Ducklings ELC Westtown
Ducklings ELC Westtown is a certified child care center in West Chester, PA, with capacity for 144 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 4 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 6 times and confirmed violations in 1 complaint investigation. The state cited 10 violations, 2 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for building & playground safety (3 of 10). 3 citations came in the last 12 months. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #9 of 37 centers in West Chester 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 03/06/26 the first aid kit located in the Honeybees classroom did not contain soap and gloves.
During the renewal inspection on 03/06/26 the thermometer in the Crickets classroom, Ladybugs classroom, Waddlers classroom, Dragonflies 3 classroom, Dragonflies 1 classroom and Doodlebugs classroom read over 45° F.
During the renewal on 03/06/26 documentation on file did not reflect annual emergency drills being conducted.
During the complaint investigation, the certification representative was informed again of a child being left outside in the playground by a staff.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative viewed that staff files staff #1 was missing the correct FBI clearance in the file.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative conducted a facility walk through and observed the first aid kit in the cricket's classroom missing soap.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative conducted a facility walk through and observed the resting equipment in the butterfly room needed the numbers re written on them after rubbing off over time.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative conducted a facility walk through and observed a sippy cup without a label on it.
During the renewal inspection, the Ladybugs room had a bottle of multipurpose soft contact solution which stated that it should be kept out of reach of children in a lower cabinet accessible to children.
During the renewal inspection, the Caterpillar room did not have rest equipment that was labeled for the use of a specific child and used only by the specified child.
“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) | $86.93 | $75.15 |
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $86.93 | $75.15 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $84.76 | $73.26 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $81.43 | $70.39 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $77.00 | $66.56 |
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 Westtown had any serious violations?
Pennsylvania cited 2 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 Mar 26, 2025 (supervision): “During the complaint investigation, the certification representative was informed again of a child being left outside in the playground by a staff.” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Ducklings ELC Westtown?
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 Ducklings ELC Westtown’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 4, effective Sep 8, 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 Westtown compare with other daycares in West Chester?
It is tied for #9 of 37 centers in West Chester 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 Westtown last inspected?
Mar 6, 2026 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does Ducklings ELC Westtown cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $86.93 for newborn, $86.93 for infant, $84.76 for young toddler, $81.43 for older toddler in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Ducklings ELC Westtown?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Foundational Readiness In Early Ed Services.
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.