Faithful Hands Academy LLC
Faithful Hands Academy LLC is a certified child care center in Upper Darby, PA, with capacity for 140 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 1 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 8 times. The state cited 74 violations, 9 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for records & paperwork (23 of 74). 33 citations came in the last 12 months, including 2 on a core-safety topic. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is #30 of 31 centers in Upper Darby and has more citations per inspection than 85% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
While reviewing the staff's files I observed that staff 3 hired on March 2019, & staff 4 hired on March 2026, did not include their FBI clearance. Staff 2, and staff 4 hired on March 2026, did not include their NSOR certificate. Staff 4 also did not include the updated signed disclosure statement.
During the inspection, it was observed that staff 3 left the room leaving 14 school age children and a one-on-one staff member.
While reviewing the staff's files I observed that staff 1, 3, did not include emergency plan training.
During the inspection, it was observed that the baby room's first aid kit was missing gauze, the after-school room was missing tape. The rest of the rooms did not have a first aid kit.
During the inspection, it was observed that there was peeling paint on the wall in the infant room behind the changing table.
During the inspection, it was observed that there were 2 toilets broken, and a broken sink in the girl's bathroom.
During the inspection, it was observed that the baby room, Grasshopper room, and afterschool room did not include sufficient amount and variety to preclude long waits for use.
While conducting my inspection I observed that the rest equipment in the classrooms was not clean and unlabeled.
While reviewing the child/children's files I observed that child 10 did not include a current health assessment.
During the inspection, it was observed that staff 1 did not wash her hands nor the child's hands after diapering.
During the inspection, it was observed that staff 1 did not wipe down the changing table after diapering.
During the inspection, it was observed that a menu was not posted in the facility.
During the inspection, it was observed that the facility's vehicle did not have a current registration.
During the inspection, it was observed that the vehicle 's first-aid kit did not include tweezer, soap, nor tape.
During the inspection, it was observed that the unused rooms were not set up as working classrooms.
During the inspection, it was observed that the fire extinguisher had not been inspected within the last year.
During the inspection, it was observed that the facility could not provide documentation that their fire system has been inspected within the last year.
While reviewing the staff's files I observed that staff 2-4, did not include fire safety training.
While reviewing the staff's files I observed that staff 1, 3, did not include their annual written evaluation.
While conducting my inspection I observed that the facility did not have a posted daily schedule in the unused classrooms.
While reviewing the child/children's files I observed that child 1, did not include their fee amount nor that date it is due.
While reviewing the child/children's files I observed that child 3, did not include the persons designated by a parent to whom the child may be released.
While reviewing the child/children's files I observed that child 2, did not include the name of the child's physician or source of medical care.
While reviewing the child/children's files I observed that child 2, 3, 4, and 8, did not include the home and work addresses and telephone numbers of the enrolling parent.
While reviewing the child/children's files I observed that child 2, 4, and 7, did not include health insurance coverage and policy number for a child.
While reviewing the child/children's files I observed that child 2, 3, 4, and 8, did not include the address of the individual designated by the parent to whom the child may be released.
During the inspection, it was observed that the after-school room did not have emergency contact sheet.
During the inspection, it was observed that the facility's vehicle did not have emergency contact form.
During the inspection, it was observed that the grasshopper room, and all the other unused rooms did not have a posted emergency transportation plan posted.
While reviewing the child/children's files I observed that child 3, 6, and 7, did not contain signed parental consent for emergency medical care for the child, nor contain signed parental consent for administration of minor first-aid.
While reviewing the staff's files I observed that staff 3, 4, did not include acceptable verification of experience.
While reviewing the staff's files I observed that staff 1, and 3, did not include a current health assessment.
While reviewing the staff's files I observed that staff 1-3, did not include their 12 hours of child care training.
Show 41 older citations
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.
The letter given to parents regarding the emergency plan did not explain the emergency procedure (lockdown and accommodations for infants, toddlers and children with chronic medications) as required in 3270.27 subsection a.
The facility provides transportation and lacked written verification that the vehicle is insured in accordance with the requirements of 75 Pa.C.S. § § 1701-1799.7 (relating to the Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law.
The operator lacked verification of the annual written notification to local traffic safety authorities of the location of the facility and the program's use of pedestrian and vehicular routes around the day care facility.
One staff person's record did not contain written verification of annual fire safety training. (#1)
Several children's records did not contain a child service report that had been completed within the past 6 months. (#1, #2, #3, and #4)
Emergency contact and financial agreement information in four children's records were not being updated every 6 months.(#1, #2, #3 and #4)
Several staff persons were observed caring for a child and their record did not contain verification of completed CCDBG training (10 hour) and/ or PA Update (1 hour) required prior to working with children unsupervised. (#3 and #7)
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. (#3-FBI clearances more than 60 months old - updated clearance not completed by Intego), (#7 hired 3/9/24- STATE POLICE, CHILD ABUSE, and FBI more than 60 months old)
Several facility person's records did not include written verification of annual emergency plan.
