Hope and Joy Childrens Center INC is a certified child care center in Allentown, PA, with capacity for 43 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 1 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 4 times. The state cited 13 violations, none of them core-safety. 4 citations came in the last 12 months. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #26 of 82 centers in Allentown and has fewer citations per inspection than 63% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
In the men's bathroom, a ceiling tile was hanging down. Also in the men's bathroom, the sink was loose and becoming detached from the wall.
In the infant room, it was observed that the bottle of one child was not labeled with the child's name.
Children 1 and 2 did not have dates of admission on file.
During the renewal inspection, it was observed that staff 1 did not have 12 hours of annual training between December of 2023 and December of 2024. Please see LIS for date of hire.
During an allocated unannounced inspection on 1/16/2025, it was observed that fire alarm testing was completed on 10/7/2024, 11/25/2024 and 12/30/2024. There was more than 30 days between each test.
It was observed that a child's hands were not washed after diapering.
During initial inspection conducted 12/27/2023, there was no immunization records or acceptable exemption in file for child #2. Child #2 is a young toddler (see LIS code sheet for date of birth).
During initial inspection conducted 12/27/2023, health assessments for staff person #2 were dated 9/1/2021 and 12/11/2023.
During initial inspection conducted 12/27/2023, there was no feeding schedule on file for child #1 (see LIS code sheet for date of birth and date of admission).
During initial inspection conducted 12/27/2023, staff persons informed certification representative that bottles are washed at the facility. Facility does not have a commercial dishwasher.
During initial inspection conducted 12/27/2023, facility's fire detection testing log reflected that smoke alarms were tested past 30 days on the following occasions: 8/1/2023-9/1/2023; 10/27/2023-11/28/2023.
During initial inspection conducted 12/27/2023, facility's parent handbook did not include facility's general daily schedule.
During initial inspection conducted 12/27/2023, work addresses and work phone numbers for both mother and father were missing on emergency contact form of child #2.
“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 |
|---|---|---|
| Newborn (Under 6 Weeks) | $56.00 | $46.00 |
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $56.00 | $46.00 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $52.00 | $43.00 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $51.00 | $42.00 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $48.00 | $39.00 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $40.00 | $33.00 |
| Older School-Age (4th gr.-15 yrs.) | $40.00 | $33.00 |
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 Hope and Joy Childrens Center INC had any serious violations?
No citations on supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep since 2021. It has 13 other citations, listed above.
Have there been complaints about Hope and Joy Childrens Center INC?
Pennsylvania lists no complaint investigation that found a violation at Hope and Joy Childrens Center INC since 2021. Its search shows these “verified complaints” but not what a complaint alleged, or whether every violation relates to it.
What is Hope and Joy Childrens Center INC’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 1, effective Jan 12, 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 Hope and Joy Childrens Center INC compare with other daycares in Allentown?
It is tied for #26 of 82 centers in Allentown 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 Hope and Joy Childrens Center INC last inspected?
Oct 16, 2025 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does Hope and Joy Childrens Center INC cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $56.00 for newborn, $56.00 for infant, $52.00 for young toddler, $51.00 for older toddler in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Hope and Joy Childrens Center INC?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Hope And Joy Childrens Center INC.
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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.