Daycare Record Child care inspection records

Marias Daycare III

244 N Queen St, Lancaster, PA 17603 · Lancaster County
2 complaint investigations found violations Keystone STAR 1

Marias Daycare III is a certified child care center in Lancaster, PA, with capacity for 51 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 1 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 9 times and confirmed violations in 2 complaint investigations. The state cited 24 violations, 2 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for building & playground safety (10 of 24). 8 citations came in the last 12 months. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #22 of 73 centers in Lancaster and has fewer citations per inspection than 69% of Pennsylvania certified centers.

Inspection record

Fewer citations than 69% of 4,789 Pennsylvania certified centers, per inspection, weighted by topic. About typical
Tied for #22 of 73 centers in Lancaster
2 Core-safety citations
22 Other citations
9 Inspections
2 Complaint investigations that found violations
24 citations from 11 state visits since Aug 16, 2021 · 8 in the last 12 months · last inspected Jul 21, 2026

Every state visit

2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 INSPECTIONS (top) · REPORTS & INVESTIGATIONS (bottom) Jul 21, 2026 · Inspection · citation found Oct 31, 2025 · Inspection · citation found Jul 24, 2025 · Inspection · citation found Aug 5, 2024 · Inspection · citation found Oct 17, 2023 · Inspection · citation found Jul 27, 2023 · Report/investigation · citation found Jul 27, 2023 · Inspection · no citation Mar 7, 2023 · Report/investigation · citation found Mar 7, 2023 · Inspection · citation found Jul 15, 2022 · Inspection · citation found May 5, 2022 · Inspection · citation found
Violation found No violation Top row: inspections · bottom row: complaint investigations, self-reported incidents and other visits

What inspectors cited most

Building & playground safety 10
Records & paperwork 5
Training & qualifications 2
Food & feeding 2
Supervision 1
Background checks 1
Health & medication 1
Other standards 1
Emergency preparedness 1

