Penn Childrens Center
Penn Childrens Center is a certified child care center in Philadelphia, PA, with capacity for 187 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 4 (accredited) rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 7 times and confirmed violations in 1 complaint investigation. The state cited 22 violations, 2 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for food & feeding (5 of 22). 3 citations came in the last 12 months, including 1 on a core-safety topic. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #486 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia and has fewer citations per inspection than 61% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
On February 3, 2026, a child was accepted into care asleep in a car seat and remained asleep in the car seat for approximately 30 minutes while under staff supervision.
On February 3, 2026, a child was accepted into care asleep in a car seat and remained asleep in the car seat for approximately 30 minutes while under staff supervision.
On February 3, 2026, a child was accepted into care asleep in a car seat and remained asleep in the car seat for approximately 30 minutes while under staff supervision.
At the time of inspection, staff person #1 did not have verification of education prior to service at the facility.
Per the director's admission, a bottle was served to the incorrect child.
Per the director's admission, a bottle was served to the incorrect child.
Self-reported noncompliance was received regarding incident that occurred on 05/29/23. During transition from outdoor play area back into the building staff member #1 accidentally left child #1 on outdoor play area unsupervised.
During the renewal inspection on 06/07/23 the file reviewed for staff #1 and staff #2 did not include documentation of emergency plan training at the time of hire.
During the renewal inspection on 06/07/23 there were missing electrical outlet covers observed in front hallway and in Penguins classroom.
During the renewal inspection on 06/07/23 a section of the outdoor play surface rubber material was in need of repair.
During the renewal inspection on 06/07/23 the health report reviewed for child #12 was not updated within 12-month time period. Health report reviewed was dated 04/20/22.
During the renewal inspection on 06/07/23 the fee agreement reviewed for child #7 and child #10 did not specify fee amount and date on which the fee is to be paid.
During the renewal on 06/07/23 the fee agreement reviewed for child #4, child #7, and child #10 did not specify the date of child's admission.
During the renewal inspection on 06/07/23 the emergency contact form reviewed for child #8, child #9 and child #12 did not include signed parental consent for emergency medical care.
During the renewal inspection on 06/07/23 the emergency contact form reviewed for child #1, child #8, child #9, and child #12 did not include signed parental consent for administering minor first-aid.
On 6/15/2022 observed Secret Garden room locks were defective. The locks on the doors only locks from the inside preventing exiting from the room.
On 6/15/2022 observed Pre-School Olympians bathroom sink located on the left side entrance of the bathroom were defective. The faucet wouldn't shut off, the faucet handle was malfunction and needed to be operated manually under the sink.
On 6/15/2022 observed Infant Room Frisky Fish refrigerator thermometer were defective with the incorrect reading of the temperature. Pre School Olympians room refrigerator were missing a thermometer in the children's refrigerator.
On 6/15/2022 observed child # 8 health assessment was incomplete and not signed by a physician/ CRNP.
On 6/15/2022 observed Preschool Rockets room Child #3 asthma medication was not in its original container.
On 6/15/2022 observed Preschool Rockets room Child # 2 food was not labeled in the refrigerator, also there were food stored in child's #2 backpack that required refrigeration.
On 6/15/2022 observed in infants Ladybug's room Child # 1 bottle located in the refrigerator was not labeled indicating that it belongs to the child.. Pre School Explorer's room child # 4 and 5 water bottles were not labeled to indicate which child it belongs to in classroom refrigerator. Toddler's Penguin's room Child # 6 and 7 water bottles were not labeled to indicate which child it belongs to in classroom refrigerator.
“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 |
|---|---|---|
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $100.00 | — |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $100.00 | — |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $100.00 | — |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $82.40 | — |
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 Penn Childrens Center 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 Feb 6, 2026 (sleep safety): “On February 3, 2026, a child was accepted into care asleep in a car seat and remained asleep in the car seat for approximately 30 minutes while under staff supervision.” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Penn Childrens Center?
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 Penn Childrens Center’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 4 (accredited), effective Aug 28, 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 Penn Childrens Center compare with other daycares in Philadelphia?
It is tied for #486 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 61% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Penn Childrens Center last inspected?
Apr 21, 2026 (renewal). No violations were cited during that visit.
How much does Penn Childrens Center cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $100.00 for infant, $100.00 for young toddler, $100.00 for older toddler, $82.40 for preschool in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Penn Childrens Center?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania.
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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.