Daycare Record Child care inspection records

GPY Lewis Elkins School

501 E Clearfield St, Philadelphia, PA 19134 · Philadelphia County
1 complaint investigation found violations Keystone STAR 1

GPY Lewis Elkins School is a certified child care center in Philadelphia, PA. It holds a Keystone STAR 1 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 5 times and confirmed violations in 1 complaint investigation. The state cited 17 violations, 3 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for records & paperwork (7 of 17). 4 citations came in the last 12 months. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #455 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia and has fewer citations per inspection than 63% of Pennsylvania certified centers.

Inspection record

Fewer citations than 63% of 4,789 Pennsylvania certified centers, per inspection, weighted by topic. About typical
Tied for #455 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia
3 Core-safety citations
14 Other citations
5 Inspections
1 Complaint investigations that found violations
17 citations from 6 state visits since Aug 16, 2021 · 4 in the last 12 months · last inspected Mar 5, 2026

Every state visit

2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 INSPECTIONS (top) · REPORTS & INVESTIGATIONS (bottom) Mar 5, 2026 · Inspection · citation found Jul 24, 2025 · Report/investigation · citation found Jul 24, 2025 · Inspection · citation found May 1, 2025 · Inspection · no citation Apr 9, 2024 · Inspection · citation found Oct 19, 2023 · Inspection · no citation
Violation found No violation Top row: inspections · bottom row: complaint investigations, self-reported incidents and other visits

What inspectors cited most

Records & paperwork 7
Emergency preparedness 4
Training & qualifications 2
Supervision 1
Caregiver conduct 1
Building & playground safety 1
Background checks 1

Citations, newest first

Citation Mar 5, 2026 Inspection Emergency preparedness
Emergency plan 55 Pa. Code §3270.27(a)(6)
On March 5, 2026, during the renewal inspection, there was no documentation on file at the facility, that an emergency drill had been conducted within the last 12 months, when requested documentation was not produced.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Apr 15, 2026): “YMCA program will conduct a shelter in place drill for April and document on the requested log.”
Citation Mar 5, 2026 Inspection Emergency preparedness
Every 60 days 55 Pa. Code §3270.94(a)(1)
On March 5, 2026, during the renewal inspection the fire drill log reviewed did not contain proof of a fire drill being conducted in the last 60 days, last drill conducted on 6/26/25.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Apr 15, 2026): “YMCA program will conduct a fire drill within the month in April and document on the log. YMCA”
Citation Mar 5, 2026 Inspection Training & qualifications
Director qualifications/Exp, educ., training prior to facility 55 Pa. Code §3270.34(b)/3270.192(2)(ii)
On March 5, 2026, during the renewal inspection, the file reviewed for staff person # 1 did not contain documentation of education qualifying staff person # 1 to work in their childcare position at the facility, Director.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Apr 15, 2026): “Staff #1 has been downgraded from the facility director to an assistant group supervisor.”
Citation Mar 5, 2026 Inspection Training & qualifications
Health and Safety Training - Pediatric First Aid and CPR 55 Pa. Code §3270.31(f)(10)
On March 5, 2026, during the renewal inspection, staff person #1, #2, and #3 has not completed the following required pre- service training within 90 days of their date of hire pediatric first aid/cpr. (See code sheet for hire date)
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Apr 15, 2026): “Staff #1 has completed and received a certificate for first aid and cpr. Staff #2 and #3 are scheduled to receive the training on April 25th. They will be supervised by appropriate staff until then.”
Core safety Jul 24, 2025 Complaint investigation Supervision
Supervised at all times 55 Pa. Code §3270.113(a)
On July 24, 2025, during the complaint investigation, it was found that on a separate occasion staff person #1 left the outdoor play space without notifying any facility staff, leaving her assigned group unsupervised.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Sep 3, 2025): “Site director will train staff to notify the site leadership before leaving an assigned group. Staff receive explicit authorization and directives for another staff take over supervision in their absence.”
Core safety Jul 24, 2025 Complaint investigation Caregiver conduct
Restraints prohibited 55 Pa. Code §3270.113(e)
On July 24, 2025, during the complaint investigation it was found that during an incident that occurred on July 9, 2025, staff person #2 restrained child #1 while attempting to assist the child's one on one outside agency support with removing the child from the classroom.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Sep 3, 2025): “Staff person #2 will receive training on best de-escalation practices and a review of the Y's employee policy regarding safe physical contact.”
Citation Jul 24, 2025 Complaint investigation Building & playground safety
General Health and Safety 55 Pa. Code §3270.21
On July 24, 2025, during the complaint investigation it was found that on July 9, 2025, a pocketknife and lighter was left inside of a bathroom in reach and accessible to children.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Sep 3, 2025): “The pocketknife and lighter were immediately removed from the bathroom area. Staff were immediately trained and reminded of the Y's policy of hazardous items.”
Citation Jul 24, 2025 Inspection Records & paperwork
Parent home/work address, phone 55 Pa. Code §3270.124(b)(3)
On July 24, 2025, during the unannounced inspection, the emergency contact form reviewed for child #1 did not include the home and work address and telephone numbers of the enrolling parent.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Sep 3, 2025): “The site director attempted to contact the family to obtain the missing work and home address of the enrolling parent. Prior to the information being provided, child #1 withdrew from the program on 7/25/25.”
Citation Jul 24, 2025 Inspection Records & paperwork
Information re: special needs 55 Pa. Code §3270.124(b)(5)
On July 24, 2025, during the unannounced inspection the emergency contact form reviewed for child #1, did not contain information on the child's special needs.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Sep 3, 2025): “The site director attempted to contact the family to request the information on child #1's special needs. Child #1 withdrew from the program on 7/25/25.”
Citation Jul 24, 2025 Inspection Records & paperwork
Insurance coverage information 55 Pa. Code §3270.124(b)(6)
On July 24, 2025, during the unannounced inspection, the emergency contact form reviewed for child #1 did not include the health insurance coverage and policy number.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Sep 3, 2025): “The site director attempted to contact the family to request child #1's health insurance and policy number. Child #1 withdrew from the program on 7/25/25.”
Citation Jul 24, 2025 Inspection Records & paperwork
Copy of initial and subsequent agreements. Parent receives original. 55 Pa. Code §3270.182(8)
On July 24, 2025, during the unannounced inspection, the agreement reviewed and retained in the record for child #1, was the original agreement.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Sep 3, 2025): “The site director made a copy of the initial agreement and attempted to provide child #1's parent with the original copy”
Core safety Apr 9, 2024 Inspection Background checks
Comply with CPSL/CPSL information 55 Pa. Code §3270.32(a)/3270.192(4)
During the renewal inspection, staff persons #1 and #2 did not have an NSOR on file. Staff person #2 also did not have a disclosure statement on file.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Apr 19, 2024): “Provider informed staff on the importance of obtaining required documentation. Provider will comply with CPSL at all times. Staff persons #1 and #2 will not work in a childcare position until clearances are obtained. NSOR clearances for both staff have been obtained.”
Citation Apr 9, 2024 Inspection Emergency preparedness
Emergency plan 55 Pa. Code §3270.27(a)(6)
During the renewal inspection, the facility did not have documentation of annual emergency drill on file.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Apr 19, 2024): “The provider will document drills and files accordingly.”
Citation Apr 9, 2024 Inspection Emergency preparedness
Written record 55 Pa. Code §3270.94(a)(9)
During the renewal inspection, the facility did not have a written record of fire drills conducted on file.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Apr 19, 2024): “Provider will document drills immediately after completion and file accordingly.”
Citation Apr 9, 2024 Inspection Records & paperwork
On file at facility 55 Pa. Code §3270.18(a)
During the renewal inspection, the facility did not have a copy general liability insurance on file.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Apr 19, 2024): “The provider will ensure a current copy of the insurance policy is on file at the facility, and will regularly review and update insurance documentation to maintain compliance.”
Citation Apr 9, 2024 Inspection Records & paperwork
Each child care space 55 Pa. Code §3270.124(c)
During the renewal inspection, the facility did not have children's emergency contact information in the space where they were receiving care.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Apr 19, 2024): “Provider to ensure emergency contact information is readily accessible in the designated space for each child.”
Citation Apr 9, 2024 Inspection Records & paperwork
Availability of certificate of compliance and applicable regulations 55 Pa. Code §3270.25(a)
During the renewal inspection, the facility did not have their current certificate of compliance posted in a conspicuous location.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Apr 19, 2024): “The provider will ensure ongoing compliance by regularly updating and maintaining posted certificate.”

