Primary Stepping Stones
Primary Stepping Stones is a certified child care center in Elkins Park, PA, with capacity for 21 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 2 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 7 times and confirmed violations in 1 complaint investigation. The state cited 18 violations, 4 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for records & paperwork (5 of 18). None of them came in the last 12 months. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is #6 of 8 centers in Elkins Park and has fewer citations per inspection than 69% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
At the time of the renewal inspection, the provider did not have proof of a current fire inspection.
At the time of the complaint inspection, it was found that child #1 was restrained in a highchair during learning and play activities to keep the child from running around or getting injured.
At the time of the renewal inspection, the fire drill log did not include different hypothetical locations.
At the time of the renewal inspection, the emergency contact information in the classrooms were not on the department's emergency contact form and did not include all information requested on the form.
Staff#1 listed as a Staff person (AGS) have a volunteer Child Care Clearance in the file.
On the day of visit the rest equipment was not label.
On the day of visit child#1 and child#3 did not have a current influenza shot in the file.
Child#1 did not complete the updated 6 months for the Emergency Contact and Financial Agreement.
Staff#2 did not have proof of education in the file.
ON THE DAY OF OBSERVING THE FILES STAFF#3 DID NOT HAVE AN CURRENT FBI CLEARANCE IN THE FILE. STAFF#7 DID NOT HAVE THE CORRECT FBI CLEARANCE IN THE FILE.
ON THE DAY OF VISIT THE PORTABLE SINK IN THE TODDLER ROOM WAS FILLED WITH DIRTY WATER.
ON THE DAY OF VISIT THE FIRE EXIT WAS BLOCKED BY TOYS AND A PLAY PEN.
ON THE DAY OF OBSERVING THE FILES STAFF#4 DID NOT HAVE A CURRENT T.B. TEST IN THE FILES.
ON THE DAY OF OBSERVING THE FILES STAFF#1, STAFF#2, STAFF#3, STAFF#4, STAFF#5 STAFF#6 AND STAFF#7 DID NOT HAVE A CURRENT EMEREGENCY PLAN TRAINING IN THE FILES.
ON THE DAY OF VISIT STAFF#1 ONLY HAVE 5.5 HOURS OF ANNUAL CHILD CRE TRAINING IN THE FILE.
ON THE DAY OF OBSERVING THE FILES STAFF#1, AND STAFF#5 DID NOT HAVE 2 NONFAMILY REFERENCE IN THE FILES. STAFF#2 ONLY HAVE 1 NONFAMILY REFERENCE IN THE FILE.
ON THE DAY OF OBSERVING THE FILES STAFF#2 AND STAFF#5 DID NOT HAVE COMPLETED HEALTH AND SAFETY TRAINING WITHIN 90 DAYS.
OBSERVED THE FILES FOR STAFF#1 HIRE 8/5/21 FBI CLEARANCE DATED 11/24/20 IS MISSING THE RAP SHEET. THE STATE POLICE CLEARANCE ONLY HAVE THE REQUEST ONLY IN THE FILE.
“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 |
|---|---|---|
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $67.00 | $49.00 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $67.00 | $49.00 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $62.00 | $44.00 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $62.00 | $44.00 |
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 Primary Stepping Stones 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 Apr 11, 2025 (caregiver conduct): “At the time of the complaint inspection, it was found that child #1 was restrained in a highchair during learning and play activities to keep the child from running around or getting injured.” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Primary Stepping Stones?
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 Primary Stepping Stones’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 2, effective Oct 14, 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 Primary Stepping Stones compare with other daycares in Elkins Park?
It is #6 of 8 centers in Elkins Park by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 69% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Primary Stepping Stones last inspected?
Jul 6, 2026 (renewal). No violations were cited during that visit.
How much does Primary Stepping Stones cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $67.00 for young toddler, $67.00 for older toddler, $62.00 for preschool, $62.00 for young school-age in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Primary Stepping Stones?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Primary Stepping Stones 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.