Premier Early Learning Center
Premier Early Learning Center is a certified child care center in Emmaus, PA, with capacity for 126 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 4 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 6 times and confirmed violations in 3 complaint investigations. The state cited 20 violations, 4 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for records & paperwork (5 of 20). 3 citations came in the last 12 months, including 2 on a core-safety topic. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is #3 of 5 centers in Emmaus and has fewer citations per inspection than 58% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
On 7/28/26 child # 1 was left alone inside the classroom for at least 2 minutes. On 8/5/26 Staff # 1, # 2 and # 3 confirmed that Child # 1 was alone in the classroom for at least 2 minutes on 7/28/26.
Files for Staff # 1, # 2 and # 3 were not in compliance with CPSL regulations. File for Staff # 1 contained Child Abuse clearances dated 6/4/17 and 6/9/22. File for Staff # 1 contained FBI clearances dated 6/5/17 and 6/10/22.
Toddler room did not have the emergency transportation plan posted.
Between June 12, 2025, and June 24, 2025, a complaint investigation was conducted at the facility. Upon completion of the investigation, it was confirmed that on June 10, 2025, at approximately 10:25 AM, it was observed that Staff Person #1 lifted Child #1 by the waist, roughly set the child down between her legs and pulled the child's hair. Staff Person #1 was immediately suspended from a childcare position and later terminated from her position at the facility.
One of the school buses was due for its state safety inspection by 12/31/24 and as of 1/2/25 it had not been completed.
Per the facility's fire drill and detection log, the last fire drill was conducted June 3, 2024.
A renewal inspection was conducted 6/8/23-6/9/23. During the inspection, the staff files were reviewed. The file for Staff Person #1 included the request for a PA state police clearance made 10/29/20, but did not include a current PA State Police clearance. A review of the file for Staff Person #2, found that the PA State Police Clearance, FBI Clearance, and PA Child Abuse Clearance had not been updated within 60 months. (PA State Police: 12/12/17, 3/3/23; FBI: 12/6/17, 3/9/23; Child Abuse: 12/27/17, 3/12/23).
A renewal inspection was conducted 6/9/23. During the inspection, water stained ceiling tiles were observed in the kindergarten classroom and in the boys bathroom.
A renewal inspection was conducted 6/9/23. During the inspection, exposed bolts were observed on the preschool playground. A cracked toy box lid, presenting pinch points, was observed on the toddler playground.
A renewal inspection was conducted 6/9/23. During the inspection, the child files were reviewed. The immunization record for Child #1 did not include a letter of exemption or documentation that the flu vaccine had been administered in the past year. The date of the last flu vaccine was 12/17/21.
A renewal inspection was conducted 6/9/23. During the inspection, the diaper changing pad in the infant room was observed to be ripped in two places and therefore was unable to be properly sanitized after use.
A renewal inspection was conducted 6/9/23. During the inspection, the manufacturers' instructions for the four booster seats in the van were not able to be located.
A renewal inspection was conducted 6/9/23 on site. During the inspection, the thirty day testing log of the fire detection system was reviewed. The dates of the testing were 8/9/22, 9/13/22, 10/11/22, 11/15/22, 12/7/22, 1/11/22, 2/9/22, 3/7/22, 4/6/22, 5/8/22, and 6/2/22, showing four times when the testing of the fire detection system had not been conducted in a thirty day period.
A renewal inspection was conducted 6/9/23. During the inspection, the preservice training was reviewed for all staff. Staff person #3 has not completed the approved health and safety training required within 90 days of their date of hire. Staff person #4 has not completed the approved pediatric first aid/cpr training required within 90 days of their date of hire.
Staff #1's health assessment and TB results are dated 6/10/22, they were not on file at time of initial service in a child care setting.
The facility is not completing fire system checks every 30 days. System check was completed on 2/11/22 and another on 3/17/22 this is a span of 34 days. System check was completed on 4/14/22 and another on 5/27/22 this is a span of 43 days.
Child #1 is missing the child's arrival and departure times.
Child #1 is missing the persons designated by a parent to whom the child may be released.
Child #2 is missing the health insurance policy number.
Staff #1's health assessment and TB results are dated 6/10/22, they were not on file at time of initial service in a child care setting.
“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) | $62.00 | $48.00 |
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $62.00 | $48.00 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $60.00 | $47.00 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $58.00 | $46.00 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $55.00 | $43.00 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $42.00 | $33.00 |
| Older School-Age (4th gr.-15 yrs.) | $42.00 | $33.00 |
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 Premier Early Learning 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 Aug 5, 2026 (supervision): “On 7/28/26 child # 1 was left alone inside the classroom for at least 2 minutes. On 8/5/26 Staff # 1, # 2 and # 3 confirmed that Child # 1 was alone in the classroom for at least 2 minutes on 7/28/26.” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Premier Early Learning Center?
Pennsylvania lists 3 complaint investigations 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 Premier Early Learning Center’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 4, effective Jul 11, 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 Premier Early Learning Center compare with other daycares in Emmaus?
It is #3 of 5 centers in Emmaus by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 58% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Premier Early Learning Center last inspected?
Feb 11, 2026 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does Premier Early Learning Center cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $62.00 for newborn, $62.00 for infant, $60.00 for young toddler, $58.00 for older toddler in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Premier Early Learning Center?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Kandkfrey 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.