Little Wise Owls
Little Wise Owls is a certified child care center in Philadelphia, PA, with capacity for 44 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 4 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 9 times and confirmed violations in 1 complaint investigation. The state cited 30 violations, 10 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for health & medication (9 of 30). 9 citations came in the last 12 months, including 2 on a core-safety topic. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #598 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia and has fewer citations per inspection than 52% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
Observed 9/21/2026 in School age/ Preschool classroom Staff #1 was responsible for 9 children in their childcare space, staff # 1 identified 8 children, leaving 1 child unassigned.
Observed 9/21/2026 Staff #3 and 4 had child # 1 and 2 restraints to chairs during non-feeding times.
Observed 9/21/2026 in School Age/Preschool classroom the first aid kit did not contain tape, tweezers and soap inside their first aid kit.
Observed 9/21/2026 in the Young Toddlers classroom the wall near the door to enter and exit the room there was open holes in the wall where children could access and was not in good repair and free from visible hazards.
Observed 9/21/2026 child #3 was missing an updated health report on file, the current health report on file dated 7/22/2025.
Observed 9/21/2026 Staff # 1 and 2 did not ensure that children's hands were washed prior to children eating lunch. Also, observed staff #3 completed a diaper change and after completing the diaper change staff #3 did not handwash child's hands after being diapered.
Observed 9/21/2026 staff #1 physical did not contain a date of when the physical was conducted.
Observed 9/21/2026 child #4 file did not contain an initial health report in their file.
Observed 9/21/2026 child # 3,4, and 5 file was missing the addresses of the individuals designated by the parent to whom the child may be released to on the emergency contact form.
Observed 9/22/2025 Staff #1 did not contain completed DHS required FBI and PA State Criminal Police clearance on file. The requirement to have the completed DHS required clearances on file was not met.
Show 20 older citations
Observed 9/22/2025 in bathroom 2 the heaters and hot water pipes do not have a protect covering that prevent direct contact from children placing their hands or other items on or around the heaters.
Observed 9/22/2025 in classroom #2 soap was missing in their first aid kit.
Observed 9/22/2025 child #2 were missing an updated health report on file, the current health report on file was dated 9/5/2024.
Observed 9/22/2025 child #1 were missing an updated health report on file, the current health report on file was dated 7/3/2024.
Observed 9/18/2024. Staff #1 file did not contain completed DHS required Child Abuse on file. The requirement to have the completed DHS required clearances on file was not met.
Observed 9/18/2024 child #2 was missing an updated health report on file, the current health report on file dated 7/12/2023.
Observed 9/18/2024 Staff #1 was completing a diaper change and after completing the diaper change staff #1 did not handwash child #1 hands after being diapered.
Observed 9/18/2024 staff #2 file did not contain verification of acceptable education or transcript and/or diploma or a letter signed by a representative of the experiential, educational or training entity.
Observed 7/29/2024. Staff #1,2 and 5 files did not contain completed DHS required Child Abuse and FBI on file. Staff #1,5 and 3 files did not contain the required NSOR clearance on file. The requirement to have the completed DHS required clearances on file was not met.
Observed 7/29/2024 staff #1-5 have not been trained on the emergency plan at the time of initial employment.
Observed 7/29/2024 staff #1 and 5 was missing a health assessment in their file.
Observed 7/29/2024 Staff #1 has not completed the following required pre-service Health and Safety training within 90 days of their date of hire. (See LIS Code Sheet).
Observed 7/29/2024 staff # 1,3 and 5 files did not contain verification of acceptable education or a transcript and/or diploma or a letter signed by a representative of the experiential, educational or training entity.
Observed 7/29/2024 Staff # 1 2,, 3 and 5 files did not contain two written, nonfamily references from individuals attesting to the person's suitability to serve as a facility person.
Observed 4/9/2024 Staff #1 had child # 1 and 2 restraints to highchairs during non-feeding times.
Observed 4/9/2024 Staff #1 was observed supervising 11 children alone with the ages of the youngest child 3 years old and oldest child 4 years old exceeding the ratio of 1:10. Staff #2 was observed supervising 8 children alone with the age group of 2-year-olds exceeding the ratio of 1:5.
Observed 10/5/2023 in classroom #1 staff #1 was observed caring for 5 children in their group, with the youngest age 10 month and oldest 1 years old.
Observed on 10/5/2023 Continue non-compliance observed on 9/13/2023 child #1 was observed sleeping in the Highchair without being taking out and placed in appropriate sleep equipment. Child #2 was observed watching television in the highchair.
Observed 9/13/2023 staff # 2 had child # 1 in a pack n play pin during non-naptime while child was awake.
Observed 9/13/2023 Staff #1 was missing 12 hours from their annual 12 hours of childcare training.
“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.
Enforcement actions
Negative sanctions Pennsylvania lists for this center, such as a downgrade to a provisional certificate, refusing to renew or revoking its certificate of compliance, with the status COMPASS shows. “Operation permitted” means the center may keep operating while it appeals; “operation not permitted” means it may not.
Daily rates
| Age group | Full time, per day | Part time, per day |
|---|---|---|
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $90.00 | $75.00 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $80.00 | $70.00 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $75.00 | $65.00 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $70.00 | $60.00 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $60.00 | $60.00 |
| Older School-Age (4th gr.-15 yrs.) | $60.00 | $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 Wise Owls had any serious violations?
Pennsylvania cited 10 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 21, 2026 (supervision): “Observed 9/21/2026 in School age/ Preschool classroom Staff #1 was responsible for 9 children in their childcare space, staff # 1 identified 8 children, leaving 1 child unassigned.” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Little Wise Owls?
Pennsylvania lists 1 complaint investigation 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 Wise Owls’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 4, effective Mar 20, 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 Wise Owls compare with other daycares in Philadelphia?
It is tied for #598 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 52% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Little Wise Owls last inspected?
Sep 21, 2026 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does Little Wise Owls cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $90.00 for infant, $80.00 for young toddler, $75.00 for older toddler, $70.00 for preschool in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Little Wise Owls?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Little Wise Owls 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.