Little Darlings Day Care Center of Philadelphia
Little Darlings Day Care Center of Philadelphia is a certified child care center in Philadelphia, PA, with capacity for 171 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 4 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 7 times and confirmed violations in 3 complaint investigations. The state cited 30 violations, 4 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for building & playground safety (13 of 30). 5 citations came in the last 12 months. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #732 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia and has more citations per inspection than 55% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
On 05/29/2026, during the renewal inspection, Febreeze labeled "keep out of reach of children" was left on a shelf near the changing table in reach of children in the Bees/Young Toddler classroom.
On 05/28/26, during the renewal inspection, the trash receptacle in the 2-3 year old classroom did not contain a plastic liner.
On 05/28/26, during the renewal inspection, the first aid kit in the Bees/Young Toddler classroom did not contain tape.
On 05/28/26, during the renewal inspection, peeling paint was observed in the Caterpillars and 4-5 Year Old classroom.
On 05/28/26, during the renewal inspection, a blender with a sharp blade was located in the play kitchen area in the young school age classroom.
On 05/29/25, during the renewal inspection, a blanket was observed in the crib with a sleeping infant. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends to "Keep loose blankets, pillows, stuffed toys, bumpers and other soft items out of the sleep space."
On 05/29/25, during the renewal inspection, the emergency plan provided did not include a method for facility persons to contact parents as soon as reasonably possible when an emergency situation arises. The emergency plan did not include a method for facility persons to inform parents that the emergency has ended.
On 05/29/25, during the renewal inspection, no letter was provided to the parent of each enrolled child explaining the emergency procedures.
On 05/29/25, during the renewal inspection, diaper cream labeled "keep out of reach of children" was kept in the bottom shelf of the changing table, accessible to children.
On 05/29/25, during the renewal inspection, the file of child #2 contained a health assessment dated 03/15/24.
Show 20 older citations
On 05/29/25, during the renewal inspection, the emergency plan did not include accommodations for infants, toddlers, children with disabilities, and children with chronic medical conditions.
On 8-12-2024 during a complaint investigation, it was verified that a former staff person #1 used physical punishment on a child by hitting him across the back with a blue music stick.
On 8-12-2024 during an unannounced visit, the outlets in the hallway were missing protective receptacle covers.
On 8-12-2024 during an unannounced visit, the light switch in the Preschool classroom was dirty. The door and wall leading into the Infant room were dirty.
Observed 5/23/2024 in the young toddler's classroom near the feeding table where children eat there was peeling paint accessible to the children. In the older toddler's bathroom, the toilet had peeling paint and wood making it accessible to children.
Observed 5/23/2024 child #1 were missing an updated health report on file, the current health report on file dated 9/19/2022.
Observed 5/23/2024 Child #2 health assessment was not signed by a physician, physician's assistant or a CRNP. The signature did not include the individual's professional title.
Observed 5/23/2024 Child #3 inhaler medication was not in its original container it was placed in a zipped locked bag without manufacture's or health professional's instructions on the original label.
Observed 5/23/2024 staff #1 file did not contain two written, nonfamily references from individuals attesting to the person's suitability to serve as a facility person.
During the renewal inspection on 06/16/23, the first aid kit in the Young Toddlers room did not contain tweezers.
During the renewal inspection on 06/16/23, Certification Representative observed some areas of peeling paint and damaged plaster in the Young Toddlers Room, Infant Room, and the Older Toddlers Room.
During the renewal inspection on 06/16/23, staff persons #1, #3, #4, and #5 did not have the updated 10-hour Health and Safety Training on file as required.
Durning the renewal inspection on 06/16/23, Staff person #2 and #3 did not have two two written, nonfamily references from individuals attesting to the person's suitability to serve as a facility person.
On 1/27/23, operator admitted that facility was out of ratio in the morning, from 7:30 to 8am, on 1/23, 1/26, & 1/27 because a staff person had called out sick that week. On those 3 days, there were 15-20 preschool children with 1 staff person.
At naptime, two diapers were put on a preschool child. However, the inner wet diaper was not removed and child was sent home with two diapers on, one of them wet.
On 7/13/22, around 11am, a therapist working with another child, observed an unnamed child repeatedly running in and out of the director's office. There were moments when this child was not within sight of the staff person who was supervising the child.
The facility is not allowing therapists to provide services within the classroom due to COVID concerns even when a classroom setting is indicated on the IEP. They are asking therapists to take children to the conference room.
On 8/11/22, during a video inspection, the door to the outside play space was propped open with a chair. There was no screen covering the doorway.
On 8/11/22, during a video inspection, in the Young Toddler room, there was chipped paint on multiple walls and the carpet was torn and frayed in spots.
Staff person #1 does not have a TB test on file.
“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 |
|---|---|---|
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $79.00 | $70.00 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $75.00 | $70.00 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $70.00 | $65.00 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $65.00 | $60.00 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $60.00 | $55.00 |
| Older School-Age (4th gr.-15 yrs.) | $60.00 | $55.00 |
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 Darlings Day Care Center of Philadelphia had any serious violations?
Pennsylvania cited 4 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 May 29, 2025 (sleep safety): “On 05/29/25, during the renewal inspection, a blanket was observed in the crib with a sleeping infant. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends to "Keep loose blankets, pillows, stuffed toys, bumpers and other soft…” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Little Darlings Day Care Center of Philadelphia?
Pennsylvania lists 3 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 Darlings Day Care Center of Philadelphia’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 4, effective Sep 5, 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 Darlings Day Care Center of Philadelphia compare with other daycares in Philadelphia?
It is tied for #732 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has more citations per inspection than 55% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Little Darlings Day Care Center of Philadelphia last inspected?
May 28, 2026 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does Little Darlings Day Care Center of Philadelphia cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $79.00 for infant, $75.00 for young toddler, $70.00 for older toddler, $65.00 for preschool in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Little Darlings Day Care Center of Philadelphia?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Maya Enterprises.
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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.