Citations, newest first

Citation Jul 21, 2026 Inspection Building & playground safety
Locked or inaccessible 55 Pa. Code §3270.66(a)
Ointments (marked "keep out of reach of children") were accessible to children in a low, unlocked cabinet in the Pre-KDG room (Corrected on-site).
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Aug 31, 2026): “The ointment was immediately removed from the low, unlocked cabinet and placed in a locked area inaccessible to children. Staff were reminded that all medications and ointments must be inaccessible to children at all the times”
Citation Jul 21, 2026 Inspection Building & playground safety
Inaccessible to children 55 Pa. Code §3270.75(b)
The emergency bag containing a first aid kit, was located on a cubby shelf, accessible to children, in the Older Toddler room (corrected on-site).
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Aug 31, 2026): “The emergency bag containing the first aid kit was immediately removed from the cubby shelf and relocated to a secure area that is inaccessible to children. The correction was completed on-site.”
Citation Jul 21, 2026 Inspection Building & playground safety
Building Surfaces 55 Pa. Code §3270.76
A low cabinet door in the Older Toddler room, was observed to be off the hinges and in poor repair (corrected on-site).
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Aug 31, 2026): “The cabinet door in the Older Toddler room was immediately repaired and secured back onto the hinges. The area was checked to ensure the cabinet was safe and free from any hazards. The correction was completed during the inspection.”
Citation Jul 21, 2026 Inspection Building & playground safety
Small Toys and Objects 55 Pa. Code §3270.103
A low cabinet in the Older Toddler room was found to be unlocked and had a bin of plastic bags and a staff person's purse located inside, accessible to toddlers (corrected on-site).
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Aug 31, 2026): “The plastic bags and staff purse were immediately removed from the low cabinet and placed in designated areas that are inaccessible to children. The cabinet was secured, and the correction was made on-site.”
Citation Jul 21, 2026 Inspection Records & paperwork
Signed /Admission date 55 Pa. Code §3270.123(a)/3270.123(a)(6)
The updated Financial Agreement for Child #1 did not include the child's date of admission or the Operator's signature (corrected on-site).
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Aug 31, 2026): “The Agreement for child number 1 was immediately updated to include the child's date of admission and the operator's signature.”
Citation Jul 21, 2026 Inspection Records & paperwork
Parent home/work address, phone 55 Pa. Code §3270.124(b)(3)
Updated Emergency Contact Forms did not include the enrolling parent's work phone number for the following children: * Child #1 (corrected on-site) * Child #2
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Aug 31, 2026): “The emergency contact forms for the identified children will be updated to include the enrolling parent's work telephone number and any other required work contact information”
Citation Jul 21, 2026 Inspection Records & paperwork
Name/address/phone release person 55 Pa. Code §3270.124(b)(7)
The updated Emergency Contact Form for Child #2 did not include the address of one of the people listed to whom the child may be released.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Aug 31, 2026): “The emergency contact form for child 2 will be updated to include the complete address of the designated individual to whom the child may be released.”
Citation Oct 31, 2025 Inspection Training & qualifications
Employed and present 30 hrs/wk 55 Pa. Code §3270.34(c)
The facility's designated Director, Staff person #1, was not present at the facility during the previous renewal inspection on 7/24/25 or for this monitoring inspection on 10/31/25. Staff Person #2 was present for these inspections and was the primary contact for the follow-up regarding the facility's day-to-day staffing. Staff Person #1 was limiting their work hours and there was no qualified Director on-site a minimum of 30 hours per week.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Jan 9, 2026): “One of the staff members who was qualified to be a Director, was promoted to the position of Director. Their hours will be 8:00 - 5:00 M - F, so there will be a Director on-site at least 30 hours a week or more.”
Citation Jul 24, 2025 Inspection Building & playground safety
Protective Outlet Covers 5 yrs. or less 55 Pa. Code §3270.65
Several accessible electrical outlets were not covered with protective receptacle covers throughout the facility as follows: Preschool 2 Room: 6 outlets did not have covers (corrected on-site). Hallway: 1 outlet did not have a cover (corrected on-site). Preschool 3 Room: 4 outlets did not have covers (corrected on-site).
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Sep 12, 2025): “Protective outlet covers were immediately placed on all covered outlets in the Preschool room 2, room 3, and the hallway during the inspection on 7/24/25. All outlets accessible to children now have protective covers in place.”
Citation Jul 24, 2025 Inspection Building & playground safety
Clean and good repair 55 Pa. Code §3270.102(a)
A wooden, sensory bin lid that was peeling and in poor repair, was observed on the outdoor playground.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Sep 12, 2025): “The wooden sensory lid was immediately removed from the playground area.”
Citation Jul 24, 2025 Inspection Food & feeding
Refrigerator 55 Pa. Code §3270.107
The thermometer in the refrigerator in the Preschool 3 Room, showed a temperature of 50 degrees F. (corrected on-site).
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Sep 12, 2025): “The refrigerator temperature was lowered during the inspection, and when checked at the end of the inspection, the temperature was under 45 degrees F.”
Citation Aug 5, 2024 Inspection Building & playground safety
Protective Outlet Covers 5 yrs. or less 55 Pa. Code §3270.65
There was no outlet cover on an outlet near the microwave in the Preschool Room (corrected on site).
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Sep 3, 2024): “The outlet was covered during the inspection.”
Citation Aug 5, 2024 Inspection Building & playground safety
Original container 55 Pa. Code §3270.66(b)
The spray bottles in all of the classrooms that contained bleach and water for sanitizing, were not labeled with the ratio of bleach to water.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Sep 3, 2024): “The spray bottles containing bleach and water in all classrooms, were labeled with the ratio of bleach to water for sanitizing.”
Citation Aug 5, 2024 Inspection Building & playground safety
Clean and good repair 55 Pa. Code §3270.102(a)
A section of a red, vinyl climber had peeling vinyl (corrected on site).
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Sep 3, 2024): “The red, vinyl climber that was peeling, was removed from the classroom during the inspection.”
Citation Aug 5, 2024 Inspection Food & feeding
Refrigerator 55 Pa. Code §3270.107
The thermometer in the refrigerator in the Young Toddler Room, was not working (corrected on site).
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Sep 3, 2024): “A new thermometer was placed inside the refrigerator in the Young Toddler Room during the inspection.”
Citation Aug 5, 2024 Inspection Records & paperwork
Written plan 55 Pa. Code §3270.111(a)
There was no written plan of daily activities and routines posted in the Older Toddler Room.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Sep 3, 2024): “A written plan of daily activities and routines was posted in the Older Toddler Room.”
Citation Aug 5, 2024 Inspection Records & paperwork
Written emergency plan posted 55 Pa. Code §3270.124(e)
The posted written 911 emergency plan did not identify the means of transporting a child to emergency care, along with the staffing provisions in the event of the emergency. This plan was not posted in all of the childcare spaces/classrooms.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Sep 3, 2024): “The 911 emergency transportation plan, identifying the means of transporting a child to emergency care, along with staffing provisions in the event of the emergency was posted in each childcare space.”
Core safety Oct 17, 2023 Inspection Supervision
Pertinent Laws & Regulations/General Health and Safety 55 Pa. Code §3270.14/3270.21
Staff Person 1 was observed to be caring for children unsupervised. Staff Person 1 had not completed the following pre-service training required prior to caring for children unsupervised: 2022 1-hr Health and Safety Update training.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Dec 4, 2023): “Staff Person 1 will complete the required 2022 1-hr Health and Safety training. Staff Person 1 will not care for children unsupervised until the training is completed and documented in her file.”
Core safety Oct 17, 2023 Inspection Background checks
Comply with CPSL 55 Pa. Code §3270.32(a)
Staff Person 1 was observed working alone with children in the Older Toddler Room during the provisional hire period. The NSOR clearance results were not received and in the file.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Dec 4, 2023): “Staff Person 1 received the NSOR results on 11/7/23 and the results are in her staff file. Staff Person 1 did not work in a childcare position at the facility until it was received.”
Citation Jul 27, 2023 Complaint investigation Health & medication
Mail or deliver written report to regional office within 72 hours 55 Pa. Code §3270.20(b)
The incident report for Child #1 regarding the child's injury requiring emergency medical treatment that occurred at the facility, was not submitted to the regional office within 72 hours. The incident occurred on 6/19/23 and the report was not submitted to the regional office until 6/27/23.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Aug 29, 2023): “An incident report regarding a child's injury requiring emergency medical treatment, will be submitted to the regional office within 72 hours.”
Citation Mar 7, 2023 Complaint investigation Other standards
Requirements specific to school-age programs 55 Pa. Code §3270.241(a)
Child #1 had been attending the preschool classroom during the school day, though the child was confirmed to be of compulsory age to attend school.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, May 9, 2023): “The Director messaged the parent of Child #1 through the ProCare APP and by text message and phone on 3/7/23 to inform the parent that the child may not continue enrollment to attend the preschool program during the school day, since the child is of compulsory school age and therefore, required to…”
Citation Mar 7, 2023 Inspection Training & qualifications
Health and Safety Training 55 Pa. Code §3270.31(f)
Staff Person #1 does not have documentation of current Pediatric First Aid/CPR training evidenced by an expiration date of 2/2023.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, May 10, 2023): “Staff Person #1 completed pediatric first aid/cpr on 4/28/23. The card will be sent to the certification rep.”
Citation Jul 15, 2022 Inspection Building & playground safety
Building Surfaces 55 Pa. Code §3270.76
In the Older Preschool classroom, 2 sagging, stained ceiling tiles were observed during the inspection.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Aug 9, 2022): “The 2 stained ceiling tiles were replaced with new ones and a photo was sent to the certification representative.”
Citation May 5, 2022 Inspection Emergency preparedness
Emergency plan 55 Pa. Code §3270.27(a)(6)
The facility did not have documentation of an emergency drill completed in the past year.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, May 23, 2022): “An Emergency Drill will be conducted and documented annually and will be on file at the facility.”

