Little People Day Care School of Columbia
Little People Day Care School of Columbia is a certified child care center in Columbia, PA, with capacity for 103 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 4 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 9 times and confirmed violations in 6 complaint investigations. The state cited 20 violations, 9 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for building & playground safety (8 of 20). 1 citation came in the last 12 months, including 1 on a core-safety topic. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is #43 of 144 centers in Lancaster County and has fewer citations per inspection than 64% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
Staff person #1 was observed working with children and did not have evidence of their child abuse and NSOR clearances on file. (There was evidence that they had been requested.) Staff person #2 was observed working with children and did not have evidence of required out-of-state clearances on file. (There was evidence that they had been requested.) The file of staff person #3 showed evidence that they began working with children before their NSOR was on file.
A large number of bees were observed entering and exiting the left side of the metal awning above the entrance to the facility.
Dust and a few small dead bugs were observed on windowsills in the Older Toddler and Pre-K 2 classrooms. Corrected on site by wiping down the windowsills. Dirt was observed in the side seam of the changing table pad in the Young Toddler room. Corrected on site by wiping the seam of the pad on all 4 sides.
A rocking chair was positioned in front of the door to the playground in the Blossoming minds classroom, partially blocking the exit. Corrected on site by moving the chair to a different area of the room.
A letter of exemption was not available for Child #1 who is on a modified immunization plan.
A sensory table on the School Age Playground, was observed to have a lid that was peeling. The table had sand that was full of mold, which was accessible to children.
The file for Staff Person #1 contained a TB test result that was dated 7/5/24, which was after the staff person started working at the facility (see code sheet). The TB test was not done and documented within 12 months prior to providing initial service in the childcare center.
Complaint investigation revealed on 7/2/2024, staff person #1 used raid bug spray to saturate ants on a cracker and Child #1 then picked up the cracker from the floor and ate it.
Complaint investigation revealed on 7/2/2024, staff person #1 used raid bug spray to saturate ants on a cracker and Child #1 then picked up the cracker from the floor and ate it. Facility staff did not call Poison Control to obtain information on treatment. Staff stated the child's mouth and lips were washed with lots of water.
Complaint investigation revealed on 7/2/2024, staff person #1 used raid bug spray to saturate ants on a cracker and Child #1 then picked up the cracker from the floor and ate it. A report of the incident was not provided to the child's parent on the day of the incident.
Staff #1 was observed to be on their phone and looking down writing. When a certification representative entered the room staff #1 identified a primary care group of 6 children. Upon the certification representative leaving, staff #1 returned to writing and looking at their phone.
Staff #1 was spending time on their phone while caring for children and not properly supervising children.
Staff #1 did not have an NSOR on file. Application for NSOR was on file but there was no completed clearance. Staff #1 may not work in a childcare position until the clearance is obtained and on file. Staff #2 was observed to need out of state clearances for MAryland. Maryland clearances were not observed to be on file for staff #2. Staff #2 may not work in a childcare position until clearances are obtained.
In the Young Toddler Room, carboard building blocks were observed to be in disrepair. Corrected on site by removing the blocks.
In the school aged room, one of the stools was observed to have loose screws in the leg, causing the stool to wobble and be unsafe for children to sit on.
In the infant room, a sewage pipe burst, contaminating the floor in the closet. The floor was observed to be covered with plastic bags and was observed to be damp underneath with an odor coming from the closet. Staff confirmed that sewage was tracked through the infant room on the carpet. Carpet was cleaned by the director but was not professionally cleaned. Carpet that was cleaned is a space where infants crawl on the floor.
In the toddler room, 1 staff was observed to be caring for 5 children ranging from an infant to older toddlers.
Staff person #1 and #2 were observed to be working as provisional hires with all necessary documents in place to qualify them as provisional hires. However, staff #1 and staff #2 were observed to be working in the same classroom unsupervised with children.
In video footage of the incident, staff number 1 was observed looking at her phone while caring for children. During this time, a child had climbed on a table and the staff did not see it. Later, the child climbed on the table again and the child fell off, resulting in a fracture to the child's arm.
Child #1 was left unsupervised on the playground for about 5 minutes.
“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) | $62.00 | $54.00 |
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $62.00 | $54.00 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $59.00 | $51.00 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $57.00 | $49.00 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $54.00 | $46.00 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $54.00 | $37.00 |
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 People Day Care School of Columbia had any serious violations?
Pennsylvania cited 9 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 Aug 13, 2026 (background checks): “Staff person #1 was observed working with children and did not have evidence of their child abuse and NSOR clearances on file. (There was evidence that they had been requested.) Staff person #2 was observed working with…” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Little People Day Care School of Columbia?
Pennsylvania lists 6 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 People Day Care School of Columbia’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 4, effective Jan 29, 2026. 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 People Day Care School of Columbia compare with other daycares in Lancaster County?
It is #43 of 144 centers in Lancaster County by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 64% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Little People Day Care School of Columbia last inspected?
Aug 13, 2026 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does Little People Day Care School of Columbia cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $62.00 for newborn, $62.00 for infant, $59.00 for young toddler, $57.00 for older toddler in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Little People Day Care School of Columbia?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Sunrise USA 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.