Sound Start Child Care Center
Sound Start Child Care Center is a certified child care center in Philadelphia, PA, with capacity for 118 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 4 (accredited) rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 6 times and confirmed violations in 2 complaint investigations. The state cited 9 violations, 3 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep). None of them came in the last 12 months. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #239 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia and has fewer citations per inspection than 79% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
At the time of inspection, the original report was not given to the parent on the day of the incident as required.
Per provider's admission, staff person #1 left a child unsupervised during transition time.
During the complaint investigation on 11/09/22, it was confirmed that facility person #1 used harsh, demeaning and/or abusive language in the presence of children.
During renewal inspection on 06/28/22, during nap time in YT and OT rooms, children napping were positioned in areas that were obstructed by a pillar and/or furniture where supervising staff were unable to adequately supervise all children napping.
During renewal inspection on 06/28/22, fire inspection report dated 11/20/21 indicated several deficiencies and no subsequent report was available for review to show deficiencies had been addressed.
During renewal inspection on 06/28/22, emergency plan did not include evacuation routes from facility to relocation site and exit plans from building premises for immediate evacuation.
During renewal inspection on 06/28/22, written plan identifying means to transport children to emergency care, and staffing provisions if necessary, were not posted in child care spaces.
During an unannounced inspection on Thursday, December 2, 2021, certification representative observed chipped paint on the lower walls of the Movement Matter classroom located on the first floor of the facility
During an unannounced inspection on Thursday, December 2, 2021, certification representative observed a toddler sleeping on a mat in the outdoor play space.
“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 |
|---|---|---|
| Newborn (Under 6 Weeks) | $106.60 | $106.60 |
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $106.60 | $106.60 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $104.20 | $104.20 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $97.20 | $97.20 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $98.00 | $43.80 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $98.00 | $98.00 |
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 Sound Start Child Care Center had any serious violations?
Pennsylvania cited 3 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 21, 2024 (supervision): “Per provider's admission, staff person #1 left a child unsupervised during transition time.” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Sound Start Child Care Center?
Pennsylvania lists 2 complaint investigations 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 Sound Start Child Care Center’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 4 (accredited), effective Jan 28, 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 Sound Start Child Care Center compare with other daycares in Philadelphia?
It is tied for #239 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 79% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Sound Start Child Care Center last inspected?
Mar 17, 2026 (renewal). No violations were cited during that visit.
How much does Sound Start Child Care Center cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $106.60 for newborn, $106.60 for infant, $104.20 for young toddler, $97.20 for older toddler in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Sound Start Child Care Center?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Sound Start/Up Start INC.
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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.