Philadelphia Garden Childcare Services
Philadelphia Garden Childcare Services is a certified child care center in Philadelphia, PA, with capacity for 70 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 2 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 6 times and confirmed violations in 1 complaint investigation. The state cited 42 violations, 5 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for records & paperwork (16 of 42). 9 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 #946 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia and has more citations per inspection than 72% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
During the renewal inspection on 8/7/26: 1. Staff person #9 did not have DHS FBI clearance or Child Abuse clearance on file. 2. Staff person #11 did not have Child Abuse, NSOR, FBI or PA State clearances on file.
During the renewal inspection on 8/7/26, the operator did not have the emergency plan posted conspicuously.
During the renewal inspection on 8/7/26, staff person #2,4,5 and 11 did not have current Health Assessments with TB testing on file.
During the renewal inspection on 8/7/26, staff person #8 did not have tuberculosis screening completed with the health assessment.
During the renewal inspection on 8/7/26, the operator did not have a menu posted conspicuously.
During the renewal inspection on 8/7/26, the operator did not have the pick-up and drop-off procedure posted conspicuously.
During the renewal inspection on 8/7/26, staff persons #3,4, and 7 did not have pediatric first aid and pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation certifications on file.
During the renewal inspection on 8/7/26, the operator did not have the certificate of compliance posted conspicuously.
During the renewal inspection on 8/7/26, staff persons #1,3,6, and 10 did not have an annual minimum 12 clock hours of childcare training completed and on file.
During the renewal inspection on 8/28/25, staff person #1 and 2, both aides, were working alone, and unsupervised.
Show 32 older citations
During the renewal inspection on 8/28/25, an awning frame for the business front was in the center of the outside play space.
During the renewal inspection on 8/28/25, in the Preschool Room, there was a bottle of bleach spray that was not locked away and was accessible to the children.
During the renewal inspection on 8/28/25, there was a trash can in the outside play space that contained human excrement that had no lid and was not plastic lined.
During the renewal inspection on 8/28/25: 1. In the Preschool Room there was a Green/Olive faux leather couch that was peeling and was in poor repair. 2. In the outdoor play space, the tarp covering the fence detached and was on the ground in the play space. 3. The green artificial surface on the ground in the outdoor play space is torn and peeling creating a tripping hazard for the children. 4. There was blue commercial construction bin in the outdoor play space.
During the renewal inspection on 8/28/25, the operator did not have the Pick-up and Drop-off procedure posted conspicuously for the parents to view.
During the renewal inspection on 8/28/25, there were no written daily activity sheets posted in each childcare space.
During the renewal inspection on 8/28/25, there was no written Transportation Plan posted in each childcare space.
During the renewal inspection on 8/28/25, child #1 had emergency contact information dated 2/3/25, which was not updated within the required 6-month period.
During the renewal inspection on 7/17/24, staff persons #1 and 2 were not able to effectively identify the specific children or establish assigned groups.
During the renewal inspection on 7/17/24, there was an unused electrical outlet that did not have a protective receptacle cover, between the restroom and the kitchen.
During the renewal inspection on 7/17/24: 1. There were excess wires from the electrical meter near the fence in the outside play area that were accessible to the children. 2. There are 2 metal fixtures, with no barriers, that pose a hazard to the children. 3. The green artificial turf carpet that is torn and peeling in multiple places. 4. The rear door is in poor repair. It has a bad hinge and rotted wood holding the hinges. 5. There was a water hose in the outside play area that was accessible to the children.
During the renewal inspection on 7/17/24, there was excess paint and plaster particles from the back wall in the outside play area.
During a renewal inspection, the Certification Representative reviewed Staff #1 content of records, and discovered Staff #1 did not have a copy of the Child Abuse Registry Clearance.
During the renewal inspection, the Certification Representative reviewed Child #5 content of records, and noticed on the immunizations record, the influenza shot was not completed.
During the renewal inspection, the Certification Representative reviewed Staff #5, and Staff #10 content of records. Staff # 5 and Staff #10 did not provide an adult health assessment, and TB screening results.
During the renew inspection, the Certification Representative asked for the policy of the Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive head trauma, and identification of maltreatment. The facility did not have a policy in placed for Syndrome and Abusive trauma, and identification of maltreatment.
During the renewal inspection, the Certification Representative reviewed Child #3 content of records, and noticed the child's emergency contact form is missing the medical office address and phone number.
During the renewal inspection, the Certification Representative reviewed Child #4 content of records, and noticed the child's emergency contact form was missing the work addresses and telephone of the enrolling parent.
During the renewal inspection, the Certification Representative reviewed Child #4 content of records, and noticed the child's emergency contact form was missing information on child's special needs.
During the renewal inspection, the Certification Representative reviewed Child #4 content of records, and noticed the child's emergency contact form was missing information on the health insurance policy number.
