Gravel Hill Church Christian Child Care
Gravel Hill Church Christian Child Care is a certified child care center in Palmyra, PA, with capacity for 184 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 3 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 7 times and confirmed violations in 4 complaint investigations. The state cited 47 violations, 12 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for building & playground safety (12 of 47). 8 citations came in the last 12 months, including 5 on a core-safety topic. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #16 of 23 centers in Lebanon County and has more citations per inspection than 77% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
Child #1 ran upstairs and outside of the building. Child #1 was outside less than 1 minute before running to a teacher who was on the playground.
Facility person #1 was seen on video pulling a child by the arm and putting them on the floor.
Facility person #1 was seen on video pulling a child by the arm and putting them on the floor.
It was confirmed through staff interview, that an altercation occurred between staff persons 1 and 2, where inappropriate language was used while the staff shouted at one another, in front of the children.
On 10/24/25, staff person 1 tapped a child on their face (left cheek) with their hand, as a consequence for hitting another child. This was confirmed through interview of staff persons 2, 3, 4, and 5. Staff person 1 admitted to tapping the child on the face.
On 10/23/25, it was observed that a ceiling tile in classroom 207 had water damage.
On 10/23/25, it was observed that the emergency contact information for child 2 did not include a health insurance policy number.
On 10/23/25, it was observed that the emergency contact information for children 2 and 10 did not include signed parental consent for emergency medical care or minor first aid.
On 6/9/25, it was observed that CPSL (Child Protective Services Law) was not followed. Staff persons 2 and 3 were currently employed at the facility and did not have a completed NSOR (National Sex Offender Registry) certificate on file. Staff persons 2 and 3 may not work with children until completed NSOR is on file.
On 6/9/25, it was observed that fire drills were not held every 60 days. The last recorded fire drill was on 3/28/25 creating a lapse of 73 days.
Show 37 older citations
On 6/9/25, it was observed that staff persons 1, 2, 3 and 4 did not have documentation of education or experience on file to meet the qualifications for their position. Staff person 1 was functioning as an aide and staff persons 2, 3, and 4 were functioning as assistant group supervisors.
On 6/9/25, it was observed that staff persons 1, 2, 3, and 4 did not have two written, nonfamily references on file.
On 10/23/24, it was observed that CPSL (Child Protective Services Law) was not followed regarding clearances at time of hire and clearance updates every 60 months. Staff person 1 had an NSOR (National Sex Offender Registry) certificate on file dated 10/5/23 which was after their start date. No provisional paperwork was available. Staff person 2 had a child abuse clearance on file that expired on 10/9/24 which was not updated until 10/23/24. Staff person 3 had a Child Abuse clearance on file that expired on 12/9/23 which was not updated until 12/12/23. Staff person 4 had a NSOR clearance on file dated 10/4/24, with provisional paperwork dated 10/2/24, which was after their start date.
On 10/23/24, it was observed that the facility did not have a continuity of care plan as part of their facility emergency plan.
On 10/23/24, it was observed that the first aid kit in the older 3's classroom did not contain tape. CORRECTED ON SITE.
On 10/23/24, it was observed that there was peeling paint in the facility. Peeling paint/exposed plaster was observed in the Young One's classroom around the base of the mirror.
On 10/23/24, it was observed that the mailbox cart was blocking one of the doors to the four's classroom. CORRECTED ON SITE.
On 10/23/24, it was observed that there was damaged equipment at the facility. The cover on one of the stools in the young school age room was observed to be torn. CORRECTED ON SITE. The blue wall mats on the far side of the gym were observed to be frayed on the edges.
On 10/23/24, it was observed that medication was present for child 6, but no medication log was available.
On 10/23/24, it was observed that staff health assessments were not updated every 24 months. Staff person 2 had a health assessment on file that expired on 7/12/24, which was not updated until 7/29/24. Staff person 5 had a health assessment on file that expired on 5/25/24, which was not updated until 7/12/24.
On 10/23/24, it was observed that a daily schedule of activities was not posted for the older school age classroom.
On 10/23/24, it was observed that child 10 did not have signed parental consent for minor first aid on file.
On 7/12/24, it was observed that staff person 1 was past 45 days of employment and did not have their FBI clearance or their NSOR (National Sex Offender Registry) certificate on file. Staff person 1 may not return to work until documents are on file.
On 7/12/24, it was observed that staff person 2 did not have pediatric first aid and CPR training on file and was past 90 days of employment.
Staff person 1 handled child 1 in a rough manner by grabbing them around their upper arms and placing them roughly in a flat position on their back in a pack and play and then roughly shaking and dragging the pack and play across the room.
On 10/13/23 it was observed that CPSL (Child Protective Services Law) was not followed. Clearances must be updated every 60 days. Staff person 5 had a child abuse clearance on file that expired on 5/5/23 that was not updated until 9/12/23. Staff person 6 had a FBI clearance on file that expired on 2/17/23 that was not completely updated. Clearance agency was not successful in obtaining fingerprints.
On 10/13/23, it was observed that lotion was accessible to children in a lower drawer in the 3's classroom bathroom. CORRECTED ON SITE.
On 10/13/23 peeling paint was observed in the facility. Peeling paint was observed on the windowsills in the older ones, 3's, 4's, PreK, and Kindergarten classrooms and on the windowsills in the gym. Peeling paint was observed on the wall in the hallway outside of the gym doors.
On 10/13/23, it was observed that the bottom of the wooden doors in the 2's classroom.
On 10/13/23, it was observed that the front of the shelves on the white and blue shelf were chipped and worn.
On 10/13/23 it was observed that staff person 1, 3, and 4 did not have the required Health and Safety update training on file. All staff persons completed their original 10 hour health and safety training before 10/22 and should have completed the 1 hour update.
