GPY Columbia North Early Learning Center
GPY Columbia North Early Learning Center is a certified child care center in Philadelphia, PA, with capacity for 146 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 4 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 7 times and confirmed violations in 4 complaint investigations. The state cited 53 violations, 4 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for records & paperwork (28 of 53). 7 citations came in the last 12 months, including 1 on a core-safety topic. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #898 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia and has more citations per inspection than 69% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
On 6/18/26 during a field trip Child #1 was separated from group and left with Support Staff person #2 (who is not included in the staff to child ratios). Child #1 was not a part of an assigned group and left unsupervised by Staff Person #1. Staff Person #1 was unaware of the whereabouts of Child #1.and eventually called for help to locate Child #1.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative conducted a facility walk through and observed two rooms on the second-floor room B and C that are measured as childcare space not being used. One room was being used as an office, and the other room was not set up as childcare space
During the renewal inspection the certification representative viewed the children's files child #1 was missing a health assessment in the file. children #1 and #2 were both missing the statement free from communicable disease.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative viewed the children's files children #1, #3, and #4 were missing consent to obtaining emergency med care
During the renewal inspection the certification representative viewed the children's files children #2, #3, #4 were missing updated emergency contact forms in the file. Child #4 was missing an updated financial agreement
During the renewal inspection the certification representative viewed the children's files children #1, #3 and #4 were missing consent for minor first aid on the emergency contact.
During the renewal inspection certification representative viewed the staff files staff #1 did not have the correct CPR course in the file.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative conducted a facility walk through and observed two rooms on the second-floor room B and C that are measured as childcare space not being used. One room was being used as an office, and the other room was not set up as childcare space.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative conducted a facility walk through and discovered peeling paint in room 103 near the resting equipment.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative viewed the children's files child #1 was missing a health assessment in the file. children #1 and #2 were both missing the statement free from communicable disease.
Show 43 older citations
During the renewal inspection the certification representative viewed the children's files child #5 was missing shots without an exemption letter in the file.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative requested to view the shaken baby policy. The provider was unable to locate the policy at the time of the renewal.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative arrived at the facility there was no director onsite and there was no designated person responsible there in the director's absence.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative viewed the children's files children #1, #2, #3, and #4 were missing child service reports in the file.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative viewed the children's file child #1 was missing arrival and departure time on the emergency contact form.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative viewed the children's files child #1 was missing the admission date on the financial agreement.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative viewed the children's files children #1, #3, and #4 were missing consent to obtaining emergency med care.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative viewed the children's files, child # 1 was missing information on disability this area was left blank.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative viewed the children's files, child #3 was missing the release person address on the emergency contact. form.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative viewed the children's files children #2, #3, #4 were missing updated emergency contact forms in the file. Child #4 was missing an updated financial agreement
During the renewal inspection the certification representative viewed the children's file child #1 was missing special diet information on the emergency contact form.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative viewed the children's files children #1, #3 and #4 were missing consent for minor first aid on the emergency contact.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative viewed the staff files staff #2 and #3 were missing employment verification in the file
During the renewal inspection certification representative viewed the staff files staff #1 did not have the correct CPR course in the file.
During the complaint investigation the certification conducted a staff interview after interviewing all staff between the camp and early childcare there were enough concerns to confirm that the verbal interaction interactions that staff #1 engages inappropriate verbal redirection and directives and general communication with the children can be concerning as well with her tone.
During the complaint investigation the certification representative conducted an allocated unannounced inspection the certification representative viewed the staff files staff # 2 was missing an updated health assessment in the file the one in the file was expired.
During the allocated unannounced inspection, the certification representative viewed the staff files staff #2 and #3 CPR 's expired.
During the complaint investigation the certification representative conducted a allocated unannounced inspection staff #1 was missing two references in the file.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative viewed the staff files staff # 6 was missing a health assessment in the file.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative conducted a facility walk through and discovered that peeling paint inside the studio that is used for indoor play.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative conducted a facility walk through and did not see the pick-up and drop off procedures posted.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative requested to view the facilities emergency drill however was unable to view it at the time of the inspection
During the renewal inspection the certification representative viewed the children's files #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 and #6 were missing child service reports in the file.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative viewed the children's files child # 5 was missing consent for emergency med care.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative viewed the children's files, children #1, #3 #4, #5 and #6 were missing the release person address on the emergency contact and #1 was missing the release person phone number.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative viewed the children's files, child # 6 needed a updated financial agreement.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative viewed the staff files staff # 6 was missing a health assessment in the file.
During the complaint investigation the site leader informed the certification representative that staff #1 when supervising infants, stepped into an adjoining bathroom that was out of the sight lines of the children in the room.
During the complaint investigation it was verified that staff #1 was not properly supervising the 5 children that she was assigned resulting in one of the children eloping from the class and exiting the building unsupervised.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative conducted a facility walkthrough and observed missing outlet covers in the hallway on the childcare space.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative conducted a facility walkthrough and observed a table in the preschool that was not in good repair and was told the children still actively uses the table.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative requested to view the children's files children's #4 and #5 were both missing the flu shots with no written letter in the file. Both children health assessment did not have the statement free of communicable disease.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative conducted a facility walk through and observed diapering in the infant room the certification representative did not see the staff member using any sanitizing solution to wipe the changing table down after it was used.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative conducted a facility walkthrough and observed that the changing table needed cleaning in the older toddler room.
During the renewal inspection the certification conducted a facility walk through and observed sippy cups missing labels in the young toddler room as well as the older toddler room.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative conducted a facility walkthrough and did not see a daily schedule posted in the older toddler room.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative requested to view the children files, children, #2, #3, #4 and #5 were all missing the release persons address and phone number.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative requested to view the staff files staff, staff #1, #3, #4, #5 were all missing and employment verification form with their prior experience before working at the facility.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative viewed staff # 4 file, staff #4 was missing two written nonfamily references.
During the renewal inspection conducted on 11/15/22, notification of safe routes were not posted.
During the renewal inspection conducted on 11/15/22, the emergency contact information for child#1 and child #2 did not include health insurance coverage and policy number.
During the renewal inspection conducted on 11/15/22, the emergency contact information for child #3, #4, #5, and #6 did not include health insurance policy numbers.
During the renewal inspection conducted on 11/15/22, child #7 did not have emergency contact information in the child care space where they were receiving care.
“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 |
|---|---|---|
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $64.00 | — |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $60.00 | — |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $55.00 | — |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $51.00 | $41.00 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $59.00 | $22.38 |
| Older School-Age (4th gr.-15 yrs.) | $59.00 | $22.38 |
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 GPY Columbia North Early 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 25, 2026 (supervision): “On 6/18/26 during a field trip Child #1 was separated from group and left with Support Staff person #2 (who is not included in the staff to child ratios). Child #1 was not a part of an assigned group and left…” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about GPY Columbia North Early Learning Center?
Pennsylvania lists 4 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 GPY Columbia North Early Learning Center’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 4, effective Apr 7, 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 GPY Columbia North Early Learning Center compare with other daycares in Philadelphia?
It is tied for #898 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has more citations per inspection than 69% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was GPY Columbia North Early Learning Center last inspected?
Oct 21, 2025 (unannounced monitoring). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does GPY Columbia North Early Learning Center cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $64.00 for infant, $60.00 for young toddler, $55.00 for older toddler, $51.00 for preschool in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs GPY Columbia North Early Learning Center?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Greater Philadelphia YMCA.
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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.
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