Dynamite Daycare is a certified child care center in Tarentum, PA, with capacity for 69 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 4 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 7 times. The state cited 33 violations, 2 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for building & playground safety (10 of 33). 12 citations came in the last 12 months. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is #1 of 5 centers in Tarentum and has more citations per inspection than 55% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
The facility has exceeded 60 days since their last fire drill on 1.21.26.
The facility has exceeded 30 days since their last fire alarm testing on 1.21.26.
The telephone numbers of the nearest hospital, police department, fire department, ambulance and poison control center were not posted at the two telephones in the RF1 Classroom.
An area of peeling paint was observed under the paper towel holder in the restroom in the RF1 Classroom.
Hand washing signs were missing from two toilets in the boy's restroom in the Upstairs Classroom.
One unlabeled pack and play, intended for a child in care, was observed in the LF1 Classroom.
The last two health assessments on file for Staff Person #1 were dated 1.3.23 and 11.3.25 and the last two health assessments on file for Staff Person #2 were dated 8.24.23 and 11.4.25. This exceeded 24 months between examinations.
A written statement giving the formula and feeding schedule for Child #1 was not available for review at the time of the inspection.
The facility lacked verification that they had completed an annual emergency drill within the last 12 months. The most recent emergency drill documentation occurred on 4.2.24.
The updates to the fire safety trainings on file for Staff Person's #2, #3, #4 and #5 exceeded 12 months between trainings completed in August 2024 and September 2025.
The emergency transportation plan was not posted in the LB1 Classroom.
The files for some of the children in care lacked an area on the emergency contact form for the parents to sign giving permission for walking excursions away from the facility. The facility does participate in walking excursions around the community.
Show 21 older citations
The NSOR certificates on file for Staff Person #1 exceeded 60 months between update. This is evidenced by NSOR certificates dated 2.7.20 and 5.14.25.
In the RF1 classroom, one expired Epi-Pen and one expired Infants Tylenol was observed in the locked medication box.
The file for Facility Person #2 lacked verification that they had requested their State Police Clearance prior to starting at the facility. A completed State Police Clearance was not on file prior. A completed State Police Clearance was not on file until 133 days after starting at the facility.
The garbage can in place for used facial tissues in the RF1 Classroom was missing a lid. Used facial tissues were observed in the garbage can.
The updates to the health reports on file for Child #2, a preschool age child, exceeded 12 months between examinations on 2.17.23 and 4.3.24.
The facility exceeded 30 days between fire detection system testing on 9.25.24 and 10.28.24
Written plans of daily activities were not posted in the LB1 or LF1 Classrooms.
The file for Child #1 was observed to contain the original agreement.
The emergency contact form for Child #1 was missing the persons who should be contacted in an emergency. The emergency contact form also lacked the name, address and telephone number of the designated release persons.
The file for Staff Person #1 lacked 7.5 of their 12 clock hours of child care training in their respective training year.
An expired bottle of Tylenol for a child was observed in the right front classroom. The Tylenol expired 7/2023.
The file for staff person #1 lacked a health assessment that was completed 24 months from the previous health assessment. The health assessments in the file were date 7/13/21 and 8/24/23.
The file for child #3 lacked a child service report that was completed within the past six months. The child service report in the file was dated 4/2023.
A child size blue chair was observed in the 2nd floor classroom. The chair had a tear in the right arm.
The file for child #1 lacked a health report that included an assessment of acute or chronic health problem or special need and recommendations for treatment or services, including information regarding abnormal results of screening tests for vision, hearing or lead poisoning.
The 30-day smoke detector testing log was observed and there were 43 days between 6/1/22 and 7/14/22 and 41 days between 9/2/22 and 10/13/22.
The water temperature in the "Left Front Room 1" and the "Right Front Room's" sinks, which were accessible to children, were both measured at 118 degrees.
In the "kitchen," where children eat, a wall vent needed properly secured which poses a pinch point or cutting hazard.
The immunization record of Child #1 lacked the following immunizations: one (1) dose of Hib, Hepatitis A and two (2) does of PCV-13 with no Letter of Exemption in file.
The Emergency Plan has not been updated to include: Accommodations for infants, toddlers, children with disabilities and children with chronic medical conditions.
A copy of how to access the DHS regulations electronically was not posted in a conspicuous place.
“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.
Daily rates
| Age group | Full time, per day | Part time, per day |
|---|---|---|
| Newborn (Under 6 Weeks) | $53.00 | $53.00 |
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $53.00 | $53.00 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $50.00 | $50.00 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $50.00 | $50.00 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $41.00 | $41.00 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $25.00 | $25.00 |
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 Dynamite Daycare 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 May 28, 2025 (background checks): “The NSOR certificates on file for Staff Person #1 exceeded 60 months between update. This is evidenced by NSOR certificates dated 2.7.20 and 5.14.25.” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Dynamite Daycare?
Pennsylvania lists no complaint investigation that found a violation at Dynamite Daycare since 2021. Its search shows these “verified complaints” but not what a complaint alleged, or whether every violation relates to it.
What is Dynamite Daycare’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 4, effective Nov 27, 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 Dynamite Daycare compare with other daycares in Tarentum?
It is #1 of 5 centers in Tarentum by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has more citations per inspection than 55% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Dynamite Daycare last inspected?
Apr 22, 2026 (unannounced monitoring). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does Dynamite Daycare cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $53.00 for newborn, $53.00 for infant, $50.00 for young toddler, $50.00 for older toddler in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Dynamite Daycare?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Dynamite Daycare 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.