Grace Trinity Academy
Grace Trinity Academy is a certified child care center in Philadelphia, PA, with capacity for 119 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 73 violations, 8 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for records & paperwork (25 of 73). 8 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 #1,100 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia and has more citations per inspection than 89% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
During complaint investigation it was found staff #1 slammed the door of the Sunshine room causing the window glass on the door to shatter with a total of three young toddlers and one teacher present in the room.
Cert rep reviewed staff #1 and #2 record and observed staff did not sign disclosure statement at the time of initial employment.
During the renewal inspection cert rep reviewed vehicle #1 insurance card and observed it was expired. Vehicle #2 registration was observed expired.
During renewal inspection cert rep observed cleaning spray left out in the bathroom stall and not kept in an area or container that is locked or made inaccessible to children.
During the renewal inspection cert rep observed chipped paint in the left wall of the entrance to the afterschool room.
During the renewal inspection cert rep observed both of the sofa lining was observed ripped and peeled in the afterschool room and not in good repair.
During the renewal inspection cert rep observed date of last documented fire drill was conducted on 6/19/25.
During the renewal inspection cert rep reviewed fire drill log and observed last fire detection testing was on 4/22/25. At the time of the renewal inspection staff #3 could not manually operate fire alarm system.
Certification rep observed staff #2 in the rainbow room with one child leaving staff #3 out of ratio with a total of 15 children, outside in the playground area, the youngest child was 3 years in age. Staff #2 was not able to provide the number of children in her assigned group.
Certification rep reviewed staff #1 record and observed record did not include staff #1 receiving training regarding the emergency plan at the time of initial employment or on an annual basis and at the time of each plan update. updated emergency plan training was not in record.
Show 63 older citations
Certification rep reviewed staff #1 record and observed record did not include tuberculosis screening by the Mantoux method at initial employment. Subsequent tuberculosis screening is not required unless directed by a physician, physician's assistant, CRNP, the Department of Health or a local health department.
Certification rep reviewed staff #1 record and observed staff #1 did not renew their certification in pediatric first aid and pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on or before the expiration of the most current certification; 12/31/23.
Certification rep reviewed staff #1 record and observed staff #1 Mandated Reporter Training in record expired: date of expiration 5/15/17.
Certification rep reviewed staff #5 record and observed signed disclosure statement was not in record.
Certification rep reviewed staff #5 record and observed health assessment did not include tuberculosis screening by the Mantoux method at initial employment.
Certification rep reviewed staff #1 record and observed fire safety training in record expired, date of expiration:11/30/24.
Certification rep reviewed children #1, #2, #3, #4 and #5 record and observed date of children admission is not in record.
Certification rep reviewed child #5 record and observed physical exam in record is expired: 11/22/23.
Certification rep reviewed child #5 record and observed emergency contact from did not include signed parental consent for administration of medications or special dietary needs.
Certification rep reviewed staff #4 record did not include two written, nonfamily references from individuals attesting to the person's suitability to serve as a facility person.
Certification rep reviewed staff #2, and #3 record and observed staff did not obtain an annual minimum of 12 clock hours of childcare training.
Formula was not provided to child #1 as agreed upon by the parent and staff #1.
On the day of incident, no incident report was written and given to the parent by staff #2.
Addendum from renewal inspection. During follow up visit on 2/15/24 certification rep received new information from staff data sheet. Certification rep reviewed staff #1 record and observed staff #1 did not have an NSOR clearance in record. Staff #5 did not have and NSOR certificate in record. staff #6 did not have an up-to-date FBI clearance on record, date of clearance in record 6/23/18. Staff #7 child abuse clearance in record expired, date of child abuse clearance in record 1/17/19.
Certification rep reviewed staff #1 file and observed disclosure statement was not in record date of hire: 10/23/. Staff #3 did not obtain a Child Abuse clearance, State Police Clearance, FBI Clearance: date of hire 8/29/2023.
Certification rep reviewed emergency plan and observed "continuity of operations" section missing in the emergecny plan.
During the renewal inspection certification rep observed outlet covers missing on the back wall of the classroom and above counter in the back sink area.
During the renewal inspection certification rep read water temperature at 120 F in the girl's bathroom.
During the renewal inspection certification rep observed the Supers Stars first aid kit did not contain a tweezer. The Sweet Peas first aid bag did not contain gauze tape and the afterschool room first aid bag did not contain bandages.
Durin the renewal inspection certification rep observed the girls and boy's bathroom did not have the proper handwashing sign above sink and toilets. In the care bears room bathroom sign above toilet was missing and, in the after, -school bathroom toilets.