The letter given to parents regarding the emergency plan did not explain the emergency procedure /updates to the plan as required in 3270.27 subsection a.
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.(#3)
The facility's written policies on shaken baby syndrome, abusive head trauma, and child maltreatment did not include the identification and prevention of child maltreatment.
Several staff person's records did not contain written verification of annual fire safety training.(#3, #4, #5 AND #7)
Several staff person's record did not contain written verification of education for their assistant group supervisor position. (#2, #6 and #8)
Two children's records did not contain a child service report that had been completed within the past 6 months. (#1 and #2)
The operator did not post the facility's current certificate of compliance in a conspicuous location used by parents.
The facility was not in compliance with the CPSL and with Chapter 3490 (relating to protective services): Several staff/facility person's record did not contain the required CPSL hiring documents. (#1-hired 8/13/23- no completed FBI clearance; no completed NSOR) (#5-hired 12/14/23- no completed FBI clearance; no completed NSOR)
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.
The operator lacked verification of the annual written notification to local traffic safety authorities of the location of the facility and the program's use of pedestrian and vehicular routes around the day care facility.
One staff person's record did not contain written verification of education and experience for their assistant group supervisor position. (#1)
One staff person's record did not contain written verification of education and experience for their aide position. (#2)
One child's records did not contain a child service report that had been completed within the past 6 months. (#1, #2 and #5)
One child's emergency contact information did not include the name, address and telephone number of the individual designated by the parent to whom the child may be released. (#5)
The facility was not in compliance with the CPSL and with Chapter 3490 (relating to protective services): Several staff/facility person's record did not contain the required CPSL hiring documents. (#1-hired 8/13/23- no completed FBI clearance; no completed NSOR) (#5-hired 12/14/23- no completed FBI clearance; no completed NSOR)
On 4/27/24, at approximately 2:00pm staff/child ratios were not in compliance in two classrooms. Staff person #3 was observed caring for a mixed age group of 7 children; 1 infant (birth-12 months), 2 young toddlers (one year olds), 4 older toddlers (2 year olds) in the infant classroom when staff person #2 kept leaving the room to tend to other tasks. Staff person #3 was observed caring for a mixed age group of 11 children: 10 preschoolers (3 years to first day of entering kindergarten) and 1 young school agers (kindergarten to 3rd grade) in the preschool classroom. The ages of the children were verified by staff persons present.
The director will conduct daily monitoring checks and staff observations to ensure that staff/child ratios are maintained at all times.
On 4/17/24, at approximately 1:30pm, a child was observed leaving the preschool classroom and walked in the hallway to the bathroom at the far end of the facility without any staff supervision. The staff person responsible for supervising these children was not in the hallway and could not see, hear, direct or assess the child.
The door in the infant room was broken and in need of repair.
Hand washing signs were not posted at each toilet, sink and diapering area in the facility.
Children were observed resting in cribs in the infant room and there was not at least 2 feet of space on three sides of the cribs.
An infant bottle observed in the infant room/main child care space was not labeled with the child's name.
The facility's fire detection system was not able to be tested as it is not accessible and there was no annual written documentation from a fire safety professional indicating that the fire detection system has been tested and is operable.
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.
The operator lacked verification of the annual written notification to local traffic safety authorities of the location of the facility and the program's use of pedestrian and vehicular routes around the day care facility.
The facilities written policies on shaken baby abusive head trauma and child maltreatment did not include the identification and prevention of child maltreatment.
One staff person's record did not contain written verification of education and experience for their assistant group supervisor position. (#1)
One staff person's record did not contain written verification of education and experience for their aide position. (#2)
One child's records did not contain a child service report that had been completed within the past 6 months. (#1, #2 and #5)
One child's emergency contact information did not include the name, address and telephone number of the individual designated by the parent to whom the child may be released. (#5)
During renewal inspection, cert rep observed missing daily activities schedules from both the infant room and toddler room.
“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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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.) | $50.00 | $29.00 |
| Older School-Age (4th gr.-15 yrs.) | $50.00 | $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 LLC had any serious violations?
Pennsylvania cited 9 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 Jul 21, 2026 (background checks): “While reviewing the staff's files I observed that staff 3 hired on March 2019, & staff 4 hired on March 2026, did not include their FBI clearance. Staff 2, and staff 4 hired on March 2026, did not include their NSOR…” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Faithful Hands Academy LLC?
Pennsylvania lists no complaint investigation that found a violation at Faithful Hands Academy LLC since 2021. Its search shows these “verified complaints” but not what a complaint alleged, or whether every violation relates to it.
What is Faithful Hands Academy LLC’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 1, effective Feb 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 Faithful Hands Academy LLC compare with other daycares in Upper Darby?
It is #30 of 31 centers in Upper Darby by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has more citations per inspection than 85% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Faithful Hands Academy LLC last inspected?
Jul 21, 2026 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does Faithful Hands Academy LLC 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 LLC?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Faithful Hands Academy LLC.
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.
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