Ducklings Early Learning Center · Spring City
Ducklings Early Learning Center is a certified child care center in Spring City, PA, with capacity for 127 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 4 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 5 times and confirmed violations in 2 complaint investigations. The state cited 17 violations, 4 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for building & playground safety (5 of 17). 2 citations came in the last 12 months, including 1 on a core-safety topic. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is #4 of 5 centers in Spring City and has fewer citations per inspection than 52% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
A child was left unsupervised while going to the bathroom in the Doodlebugs classroom.
There was an outlet uncovered in the doodlebugs classroom on the right wall and in the firefly's classroom next to the cots.
During the renewal inspection, there was chipped paint on the right lower wall next to the exit in the Crickets classroom, on the wall to the right of fridge in Ladybugs classroom, below exit sign in the rear of the Honeybees classroom and chipped paint around the socket on the left wall in the Fireflies classroom
As reported in the self reported incident, staff person #1 was observed pulling a child by their ear to move them closer to her.
Child #1 was left alone in the Crickets classroom for approximately 2 minutes.
Facility did not have an incident report on file for child #1 and did not give parents an incident report detailing the accident.
During the renewal inspection conducted on 12/19/23, there was a basket containing hand sanitizer and diaper cream in an unlocked cabinet accessible to children in the Honeybees classroom. In the Fireflies classroom, there was a bottle of contact solution in an open cabinet accessible to children.
During the renewal inspection conducted on 12/19/23, child #1 had a bottle of expired Benadryl dated 11/23.
During the renewal inspection conducted on 12/19/23, in the Doodlebugs classroom, the emergency contact forms of child #2-6 were not updated with in a 6 month period. The emergency contact forms were dated as follows: child #2 9/5/22, child #3 11/9/22, child #4 10/25/22, child #5 11/10/22, and child # 6 1/19/23.
During the renewal inspection on 2/1/23, a wooden cabinet/cubby located in the Dragonflies rooms labeled as the "dress-up center" was observed. The cabinet/cubby was not anchored to the wall and can pose a potential tipping hazard.
On 1/12/22 during the renewal inspection, Staff #1 (hire date 10/11/21) did not have the DHS FBI clearance and is beyond the provisional hire period. Staff #1 must be removed from care.
On 1/12/22 during the renewal inspection, there was no written parental consent for the epi-pen that was in the classroom for child #1.
On 1/12/22 during the renewal inspection, the health assessment of Staff #2 did not include the physician's assessment of her suitability to provide child care.
On 1/12/22 during the renewal inspection, the emergency plan did not provide for accommodations for infants and toddlers.
On 1/12/22 during the renewal inspection, fire drills were completed 6/24/21, 9/24/21, and 12/10/21, which does not meet the requirement for every 60 days.
On 1/12/22 during the renewal inspection, the fire alarm was tested 6/24/21, 9/24/21, and 12/10/21, which does not meet the requirement for testing every 30 days.
On 1/12/22 during the renewal inspection, the emergency plan had not been sent to the county.
“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) | $76.16 | $76.16 |
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $76.16 | $76.16 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $72.70 | $72.70 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $69.00 | $69.00 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $66.92 | $66.92 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $63.46 | $63.46 |
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 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 Dec 9, 2025 (supervision): “A child was left unsupervised while going to the bathroom in the Doodlebugs 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 2 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 6, 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 Spring City?
It is #4 of 5 centers in Spring City by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 52% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Ducklings Early Learning Center last inspected?
Dec 9, 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 $76.16 for newborn, $76.16 for infant, $72.70 for young toddler, $69.00 for older toddler 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 Sunlight Ventures 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.
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.