Smith-Wade El Elementary School
Smith-Wade El Elementary School is a certified child care center in Lancaster, PA. It holds a Keystone STAR 4 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 5 times. The state cited 6 violations, 2 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for records & paperwork (3 of 6). None of them came in the last 12 months. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #11 of 73 centers in Lancaster and has fewer citations per inspection than 85% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
According to documentation on file at the time of inspection, staff person #1 was hired on 6/8/2024. Upon beginning work at the facility on 6/10/24, her record did not contain complete out-of state clearance (missing an applicable sex offender registry) information required under the CPSL and did not contain a copy of request for the out-of-state sex offender registry required for provisional hiring under the CPSL. (CORRECTED ON SITE)
Staff person 1 was observed supervising children at the pool (counted in the staff-child swimming ratio). At the time of the pool visit, the staff persons had not yet completed water safety training.
The agreements on file for child 1 and child 2 did not specify the amount of the fee to be charged per day or per week.
The emergency contact information on file for child 2 did not include an address for a listed release person.
The facility's current certificate of compliance was not posted in a conspicuous location used by parents.
Facility staff were unable to provide documentation that an emergency drill had been conducted during the previous year.
“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 |
|---|---|---|
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $48.00 | $30.00 |
| Older School-Age (4th gr.-15 yrs.) | $48.00 | $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 Smith-Wade El Elementary School 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 May 22, 2025 (background checks): “According to documentation on file at the time of inspection, staff person #1 was hired on 6/8/2024. Upon beginning work at the facility on 6/10/24, her record did not contain complete out-of state clearance (missing an…” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Smith-Wade El Elementary School?
Pennsylvania lists no complaint investigation that found a violation at Smith-Wade El Elementary School since 2021. Its search shows these “verified complaints” but not what a complaint alleged, or whether every violation relates to it.
What is Smith-Wade El Elementary School’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 4, effective Aug 9, 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 Smith-Wade El Elementary School compare with other daycares in Lancaster?
It is tied for #11 of 73 centers in Lancaster by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 85% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Smith-Wade El Elementary School last inspected?
May 26, 2026 (renewal). No violations were cited during that visit.
How much does Smith-Wade El Elementary School cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $48.00 for young school-age, $48.00 for older school-age in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Smith-Wade El Elementary School?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Lancaster Recreation Commission.
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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.