Early Foundations Learning Academy · 1734 W Cheltenham Ave, Philadelphia
Early Foundations Learning Academy is a certified child care center in Philadelphia, PA, with capacity for 21 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 4 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 5 times and confirmed violations in 1 complaint investigation. The state cited 8 violations, 2 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for records & paperwork (3 of 8). None of them came in the last 12 months. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #196 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia and has fewer citations per inspection than 82% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
Observe the file Staff#1 is missing current FBI and Child Abuse Clearance. Staff#3 and Staff#4 is missing the current Child Abuse Clearance.
On the day of observing the file for Child#1 Child#2 and Child#3 the influenza shot is not up to date nor do the file have an exempt form.
Observed the file for Staff#1 which did not have proof of Health and Safety in the files.
On the day observing the file Staff Person #4 did not have proof of education in the file.
Observe the files child#3 missing the parents name address phone number and work information.
Observe the file for child#3 the Emergency Contact is missing the release person address.
On the observing the file for Staff#1, Staff#2 and Staff#3 did not have 2 nonfamily references in the files.
During complaint investigation, video showed child #1 in kitchen area with shirt sleeves tied together at the ends. Child was turning in circles and attempting to untie shirt sleeves. Staff person #1 can be heard telling child #1 sleeves were tied together in an effort to "keep child's hands safe". Second video shows child #1 taking arm from underneath shirt and showing staff person and then being told to put arm back into shirt, which child complies and then goes down onto floor crying.
“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) | $85.00 | $75.00 |
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $85.00 | $75.00 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $85.00 | $75.00 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $75.00 | $60.00 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $75.00 | $60.00 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $60.00 | $55.00 |
| Older School-Age (4th gr.-15 yrs.) | $60.00 | $55.00 |
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 Early Foundations Learning Academy 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 Jan 26, 2023 (background checks): “Observe the file Staff#1 is missing current FBI and Child Abuse Clearance. Staff#3 and Staff#4 is missing the current Child Abuse Clearance.” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Early Foundations Learning Academy?
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 Early Foundations Learning Academy’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 4, effective Jun 13, 2026. 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 Early Foundations Learning Academy compare with other daycares in Philadelphia?
It is tied for #196 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 82% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Early Foundations Learning Academy last inspected?
Feb 12, 2026 (renewal). No violations were cited during that visit.
How much does Early Foundations Learning Academy cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $85.00 for newborn, $85.00 for infant, $85.00 for young toddler, $75.00 for older toddler in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Early Foundations Learning Academy?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Khanae Education Programs.
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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.