Little Ducklings Academy
Little Ducklings Academy is a certified child care center in Philadelphia, PA, with capacity for 15 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 1 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 3 times. The state cited 31 violations, 2 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for records & paperwork (17 of 31). None of them came in the last 12 months. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #1,065 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia and has more citations per inspection than 85% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
During the renewal inspection on 9/4/25 the file reviewed for staff person #2 hired (see code sheet) did not include a DHS FBI clearance.
During the renewal inspection on 9/4/25 the first aid kit observed in the indoor play space did not include soap.
During the renewal inspection on 9/4/25 the health assessment reviewed for staff person #1 did not include a tuberculosis screening.
During the renewal inspection on 9/4/25 the annual fire report provided was expired. Report reviewed was dated 5/6/24.
During the renewal inspection on 9/4/25 the file reviewed for staff person #1 did not include 12 hours of annual childcare training.
During the renewal inspection on 9/4/25 the file reviewed for child #1, child #2, child #4 and child #5 did not include a child service report documenting child's growth and development.
During the renewal inspection on 9/4/25 the fee agreement reviewed for child #2, child #3, child #4 and child #5 did not specify child's date of admission.
During the renewal inspection on 9/4/25 the emergency contact form reviewed for child #3 did not include the address for child's physician.
During the renewal inspection on 9/4/25 the emergency contact form for child #3 did not include the address and telephone number of the release persons designated by the parent.
During the renewal inspection on 9/4/25 the emergency contact form and fee agreement reviewed for child #1, child #2, and child #3 were not reviewed/updated within a 6-month time period.
Show 21 older citations
During the renewal inspection on 9/4/25 the file reviewed for staff person #1 did not include verification of experience or education.
During the renewal inspection on 08/29/24 the file reviewed for staff person #1 (see code sheet) did not include child abuse clearance. Furthermore, staff person #1 was observed working alone with (5) children.
During the renewal inspection on 08/29/24 the file reviewed for child #5 did not include immunization records in accordance with the recommendations of the AICP.
During the renewal inspection on 08/26/24 staff person #1 and staff person #2 did not ensure that child's hands were washed before meal.
During the renewal inspection on 08/29/24 the file reviewed for staff person #1 did not include initial tuberculin skin test, x-rays or other medical documentation necessary to confirm freedom from communicable tuberculosis.
During the renewal inspection on 08/29/24 staff person #1 and staff person #2 were not observed washing their hands before meals.
During the renewal inspection on 08/29/24 the lunch prepared for children at the facility did not include at least one fruit.
During the renewal inspection on 08/29/24 provider was unable to produce documentation confirming that fire drills were conducted every 60days.
During the renewal inspection on 08/29/24 the file reviewed for child #4 did not include an initial health report.
During the renewal inspection on 08/29/24 the facility's emergency plan was not posted.
During the renewal inspection on 08/29/24 the fee agreement reviewed for child #3 was not signed by the operator.
During the renewal inspection on 08/29/24 the fee agreement reviewed for child #3 and child #4 did not specify the amount of the fee to be charged per day or per week.
During the renewal inspection on 08/29/24 the fee agreement reviewed for child #1, child #3 and child #4 did not specify the date on which the fee is to be paid.
During the renewal inspection on 08/29/24 the fee agreement reviewed for child #3 and child #4 did not specify the date of child's admission.
During the renewal inspection on 08/29/24 the emergency contact information reviewed for child #1 did not include the name of child's physician.
During the renewal inspection on 08/29/24 the emergency contact form reviewed for child #1, child #3, child #4 and child #5 did not include health insurance policy number. The emergency contact form reviewed for child #2 did not include health insurance coverage or policy number.
During the renewal inspection on 08/29/24 the emergency contact information reviewed for child #1 did not include address and telephone number for release person(s). The emergency contact information for child #2 did not include address for release person(s). The emergency contact information for child #3 did not include address for release person(s). The emergency contact information reviewed for child #4 did not specify any release person(s). The emergency contact information reviewed for child #5 did not include address for release person(s).
During the renewal inspection on 08/29/24 the provider was unable to produce documentation of annual emergency drill.
During the initial inspection on 05/01/24 provider was unable to test fire detection system and did not provide documentation from fire safety professional that system was tested and operable.
During the initial inspection on 05/01/24 provider did not have a written policy addressing shaken baby syndrome.
During the initial inspection on 05/01/24 the file for staff person #1 did not contain emergency plan training at time of initial hire.
“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.
Daily rates
| Age group | Full time, per day | Part time, per day |
|---|---|---|
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $70.00 | $60.00 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $70.00 | $60.00 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $70.00 | $60.00 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $60.00 | $50.00 |
| Older School-Age (4th gr.-15 yrs.) | $60.00 | $50.00 |
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 Ducklings Academy had any serious violations?
Pennsylvania cited 2 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 4, 2025 (background checks): “During the renewal inspection on 9/4/25 the file reviewed for staff person #2 hired (see code sheet) did not include a DHS FBI clearance.” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Little Ducklings Academy?
Pennsylvania lists no complaint investigation that found a violation at Little Ducklings Academy since 2021. Its search shows these “verified complaints” but not what a complaint alleged, or whether every violation relates to it.
What is Little Ducklings Academy’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 1, effective Nov 27, 2024. 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 Ducklings Academy compare with other daycares in Philadelphia?
It is tied for #1,065 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has more citations per inspection than 85% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Little Ducklings Academy last inspected?
Sep 4, 2025 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does Little Ducklings Academy cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $70.00 for young toddler, $70.00 for older toddler, $70.00 for preschool, $60.00 for young school-age in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Little Ducklings Academy?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Little Ducklings Academy LLC.
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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.