New Directions Childcare Center
New Directions Childcare Center is a certified child care center in West Chester, PA, with capacity for 137 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 1 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 5 times. The state cited 41 violations, 4 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for building & playground safety (13 of 41). 4 citations came in the last 12 months, including 1 on a core-safety topic. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is #32 of 37 centers in West Chester and has more citations per inspection than 82% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
During the renewal inspection the certification representative viewed the staff files Volunteer # 4 was missing a NSOR in the file.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative viewed the staff and volunteer files staff #1 cannot use the CPR certificate in the file trainer was not PQAS certified. Volunteers #4 and #5 cannot use the CPRs in their file. They also need to retake.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative viewed the staff files, staff #1 fire safety was expired.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative viewed the children's files. child # 1 emergency contact form needs an updated signature.
During the allocated unannounced inspection, the certification representative viewed the staff files staff #1 was missing the disseminated date on the state police criminal clearance.
During the allocated unannounced inspection, the certification representative viewed the staff files staff #2, #3, #4 Pediatric first aid CPR was not taken by a PQAS certified trainer.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative reviewed the staff files, staff #6 was missing the State police clearance the one in the file was missing the date, Volunteer #7 was missing a disclosure and NSOR in the file, Volunteer #8 was missing an FBI clearance, disclosure, and mandating reporting clearance staff #9 was also missing a NSOR and disclosure clearance and staff #10 was missing the FBI clearance as well as a disclosure and NSOR clearance in the file
During the renewal inspection the certification representative reviewed the staff files, staff #6 was missing the State police clearance the one in the file was missing the date, Volunteer #7 was missing a disclosure and NSOR in the file, Volunteer #8 was missing an FBI clearance, disclosure, and mandating reporting clearance Volunteer #9 was also missing a NSOR and disclosure clearance and volunteer #10 was missing the FBI clearance as well as a disclosure and NSOR clearance in the file
During the renewal inspection the certification representative viewed the emergency plan and did not see the plans for continuity of care included in the emergency plan.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative viewed the volunteer files volunteer #7. #8, #9 and #10 were missing the emergency plan training in their files.
Show 31 older citations
During the renewal inspection the certification representative viewed the staff files staff #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 and #6 were missing the emergency plan training in the file.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative conducted a facility walk through and observed the water exceeded over 110 in the infant room.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative requested to view the annual fire detection testing documents and was unable to retrieve a copy of it during the renewal inspection.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative viewed the volunteer files volunteer #7. #8, #9 and #10 were missing the emergency plan training in their files.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative viewed the emergency plan and did not see the plans for continuity of care included in the emergency plan.
POC 12/20/24 During the renewal inspection the certification representative viewed the staff files staff #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 and #6 were missing the emergency plan training in the file.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative conducted a facility walk through and observed the water exceeded over 110 in the infant room.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative requested to view the annual fire detection testing documents and was unable to retrieve a copy of it during the renewal inspection.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative requested to view the shaken baby abusive head trauma and child maltreatment policy and was unable to do so at the time of the renewal inspection.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative viewed the staff file staff #1 was missing fire safety.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative viewed the children's files child #1 is missing a policy # on the emergency contact form.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative viewed the children's files, children #4 and #5 were missing the release person on the emergency contact form.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative viewed the staff files staff #5 was missing two references in the file.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative requested to view the shaken baby abusive head trauma and child maltreatment policy and was unable to do so at the time of the renewal inspection.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative viewed the staff file staff #1 was missing fire safety.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative viewed the children's files child #1 is missing a policy # on the emergency contact form.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative viewed the children's files, children #4 and #5 were missing the release person on the emergency contact form.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative viewed the staff files staff #5 was missing two references in the file.
During the initial inspection the certification representative viewed the emergency plan and did not see the plans for continuity of care included in the plan.
During the initial inspection the certification representative conducted a facility walk through and observed to large bookshelves that were not secured or connected to a wall for support that is tipping hazard.
During the initial inspection the certification representative viewed the emergency plan and did not see a method for facility persons to contact parents as soon as reasonably possible when an emergency situation arises or method for facility persons to inform parents that the emergency has ended and to provide instruction as to how parents can safely be reunited with their children.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative conducted a facility walk through and observed damage to the ceiling tile in the hallway need to be repaired there is evidence that it was leaking. There were also holes in the ceiling tiles in the preschool area. There is also damage to the ceiling tile in the school age room that need to be replaced. There is a visible hole in the preschool area where the high-water pipe has protecter that was damage that will be accessible to children is protected that need to be repaired. The light protector in the bathroom ceiling needs to be replaced. There were also large holes in the wall inside the gym space that need to be repaired. There was a random fixture in the bathroom that could be a hazard for the children if tipped over.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative conducted a facility walk through and observed visible stains on the carpet. The carpet needs to be thoroughly cleaned.
During the initial inspection the certification representative conducted a walkthrough of the outside entry way that will be used for picking up and drop off needing to be clean and free from loose trash.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative conducted a facility walk through and observed peeling paint in both bathrooms on the main level in the childcare space as well as the bathrooms upstairs in the gym area.
During the initial inspection the certification representative conducted a facility walk through and observed a urinal in the boy restroom that was flushing and needs repair.
During the initial inspection the certification representative conducted a facility walk through and observed the stair well exit that will be used by the children had visible objects that needed to be removed
During the initial inspection the certification representative conducted a facility walk through and did not observe any toys or play equipment inside childcare space or for outdoor play.
During the initial inspection the certification representative did not see enough furniture in the infant and young toddler space
During the initial inspection the certification representative did not observe any operable refrigerators in the childcare to store potential hazardous food.
During the renewal inspection the certification representative viewed the emergency plan the plan needs to include the relocation plans and address in the event the emergency requires evacuation.
“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 |
|---|---|---|
| Newborn (Under 6 Weeks) | $79.00 | $79.00 |
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $79.00 | $79.00 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $75.00 | $62.20 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $72.80 | $58.60 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $67.60 | $54.40 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $57.00 | $40.00 |
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 New Directions Childcare Center had any serious violations?
Pennsylvania cited 4 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 Nov 20, 2025 (background checks): “During the renewal inspection the certification representative viewed the staff files Volunteer # 4 was missing a NSOR in the file.” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about New Directions Childcare Center?
Pennsylvania lists no complaint investigation that found a violation at New Directions Childcare Center since 2021. Its search shows these “verified complaints” but not what a complaint alleged, or whether every violation relates to it.
What is New Directions Childcare Center’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 1, effective Jan 24, 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 New Directions Childcare Center compare with other daycares in West Chester?
It is #32 of 37 centers in West Chester by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has more citations per inspection than 82% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was New Directions Childcare Center last inspected?
Nov 20, 2025 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does New Directions Childcare Center cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $79.00 for newborn, $79.00 for infant, $75.00 for young toddler, $72.80 for older toddler in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs New Directions Childcare Center?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Charles A Melton Arts And Education Center.
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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.
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