During the renewal inspection certification rep observed the outside gate that serves as an emergency exit was locked.
Certification rep reviewed children #1, #3 and #4 record and observed children health reports in record was not updated within a 12-month period. Child #1 date of health report in record: 4/25/22, child #3: 5/26/22 and child #4: 9/2022.
Certification rep reviewed children #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 and #7 record and observed the facility children enrolled more than 60 days at the facility, did not contain current documentation of the flu vaccine based on the child's age as per the ACIP recommended schedule.
Certification rep reviewed staff #3 and #4 record and observed staff #3 Tb results of initial and subsequent tuberculin skin tests are pending: date of physical exam on record 8/28/2023. Staff #4 Physical Exam is expired date on record 1/18/2021 and results of initial and subsequent tuberculin skin tests, x-rays or other medical documentation necessary to confirm freedom from communicable tuberculosis are not in record.
Certification rep reviewed emergecny plan and observed a plan that provides for accommodations for infants, toddlers, children with disabilities, and children with chronic medical conditions missing on the emergecny plan.
During the renewal inspection provider did not have in record a documented emergency drill log at the facility.
During the renewal inspection certification rep observed the Director or designated staff person who is responsible for compliance did not maintain on file at the facility indicating the specific time of day of the drill, the hypothetical location of the fire, the evacuation time, and the names of the facility persons and the number of children who participate in the fire drill.
During the renewal inspection emergency plan delivery document form was not in record with receipt that it was delivered to the local municipality and to the county emergency management agency.
During the renewal inspection provider did not have on record an annual written notification to local traffic authority.
Certification rep reviewed child #6 record and observed amount of the fee to be charged per day or per week and date on which the fee is to be paid missing on agreement form.
Certification rep reviewed children #5 #7 and #9 record and observed admission date for facility children are not in their child record.
Certification rep reviewed child #3 record and observed child #3 is missing the name, address and telephone number of the child's physician or source of medical care in the emergency contact form. Certification rep observed Child #3 record and observed health insurance coverage and policy number for a child under a family policy or Medical Assistance benefits missing on the emergency contact form.
Certification rep reviewed child #3 record and observed written consent signed by a parent for emergency medical care missing on the emergency contact form.
Certification rep reviewed children #2 and #3 record and observed information on the child's special needs, as specified by the child's parent, physician, physician's assistant or CRNP, which is needed in an emergency situation is missing on the emergency contact form. Certification rep reviewed children #2 #3 and #4 record and observed child #2 and #3 is missing signed parental consent for administration of medications or special dietary needs. Child #4 signed parental consent for administration of medications on the emergency contact form.
During the renewal inspection certification rep observed the superstar's room had only 1 emergency contact form. The Rainbow room had 4 emergency contact forms out of 19 children enrolled in the classroom. In the Care Bears room there were 6 emergency contact forms out of 10 children enrolled. In the Sweet Peas room there were only 7 emergency contact forms out of 9 children enrolled.
Certification rep reviewed children #1, #4 and #5 record and observed financial fee agreement form in record was not updated within a - month period; child#1 date of agreement in record 6/23/22, child #2 9/26/22 and child #5 1/4/23. Emergency contacts for children #1, #2 and #3 were not reviewed and updated within a 6- month period, Child#1 date in record 1/23/22, child#2 9/6/22 and child #3 4/10/23. Child #2 did not have a financial agreement in record.
Certification rep reviewed child #3 record and observed signed parental consent for transportation, walking excursions missing on emergency contact form.
Certification rep reviewed staff #3 record and observed staff #3 did not have a complete record date of hire: 8/28/2023.
Certification rep reviewed Staff #1, #2, #3 and #4 record and observed verification of experience was not in record. Staff #3 did not have education or training is a transcript or a diploma or a letter signed by a representative of the experiential, educational or training entity. level of education in record.
Certification rep reviewed staff #3 record and observed the record did not include two written, nonfamily references from individuals attesting to the person's suitability to serve as a facility person.
During the renewal inspection certification rep observed the operator did not provide the parent of each child enrolled with information on how to access the regulations in this chapter electronically and with instructions for contacting the appropriate regional childcare office.
At the time of the complaint investigation, the temperature in Care Bears and Rainbow rooms were 56° F.
At the time of renewal inspection, file of staff person #1 and #2 included FBI clearance required by DHS that was more than 60 month old and are not acceptable.
At the time of renewal inspection, hot water temperature accessible to children in Sweet Peas room was 118° F, in Superstars and The Magic School Bus rooms were 112° F.
