Sonshine Quality Child Care
Sonshine Quality Child Care is a certified child care center in Pittsburgh, PA, with capacity for 90 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 4 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 6 times. The state cited 48 violations, 2 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for building & playground safety (18 of 48). 10 citations came in the last 12 months. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #120 of 251 centers in Pittsburgh and has more citations per inspection than 80% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
The file for staff #1 lacked a current health report. The previous health report was dated 3/19/24.
The facility emergency plan was not reviewed. The last review is dated 4.30.25.
There was one uncovered electrical outlet accessible to children 5 years of age or younger in the pre-k room. There was one uncovered electrical outlet accessible to children 5 years of age or younger in the YT room.
There was a Moisturizing Lotion, on top of a shelf in the pre-k room label " Keep out of reach of children" accessible to children.
There were a broken toy bread and several foam blocks with deep teeth marks in the pre-k room. The sand box in the middle room had 3 lose screws. There was a cracked white basket, and a baby booster seat without straps in the infant 2 room. There was a garbage can with a broken pedal in the infant 1 room.
There was a small screw about a 1 inch in diameter in the play kitchen set sink in the pre-room. Base on CR observation there are children who place objects in their mount in this room.
Staff #2 kept a soiled diaper on the changing table until the staff was done with the diaper change, instead of discarding it immediately into a plastic-lined, hands-free covered can.
The file for child # 2 a preschooler contained a current initial health report dated 7/11/25, that was provided after the child was in care longer than 60 days.
The file for child #1lacked the arrival and departure times on the agreement form.
The file for staff #1 lacked one written, nonfamily references from individuals attesting to the person's suitability to serve as a facility person.
Show 38 older citations
There was a cracked bin in room 5, the preschool eating room. There was a cracked toy highchair in room #6 the back pre-k room. There was a cracked basket in room #4 the infant room. there was a cracked bin in room # 11 the OT room.
The facility emergency plan lacked an annual emergency drill.
The file for child #2 lacked the date of the child's date of admission on the agreement form.
There was a window without an adapted to limit the opening to 6 or fewer inches in the second-floor bathroom in the preschool room.
The young toddler room by the kitchen lacked a first aid kit.
The bottom of the door in the infant room was rusted and corroded.
There were 4 cracked bins in the preschool room and a puppet stand with a missing screw making the stand wobbly. A cracked clear bin was in the science area in the preschool room. There was a cracked bin in the young toddler room by the kitchen. There was a crawl-and-climb caterpillar toy cracked on the pick section and a marble Gare toy with a broken edge in the playground.
The refrigerator temperature in the eating room was 49 degrees. The refrigerate temperature in the young toddler room was 50 degrees.
The file for child # 1 a young toddler contained a current health report dated 5/1/24 that was obtained after 6 months from the previous report dated 9/5/23.
There was a bottle with milk on top of the counter. The milk was not discarded.
There was a 1/2 gallon of milk on top of the counter in the young toddler room.
The file for staff # 1 Contained a current Pediatric First Aid and Pediatric CPR training dated 10/9/23. The previous certificate is dated 8/10/21.
The file for staff # 2 contained a current fire safety training certificate dated 3/8/24. The training pass one year. The previous certificate was dated 1/24/23.
The Certificate of Compliance posted in a conspicuous location used by parents was dated 8/31/22 to 8/31/23.
The file for staff #1 contained a current Child Abuse clearance dated 4/17/20, that was not renewed within 60 months of the prior Child Abuse clearance dated 4/14/15. The file for staff #2 contained a current FBI clearance dated 5/26/22, that was not renewed within 60 months of the prior FBI clearance dated 5/21/17.
There was an uncovered outlet in the toddler two room accessible to children 5 years of age or younger.
There was chipped wood at the bottom of the wall border in the Pre -K middle room close to the sand box. There was chipped wood at the bottom of wall border in the YT room by the little toy kitchen. There was base board pulling off of the wall in the Pre-k bathroom. There was a wall tile with a chipped corner on the 2nd floor bathroom. There was a metal heater cover, uncrewed in the toddler 2 room accessible to children. The heater wooden frame in the Pre-k room was not secured to the wall, allowing the heater to be accessible to children. The indoor play space window had a metal insert that had exposed, sharp edges, accessible to children. The carpet at the entry door was damaged, fold up from the borders creating a tripping hazard.
There was chipped paint on the yellow wall by the door in the pre-k room. There was chipped paint on the green heater wooden frame.
There were two damaged cubbies with chipped areas and exposed splinters in the lunchroom. The garbage can in the lunchroom had a damaged foot pedal with an exposed metal bar, in the lunchroom and one in the YT room. There was a manipulative toy base with 3 chipped corners in the YT room. There was a cracked plastic paper holder in the toddler two room and one in the Pre - K room. There was a cracked clear bin in the Pre -K. There was a ripped red sofa with exposed foam in the Pre -k back room. The plastic cover around a cube toy was ripped off in the infant room. There was a blue plastic lid with a cracked corner in the infant room. There was a cracked highchair tray in the in the infant room. There was a Lego box lid with a cracked corner in the toddler two room. There was a playhouse with exposed screws in the playground.
