Lifesteps Armstrong PKC
Lifesteps Armstrong PKC is a certified child care center in Kittanning, PA, with capacity for 25 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 4 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 5 times. The state cited 17 violations, 1 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for records & paperwork (5 of 17). 4 citations came in the last 12 months, including 1 on a core-safety topic. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is #2 of 14 centers in Armstrong County and has fewer citations per inspection than 61% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
At approximately 930am Staff #1 took 1 child to the bathroom in the hall leaving Staff #2 with 12 preschool age children. At approximately 945am Staff #2 left the main room to go and rinse dishes in another room leaving Staff #1 with 13 preschool age children.
Child #1's initial health assessment is dated 11/19/25 which is more than 60 days after enrollment(See LIS Code Sheet).
Child #1's file did not contain the address of the child's physician or source of medical care. Child #3's file did not contain the building # and street name of the address of the child's physician or source of medical care.
The most recent 6-month review signature for the emergency contact form on file for Child #2 is dated 5/20/25 which is more than 6 months ago.
The letter provided to the parent of each enrolled child explaining the emergency procedures did not contain the method to contact parents when an emergency arises, the method to inform parents an emergency has ended and instructions for how to safely be reunited with their children, and accommodations for infants, toddlers, children with disabilities, and children with chronic medical conditions.
On the shelf with fine motor toys was a philodendron plant which are toxic to children.
The immunization record on file for Child #1, a preschool age child(See LIS Code Sheet), includes 0 of 2 Hepatitis A vaccines recommended by the ACIP for a child this age.
Child #2 health assessment dated 12/3/24 did not contain a statement that the child is able to participate in child care and appears to be free from contagious or communicable disease.
A menu was not posted in the facility.
The fire alarm testing log contained the following dates 3/14/24-4/29/24 and 10/11/24-11/18/24 which are more than 30 days apart.
The financial agreement for child #3 was not signed by the operator.
A written plan identifying the means of transporting a child to emergency care and staffing provisions in the event of an emergency was not displayed conspicuously in the child care space.
The hot water in the child size sink in the classroom read at 112 degrees.
The file for Staff #1 was lacking the one hour Health and Safety Update Training that was required for all staff.
The file for Child #1 was lacking a signed, completed fee agreement.
The file for Child #1 contained an immunization record that was lacking the annual influenza immunization.
The facility was lacking documentation that the emergency plan was sent to the local municipality and the county emergency management agency.
“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.
About this center
Common questions
Has Lifesteps Armstrong PKC 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 Dec 10, 2025 (staff ratios): “At approximately 930am Staff #1 took 1 child to the bathroom in the hall leaving Staff #2 with 12 preschool age children. At approximately 945am Staff #2 left the main room to go and rinse dishes in another room leaving…” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Lifesteps Armstrong PKC?
Pennsylvania lists no complaint investigation that found a violation at Lifesteps Armstrong PKC since 2021. Its search shows these “verified complaints” but not what a complaint alleged, or whether every violation relates to it.
What is Lifesteps Armstrong PKC’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 4, effective Oct 7, 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 Lifesteps Armstrong PKC compare with other daycares in Armstrong County?
It is #2 of 14 centers in Armstrong County by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 61% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Lifesteps Armstrong PKC last inspected?
Dec 10, 2025 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
Who runs Lifesteps Armstrong PKC?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Lifesteps 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.