Firm Foundations Early Learning Center
Firm Foundations Early Learning Center is a certified child care center in Whitehall, PA, with capacity for 93 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 4 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 5 times and confirmed violations in 1 complaint investigation. The state cited 14 violations, 1 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for health & medication (5 of 14). 8 citations came in the last 12 months, including 1 on a core-safety topic. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is #3 of 16 centers in Whitehall and has fewer citations per inspection than 69% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
A renewal inspection occurred at the facility. A review of staff files was conducted. See the code sheet for the dates staff began working in child care. Staff #2 has worked in child care and the file did not contain a complete state police clearance. Staff #7 was hired using a volunteer child abuse clearance. Staff #7 worked in child care and did not receive a child abuse clearance until 8/10/26. Staff #2 and #7 were not hired correctly per the CPSL and regulation.
A renewal inspection occurred at the facility. A review of staff files was conducted. Regulation requires staff to review the facility's emergency plan on an annual basis. The following staff did not review the facility's emergency plan on an annual basis: Staff #3 and #12 (previous 7/23/25, current 9/24/26), Staff #5, #6, #10 and #11 (previous 7/23/25, current 8/26/26) and Staff #8 (previous 7/23/25, no current review).
A renewal inspection occurred at the facility. A review of staff files was conducted. As required by regulation, Staff #2 did not participate in pediatric first aid and CPR training prior to their current training expiring. The previous training for Staff #2 expired April 2025 and Staff #2 did not participate in updated training until 5/20/25.
A renewal inspection occurred at the facility. A review of staff files was conducted. The following staff did not participate in annual fire safety training as required by regulation: Staff #5 (previous 3/7/25, current 6/1/26), Staff #6 (previous 2/28/25, current 6/5/26), Staff #8 (previous 10/18/23, current 10/30/25), Staff #10 (previous 2/20/24, current 6/2/26) and Staff #11 (previous 5/27/25, current 6/1/26).
A renewal inspection occurred at the facility. A review of staff files was conducted. Regulation requires staff to have an annual evaluation conducted on them. The following staff did not have an annual inspection conducted: Staff #1 (previous 3/31/25, current 8/10/26), Staff #2 (previous 3/20/25, current 6/10/26), Staff #3 (previous 3/30/25, current 6/10/26), Staff #4 (previous 3/6/25, current 9/2/26), Staff #5 (see date of hire, current 6/3/26), Staff #6 see date of hire, 6/11/26), Staff #8 (previous 6/3/25, current 9/2/26), Staff #9 (previous 3/31/25, current 6/10/26), Staff #10 (previous 3/11/25, current 6/11/26) and Staff #11 (previous 3/11/25, current 9/2/26).
Complaint investigation determined that Child #1 sustained a head injury at approximately 11:50 AM. The child's parent was not notified of the injury until approximately 5:30 PM when the child was picked up from care. Child #1 was subsequently taken to be medically evaluated by the parent for the injury.
An unannounced monitoring inspection was conducted on 1/6/2026. At that time, diaper-changing surfaces were observed to have cloth coverings. The director reported that each child has an individual cloth covering, which is stored in the child's bin and cleaned at the end of the day. The cloth coverings are not cleaned and sanitized after each use.
An unannounced monitoring inspection was conducted on 1/6/2026. At that time, files for all staff present during the inspection were reviewed. Staff Person #1 had documentation of American Heart Association (AHA) Adult First Aid/CPR, which is not an approved pediatric first aid/CPR curriculum. Staff Person #1 did not complete the required pediatric first aid/CPR training from a PQAS-approved instructor within 90 days of their date of hire (see LIS code sheet).
During a renewal inspection on 9-26-25, there was not 2 feet of space on 3 sides of a crib that was in use in the Infant room.
There is no plastic lined, hands-free covered can for disposable diapers in the Infant room.
A bicycle circle in the outdoor play space had a small area of peeling paint.
A bicycle circle in the outdoor play space had a seat that was cracked. There were a few exposed bolts on the gates to the outdoor play spaces.
There was an expired (9/2023) bottle of children's Tylenol in the preschool room.
A written plan identifying the means of transporting a child to emergency care and staffing provisions in the event of an emergency was not displayed conspicuously in every child care space
“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) | $48.00 | $44.00 |
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $48.00 | $44.00 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $45.00 | $41.00 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $43.00 | $39.00 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $42.00 | $38.00 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $40.00 | $28.00 |
| Older School-Age (4th gr.-15 yrs.) | $40.00 | $28.00 |
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 Firm Foundations Early Learning Center had any serious violations?
Pennsylvania cited 1 violation 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 24, 2026 (background checks): “A renewal inspection occurred at the facility. A review of staff files was conducted. See the code sheet for the dates staff began working in child care. Staff #2 has worked in child care and the file did not contain a…” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Firm Foundations Early 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 Firm Foundations Early Learning Center’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 4, effective Oct 29, 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 Firm Foundations Early Learning Center compare with other daycares in Whitehall?
It is #3 of 16 centers in Whitehall by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 69% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Firm Foundations Early Learning Center last inspected?
Sep 24, 2026 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does Firm Foundations Early Learning Center cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $48.00 for newborn, $48.00 for infant, $45.00 for young toddler, $43.00 for older toddler in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Firm Foundations Early Learning Center?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is J & B Taylor LLC.
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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.
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