Michelles Little Explorers
Michelles Little Explorers is a certified child care center in Pottsville, PA, with capacity for 62 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 4 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 5 times and confirmed violations in 1 complaint investigation. The state cited 11 violations, 1 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep). All 11 came in the last 12 months, including 1 on a core-safety topic. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #10 of 32 centers in Schuylkill County and has fewer citations per inspection than 75% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
During the Renewal Inspection on 8/27/2026, the bathroom in the Preschool 1 classroom had an exposed bolt sticking out on the bottom side of the toilet in the back.
During the Renewal Inspection on 8/27/2026, Child #1 did not have a child service report on file that was completed within the previous 6 months.
During the Renewal Inspection on 8/27/2026, the emergency contact information and financial agreement for Children #1, #2 and #5 had not been reviewed and updated by the parent in previous 6 months.
It was verified through staff interviews that there was an incident at the facility on 5/26/2026 where Staff #1 restricted the movement of Child #1 by holding the child's hands on their lap while the child was sitting in a chair. The child was confined in a chair for at least a few minutes due to Staff #1 holding the child's hands down and not allowing the child to get up from the chair.
On 6/9/2026, Staff #2 had an updated health assessment on file dated 4/21/2026. However, this was after the first day of initial service in a childcare setting as a rehire. Staff #2 had a previous health assessment on file that was dated 5/28/2024, but this more than 12 months prior to their rehire date. See LIS code sheet.
On 6/2/2026, the fire drill/fire detection log showed that the smoke detectors in the facility had not been manually tested since 5/1/2026. On 6/9/2026, the fire drill/fire detection log was up to date.
On 12/4/2025, Staff #1 had a health assessment on file dated 9/6/2024. Staff #2 had a health assessment on file dated 4/30/2024. See LIS code sheet.
On 12/4/2025, Child #1 did not have an initial health report on file. See LIS code sheet.
Staff #1 was hired as an assistant group supervisor (AGS). On 12/4/2025, Staff #1 had verification of more than 15 college credits in the early childhood education field on file but did not have verification of at least 1 year of experience with children on file to be qualified as an assistant group supervisor (AGS). See LIS code sheet.
On 12/4/2025, Staff #1 did not have any written, nonfamily references on file. See LIS code sheet
During an unannounced inspection on 10/29/2025, the fire drill/fire detection log showed that the fire alarm system was manually tested on 10/23/2025. The operator reported that the facility started operating on 9/22/2025.
“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) | $55.14 | $46.60 |
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $55.14 | $46.60 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $50.82 | $44.23 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $48.70 | $42.52 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $44.76 | $37.96 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $38.35 | $29.02 |
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 Michelles Little Explorers 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 Jun 2, 2026 (caregiver conduct): “It was verified through staff interviews that there was an incident at the facility on 5/26/2026 where Staff #1 restricted the movement of Child #1 by holding the child's hands on their lap while the child was sitting…” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Michelles Little Explorers?
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 Michelles Little Explorers’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 4, effective Sep 11, 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 Michelles Little Explorers compare with other daycares in Schuylkill County?
It is tied for #10 of 32 centers in Schuylkill County by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 75% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Michelles Little Explorers last inspected?
Aug 27, 2026 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does Michelles Little Explorers cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $55.14 for newborn, $55.14 for infant, $50.82 for young toddler, $48.70 for older toddler in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Michelles Little Explorers?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Michelles Little Explorers 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.