Ducklings ELC Downingtown West
Ducklings ELC Downingtown West is a certified child care center in Downingtown, PA, with capacity for 155 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 2 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 7 times and confirmed violations in 2 complaint investigations. The state cited 14 violations, 3 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for records & paperwork (5 of 14). 3 citations came in the last 12 months, including 1 on a core-safety topic. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is #9 of 23 centers in Downingtown and has fewer citations per inspection than 76% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
During the renewal inspection on 8/19/26, the refrigerator in the Dragonflies room was in poor repair and did not maintain a 45° F or below temperature.
During the renewal inspection on 8/19/26, child #1 had an agreement that did not have a date of admission.
During the complaint investigation on 6/5/26, it was verified that staff person #1, left child#1 in the Firefly classroom, alone for 30 minutes on 5/18/26 from 1:29pm to 1:59pm.
During the renewal inspection on 8/8/25, in the Dragonflies 2 Room the first-aid kit did not have bandages.
During the renewal inspection on 8/8/25, in the Caterpillars Room, under the mattress on the changing station there was excess grime/filth accumulated on the surface.
During the renewal inspection on 8/8/25, in the Ladybugs Room the red leather couch had torn material and was in poor repair.
During the renewal inspection on 8/8/25, In the Jitterbugs room, the thermometer in the refrigerator was 50° F.
During the renewal inspection on 8/8/25, in the Dragonflies 2 Room, the written daily activities plan did not reflect the activities for the summer schedule.
During the renewal inspection on 8/8/25, in the Butterflies 2 Room, there was no emergency contact information in the childcare space where the children were receiving care.
During the complaint investigation on 7/24/25, it was verified through interviews and video footage that staff person #1 aggressively grabbed a child and pushed the child onto the couch, then pushed the child down a second time when the child tried to get up.
During the complaint investigation on 7/24/25, it was verified through interviews that staff person # 1 yelled in the face of a child.
During the renewal inspection on 7/26/24, child #1 did not have emergency contact information in the childcare space while receiving care.
During the renewal inspection on 7/26/24, staff person #1 did not have 2 written nonfamily references on file.
During the initial review inspection on 2/23/24: 1. There was a cardboard box containing a broken infant changer and rolled rugs in the main entrance of the facility. 2. There was a ladder in the outside play area.
“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) | $86.33 | — |
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $86.33 | — |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $85.08 | — |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $83.56 | — |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $80.14 | — |
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 ELC Downingtown West 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 Jun 5, 2026 (supervision): “During the complaint investigation on 6/5/26, it was verified that staff person #1, left child#1 in the Firefly classroom, alone for 30 minutes on 5/18/26 from 1:29pm to 1:59pm.” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Ducklings ELC Downingtown West?
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 ELC Downingtown West’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 2, effective Oct 21, 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 ELC Downingtown West compare with other daycares in Downingtown?
It is #9 of 23 centers in Downingtown by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 76% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Ducklings ELC Downingtown West last inspected?
Aug 19, 2026 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does Ducklings ELC Downingtown West cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $86.33 for newborn, $86.33 for infant, $85.08 for young toddler, $83.56 for older toddler in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Ducklings ELC Downingtown West?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Trident Group 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.