Smartstart STEM Academy LLC
Smartstart STEM Academy LLC is a certified child care center in Philadelphia, PA, with capacity for 25 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 2 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 4 times. The state cited 18 violations, 2 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for building & playground safety (6 of 18). 3 citations came in the last 12 months. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #717 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia and has more citations per inspection than 55% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
Emergency plan reviewed on 7-17-2026 did not include Continuity of Operations which is a required component according to announcement C-22-04.
Child # 1 had start date 9-12-2025 and did not have initial or subsequent health reports on file.
Child # 1 did not have arrival / departure times listed on the agreement form.
During the unannounced renewal inspection on 08/05/2025, staff person two did not have current FBI clearance, and staff person four did not have current NSOR clearance on file.
During the unannounced renewal inspection on 08/05/2025, it was observed that an infant was placed idly in a high chair for an extended period of time without being fed or engaging in any creative activity.
During the unannounced renewal inspection on 08/05/2025, staff person's two, three and four did not have emergency plan training on file.
During the unannounced renewal inspection on 08/05/2025, the sink located in the back classroom and inside both bathrooms measured at approximately 113 degrees Fahrenheit.
During the unannounced renewal inspection on 08/05/2025, it was observed that the ceiling tile next to light in the back room appears stained due to possible leak. Carpet located in the front room has corners that are lifted and poses as a tripping hazard.
During the unannounced renewal inspection on 08/05/2025, it was observed that the gray storage closet which has two crates stored on top; located in the back room, was not securely fastened to the wall and poses as a potential crush point for small children.
During the unannounced renewal inspection on 08/05/2025, child number six who has start date of 04/29/2024 did not have record of immunizations or exemption letter on file.
During the unannounced renewal inspection on 08/05/2025, staff person number one did not have record of TB testing at initial onset of employment. TB test on file had date 10/04/2023.
During the unannounced renewal inspection on 08/05/2025, child number one, two, three, four and five did not have an initial health assessment on file.
During the unannounced renewal inspection on 08/05/2025, staff persons one and two did not have fire safety training on file.
During the unannounced renewal inspection on 08/05/2025, staff person one did not have two written nonfamily references on file.
During the unannounced renewal inspection on 08/05/2025, staff persons one and two did not have 12 clock hours of child care training on file.
The First Aid kit did not contain a bottle of water.
Red and yellow Cozy Coupe car located in outdoor play space appeared to have broken and sharp corners on front side.
The library shelf (front side of the room) and diaper storage (towards back side of the room) were not securely fastened to the wall, posing a safety hazard.
“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.) | $70.00 | $57.00 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $65.00 | $55.00 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $60.00 | $50.00 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $55.00 | $45.00 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $50.00 | $40.00 |
| Older School-Age (4th gr.-15 yrs.) | $50.00 | $40.00 |
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 Smartstart STEM Academy LLC 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 Aug 5, 2025 (background checks): “During the unannounced renewal inspection on 08/05/2025, staff person two did not have current FBI clearance, and staff person four did not have current NSOR clearance on file.” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Smartstart STEM Academy LLC?
Pennsylvania lists no complaint investigation that found a violation at Smartstart STEM Academy LLC since 2021. Its search shows these “verified complaints” but not what a complaint alleged, or whether every violation relates to it.
What is Smartstart STEM Academy LLC’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 2, effective May 29, 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 Smartstart STEM Academy LLC compare with other daycares in Philadelphia?
It is tied for #717 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has more citations per inspection than 55% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Smartstart STEM Academy LLC last inspected?
Jul 30, 2026 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does Smartstart STEM Academy LLC cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $70.00 for infant, $65.00 for young toddler, $60.00 for older toddler, $55.00 for preschool in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Smartstart STEM Academy LLC?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is SmartStart STEM Academy 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.