Little 1 S First Start Daycare
Little 1 S First Start Daycare is a certified child care center in Philadelphia, PA, with capacity for 24 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 2 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 6 times and confirmed violations in 2 complaint investigations. The state cited 28 violations, 6 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for building & playground safety (9 of 28). 2 citations came in the last 12 months. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #800 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia and has more citations per inspection than 61% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
During the renewal inspection on 6/2/26 the file reviewed for staff person #1, staff person #2, staff person #3 and staff person #4 did not reflect annual emergency plan training.
During the renewal inspection on 6/2/26 the first aid kit observed in upstairs childcare space did not contain tweezers, scissors and soap.
During the complaint investigation on 9/16/25 upon arrival (3) children were observed sitting in highchairs and were not eating.
During the renewal inspection on 6/17/25 staff person #1 was observed answering the front door leaving staff person #2 out or ratio with (7) children.
During the renewal inspection on 6/17/25 there was a knife observed on 2nd floor in sink and also on 1st floor in childcare space on table accessible to children.
During the renewal inspection on 6/17/25 there was a missing electrical outlet cover observed in the indoor play space.
During the renewal inspection on 6/17/25 there was hand sanitizer observed on desk in childcare space accessible to children.
During the renewal inspection on 6/17/25 there was no first aid kit located in the indoor play space or 2nd floor front childcare space.
During the renewal inspection on 6/17/25 the couch located in 1st floor childcare space was frayed and in need of repair.
During the renewal inspection on 6/17/25 the health assessment reviewed for child #1 was more than 12months old.
Show 18 older citations
During the renewal inspection on 6/17/25 emergency contact from were not present in 1st floor front childcare space.
During the unannounced monitoring on 06/12/24, facility person #1 (hired see code sheet) does not have a completed child abuse clearance. Additionally, facility person #1 was observed in the infant room working alone with (4) children.
During the renewal inspection on 05/28/24 the file reviewed for staff person #4 (hired see code sheet) contained a state police clearance dated 5/14/19 and child abuse clearance dated 05/28/19 which is more than 60 months old. There is no application in the file for an updated PSP clearance or child abuse clearance.
During the renewal inspection on 05/28/24 staff member #1 was observed alone supervising 8 kids: youngest child 2yo requiring staff: child ratio of 1:6.
During the renewal inspection on 05/28/24 there was a missing electrical outlet protective cover observed in the infant room.
During the renewal inspection on 5/28/24 the first aid kit located in the front room did not contain soap or tweezers. The first aid kit located in the back room did not contain tweezers, scissors, or soap.
During the renewal inspection on 05/28/24 the health report reviewed for child #1 was dated for 07/07/22 which is more than 12 months old.
During the renewal inspection on 05/28/24 the file reviewed for staff member #3 did not include physical examination and a report signed by the physician, physician's assistant or CRNP.
During the renewal inspection on 05/28/24 provider was unable to produce documentation of annual emergency drill.
During the renewal inspection on 05/28/24 the first aid/CPR certification reviewed for staff person #2 stated adult and not pediatric.
During the renewal inspection on 05/28/24 the file reviewed for staff member #2 did not contain annual staff evaluation.
During the complaint investigation on 03/07/24. CR observed (2) staff members caring for (11) children. Youngest child was 11 months old requiring 1:4 staff: child ratio.
Handwashing signs posted in the bathrooms did not specify that a facility person and an able child shall wash his hands after toileting and before eating.
Evacuation routes were not posted in a conspicuous location on the second floor of the facility.
The written plan of daily activities was not posted in main floor rear child care space.
Two staff person's records did not contain written verification of initial emergency plan training. (#2 and #3)
One staff person's records did not contain a health assessment completed within 12 months prior to the date of hire. (#3)
The facility director's record did not contain written verification that their bachelor's degree included 30 credit hours in early childhood education, child development, special education, elementary education or the human services field and experience for their group supervisor position. (#1)
“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) | $85.00 | $72.00 |
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $85.00 | $72.00 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $85.00 | $72.00 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $80.00 | $72.00 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $75.00 | $67.00 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $70.00 | $60.00 |
| Older School-Age (4th gr.-15 yrs.) | $70.00 | $60.00 |
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 Little 1 S First Start Daycare 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 Sep 16, 2025 (caregiver conduct): “During the complaint investigation on 9/16/25 upon arrival (3) children were observed sitting in highchairs and were not eating.” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Little 1 S First Start Daycare?
Pennsylvania lists 2 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 Little 1 S First Start Daycare’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 2, effective Nov 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 Little 1 S First Start Daycare compare with other daycares in Philadelphia?
It is tied for #800 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has more citations per inspection than 61% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Little 1 S First Start Daycare last inspected?
Jun 2, 2026 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does Little 1 S First Start Daycare cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $85.00 for newborn, $85.00 for infant, $85.00 for young toddler, $80.00 for older toddler in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Little 1 S First Start Daycare?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Iyesha Whittington.
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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.