Early Life Academy Willard Elementary
Early Life Academy Willard Elementary is a certified child care center in Philadelphia, PA. It holds a Keystone STAR 1 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 4 times. The state cited 21 violations, 3 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for records & paperwork (11 of 21). None of them came in the last 12 months. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #660 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia and has more citations per inspection than 50% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
Certification rep reviewed staff #3 record and observed record did not include out of State Sex Offender Registry Clearance, out of State Criminal History Clearance and out of State Child Abuse & Neglect Registry Clearance.
Certification reviewed child #1 record and observed initial health report examination was not included in record.
Certification rep reviewed child #2 record and observed signed parental consent for emergency medical care for the child prior to admission was missing on the emergency contact form.
During the renewal inspection certification rep observed emergency contact forms were not present in a childcare space for children receiving care in rooms #1, #2, #3, #4 and in the cafeteria area.
During the renewal inspection certification rep observed the transportation plan was not displayed in rooms #1, #2, #3 and #4.
Certification rep reviewed child #2 record and observed signed parental consent for administration of minor first-aid procedures by facility staff prior to admission was missing on the emergency contact form.
Certification rep reviewed child #2 record and observed signed parental consent for transportation, walking excursions, swimming and wading missing on the emergency contact form.
Certification reviewed staff #1 record and observed record did not include a written report of initial and subsequent health assessment.
Certification rep reviewed staff #1, #2 and #3 record and observed Pediatric First Aid and CPR training was not in record.
During the renewal inspection on 01/25/24 the file reviewed for staff person #1 hired (see code sheet) did not contain FBI clearance from the Department of Human Services or NSOR certificate. No application for clearance on file. The file reviewed for staff person #3 contained a child abuse clearance more than 60 months old. No application for new clearance on file.
During the renewal inspection on 01/25/24 the file reviewed for staff #1 did not contain health assessment documenting that staff was free from communicable disease. The file reviewed for staff #2 did not contain initial health assessment required prior to providing direct care.
During the renewal inspection on 01/25/24 the file reviewed for staff person #1 did not contain PQAS approved first aid/cpr training. Staff person #3 did not contain current first aid/cpr certification.
During the renewal inspection on 01/25/24 the emergency contact form reviewed for child #1 did not contain PCP information. The emergency contact form reviewed for child #3 did not contain PCP address.
During the renewal inspection on 01/25/24 the emergency contact form reviewed for child #1 did not contain health insurance coverage information. The emergency contact form reviewed for child #3 did not contain child's policy number.
During the renewal inspection on 01/24/25 the emergency contact form reviewed for child #3 did not specify name, address, and telephone number of designated release person(s).
During the renewal inspection on 01/25/24 the file reviewed for child #2 contained fee agreement and emergency contact form that was not updated within 6-month period. Forms reviewed dated 04/11/23.
During the renewal inspection on 01/25/24 the file reviewed for staff person #1 only contained one written, nonfamily references.
During the renewal inspection, certification representative reviewed 5 staff files and the file for staff #2 did not include an FBI clearance.
During the renewal inspection, certification representative reviewed 5 child files and the file for child #1 did not contain a health assessment or list of immunizations.
During the renewal inspection, certification representative reviewed 5 staff files and the file for staff #2 did not include a tuberculosis screening by the Mantoux method.
During the renewal inspection, certification representative reviewed 5 staff files and the file for staff #1 did not contain the 10 hr health and safety professional development training.
“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 |
|---|---|---|
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $86.40 | $43.20 |
| Older School-Age (4th gr.-15 yrs.) | $86.40 | $43.20 |
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 Life Academy Willard Elementary 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 Sep 10, 2024 (background checks): “Certification rep reviewed staff #3 record and observed record did not include out of State Sex Offender Registry Clearance, out of State Criminal History Clearance and out of State Child Abuse & Neglect Registry…” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Early Life Academy Willard Elementary?
Pennsylvania lists no complaint investigation that found a violation at Early Life Academy Willard Elementary since 2021. Its search shows these “verified complaints” but not what a complaint alleged, or whether every violation relates to it.
What is Early Life Academy Willard Elementary’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 1, effective Apr 4, 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 Early Life Academy Willard Elementary compare with other daycares in Philadelphia?
It is tied for #660 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has more citations per inspection than 50% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Early Life Academy Willard Elementary last inspected?
Oct 1, 2025 (renewal). No violations were cited during that visit.
How much does Early Life Academy Willard Elementary cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $86.40 for young school-age, $86.40 for older school-age in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Early Life Academy Willard Elementary?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Early Life Academy.
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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.