Refuge Childcare Academy
Refuge Childcare Academy is a certified child care center in Bristol, PA, with capacity for 39 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 4 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 6 times and confirmed violations in 1 complaint investigation. The state cited 17 violations, 3 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for building & playground safety (6 of 17). 7 citations came in the last 12 months, including 1 on a core-safety topic. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is #3 of 9 centers in Bristol and has fewer citations per inspection than 64% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
File was reviewed for volunteer person 1. Volunteer person 1 was missing NSOR, child abuse and FBI clearances (FBI receipt on file) Volunteer person 1 was missing mandated reporter training.
Volunteer person 1 was missing emergency plan training.
The water temperature in the girls bathroom was 113° F. (first sink)
File for volunteer person 1 was reviewed. Volunteer person 1 was missing physical and TB
Volunteer person 1 was missing fire safety training.
Fee agreement for child 1 was expired (1-8-24). Child 2 and 3 were missing fee agreements.
Volunteer person 1 was missing two written, nonfamily references.
File records for Child #1 and Child #2 did not include an agreement signed by the operator and the parent.
File record for Child #2 did not include the addresses of the individuals designated by the parent to whom the child may be released.
Certification Representative observed chipped pait in the rear of the Preschool class area and under the kitchen window
Certification Representative observed outdoor equipment with rough edge and exposed bolts
During the renewal inspection on 1/27/2023 the PA Child Abuse Clearnce and FBI clearance for staff person #1 were over 5 years old.
During the renewal inspection on 1/27/2023 child #1 did not have a current health assessment on file at the facility.
An unannounced inspection on 1/6/2022 confirmed that a on 11/7/2022 staff person #1 left a group of preschool aged children out of direct view momentarily to answer the door to allow another student into the facility.
During the renewal inspection on 3/10/22 the outdoor playground fence had areas along the bottom where the fence was damaged leaving sharp metal pieces exposed. The outdoor toy storage box/unit has areas of disrepair.
During the renewal inspection on 3/10/2022 the protective caps were missing from the bolts where the toilets are mounted to the floor.
During the renewal inspection on 3/10/22 the operator did not have proof of purchase of the fire detection system as required.
“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) | $72.00 | $58.80 |
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $72.00 | $58.80 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $69.40 | $54.80 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $66.80 | $52.00 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $62.80 | $47.60 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $61.00 | $58.80 |
| Older School-Age (4th gr.-15 yrs.) | $61.00 | $58.80 |
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 Refuge Childcare Academy had any serious violations?
Pennsylvania cited 3 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 Jan 23, 2026 (background checks): “File was reviewed for volunteer person 1. Volunteer person 1 was missing NSOR, child abuse and FBI clearances (FBI receipt on file) Volunteer person 1 was missing mandated reporter training.” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Refuge Childcare Academy?
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 Refuge Childcare Academy’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 4, effective Nov 19, 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 Refuge Childcare Academy compare with other daycares in Bristol?
It is #3 of 9 centers in Bristol by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 64% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Refuge Childcare Academy last inspected?
Jan 23, 2026 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does Refuge Childcare Academy cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $72.00 for newborn, $72.00 for infant, $69.40 for young toddler, $66.80 for older toddler in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Refuge Childcare Academy?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Refuge for the perishing holy temple.
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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.