Keystone Kids Early Learning Center
Keystone Kids Early Learning Center is a certified child care center in New Freedom, PA, with capacity for 207 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 1 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 9 times and confirmed violations in 4 complaint investigations. The state cited 38 violations, 6 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for building & playground safety (15 of 38). 2 citations came in the last 12 months. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #57 of 105 centers in York County and has more citations per inspection than 54% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
During the time of inspection, it was observed that outlet covers were missing in the power strip in the Nittany Lions classroom. This was corrected during the inspection.
During the time of inspection, it was observed that a bottle of cleaning spray and a bottle of Aveeno lotion were accessible to children in the Nittany Lions classroom. This was corrected during the inspection.
During the time of inspection, it was observed that a plastic container containing blocks was broken with sharp edges in the Great Dane classroom. This was corrected during the inspection.
Information concerning a child was disclosed to another child's parent.
While conducting a complaint investigation, it was observed that there was expired milk in the Steam Engines classroom. The milk was discarded during the investigation.
While conducting a complaint investigation, the Director stated that a child's soiled clothing with fecal matter on them were put into another child's bookbag on two separate occasions.
During the time of inspection, it was observed that the drywall was peeling behind the sink of the Nittany Lions bathroom. The drywall was covered with tape during the inspection.
During the time of inspection, it was observed that the toilet lid was broken on the toilet in the Mountain Laurels bathroom. The broken toilet lid was removed during the inspection.
During the time of inspection, it was observed that there were four broken/cracked lids to the plastic bins containing toys that the children play with in the Fire Flies classroom. The broken/cracked lids were removed during the inspection.
The medication log on file for child 1 did not include special notes related to problems of administration. Special notes were added to the medication log during the inspection.
Show 28 older citations
Documentation of the health assessment on file for staff member 1 did not include the physician's or CRNP's assessment of the person's suitability to provide child care.
Documentation of sending the emergency evacuation plan to the local municipality was not on file.
While conducting a complaint investigation, it was observed that staff member 1 was caring for seven two year olds in the Fire Flies classroom alone. Staff member 2 was caring for twelve pre school children alone in the Lions classroom.
Staff person 1 was observed to be caring for children unsupervised. Staff person 1 has not completed the following pre-service training required prior to caring for children unsupervised: Pediatric First Aid/CPR
During a complaint investigation, it was observed that staff member 2 was not able to identify the children in their primary care group.
While conducting a complaint investigation, it was observed that children were being pushed around in a stroller for approximately twenty minutes without any stimulation or interactions with staff members.
) Documentation on file for staff member 1 noted that she hasn't lived in PA for the last five years and didn't obtain all out of state clearances.
At the time of inspection, it was observed that a bottle of hand sanitizer was accessible to children in the Mountain Laurels bathroom. A cleaning solution was accessible to children in the Great Danes room. Potting soil was on the floor and accessible to children in the Nittany Lions room. Cleaning solutions were accessible to children in the Phillies bathroom. Cleaning solutions were on the floor, under the sink in the kitchen area and accessible to children. All of the items were removed from accessible areas and locked up during the time of inspection.
At the time of inspection, it was observed that there was an unlabeled spray bottle in the Great Dane room. This was corrected during the inspection.
During the time of inspection, it was observed that paint dabbers which said "keep out of reach of children" were accessible to children in the Gray Squirrels room. These dabbers were removed and put out of reach of children during the inspection.
At the time of inspection, it was observed that there was peeling paint in the Gray Squirrels classroom. A piece of tape was placed over the peeling paint during the inspection.
During the time of inspection, it was observed that glass didn't have a visual strip or visual identification in the Buds Room, White Tails Room, Steam Engine Room and Brooke Trouts Room and Fireflies Room. Tape was placed on all glass areas during the inspection.
At the time of inspection, it was observed that the shed located on the playground had a broken door with sharp edges at the bottom. The door was taped closed and the sharp edges were taped during the inspection.