On 10/13/23, it was observed that child 9 and 11 did not have addresses on file for their release persons.
On 1/24/23, it was observed that the file of child #1, enrolled more than 60 days at the facility, did not contain documentation of three HIB vaccinations and 4 DTaP vaccinations, as required based on the child's age as per the ACIP recommended schedule.
On 11/10/22, it was observed that CPSL (Child Protective Services Law) was not followed. Staff person 2 had a FBI clearance on file that expired on 1/2/22 that was not updated until 9/30/22. Clearances must be updated every 60 months. Staff person 3 had a FBI clearance on file dated 9/23/22, which was after their start date. No provisional paperwork was available. An FBI clearance or provisional paperwork must be on file before starting employment with children. Staff person 4 had a Mandated Reporter clearance on file that expired on 8/5/22 that was not updated until 9/22/22. Mandated Reporter training must be updated every 60 months.
On 11/10/22, it was observed that staff health assessments were not updated every 24 months. Staff person 2 had a health assessment on file that expired on 6/1/22 that was not updated until 9/25/22. Staff person 1 had a health assessment on file that expired on 9/3/22 that was not updated until 9/23/22. Staff person 5 had a health assessment and TB test on file that was dated more than 12 months prior to their start date with children.
On 11/10/22, it was observed that proof of purchase was not available for the fire detection system.
On 11/10/22, it was observed that the facility did not have a policy in regards to Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma.
On 11/10/22, it was observed that child 8 did not have a work address on file for their enrolling parent.
On 11/10/22, it was observed that child 7 did not have an health insurance policy number on file.
On 11/4/21, it was observed that CPSL (Child Protective Services Law) was not followed. Staff person 1 (start date 4/26/21) did not have a NSOR (National Sex Offender Registry) on file until 10/5/21, which is longer than 45 days after starting with children. Staff persons must have completed clearances on file within their first 45 days. Staff person 6 (start date 6/1/21) did not have a completed State Police Clearance Certification on file. Staff persons must have completed clearances on file within their first 45 days. CORRECTED ON SITE. Staff person 7 (start date 7/6/21) did not have a NSOR clearance on file until 10/26/21. Staff persons must have completed clearances on file within their first 45 days. Staff person 7 (start date 7/6/21) did not have a completed State Police Clearance on file. Staff persons must have completed clearances on file within their first 45 days. CORRECTED ON SITE. Staff person 9 (start date 8/27/21) did not have a Child Abuse or FBI clearance on file at time of hire. Child Abuse Clearance was dated 10/5/21. FBI clearance was dated 10/7/21. No provisional paperwork was on file. Completed clearances or provisional paperwork must be on file before their…
On 11/4/21 it was observed that documentation of Emergency Plan training at time of hire was not on file for staff persons 6 and 14. CORRECTED ON SITE.
On 11/4/21, it was observed that the ceiling vents in the Kindergarten and 3's classrooms had visible layers of dust. The ceiling tiles in the 2's and 3's classrooms had visible water spots and were in need of replacements.
On 11/4/21, it was observed that the orange foam ramp in the young ones classroom was torn with exposed stuffing. CORRECTED ON SITE. The wooden table in the PreK classroom was observed to have peeling paint on the top surface.
On 11/4/21 it was observed that staff health assessments were not updated in 24 months. Staff person 8 had a health assessment on file that expired on 12/10/20. A new health assessment was not on file until 3/18/21. Staff person 10 had a health assessment on file that expired on 9/20/21. A new health assessment was not on file until 10/7/21. Staff person 11 had a health assessment on file that expired on 10/2/21. A new health assessment was not on file. Staff person 13 had a health assessment on file that expired on 8/6/21. A new health assessment was not on file until 10/19/21. Staff person 17 had a health assessment on file that expired on 6/4/21. A new health assessment was not on file until 10/13/21.
On 11/4/21, it was observed that staff persons 14 (start date 8/4/21) and Staff person 15 (start date 5/4/21) did not have Health and Safety Training in the first 90 days of employment. STAFF PERSON 15 WAS CORRECTED ON SITE.
On 11/4/21, it was observed that staff person 6 did not have verification of education on file.
On 11/4/21, it was observed that staff persons did not have two written, nonfamily references on file. Staff person 2 had 1 reference on file. A 2nd reference is required. Staff person 3 did not have any references on file. 2 references are required. Staff person 4 had 1 reference on file. A 2nd reference is required. Staff person 5 had 1 reference on file. A 2nd reference is required.
“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) | $61.80 | $41.00 |
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $61.80 | $41.00 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $58.40 | $39.00 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $58.40 | $39.00 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $54.00 | $36.60 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $37.00 | $18.40 |
| Older School-Age (4th gr.-15 yrs.) | $37.00 | $18.40 |
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 Gravel Hill Church Christian Child Care had any serious violations?
Pennsylvania cited 12 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 23, 2026 (supervision): “Child #1 ran upstairs and outside of the building. Child #1 was outside less than 1 minute before running to a teacher who was on the playground.” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Gravel Hill Church Christian Child Care?
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 Gravel Hill Church Christian Child Care’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 3, effective Dec 21, 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 Gravel Hill Church Christian Child Care compare with other daycares in Lebanon County?
It is tied for #16 of 23 centers in Lebanon County by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has more citations per inspection than 77% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Gravel Hill Church Christian Child Care last inspected?
Oct 23, 2025 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does Gravel Hill Church Christian Child Care cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $61.80 for newborn, $61.80 for infant, $58.40 for young toddler, $58.40 for older toddler in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Gravel Hill Church Christian Child Care?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Gravel Hill United Methodist Church.
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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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