Faithful Hands Academy
Faithful Hands Academy is a certified child care center in Upper Darby, PA, with capacity for 32 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 1 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 4 times and confirmed violations in 1 complaint investigation. The state cited 17 violations, 2 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep). 1 citation came in the last 12 months, including 1 on a core-safety topic. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is #17 of 31 centers in Upper Darby and has fewer citations per inspection than 50% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
On 4/16/26, a staff person was unable to assess and direct the activity of a group of children when she was inattentive and failed to maintain active supervision.
The facility was not in compliance with the CPSL and with Chapter 3490 (relating to protective services): Two staff person's record did not contain the required CPSL hiring documents. (#1- NSOR more than 60 months old) (#2-hired 10/3/25 -NSOR not completed prior to working with children-none on file.)
There was no written documentation indicating that the emergency plan had been reviewed and updated within the past 12 months in accordance with 55 PA CODE 3270 regulations.
One staff person's record did not contain written verification of annual emergency plan training. (#4)
The child's record did not contain the initial health report for a school-age child in accordance with the requirements for medical examinations for school attendance in 28 Pa. Code § 23.2 (relating to medical examinations). (#2)
One child's record did not contain a health report completed within the past 12 months as required for children older toddler age to preschool age. (#1)
One staff person's records did not contain a health assessment completed within 12 months prior to the date of hire or within the past 24 months. (#2 and #3)
There was no documentation indicating that the operator sent a copy of the emergency plan and subsequent plan updates to the local municipality and to the county emergency management agency.
Several children's records did not contain a child service report that had been completed within the past 6 months. (#1, #3, #4 and #5)
Emergency contact and financial agreement information in four children's records were not being updated every 6 months. The last updates were being done (#1, #2, #3 and #5)
Two children's record did not contain the parent's signature indicating written consent for emergency medical care and for administration of minor first-aid procedures by facility staff. (#1 and #5-corrected) (#2-not corrected)
One facility person's record did not include two written, nonfamily references from individuals attesting to the person's suitability to serve as a facility person. (#2)
Several children's records did not contain health reports completed every 12 months as required for children older toddler age to preschool age. (#2-not updated) (#3. #4 and #5- updated after 12 months)
Emergency contact information in several children's record was not being updated every 6 months. (#2, #3 and #5)
One child's record contained a health report completed more than 60 days (7 months) following the first day of attendance at the facility. Child was enrolled on 3/25/24--health report completed 10/24/24. (#1)
Several children's records did not contain the parent's signature indicating written consent for emergency medical care and for administration of minor first-aid procedures by facility staff.
Several staff person's record did not contain written verification of annual minimum 12 hours of child care training. (#1, #2, #3, #4)
“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) | $50.00 | $39.00 |
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $50.00 | $39.00 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $49.00 | $37.00 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $46.00 | $36.00 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $43.00 | $33.00 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $40.00 | $29.00 |
| Older School-Age (4th gr.-15 yrs.) | $40.00 | $29.00 |
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 Faithful Hands 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 Apr 23, 2026 (supervision): “On 4/16/26, a staff person was unable to assess and direct the activity of a group of children when she was inattentive and failed to maintain active supervision.” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Faithful Hands 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 Faithful Hands Academy’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 1, effective Feb 3, 2020. 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 Faithful Hands Academy compare with other daycares in Upper Darby?
It is #17 of 31 centers in Upper Darby by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 50% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Faithful Hands Academy last inspected?
Oct 3, 2025 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does Faithful Hands Academy cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $50.00 for newborn, $50.00 for infant, $49.00 for young toddler, $46.00 for older toddler in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Faithful Hands Academy?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Faithful Hands Academy LLC.
Certified centers nearby
637 Long Ln # 43, Upper Darby · under 0.1 mi away · 52 spots About typical Jacobs Ladder CLC INC
717 Long Ln, Upper Darby · under 0.1 mi away · 30 spots About typical Bees Learning Tree INC
7100 Marshall Rd, Upper Darby · 0.3 mi away · 99 spots Fewer citations than most Faith Worship Daycare Center
65 Penn Blvd, Lansdowne · 0.4 mi away · 61 spots Among the most cited Guiding Hands Learning Center LLC II
242 Long Ln, Upper Darby · 0.5 mi away · 27 spots About typical The Smart Center of Child Dev & Tech Ed
702 E Baltimore Ave, Upper Darby · 0.6 mi away · 77 spots About typical
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.