During the time of inspection, it was observed that there was a container of unlabeled Vaseline in a child's cubby accessible to children in the Flyers room and a unlabeled bottle of lotion in a child's cubby accessible to children in the Liberty Bells classroom. Both medications were labeled and put out of reach of children during the inspection.
During the time of inspection, it was observed that there was expired milk in the Phillies refrigerator. The milk was poured out during the inspection.
During the onsite inspection, it was observed that rooms were out of ratio. At 7:00am, the liberty bells had seven older toddlers with one staff member present. At 7:20am, the large space in the back had eight school aged children, three pre-k children, and one young pre-child with one staff member present. A few minutes later more children arrived and then had eight school aged children, four pre-k children and two young pre-k children with one staff member present. At 7:30am, a staff member was supervising six children in a buggy. The youngest child was a young toddler. At 7:50am, the liberty bells classroom had eight older toddler children with one staff member present. At 8:30 am, the infant room had five children with one staff member present. At 8:42 am, the young toddler classroom had six children with one staff member present. At 9:30am, the liberty bells classroom had twenty-one young toddlers with two staff members present.
In the Hershey Buds room (infants), one staff was observed to be providing care for 7 infants.
Staff number 1 stated that she took a video of another staff changing a child's diaper and posted the video to social media. Staff number 1 reported that the child could be seen in the video.
In the Hershey Buds room (infants), 2 cribs were observed with children in them, and the cribs were right next to each other. There was not 2 feet of space between the cribs that were in use.
Staff number 1 disclosed that she shared a video on social media platform "Snapchat" that contained a child having their diaper changed. The video was viewed by other people outside of the daycare setting.
Staff person #5 has acceptable pediatric first aid/CPR training in an approved curriculum; however, the trainer has not provided documentation that they are PQAS-certified in that training topic.
In the bathroom off of the Gray Squirrels classroom, the stall beside the toilet was observed to have a large, abrasive rust spot on the lower corner.
On the outdoor playground, the round TP style swing was observed to have decaying and peeling rubber around the frame of the swing.
In the Mountain Laurels room (1 year old classroom), a sensory table was observed to have beads that were less than one inch in diameter.
In the Hershey Bugs infant room, children were observed napping in cribs that were not spaced 2 feet apart.
The emergency plan on file did not list accommodations provided for infants, toddlers, children with disabilities, and children with chronic medical conditions.
Staff number 7 did not have an approved pediatric CPR/First Aid certificate on file.
Staff person number 1 had CPR training completed on 1/27/22, which is greater than 90 days. Staff number 2 had CPR training completed on 1/27/22, which is greater than 90 days. Staff person number 3 had CPR training completed on 1/27/22, which is greater than 90 days. Staff person number 4 had CPR training completed on 1/27/22, which is greater than 90 days. Staff person number 5 had CPR training completed on 1/27/22, which is greater than 90 days. Staff person number 6 had CPR training completed on 1/27/22, which is greater than 90 days.
“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) | $55.00 | $35.00 |
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $55.00 | $35.00 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $52.00 | $32.00 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $50.00 | $31.00 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $50.00 | $28.00 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $28.00 | $27.00 |
| Older School-Age (4th gr.-15 yrs.) | $28.00 | $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 Keystone Kids Early Learning Center had any serious violations?
Pennsylvania cited 6 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 Nov 20, 2023 (staff ratios): “While conducting a complaint investigation, it was observed that staff member 1 was caring for seven two year olds in the Fire Flies classroom alone. Staff member 2 was caring for twelve pre school children alone in the…” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Keystone Kids Early Learning Center?
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 Keystone Kids Early Learning Center’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 1, effective Aug 1, 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 Keystone Kids Early Learning Center compare with other daycares in York County?
It is tied for #57 of 105 centers in York County by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has more citations per inspection than 54% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Keystone Kids Early Learning Center last inspected?
Sep 3, 2026 (allocated unannounced monitoring). No violations were cited during that visit.
How much does Keystone Kids Early Learning Center cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $55.00 for newborn, $55.00 for infant, $52.00 for young toddler, $50.00 for older toddler in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Keystone Kids Early Learning Center?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Keystone Kids Early Learning Center.
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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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