During the renewal inspection, the Certification Representative reviewed Child #1, Child #2, and Child #5 content of records, and noticed the child's emergency contact form was missing information of the address of the individual designated by the parent to whom the child may be released
DURING THE COMPLAINT INSPECTION THE CERTIFICATION REPRESENTATIVE CONDUCTED A FACILITY WALK THROUGH AND IN THE FACILITY FOOTAGE THREE CHILDREN CAN BE SEEN IN AN AREA UNSUPERVISED WITH NO STAFF IN SIGHT.
DURING THE RENEWAL INSPECTION THE CERTIFICATION REPRESENTATIVE REVIEWED THE EMERGENCY PLAN AND THERE WERE NO METHODS TO CONTACT PARENTS BEFORE OR AFTER THE EMERGENCY SITUATION.
DURING THE RENEWAL INSPECTION, CERTIFICATION REPRESENTATIVE REVIEWED 5 CHILDREN'S FILES AND THE FILES FOR CHILD #1, CHILD #3, CHILD #4, AND CHILD #5 DID NOT CONTAIN AN UPDATED HEALTH REPORT.
DURING THE RENEWAL INSPECTION THE CERTIFICATION REPRESENTATIVE REVIEWED THE FIRE SAFETY FILE AND THERE WERE NO PROOF OF PURCHASE. (IMPLEMENTED ON SITE)
DURING THE RENEWAL INSPECTION THE CERTIFICATION REPRESENTATIVE REVIEWED THE EMERGENCY PLAN AND THERE WERE NO LOCK-DOWN PLAN.
DURING THE RENEWAL INSPECTION THE CERTIFICATION REPRESENTATIVE REVIEWED 5 CHILDREN FILES AND THE FILES FOR CHILDREN #1-#3 ARE MISSING THE FEE AMOUNT ON THE AGREEMENT FORMS.
DURING THE RENEWAL INSPECTION THE CERTIFICATION REPRESENTATIVE REVIEWED 5 CHILDREN FILES AND THE FILES FOR CHILDREN ARE MISSING THE FEE AMOUNT ON THE FORMS. CHILD #3, #4, & #5 DID NOT CONTAIN A DATE FOR THE FEE TO BE PAID ON THE AGREEMENT.
DURING THE RENEWAL INSPECTION THE CERTIFICATION REPRESENTATIVE REVIEWED 5 CHILDREN FILES AND THE FILE FOR CHILD #1 & #3 DID NOT CONTAIN A DATE OF ADMISSION ON THE AGREEMENT FORM.
DURING THE RENEWAL INSPECTION THE CERTIFICATION REPRESENTATIVE REVIEWED 5 CHILDREN FILES AND THE FILE FOR CHILD #1, #3, #4, & #5 DID NOT CONTAIN HEALTH INSURANCE POLICY #.
DURING THE RENEWAL INSPECTION THE CERTIFICATION REPRESENTATIVE CONDUCTED A FACILITY WALKTHROUGH AND THERE WERE NO EMERGENCY TRANSPORTATION PLAN POSTED IN ANY OF THE CLASSROOMS. (IMPLEMENTED ON SITE)
DURING THE RENEWAL INSPECTION THE CERTIFICATION REPRESENTATIVE REVIEWED 5 CHILDREN'S FILES AND THE FILES FOR CHILD #1, CHILD #2, CHILD #3, DID NOT CONTAIN AN UPDATED AGREEMENT FORM OR AN UPDATED EMERGENCY FORM. THE FILE FOR CHILD #4 DID NOT CONTAIN AN UPDATED EMERGENCY CONTACT FORM.
“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) | $68.49 | $34.24 |
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $68.49 | $34.24 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $63.49 | $31.74 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $59.54 | $29.77 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $56.73 | $28.36 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $44.00 | $41.36 |
| Older School-Age (4th gr.-15 yrs.) | $44.00 | $41.36 |
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 Philadelphia Garden Childcare Services had any serious violations?
Pennsylvania cited 5 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 Aug 7, 2026 (background checks): “During the renewal inspection on 8/7/26: 1. Staff person #9 did not have DHS FBI clearance or Child Abuse clearance on file. 2. Staff person #11 did not have Child Abuse, NSOR, FBI or PA State clearances on file.” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Philadelphia Garden Childcare Services?
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 Philadelphia Garden Childcare Services’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 2, effective Nov 27, 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 Philadelphia Garden Childcare Services compare with other daycares in Philadelphia?
It is tied for #946 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has more citations per inspection than 72% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Philadelphia Garden Childcare Services last inspected?
Aug 7, 2026 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does Philadelphia Garden Childcare Services cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $68.49 for newborn, $68.49 for infant, $63.49 for young toddler, $59.54 for older toddler in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Philadelphia Garden Childcare Services?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Philadelphia Garden Childcare Services.
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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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