Helping Hands Learning Center
Helping Hands Learning Center is a certified child care center in Dalton, PA, with capacity for 46 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 4 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it twice and confirmed violations in 1 complaint investigation. The state cited 5 violations, none of them core-safety, most often for health & medication (3 of 5). All 5 came in the last 12 months. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is #35 of 68 centers in Lackawanna County and has fewer citations per inspection than 70% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
During a complaint investigation on 3/26/26, operator admitted to certification rep that the parent of child # 1 was not provided with an incident report for an injury that occurred on 1/21/26. Operator provided the parent with a written incident report on 1/22/26. During the investigation, operator was unable to provide a copy to the certification rep.
The health form on file for child # 1 (see code sheet for DOB) is dated 12/27/24, and therefore, no longer valid.
During a renewal inspection on 1/7/26, certification rep observed an unlidded trash can used for soiled diapers in the infant room.
During a renewal inspection on 1/7/26, certification rep observed the health assessment for staff # 1 to be invalid as it was dated 12/29/23.
During a renewal inspection on 1/7/26, certification rep observed several unlabeled bottles in the refrigerator and on the counter.
“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) | $50.00 | $30.00 |
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $50.00 | $30.00 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $49.00 | $29.00 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $48.00 | $28.00 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $47.00 | $27.00 |
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 Helping Hands Learning Center had any serious violations?
No citations on supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep since 2021. It has 5 other citations, listed above.
Have there been complaints about Helping Hands Learning Center?
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 Helping Hands Learning Center’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 4, effective Feb 3, 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 Helping Hands Learning Center compare with other daycares in Lackawanna County?
It is #35 of 68 centers in Lackawanna County by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 70% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Helping Hands Learning Center last inspected?
Jan 7, 2026 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does Helping Hands Learning Center cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $50.00 for newborn, $50.00 for infant, $49.00 for young toddler, $48.00 for older toddler in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Helping Hands Learning Center?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Kathleen Bunnell.
Certified centers nearby
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102 N Abington Rd, Clarks Green · 3.4 mi away · 102 spots More citations than most Trinity Lutheran Preschool
205 W Grove St, Clarks Summit · 3.6 mi away · 34 spots More citations than most Abington Kids Creative Learning Center INC
700 S State St, Clarks Summit · 3.7 mi away · 86 spots More citations than most
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.