Mechanicsburg Learning Center Northern
Mechanicsburg Learning Center Northern is a certified child care center in Dillsburg, PA. It holds a Keystone STAR 3 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 7 times. The state cited 11 violations, 1 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for emergency preparedness (5 of 11). None of them came in the last 12 months. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is #1 of 8 centers in Dillsburg and has fewer citations per inspection than 81% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
While conducting an unannounced monitoring visit, it was observed that the emergency plan was not posted in a conspicuous location and was located in a binder on the stage. This was corrected during the inspection.
Documentation of the health assessment on file for staff member 1 was updated more than 24 months of the original health assessment date. The original health assessment was conducted on 3/03/22 and was updated on 4/2/25.
While conducting an unannounced monitoring visit, it was observed that the facility's current certificate of compliance was not posted in a conspicuous location used by the parents and was located in a binder on the stage. This was corrected during the inspection.
Documentation of an annual emergency drill was not on file. The last annual emergency drill was completed on 8/30/23.
During the time of inspection, it was observed that the child files were kept in a binder on the stage. The child files were moved to the bookbag during the inspection.
Staff member 1 has not completed the following pre-service training: Pediatric first aid/CPR from a PQAS approved training and a PQAS approved curriculum.
Documentation on file for staff member 1 did not include an updated child abuse clearance and FBI clearance within the 60-month timeframe. The child abuse clearance on file is dated 9/17/18 and the FBI clearance is dated 8/16/18. The mandated reporter training on file for staff member 1 was updated after the 60 month timeframe. The mandated reporter training expired on 8/21/23 and was updated on 9/7/23.
Documentation of the emergency plan on file didn't include the continuity of operations plan.
The health assessment on file for staff member 2 was conducted on 9/15/21. An updated health assessment is not on file for staff member 2.
Documentation of the emergency plan and the parent letter on file didn't include accommodations for infant, toddler, children with disabilities, and children with chronic medical conditions
The emergency drill on file at the before/after school program was conducted on 6/1/22 and there was no documentation of a completed emergency drill since that date.
“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.
About this center
Common questions
Has Mechanicsburg Learning Center Northern had any serious violations?
Pennsylvania cited 1 violation 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 1, 2023 (background checks): “Documentation on file for staff member 1 did not include an updated child abuse clearance and FBI clearance within the 60-month timeframe. The child abuse clearance on file is dated 9/17/18 and the FBI clearance is…” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Mechanicsburg Learning Center Northern?
Pennsylvania lists no complaint investigation that found a violation at Mechanicsburg Learning Center Northern since 2021. Its search shows these “verified complaints” but not what a complaint alleged, or whether every violation relates to it.
What is Mechanicsburg Learning Center Northern’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 3, effective Sep 10, 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 Mechanicsburg Learning Center Northern compare with other daycares in Dillsburg?
It is #1 of 8 centers in Dillsburg by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 81% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Mechanicsburg Learning Center Northern last inspected?
Sep 1, 2025 (renewal). No violations were cited during that visit.
Who runs Mechanicsburg Learning Center Northern?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Mechanicsburg Learning Center.
Certified centers nearby
202 S Chestnut St, Dillsburg · 0.9 mi away Fewer citations than most Kindercademy Early Learning Center
101 N Baltimore St, Dillsburg · 1.2 mi away · 113 spots About typical South Mountain Elementary
711 S Mountain Rd, Dillsburg · 1.6 mi away About typical Little Dreams Dillsburg
119 Ore Bank Rd, Dillsburg · 2.2 mi away · 71 spots More citations than most Heavenly Hands Early Learning Center
450 Chestnut Grove Rd, Dillsburg · 2.4 mi away · 80 spots More citations than most Little Dreams Dillsburg
1185 Gettysburg Pike, Dillsburg · 3.2 mi away · 60 spots About typical
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.