Pennsylvania · Philadelphia · 19143

Early Stages Learning Center

5863 Christian St, Philadelphia, PA 19143 · Philadelphia County

1 complaint investigation found violations Keystone STAR 2

Early Stages Learning Center is a certified child care center in Philadelphia, PA, with capacity for 47 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 2 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 8 times and confirmed violations in 1 complaint investigation. The state cited 33 violations, 4 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for records & paperwork (14 of 33). None of them came in the last 12 months. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #527 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia and has fewer citations per inspection than 57% of Pennsylvania certified centers.

Inspection record

Fewer citations than 57% of 4,789 Pennsylvania certified centers, per inspection, weighted by topic. About typical

Tied for #527 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia

4 Core-safety citations

29 Other citations

8 Inspections

1 Complaint investigations that found violations

33 citations from 9 state visits since Aug 16, 2021 · none in the last 12 months · last inspected Mar 25, 2026

Every state visit

Violation found No violation Top row: inspections · bottom row: complaint investigations, self-reported incidents and other visits

What inspectors cited most

Records & paperwork 14

Health & medication 5

Training & qualifications 5

Supervision 3

Building & playground safety 2

Staff ratios 1

Food & feeding 1

Transportation 1

Emergency preparedness 1

Citations, newest first

Citation Jun 28, 2023 Inspection Records & paperwork

Immediate access 55 Pa. Code §3270.24(a)

During the unannounced monitoring cert rep and cert rep supervisor visited the facility on 6/28/2023 at 10:30 am. Cert rep and Cert rep supervisor were told by staff #1 that we had to wait on the porch until the director came back to the facility to do our inspection. Cert rep observed 2 staff on the first floor with 9 children ranging in age from older toddler to preschool. Cert rep supervisor went to the upstairs classrooms. Cert rep supervisor observed the door to the second floor was closed and she heard them lock the door. Cert rep supervisor knocked on the door and identified herself and was told thru the door that they would not open the door and was told by their director to tell us that we had to wait on the porch until the director gets there to do our inspection. Cert rep supervisor reiterated and asked are you denying me access. Cert rep supervisor was told the same thing again and they never opened the door. Cert rep could hear children playing, running and talking on the 2nd floor and was not able to gain access. Cert rep and cert rep supervisor left the facility at 11:17 am.

Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Aug 17, 2023): “As for the last 33 years and 33 annual renewals, our staff will continue to provide agents of the Department immediate access to the facility, the children, and the files and records.”

Core safety Jun 14, 2023 Inspection Staff ratios

Mixed Age Level 55 Pa. Code §3270.52

During the renewal inspection cert rep observed 1 staff person with 11 preschool children on the 1st floor classroom and 2 staff persons with 9 children ranging from infant to older toddlers in the downstairs classroom.

Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Jul 26, 2023): “This facility will maintain at all times the staff:child ratios.”

Core safety Jun 14, 2023 Inspection Supervision

Supervised at all times 55 Pa. Code §3270.113(a)

During the renewal inspection cert rep observed a school age child unsupervised coming from the bathroom.

Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Jul 26, 2023): “School age child will be supervised coming from the bathroom.”

Citation Jun 14, 2023 Inspection Building & playground safety

High Chairs 55 Pa. Code §3270.105

During the renewal inspection cert rep observed an infant being fed in a car seat.

Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Jul 26, 2023): “High chairs will be provided for an infant during feeding using a wide base and a T-shaped safety strap.”

Citation Jun 14, 2023 Inspection Health & medication

Clean, age appropriate 55 Pa. Code §3270.106(a)

During the renewal inspection cert rep observed a child sleep with head down on the picnic table. The child was then laid down on a cot which was not labeled for that child.

Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Jul 26, 2023): “Rest equipment that is clean, age-appropriate, and for an individual shall be continue to be provided for preschool, toddler, and infant children as agreed between the child's parent and the operator. Additionally, the rest equipment shall continue to be labeled for the use of a specific child and…”

Citation Jun 14, 2023 Inspection Health & medication

Initial health report for school age; accordance with school attendance 55 Pa. Code §3270.131(a)(4)

During the renewal inspection child #1 and 3 did not have a health assessment on file.

Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Aug 17, 2023): “Child #1 and #3 enrollment was suspended pending termination until health assessments are submitted and recorded in the child's file.”

Citation Jun 14, 2023 Inspection Health & medication

12 months prior to service and every 24 months thereafter 55 Pa. Code §3270.151(a)

During the renewal inspection staff #1 did not have a health assessment on file.

Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Aug 17, 2023): “Staff #1 has been suspended pending termination until an acceptable health assessment requested by the inspector is provided to this office. Staff #1 is no longer employed until documents are obtained.”

Citation Jun 14, 2023 Inspection Food & feeding

Bottles labeled 55 Pa. Code §3270.166(4)

During the renewal inspection cert rep observed an unlabeled bottle of a child sitting in a car seat with the child.

Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Aug 14, 2023): “All bottles shall be labeled with the child's name.”

Citation Jun 14, 2023 Inspection Transportation

Safe routes posted 55 Pa. Code §3270.171(c)

During the renewal inspection certification rep observed that a written notification of safe routes was not posted in the facility.

Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Aug 14, 2023): “Written notification of safe routes will be posted by this operator at a conspicuous location in the child care facility.”

Citation Jun 14, 2023 Inspection Emergency preparedness

Emergency plan 55 Pa. Code §3270.27(f)

During the renewal inspection certification rep observed that the emergency plan was not sent to the local municipality and to the county emergency management agency.

Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Aug 14, 2023): “The emergency plan will be completed and sent to the local municipality and to the county emergency management agency.”

Show 23 older citations

Citation Jun 14, 2023 Inspection Records & paperwork

Pertinent Laws & Regulations/General Health and Safety 55 Pa. Code §3270.14/3270.21

During the renewal inspection staff #2 and 3 did not have Health and Safety Update 2022 was not on file.

Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Aug 17, 2023): “Staff #2 and #3 will immediately train and record in each file the Health and Safety Update 2022.”

Citation Jun 14, 2023 Inspection Records & paperwork

Parent home/work address, phone 55 Pa. Code §3270.124(b)(3)

During the renewal inspection child #2 emergency contact did not include the parents work phone number on file.

Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Aug 14, 2023): “Child #2 emergency contact was updated to include the parents work phone number on file.”

Citation Jun 14, 2023 Inspection Records & paperwork

Individual Records 55 Pa. Code §3270.191

During the renewal inspection there was one staff person without a file.

Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Aug 14, 2023): “An individual record that is required by the inspector will be present and submitted for the inspector review during inspection.”

Citation Jun 14, 2023 Inspection Training & qualifications

Health and Safety Training - Pediatric First Aid and CPR 55 Pa. Code §3270.31(f)(10)

During the renewal inspection staff #1 did not have first-aid and CPR training on file.

Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Aug 17, 2023): “Staff #1 was suspended pending termination until first-aid and CPR training approved by DHS is on file. Staff #1 is no longer employed until all documents are received.”

Core safety Sep 28, 2022 Complaint investigation Supervision

Supervised at all times 55 Pa. Code §3270.113(a)

There was an incident during an excursion off the facility premises at Sherwood Park where a child walked away from the group and almost left out of the park. Both staff were unaware until other people outside of the park made a commotion by yelling and honking their horns to get the little girls attention that the staff knew where she was and got her back. The child could have potentially been harmed by walking into the street.

Center’s plan of correction (implemented, May 17, 2023): “Operator will fully comply and re-instruct staff that children must be supervised at all times. Operator will arrange or show proof for all facility staff to receive a minimum of 2 hours of training regarding supervision of children. Also, operator will submit documentation in a format approved by…”

Core safety Sep 28, 2022 Complaint investigation Supervision

Staff assigned to specific children 55 Pa. Code §3270.113(a)(1)

During an excursion off the facility premises at Sherwood Park staff #1 did not know the whereabouts of the child she was assigned to until it was brought to her attention by others outside of the park which the child could have potentially been harmed.

