Fairy Tale Academy
Fairy Tale Academy is a certified child care center in Upper Darby, PA, with capacity for 150 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 4 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 6 times and confirmed violations in 2 complaint investigations. 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 #3 of 31 centers in Upper Darby and has fewer citations per inspection than 83% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
The facility was not in compliance with the CPSL and with Chapter 3490 (relating to protective services): Several staff person's record did not contain the required CPSL hiring documents. #1-hired 2/26/25-NSOR not completed prior to working with children-3/5/25) (#2-hired 5/6/25-NSOR not completed prior to working with children-5/8/25) (#3-hired 9/8/25-CHILD ABUSE not completed prior to working with children-9/22/25) (#4-hired 9/8/25- no completed NSOR on file)
Several children's records did not contain a child service report that had been completed within the past 6 months. (#1, #2, and #3)
On 4/9/25, children in the young toddler classroom were observed strapped in chairs restricting their movement. The restraints were not prescribed as adaptive equipment for children with special needs.
Several children's records did not contain a child service report that had been completed within the past 6 months. (#1, #2 and #3)
On 11/3/23, a child received emergency room treatment subsequent to sustaining an injury at the facility and the operator failed to notify the regional office within 24 hours of the emergency room treatment and mail a written report within 72 hours after the occurrence.
On 12/12/23, the facility's fire detection system was accessible and not able to be tested.
The operator did not provide the parent of each child enrolled with information on how to access the regulations in this chapter electronically and with instructions for contacting the appropriate regional child care office.
During renewal inspection, cert rep observed chipped paint in the preschool classroom on the lower level behind the sand table.
“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) | $70.00 | $65.00 |
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $70.00 | $65.00 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $64.00 | $60.00 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $64.00 | $60.00 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $57.00 | $52.00 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $50.00 | $45.00 |
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 Fairy Tale 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 Aug 22, 2025 (background checks): “The facility was not in compliance with the CPSL and with Chapter 3490 (relating to protective services): Several staff person's record did not contain the required CPSL hiring documents. #1-hired 2/26/25-NSOR not…” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Fairy Tale Academy?
Pennsylvania lists 2 complaint investigations 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 Fairy Tale Academy’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 4, effective Nov 24, 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 Fairy Tale Academy compare with other daycares in Upper Darby?
It is tied for #3 of 31 centers in Upper Darby by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 83% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Fairy Tale Academy last inspected?
Aug 22, 2025 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does Fairy Tale Academy cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $70.00 for newborn, $70.00 for infant, $64.00 for young toddler, $64.00 for older toddler in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Fairy Tale Academy?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Kids Choice Learning Center INC.
Certified centers nearby
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8245 W Chester Pike, Upper Darby · 0.2 mi away · 134 spots More citations than most Apple Pie Day Care
3 S State Rd, Upper Darby · 0.3 mi away · 240 spots About typical New Heights Learning Center LLC
7401 W Chester Pike, Upper Darby · 0.4 mi away · 20 spots Fewer citations than most Westview Early Learning Academy
1720 S State Rd, Upper Darby · 0.5 mi away · 49 spots Fewer citations than most
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.