“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

Violation found Jul 27, 2023 Complaint investigation
1 violation cited, listed under Citations.
Violation found Mar 7, 2023 Complaint investigation
1 violation cited, listed under Citations.

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.) $70.00 $55.00
Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) $60.00 $50.00
Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) $55.00 $45.00
Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) $50.00 $40.00
Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) $45.00 $35.00
Older School-Age (4th gr.-15 yrs.) $45.00 $35.00

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

Capacity 51 children
Certificate status Regular
Certificate valid through Oct 8, 2027
Keystone STARS STAR 1
since Oct 16, 2019 · what STARS means
Operator Maria Arauz
Hours Monday–Friday 6:00 AM–6:00 PM How Pennsylvania centers’ hours compare
Phone (717) 669-7072
State certificate # CER-00261027
Parent reviews Google Maps reviews
Not checked by Daycare Record

Common questions

Has Marias Daycare III 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 Oct 17, 2023 (supervision): “Staff Person 1 was observed to be caring for children unsupervised. Staff Person 1 had not completed the following pre-service training required prior to caring for children unsupervised: 2022 1-hr Health and Safety…” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.

Have there been complaints about Marias Daycare III?

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 Marias Daycare III’s Keystone STARS rating?

STAR 1, effective Oct 16, 2019. 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 Marias Daycare III compare with other daycares in Lancaster?

It is tied for #22 of 73 centers in Lancaster by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 69% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.

When was Marias Daycare III last inspected?

Jul 21, 2026 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.

How much does Marias Daycare III cost?

It reported full-time daily rates of $70.00 for infant, $60.00 for young toddler, $55.00 for older toddler, $50.00 for preschool in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.

Who runs Marias Daycare III?

The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Maria Arauz.

Certified centers nearby

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.