Center’s plan of correction (implemented, May 17, 2023): “Operator shall make sure each staff person shall be assigned the responsibility for supervision of specific children. Additionally, the staff person shall know the names and whereabouts of the children in his assigned group.”

Citation Sep 28, 2022 Inspection Building & playground safety

Locked or inaccessible 55 Pa. Code §3270.66(a)

During the renewal inspection there was a bottle of hand sanitizer in the reach of children in the preschool classroom on the first floor.

Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Sep 28, 2022): “Operator removed the hand sanitizer to a place that is not accessible to children.”

Inspection status on COMPASS: Non Compliant – Finalized

Citation Sep 28, 2022 Inspection Health & medication

Original container/Medication log 55 Pa. Code §3270.133(1)/3270.133(7)

During the renewal inspection in the preschool, younger and older toddler rooms some of the medications were not in the original container and there was not a fully completed medication log on file.

Center’s plan of correction (not implemented, Nov 17, 2022): “Operator will obtain all medication in original container and complete the medication log for each medication.”

Inspection status on COMPASS: Non Compliant – Finalized

Citation Sep 28, 2022 Inspection Health & medication

Original container 55 Pa. Code §3270.133(1)

During the renewal inspection on 9/28/2022 in the preschool, younger and older toddler rooms some of the medications were not in the original container and there was not a fully completed medication log on file.

Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Jan 4, 2023): “Operator will obtain all medication in original container and complete log for each medication.”

Citation Sep 28, 2022 Inspection Training & qualifications

Fire safety - 1 yr. 55 Pa. Code §3270.31(e)(4)(ii)

During the renewal inspection staff #1 did not have fire safety training on file.

Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Oct 18, 2022): “Operator will obtain fire safety training for staff #1.”

Inspection status on COMPASS: Non Compliant – Finalized

Citation Sep 28, 2022 Inspection Records & paperwork

Each child care space 55 Pa. Code §3270.124(c)

During the renewal inspection the emergency contacts for all classrooms were not present in the child care space for children receiving care in the space.

Center’s plan of correction (not implemented, Nov 17, 2022): “Operator will obtain the emergency contacts and make sure they are present in a child care space for children receiving care in the space.”

Inspection status on COMPASS: Non Compliant – Finalized

Citation Sep 28, 2022 Inspection Records & paperwork

Written emergency plan posted 55 Pa. Code §3270.124(e)

During the renewal inspection there was no written plan identifying the means of transporting a child to emergency care on file.

Center’s plan of correction (not implemented, Nov 17, 2022): “Operator will create a written plan identifying the means of transporting a child to emergency care.”

Inspection status on COMPASS: Non Compliant – Finalized

Citation Sep 28, 2022 Inspection Records & paperwork

Each child 55 Pa. Code §3270.181(a)

During the renewal inspection there was no individual record for child #1-5 on file.

Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Oct 18, 2022): “Operator will obtain and establish an individual record for child #1-5 and keep on file.”

Inspection status on COMPASS: Non Compliant – Finalized

Citation Sep 28, 2022 Inspection Records & paperwork

Individual Records 55 Pa. Code §3270.191

During the renewal inspection there was no individual record for each facility person on file.

Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Oct 18, 2022): “Operator will obtain and maintain an individual record for all facility persons.”

Inspection status on COMPASS: Non Compliant – Finalized

Citation Sep 28, 2022 Inspection Records & paperwork

Exp, educ., training prior to facility 55 Pa. Code §3270.192(2)(ii)

During the renewal inspection staff #1 did not have verification of child care experience on file.

Center’s plan of correction (not implemented, Nov 17, 2022): “Operator will obtain verification of child care experience for staff #1 and keep on file.”

Inspection status on COMPASS: Non Compliant – Finalized

Citation Sep 28, 2022 Inspection Records & paperwork

Two written references 55 Pa. Code §3270.192(5)

During the renewal inspection staff #1 did not have two written non family references on file.

Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Oct 18, 2022): “Operator will obtain two written non family references for staff #1 and keep on file.”

Inspection status on COMPASS: Non Compliant – Finalized

Citation Sep 28, 2022 Inspection Training & qualifications

Age and Training 55 Pa. Code §3270.31(e)

During the renewal inspection staff #1 only had 10 hours of child care training on file.

