Nativity Lutheran Early Childhood Education Center
Nativity Lutheran Early Childhood Education Center is a certified child care center in Allentown, PA, with capacity for 161 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 2 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 6 times. The state cited 32 violations, 6 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for building & playground safety (12 of 32). 2 citations came in the last 12 months, including 1 on a core-safety topic. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is #57 of 82 centers in Allentown and has more citations per inspection than 66% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
A renewal inspection was conducted at the facility on 12/8/25, at that time a review of staff files occurred and found that staff person #1's most recent PA Child Abuse History clearance is dated 7/22/20. Also staff person #1 updated their FBI clearance late as evidenced by prior FBI clearance dated 2/20/20 and current FBI clearance dated 3/10/25.
A renewal inspection was conducted at the facility on December 8, 2025. At the time of inspection there was a small area of peeling paint on the wall under the window in the Cubs room.
An outlet was missing a protective cover in the hallway outside the Cubs room.
A can of Lysol was accessible to the children in an unlocked cabinet in the Cubs room.
On the larger outdoor playground there were three black plastic railroad ties that were cracked.
Per the facility's fire drill and detection log, there were more than 30 days between manual tests of the facility's fire detection system June 20, 2024 to July 31, 2024.
Staff person #1 has a volunteer PA Child Abuse History clearance, which is not acceptable for employment. Staff Person #1 has been working in a childcare position at the facility for more than 45 days. See code sheet for date of hire.
There was a can of Glade spray in the bathroom near the Cubs room.
The bathrooms had several small holes in the walls from where old paper towel dispensers were removed. In the Cubs room there were several areas of peeling paint above where the children hang belongings.
Potentially hazardous foods are kept in the children's lunch boxes with ice packs and are not being refrigerated.
Show 22 older citations
Staff #1 did not have NSOR clearance on file, only the receipt. Staff #2 did not have the correct FBI clearance, it was not DHS approved. Staff #3 did not have a FBI clearance at all on file. Staff #3 has not completed the mandated reporter training within 90 days of their date of hire (see LIS code sheet).
It was observed in the Kangaroo room that a child's Avi-q medication did not come in it's original container.
The facility did not have a policy in their emergency plan or family letter addressing accommodations for infants, toddlers, children with disabilities or children with chronic medical conditions.
Fire drill log was reviewed and observed to have the dates of 6/12/23 to 8/17/23. This time frame indicates a fire drill was completed in 66 days.
There was no documentation of fire alarm testing done every 30 days on site.
The facility had documentation of sending their emergency plan to the local municipality but did not have any documentation sending it to the county.
The facility did not have documentation of notifying the local traffic safety authorities of location of facility and use of pedestrian and vehicular routes.
Staff #5 did not have the one hour health and safety update.
Staff person #5 does not have current pediatric first-aid/CPR training. This is evidenced by the previously documented pediatric first-aid/CPR training expiration date of 10/11/21.
It was observed that in room Kittens, Kangaroos, and Busy Bees did not have a transportation plan posted.
Child #1 and #2's emergency contact and financial agreement was not reviewed and updated within 6 months. Child #3's financial agreement had not been reviewed and updated within 6 months. Child #4 emergency contact was not reviewed and updated within 6 months.
Staff #4 did not have proof of bachelors of early education on file.
Staff #3 completed a health assessment on 10/3/23. This date indicates that a health assessment was done late after staff's date of hire (see code sheet). Staff #5 did not complete a 2023 health assessment.
Staff #2 only had one written reference on file.
Staff Person #1 has been working in a child care position at the facility for more than 45 days and does not have a National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR) verification certificate on file at the facility. Staff Person #2 's NSOR was dated 10/20/22, more than 45 days from her start date in a child care position at the facility. See code sheet for dates of hire.
During dismissal of the morning students, Staff Person #3 was standing at the door where several children in her group were leaving for the day, while several other children in her group were around the corner in the bathrooms.
A can of shaving cream was accessible to children in the Kangaroos room.
In the smaller outdoor play space, there was a see saw that had peeling paint.
In the Busy Bees room there was an inhaler for a child that expired September 2022.
Staff person #1 began in a child care position on 8/30/21 and did not have an acceptable PA Child Abuse History clearance until 12/30/21.
An outlet in Fellowship Hall was missing a protective cover.
There was an area of peeling paint on one of the walls in Fellowship Hall.
“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.
Daily rates
| Age group | Full time, per day | Part time, per day |
|---|---|---|
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $41.20 | $31.60 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $44.60 | $32.20 |
| Older School-Age (4th gr.-15 yrs.) | $44.60 | $32.20 |
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 Nativity Lutheran Early Childhood Education Center had any serious violations?
Pennsylvania cited 6 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 Dec 8, 2025 (background checks): “A renewal inspection was conducted at the facility on 12/8/25, at that time a review of staff files occurred and found that staff person #1's most recent PA Child Abuse History clearance is dated 7/22/20. Also staff…” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Nativity Lutheran Early Childhood Education Center?
Pennsylvania lists no complaint investigation that found a violation at Nativity Lutheran Early Childhood Education Center since 2021. Its search shows these “verified complaints” but not what a complaint alleged, or whether every violation relates to it.
What is Nativity Lutheran Early Childhood Education Center’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 2, effective Feb 3, 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 Nativity Lutheran Early Childhood Education Center compare with other daycares in Allentown?
It is #57 of 82 centers in Allentown by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has more citations per inspection than 66% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Nativity Lutheran Early Childhood Education Center last inspected?
Dec 8, 2025 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does Nativity Lutheran Early Childhood Education Center cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $41.20 for preschool, $44.60 for young school-age, $44.60 for older school-age in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Nativity Lutheran Early Childhood Education Center?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is ST Michael Evangelical Lutheran Church O.
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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.