Julia Ward Howe School is a certified child care center in Philadelphia, PA. It holds a Keystone STAR 1 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 3 times. The state cited 9 violations, 1 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for records & paperwork (5 of 9). 7 citations came in the last 12 months. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #337 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia and has fewer citations per inspection than 72% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
On June 2, 2026 during the renewal inspection, the file of Child #2 did not contain a written letter signed and dated by the parent objecting to immunizations for personal beliefs, the health assessment on file stated parent refused immunizations
On June 2, 2026 during the renewal inspection, the file of Child #3 did not contain evidence of an initial health assessment
On June 2, 2026 during the renewal inspection, the emergency contact form did not contain physician information
On June 2, 2026 during the renewal inspection, the emergency contact form of Child #3 and Child #4 did not contain evidence of health insurance information
On June 2, 2026 during the renewal inspection, the emergency contact form of Child #1, Child #2 and Child #3 did not contain evidence of release persons information
On June 2, 2026 during the renewal inspection, the emergency contact form and fee agreement for Child #1, Child #2, Child #3, Child #4 and Child #5 did not contain evidence of being reviewed and updated at least once in a 6 month period.
On June 2, 2026 during the renewal inspection, the emergency contact form of Child #2, Child #3 and Child #4 did not contain evidence of written parental consent for administration of minor first aid and obtaining emergency medical care
On May 29, 2025 during the renewal inspection, the file of Staff #1 did not contain evidence of a NSOR clearance
On May 29, 2025 during the renewal inspection, the file of Staff #2 did not contain evidence of Pediatric First Aid/CPR training.
“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.
Enforcement actions
Negative sanctions Pennsylvania lists for this center, such as a downgrade to a provisional certificate, refusing to renew or revoking its certificate of compliance, with the status COMPASS shows. “Operation permitted” means the center may keep operating while it appeals; “operation not permitted” means it may not.
About this center
Common questions
Has Julia Ward Howe School had any serious violations?
Pennsylvania cited 1 violation 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 May 29, 2025 (background checks): “On May 29, 2025 during the renewal inspection, the file of Staff #1 did not contain evidence of a NSOR clearance” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Julia Ward Howe School?
Pennsylvania lists no complaint investigation that found a violation at Julia Ward Howe School since 2021. Its search shows these “verified complaints” but not what a complaint alleged, or whether every violation relates to it.
What is Julia Ward Howe School’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 1, effective Sep 8, 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 Julia Ward Howe School compare with other daycares in Philadelphia?
It is tied for #337 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 72% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Julia Ward Howe School last inspected?
Jun 2, 2026 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
Who runs Julia Ward Howe School?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Girls INC of Greater Philadelphi & Southern New Je.
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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.