found alone in the staff lounge by staff.
During the unannounced visit on 3/8/22, peeling paint was observed on the walls of the butterflies and fireflies classrooms.
On 12/28/21 during the file review for the inspection, staff #1 (hire date 6/8/20) did not have a DHS FBI clearance as required and must be removed from care. Staff #2 (start date 5/31/21) had a volunteer Child Abuse clearance and must be removed from care. Staff #3 (start date 10/18/21) did not have a full rap sheet showing the disposition of charges and must be removed from care. Staff #4 (start date 8/30/21) had no FBI clearance and must be removed from care.
On 12/22/21 during the inspection, the refrigerator in the Honeybees room read 52 degrees. The refrigerator in the Caterpillars room read 48 degrees. The refrigerator in the Crickets room read 49 degrees.
On 12/28/21 during the file review for the inspection, there was no influenza vaccine and no exemption letter for child #2
On 12/28/21 during the file review for the inspection, the TB screening for Staff #5 (start date 12/1/21) was dated 8/31/20, greater than 12 months prior to the start date.
On 12/22/21 during the inspection, there was a bottle in the refrigerator in the Waddlers room that was not labeled with a child's name.
On 12/22/21 during the inspection, the fire drill log showed a fire drill on 9/1/21 and the next one on 12/9/21 which is greater than the 60 days required.
On 12/22/21 during the inspection, the emergency plan had not been submitted to the local municipality and county emergency management agency.
On 12/28/21 during the file review for the inspection, Staff #2 had a high school diploma but did not have 2 years of experience documented to qualify for the stated Assistant Group Supervisor position.
On 12/28/21 during the file review for the inspection, the emergency contact information for child #1 did not contain the health insurance policy number.
“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.) | $79.09 | $79.09 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $77.06 | $77.06 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $73.92 | $73.92 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $69.40 | $69.40 |
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 7 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 Dec 4, 2024 (supervision): “Teacher in the Doodlebugs classroom could not accurately identify all the children specifically assigned to them in their care group.” 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 6 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 4, effective Sep 10, 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 West Chester?
It is #26 of 37 centers in West Chester by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has more citations per inspection than 60% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Ducklings Early Learning Center last inspected?
Nov 18, 2025 (renewal). 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 $79.09 for infant, $77.06 for young toddler, $73.92 for older toddler, $69.40 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 Ruddy Duck Enterprises 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.