Small World Day Care Center · Lehighton
Small World Day Care Center is a certified child care center in Lehighton, PA, with capacity for 58 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 1 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 6 times. The state cited 16 violations, 2 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for building & playground safety (5 of 16). 2 citations came in the last 12 months, including 1 on a core-safety topic. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is #4 of 8 centers in Lehighton and has fewer citations per inspection than 66% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
During the renewal inspection conducted on 10/24/2025 observed staff person #1 and #2's National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR) are expired. Both NSOR's were dated 10/21/2020. Staff person #1's NSOR was received on 10/28/2025.
During the renewal inspection conducted on 10/24/2025 observed child #1's record did not contain signed parental consent for emergency medical care and administration of minor first-aid procedures by facility staff.
During the allocated unannounced inspection conducted on 5/14/2025 observed staff person #1's pediatric first aid and pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training expired on 11/2/2024.
During the renewal inspection conducted on 10/10/2024 observed the facility's emergency plan did not address continuity of operations.
During the renewal inspection conducted on 10/10/2024 observed the first-aid kit did not contain soap. Corrected on-site 10/10/2024.
During the renewal inspection conducted on 10/10/2024 observed rusty handlebars attached to the toilet.
During the renewal inspection conducted on 10/10/2024 observed staff person #1's health assessment question #2 was answered "yes" in regard to the staff person having a communicable disease.
During the renewal inspection conducted on 10/10/2024 observed child #1's emergency contact information did not include the enrolling parents work address and telephone number.
More than 24 months passed between health assessments for staff person # 1; health assessments in the file are dated 12/28/20 and 3/8/23.
More than 30 days passed between fire alarm tests a few times throughout the year as evidenced by the log dated 12/2/22 to 1/6/23, 3/1/23 to 4/3/23, and 5/2/23 to 6/19/23.
Staff person # 1 and # 2 did not renew their Pediatric First aid and CPR certifications before the expiration date. This is evidenced by their certifications dated 7/19/21 and 9/27/23.
There are two exposed bolts on the gate that separated the mulched play area from the infant/toddler play area.
There is no documentation that child # 1 received the influenza vaccine for the 2021/22 flu season as recommended by the ACIP. The last influenza vaccine is dated 11/18/2020. There is no exemption on file from the child's parent or medical care provider.
File for staff person #1, hired 1/2/03, contained a FBI clearance dated 12/23/19, that cannot be used for the purposes of employment with DHS. The other two DHS approved FBI clearances on file were dated 9/6/15 and 10/13/21. Therefore, staff person #1 did not have a DHS approved FBI clearance on file within the 60 month expiration date between the original clearance dated 9/6/15, and the updated clearance dated 10/13/21.
It was observed in the outdoor play space that the top of the metal green fencing surrounding the play space contained chipped and damaged paint; the white wooden fencing surrounding the AC unit contained peeling paint and the wood on the fence was rough and splintering causing a visible hazard.
It was observed that the facility's emergency plan did not include accommodations for infants or toddlers. The facility does offer care for infants and toddlers were observed in care the day of inspection.
“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.
Daily rates
| Age group | Full time, per day | Part time, per day |
|---|---|---|
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $30.00 | $30.00 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $30.00 | $30.00 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $30.00 | $30.00 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $30.00 | $30.00 |
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 Small World Day Care 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 Oct 24, 2025 (background checks): “During the renewal inspection conducted on 10/24/2025 observed staff person #1 and #2's National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR) are expired. Both NSOR's were dated 10/21/2020. Staff person #1's NSOR was received on…” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Small World Day Care Center?
Pennsylvania lists no complaint investigation that found a violation at Small World Day Care Center since 2021. Its search shows these “verified complaints” but not what a complaint alleged, or whether every violation relates to it.
What is Small World Day Care Center’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 1, effective Jan 21, 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 Small World Day Care Center compare with other daycares in Lehighton?
It is #4 of 8 centers in Lehighton by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 66% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Small World Day Care Center last inspected?
Oct 24, 2025 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does Small World Day Care Center cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $30.00 for infant, $30.00 for young toddler, $30.00 for older toddler, $30.00 for preschool in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Small World Day Care Center?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Jennifer Koch.
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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.