Smart Choice Childcare Learning Center
Smart Choice Childcare Learning Center is a certified child care center in Darby, PA, with capacity for 23 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 1 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 8 times and confirmed violations in 1 complaint investigation. The state cited 25 violations, 4 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for training & qualifications (10 of 25). None of them came in the last 12 months. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is #10 of 14 centers in Darby and has fewer citations per inspection than 66% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
At the time of inspection, staff persons # 1 and 3 did not have verification of valid health assessments.
At the time of inspection, the health assessment for staff person #2 did not include an examination for communicable diseases or the physician's or CRNP's assessment of the person's suitability to provide child care.
At the time of inspection, health and safety professional development training updates required by OCDEL within the prescribed timeframe were not in compliance for staff members #1,2,3 and 4.
At the time of inspection, the emergency contact information for child #1 did not include the address of the individual designated by the parent to whom the child may be released.
At the time of inspection, the records for staff person # 1 did not include two written, nonfamily references from individuals attesting to the persons' suitability to serve as a staff persons.
At the time of review, the immunization records for children #1,2 and 3 were not in accordance to recommendations of the ACIP.
At the time of review, the facility retained children #1,2 and 3 for more than 60 days following the first day of attendance without updated verification in accordance to recommendations of the ACIP.
AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION STAFF PERSONS # 1,2,3 AND 4 DID NOT HAVE VERIFICATION OF PARTICIPATION IN ANNUAL FIRESAFETY TRAINING.
THE FILE OF STAFF PERSON #3 DOH (SEE LIS CODE SHEET), DID NOT HAVE CURRENT MANDATED REPORT TRAINING AS REQUIRED UNDER THE CPSL.
AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION STAFF PERSONS # 1,2,3 AND 4 DID NOT HAVE AN ANNUAL MINIMUM OF 12 CLOCK HOURS OF CHILD CARE TRAINING.
AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION CERTIFICATION REPRESENTATIVE OBSERVED STAFF PERSON #1 PRESENT IN THE FACILITY ALONE WITH 12 CHILDREN.
AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION CERTIFICATION REPRESENTATIVE OBSERVED STAFF PERSON # 1 WITH FOUR TODDLERS AND 8 PRESCHOOLERS DURING NAP TIME.
AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION THE LEGAL ENTITY DID NOT HAVE VERIFICATION OF GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE.
AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION STAFF PERSONS # 1,2,3 AND 4 DID NOT HAVE VERIFICATION OF PARTICIPATION IN ANNUAL FIRESAFETY TRAINING.
THE FILE OF STAFF PERSON #3 DOH (SEE LIS CODE SHEET), DID NOT HAVE CURRENT MANDATED REPORT TRAINING AS REQUIRED UNDER THE CPSL.
AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION STAFF PERSONS # 1,2,3 AND 4 DID NOT HAVE AN ANNUAL MINIMUM OF 12 CLOCK HOURS OF CHILD CARE TRAINING.
AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION CERTIFICATION REPRESENTATIVE OBSERVED STAFF PERSON #3 PRESENT IN THE FACILITY ALONE WITH 12 CHILDREN. CONTINUOUS NON-COMPLIANCE
AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION CERTIFICATION REPRESENTATIVE OBSERVED STAFF PERSON # 3 WITH FOUR TODDLERS AND 8 PRESCHOOLERS DURING NAP TIME. CONTINUOUS NON-COMPLIANCE
AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION CERTIFICATION REPRESENTATIVE OBSERVED CHILDREN SLEEPING ON REST EQUIPMENT NOT LABELED FOR THE USE OF A SPECIFIC CHILD.
AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION THE DIRECTOR DID NOT HAVE VERIFICATION OF CONDUCTING FIRE DRILLS AT LEAST ONCE EVERY 60 DAYS.
AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION THE FIRE DETECTION SYSYTEM WAS NOT WORKING AND NOT TEST EVERY 30 DAYS AS REQUIRED UNDER ACT 62.
AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION THE LEGAL ENTITY DID NOT HAVE VERIFICATION OF GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE. CONTINUOUS NON-COMPLIANCE
AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION STAFF PERSONS # 1,2,3 AND 4 DID NOT HAVE VERIFICATION OF PARTICIPATION IN ANNUAL FIRESAFETY TRAINING. CONTINUOUS NON-COMPLIANCE
THE FILE OF STAFF PERSON #3 DOH (SEE LIS CODE SHEET), DID NOT HAVE CURRENT MANDATED REPORT TRAINING AS REQUIRED UNDER THE CPSL. CONTINUOUS NON-COMPLIANCE
AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION STAFF PERSONS # 1,2,3 AND 4 DID NOT HAVE AN ANNUAL MINIMUM OF 12 CLOCK HOURS OF CHILD CARE TRAINING. CONTINUOUS NON-COMPLIANCE
“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.) | $73.00 | $60.00 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $65.00 | $58.00 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $57.00 | $48.00 |
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 Smart Choice Childcare 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 Mar 28, 2022 (staff ratios): “AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION CERTIFICATION REPRESENTATIVE OBSERVED STAFF PERSON #1 PRESENT IN THE FACILITY ALONE WITH 12 CHILDREN.” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Smart Choice Childcare Learning Center?
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 Smart Choice Childcare Learning Center’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 1, effective Feb 26, 2021. 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 Smart Choice Childcare Learning Center compare with other daycares in Darby?
It is #10 of 14 centers in Darby 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 Smart Choice Childcare Learning Center last inspected?
Mar 30, 2026 (renewal). No violations were cited during that visit.
How much does Smart Choice Childcare Learning Center cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $73.00 for young toddler, $65.00 for older toddler, $57.00 for preschool in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Smart Choice Childcare Learning Center?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Smart Choice Childcare Learning Center.
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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.