Great Beginnings Learning Center
Great Beginnings Learning Center is a certified child care center in Pittsburgh, PA, with capacity for 157 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 1 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 7 times. The state cited 18 violations, 3 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for health & medication (5 of 18). 1 citation came in the last 12 months, including 1 on a core-safety topic. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #28 of 251 centers in Pittsburgh and has fewer citations per inspection than 66% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
The two most recent Child Abuse (03.09.2021 and 03.16.2026) and FBI (03.10.2021 and 03.26.2026) clearances for Staff #1 were dated more than 60 months apart. The two most recent FBI (11.19.2020 and 09.18.2026) clearances for Staff #2 were dated more than 60 months apart. (SEE LIS CODE SHEET)
The file(s) for Staff Person(s) #1 had an FBI Clearance dated more than 60 months apart. (SEE LIS CODE SHEET)
In an unlocked, child-height counter, in Room 201, upper left-hand drawer on the counter with the microwave contained a pink screwdriver, a gray screwdriver and a tape dispenser with a metal jagged edge which pose a puncture wound or cutting hazard, respectively.
In Room 201, a blue plastic bin with plastic toys had a broken handle which posed a cutting hazard.
On a shelf, near the windows in the School-Aged Room, was a pair of adult scissors which pose a cutting and/or puncture hazard were accessible to children.
In Room 102, there was peeling paint on the back wall underneath the window.
Observed rest equipment in Room 204 that was not labeled for the use of a specific child.
Room 203 lacked a posted written plan of daily activities.
The Agreement for Child #1 lacked the date of the child's admission.
The file for Staff # 2 contained a Health Assessment that did not include an examination for communicable diseases and the results of the examination.
The file for Staff # 2 contained a Health Assessment that lacked information on medical problems that might threaten the health of the children or prohibit a staff person from providing adequate care to children.
The file for Staff # 2 contained a Health Assessment that lacked the physician's assessment of the person's suitability to provide childcare.
Staff #1 has not completed the following required pre-service training within 90 days of their date of hire (see LIS code sheet): (Pediatric First/Aid).
The last two FBI fingerprinting clearances in the file for staff person #1, employed since 2007, were dated more than 60 months apart and based on conversation with the operator, the individual continued to work with children with an expired clearance.
The health assessment in the file for staff person #2 indicated the individual had a communicable disease in error.
The facility's emergency plan did not provide for accommodations for infants and toddlers.
The facility's emergency plan did not include accommodations for shelter of children during a lock down.
The pediatric first-aid/CPR training in the file for staff person #3 and #4, both employed before 12/19/21, was dated after 6/17/21.
“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.
Daily rates
| Age group | Full time, per day | Part time, per day |
|---|---|---|
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $67.00 | $67.00 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $65.00 | $65.00 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $64.00 | $64.00 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $59.00 | $59.00 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $52.00 | $52.00 |
| Older School-Age (4th gr.-15 yrs.) | $52.00 | $52.00 |
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 Great Beginnings Learning Center 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 Oct 6, 2026 (background checks): “The two most recent Child Abuse (03.09.2021 and 03.16.2026) and FBI (03.10.2021 and 03.26.2026) clearances for Staff #1 were dated more than 60 months apart. The two most recent FBI (11.19.2020 and 09.18.2026)…” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Great Beginnings Learning Center?
Pennsylvania lists no complaint investigation that found a violation at Great Beginnings Learning Center since 2021. Its search shows these “verified complaints” but not what a complaint alleged, or whether every violation relates to it.
What is Great Beginnings Learning Center’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 1, effective May 28, 2019. 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 Great Beginnings Learning Center compare with other daycares in Pittsburgh?
It is tied for #28 of 251 centers in Pittsburgh by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 66% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Great Beginnings Learning Center last inspected?
Oct 6, 2026 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does Great Beginnings Learning Center cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $67.00 for infant, $65.00 for young toddler, $64.00 for older toddler, $59.00 for preschool in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Great Beginnings Learning Center?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Margaret Garvin.
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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.
Concerned about this center? See how to report a daycare: which state line to call, what to write down and what happens next.