At the time of renewal inspection, a handwashing sign that requires an able child and adult to wash hands after toileting and before eating was not posted at the sink in Superstars, Supersonics, girls and boys bathroom.
At the time of renewal inspection, a health report of child #6 was not updated at least every 12 months. A health report on file was from 7/6/21.
At the time of renewal inspection, immunization record of child #1 did not include MMR, Varicella and Hepatitis A immunization recommended by ACIP. Immunization record of child #3 did not include influenza immunization. Immunization record of child #5 did not include Hepatitis B, Hepatitis A, DTAP, HIB, Pneumococcal, Polio, Influenza, MMR, and Varicella immunization. A letter of exemption was not observed in the file of child #1, #3, and #5.
At the time of renewal inspection, file of facility person #2 did not include an updated health assessment. A health assessment on file was from 8/12/20.
At the time of renewal inspection, a policy and procedure to identify the potential signs and symptoms of baby shaken syndrome and abusive head trauma, strategies for coping with a crying, fussing, or distraught child, and the prevention and identification of child maltreatment was not observed.
At the time of renewal inspection, record of staff person #3 did not include verification that staff completed required pre-service Health and Safety training.
At the time of renewal inspection, a written plan of daily activities and routines was not posted in Care Bares room.
At the time of renewal inspection, emergency contact form of child #3 did not include enrolling parent work address and phone number. Emergency contact from of child #1, #2, #3, #4, and #5 did not include release person's address.
At the time of renewal inspection, emergency contact form of child #2 and #5 did not include health insurance coverage and policy number for a child under a family policy or Medical Assistance benefits, if applicable.
At the time of renewal inspection, a written plan identifying the means of transporting a child to emergency care and staffing provisions in the event of an emergency was not posted in Sweet Peas room.
At the time of renewal inspection, emergency contact information of child #5 were not updated once in a 6-month period or as soon as there is a change in the information. Emergency contact form was reviewed by a parent on 1/19/22.
At the time of renewal inspection observed that some emergency contact forms were not updated in Sweet Peas, Superstars, Super Sonic, and The Magic School Bus rooms.
At the time of the complaint investigation it was verified that staff person #1 was using harsh language in the presence of children while being overheard by two other staff members saying "They are getting on my nerves", "I have enough of these kids", "I am done with them".
At the time of renewal inspection, file of staff person #2 included FBI Clearance from 12/16/2016 which was more than 60 months old. File of staff person #5 hired on 8/30/21 did not include DHS required FBI clearance and NSOR Verification Certificate. Provisional hire period for staff person #5 ended on 10/14/21. In addition, file of staff person #5 did not contain verification of the required Mandated and Permissive Reporting in Pennsylvania training conducted within the 90 days of hire.
At the time of renewal inspection, a health assessment of staff person #4 did not include the physician's or CRNP's assessment of the person's suitability to provide child care.
At the time of renewal inspection, file of staff person #3 hired on 8/23/21 and staff person #5 hired on 8/30/21 did not include verification of health and safety training completed within 90 days of hire.
At the time of renewal inspection, file of staff person #2 and #6 didn't contain proof of current written evaluation.
At the time of renewal inspection, file of staff person #1 and #5 did not include verification of 2 years experience with children required for the position of an assistant group supervisor.
At the time of renewal inspection, file of staff person #1 and #3 did not include two written, nonfamily references from individuals attesting to the person's suitability to serve as a facility person.
“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 |
|---|---|---|
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $65.00 | — |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $60.00 | — |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $58.00 | $45.00 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $50.00 | $45.00 |
| Older School-Age (4th gr.-15 yrs.) | $50.00 | $45.00 |
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 Grace Trinity Academy had any serious violations?
Pennsylvania cited 8 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 Nov 10, 2025 (background checks): “Cert rep reviewed staff #1 and #2 record and observed staff did not sign disclosure statement at the time of initial employment.” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Grace Trinity Academy?
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 Grace Trinity Academy’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 4, effective Nov 6, 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 Grace Trinity Academy compare with other daycares in Philadelphia?
It is tied for #1,100 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has more citations per inspection than 89% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Grace Trinity Academy last inspected?
Apr 10, 2026 (allocated unannounced monitoring). No violations were cited during that visit.
How much does Grace Trinity Academy cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $65.00 for young toddler, $60.00 for older toddler, $58.00 for preschool, $50.00 for young school-age in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Grace Trinity Academy?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Grace Trinity United Church of Christ.
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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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