The thermometer in the kitchen refrigerator was not operable. The lock on the toddler two room refrigerator was damage exposing a sharp wired accessible to children.
According to the Fire Detection System Test Log, the tests were greater than 30 days apart from 12/9/22 to 1/9/23 and 1/9/23 to 2/9/23.
The file for child # 2 contained a current health report that was obtained after 60 days following the first day of attendance at the facility. The child start date was 9/6/22 and the health report was dated 3/28/23. The file for child # 3 contained a current health report that was obtained after 60 days following the first day of attendance at the facility. The child start date was 8/6/21 and the health report was dated 11/1/21. The file for child # 4 contained a current health report that was obtained after 60 days following the first day of attendance at the facility. The child start date was 10/17/22 and the health report was dated 2/7/23.
The file for child # 2 lacked the telephone number of the child's physician or source of medical care on the emergency contact form.
The file for child # 1 lacked the work addresses and telephone numbers of the enrolling parent on the emergency contact form.
The file for staff # 1 lacked 4 out of 12 required hours of annual childcare training, from 12/19/21 to 12/19/22. The file for staff # 3 lacked 3 out of 12 required hours of annual childcare training, from 12/19/21 to 12/19/22.
The file for staff #1 contained a current FBI clearance and State police clearance that were not renewed within 60 months of the previous clearance. The FBI clearance dates are 7/25/12 and 2/12/18. The State police clearance dates are 2/16/15 and 7/13/20. The file for staff # 2 contained a current FBI clearance a State Police clearance and Child Abuse clearance that were not renewed within 60 months of the previous clearance. The FBI clearance dates are 10/17/14-7/12/20. The State Police clearance dates are 10/7/14-7/8/20.The Child Abuse clearance dates are 10/23/14-7/10/20.
The first-aid kit in the infant room lacked bandages and the first-aid kit in the toddler one room lacked gauzes and bandages.
There was a cracked floor tile on the entry of the young toddler room. There was a foam mat tile with two holes in the indoor play space. The wire net covering the window in the Pavilion had a hole that created sharp edges around the opening.
There was a gray bin lid in the older toddler room that was cracked on the right edge creating sharp corners.
There was a wooden brown shed on the back wall in the lunch room that was cracked with exposing splinters.
The file for child # 3 a preschooler contained a health report that was updated after 12 months. The report were dated 2/2/21 & 4/8/22.
The file for staff #1 contained a current health assessment that was not obtained within 24 months of the previous assessment. Assessments dated 11/26/19 & 1/27/22. The file for staff #3 contained a current health assessment that was not obtained within 24 months of the previous assessment. Assessments dated 2/7/20 & 4/22/22.
The facility lacked a policy to identify Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome, Abusive Head Trauma, and Child Maltreatment.
The file for child # 1 lacked date on which the fee is to be paid on the agreement form.
The file for child # 1 lacked the persons designated by a parent to whom the child may be released.
The file for child # 1 lacked work addresses and telephone numbers of the enrolling parent on the emergency contact form.
The file for staff #2 contained a mandated reporter training certificate that was renewed within 60 months of the previous training. Certificates dated 1/5/15 & 2/12/20.
The file for staff # 4 contained a current Pediatric First Aid/CPR certification from an approved curriculum with an instructor that is not a PQAS trainer.
“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 |
|---|---|---|
| Newborn (Under 6 Weeks) | $66.33 | $54.64 |
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $66.33 | $54.64 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $64.54 | $51.64 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $63.29 | $50.22 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $58.37 | $46.24 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $51.97 | $35.97 |
| Older School-Age (4th gr.-15 yrs.) | $51.97 | $35.97 |
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 Sonshine Quality Child Care 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 2, 2023 (background checks): “The file for staff #1 contained a current Child Abuse clearance dated 4/17/20, that was not renewed within 60 months of the prior Child Abuse clearance dated 4/14/15. The file for staff #2 contained a current FBI…” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Sonshine Quality Child Care?
Pennsylvania lists no complaint investigation that found a violation at Sonshine Quality Child Care since 2021. Its search shows these “verified complaints” but not what a complaint alleged, or whether every violation relates to it.
What is Sonshine Quality Child Care’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 4, effective Nov 21, 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 Sonshine Quality Child Care compare with other daycares in Pittsburgh?
It is tied for #120 of 251 centers in Pittsburgh by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has more citations per inspection than 80% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Sonshine Quality Child Care last inspected?
Sep 2, 2026 (unannounced monitoring). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does Sonshine Quality Child Care cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $66.33 for newborn, $66.33 for infant, $64.54 for young toddler, $63.29 for older toddler in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Sonshine Quality Child Care?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Vickie Thornton.
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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.
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