“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

Violation found Jul 24, 2025 Complaint investigation
3 violations cited, listed under Citations.

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.

Enforcement actions

Issuance of Provisional Certificate of Compliance at the time of Initial Oct 20, 2023
COMPASS status: Pending Appeal · the center has since been granted a regular certificate

Negative sanctions Pennsylvania lists for this center, such as a downgrade to a provisional certificate, refusing to renew or revoking its certificate of compliance, with the status COMPASS shows. “Operation permitted” means the center may keep operating while it appeals; “operation not permitted” means it may not.

About this center

Capacity —
Certificate status Regular
Certificate valid through Apr 19, 2027
Keystone STARS STAR 1
since May 20, 2024 · what STARS means
Operator Greater Philadelphia YMCA
Phone —
State certificate # CER-00254576
Parent reviews Google Maps reviews
Not checked by Daycare Record

Common questions

Has GPY Lewis Elkins School had any serious violations?

Pennsylvania cited 3 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 24, 2025 (supervision): “On July 24, 2025, during the complaint investigation, it was found that on a separate occasion staff person #1 left the outdoor play space without notifying any facility staff, leaving her assigned group unsupervised.” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.

Have there been complaints about GPY Lewis Elkins School?

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 GPY Lewis Elkins School’s Keystone STARS rating?

STAR 1, effective May 20, 2024. 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 Lewis Elkins School compare with other daycares in Philadelphia?

It is tied for #455 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 63% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.

When was GPY Lewis Elkins School last inspected?

Mar 5, 2026 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.

Who runs GPY Lewis Elkins School?

The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Greater Philadelphia YMCA.

Certified centers nearby

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.