Center’s plan of correction (not implemented, Nov 17, 2022): “Operator will obtain the total of 12 hours of child care training for staff #1 and keep on file.”

Inspection status on COMPASS: Non Compliant – Finalized

Citation Sep 28, 2022 Inspection Records & paperwork

Each child care space 55 Pa. Code §3270.124(c)

During the renewal inspection on 9/28/2022, the emergency contacts for all classrooms were not present in the child care space for children receiving care in the space.

Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Jan 4, 2023): “Operator will obtain emergency contact information and ensure that it is in child care space for children receiving care at all times.”

Citation Sep 28, 2022 Inspection Records & paperwork

Written emergency plan posted 55 Pa. Code §3270.124(e)

During the renewal inspection on 9/28/2022, there was no written plan identifying the means of transporting a child to emergency care on file.

Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Dec 28, 2022): “Operator will create a written plan identifying a means of transporting a child to emergency care.”

Citation Sep 28, 2022 Inspection Records & paperwork

Exp, educ., training prior to facility 55 Pa. Code §3270.192(2)(ii)

During the renewal inspection on 9/28/2022, staff #1 did not have two written nonfamily references on file.

Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Dec 28, 2022): “Operator will obtain two written non-family references for staff #1 and keep on file.”

Citation Sep 28, 2022 Inspection Training & qualifications

Age and Training 55 Pa. Code §3270.31(e)

During the renewal inspection on 9/28/2022, staff #1 only had 10 hours of childcare training on file.

Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Dec 21, 2022): “Operator will obtain the total of 12 hours of child care training for staff #1.”

Citation Jan 5, 2022 Inspection Training & qualifications

Staff evaluations 55 Pa. Code §3270.34(a)(6)

During the renewal inspection staff #1 did not have written evaluation on file.

Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Feb 11, 2022): “Operator will obtain the staff evaluation for staff #1 and keep on file.”

Citation Jan 5, 2022 Inspection Records & paperwork

Parent home/work address, phone 55 Pa. Code §3270.124(b)(3)

During the renewal inspection child #1 emergency contact did not include the work address and telephone on file.

Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Feb 11, 2022): “Operator will obtain and update the emergency contact for the parents work address and telephone number for child #1.”

“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

Violation found Sep 28, 2022 Complaint investigation

2 violations cited, listed under Citations.

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
Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.)	$42.69	$36.70
Young Toddler (13-24 mos.)	$41.67	$34.65
Older Toddler (25-36 mos.)	$36.54	$30.55
Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K)	$33.47	$26.45
Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.)	$27.73	$23.37
Older School-Age (4th gr.-15 yrs.)	$27.73	$23.37

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

Capacity 47 children

Certificate status Regular

Certificate valid through Jun 20, 2027

Keystone STARS STAR 2
since Jun 9, 2017 · what STARS means

Operator Early Stages Learning Center INC

Hours Monday–Sunday 7:00 AM–6:00 PM How Pennsylvania centers’ hours compare

Phone (215) 474-8894

State certificate # CER-00257164

Parent reviews Google Maps reviews
Not checked by Daycare Record

Common questions

Has Early Stages Learning Center had any serious violations?

Pennsylvania cited 4 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 14, 2023 (staff ratios): “During the renewal inspection cert rep observed 1 staff person with 11 preschool children on the 1st floor classroom and 2 staff persons with 9 children ranging from infant to older toddlers in the downstairs classroom.” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.

Have there been complaints about Early Stages Learning Center?

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 Stages Learning Center’s Keystone STARS rating?

STAR 2, effective Jun 9, 2017. 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 Stages Learning Center compare with other daycares in Philadelphia?

It is tied for #527 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 57% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.

When was Early Stages Learning Center last inspected?

Mar 25, 2026 (renewal). No violations were cited during that visit.

How much does Early Stages Learning Center cost?

It reported full-time daily rates of $42.69 for infant, $41.67 for young toddler, $36.54 for older toddler, $33.47 for preschool in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.

Who runs Early Stages Learning Center?

The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Early Stages Learning Center INC.

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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.