ST Francis Early Learning Center
ST Francis Early Learning Center is a certified child care center in Norristown, PA, with capacity for 241 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 4 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 12 times and confirmed violations in 8 complaint investigations. The state cited 52 violations, 15 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep). 5 citations came in the last 12 months, including 3 on a core-safety topic. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is #13 of 26 centers in Norristown and has more citations per inspection than 57% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
An inspection on 5/20/26 revealed that staff person #1 was informed by a parent that individual #2 was hitting and pushing a child aggressively in the hallway of the facility. Staff person #1 did not report to Childline as mandated.
A review of video footage from 3/5/26 revealed that staff person #2 was sitting at a table with their back turned to the children for an extended period of time. During the time staff person #2 was sitting at a table with their back turned to the children - child #1-bit child #2 on the face. Child #1 was assigned to staff person #2.
A review of video footage from 3/5/26 revealed that staff person #1 hit child #1 in the face with the back of her hand.
During the renewal inspection on 10/17/25 the outside classroom door on the playground had areas of missing/damaged paint.
During the renewal inspection on 10/17/25 the gate to the older preschool and school age playground had exposed bolts. (Missing thread covers)
Staff person #1 #3 and #4 was observed to be caring for children unsupervised. Staff person #1 has not completed the following pre- service training required prior to caring for children unsupervised: Health and Safety part 1, Pediatric First aid and Pediatric CPR.
During the inspection on 7/25/25 staff person #1 #2 #3 and #4 was observed working with children at the facility and did not have an NSOR clearance on fie.
During the inspection on 7/25/25 staff person #2 did not have a current health assessment on file at the facility.
During the inspection on 7 25 25 review. of the fire drill log revealed that a fire drill was last logged on 3 12 25.
During the inspection on 7 25 25 a review of the fire alarm sounding log revealed that the fire alarm had not been sounded since 614 25.
Show 42 older citations
Touring the inspection on 7/25/2025 The file for staff person #4 did not. include verification of education and childcare experience.
During the inspection on 2/5/25 the file for staff person #1 contained an Expired FBI clearance and did not contain an NSOR.
During the renewal inspection on 9/18/24 The file for staff persons #9 #10 and #11 did not contain a DHS FBI clearance. The file for Staff persons #9 #10 #11 did not contain an NSOR clearance. The file for staff person #11 contains a PA State Police Clearance "still pending". Staff person #8 did not have a child abuse clearance on file at the faclity.
During the renewal inspection on 9/18/24 staff person #12 was observed walking 7 preschool children around the block.
During the renewal inspection on 9/18/24 the Emergency plan Review date on record was 9/13/23.
During the renewal inspection the following staff did not have verification of Emergency plan training: Staff persons #9 #10 #11.
During the renewal inspection on 9/18/24 a gap between the artificial grass and unitary play surface- causing a tripping hazard - was observed on the early learning center playground.
During the renewal inspection on 9/18/24 cubbie units with a tipping hazard were observed (unmounted) in the young toddler and older toddler classrooms.
During the renewal inspection on 9/18/24 staff persons #7 and #8 did not have a current health assessment on file at the facility.
During the renewal inspection on 9/18/24 the health assessment for staff person #6 did not include the physician's or CRNP's assessment of the person's suitability to provide childcare.
During the renewal inspection staff person #4 #5 #9 #10 #11 did not have verification of fire safety training for the past year.
Staff person #1 has not completed the following required pre-service training within 90 days of their date of hire: Health and Safety Training. Staff persons #9 #10 and #11 do not have current Pediatric first aid and CPR on file at the facility.
During the renewal inspection on 9/18/24 the file for staff persons # 2 and #3 did not include verification of education.
During the renewal inspection on 9/18/24 staff person #3 had one written reference on file.
A review of video footage revealed that on 7/17/24, during an incident where an individual produced a firearm and waved it in the parking lot, the facility did not follow proper lockdown procedures as indicated in the facility's emergency plan, where it was observed via video that a parent and a staff/parent were allowed to continue to enter and leave the facility, picking up children, while the incident was ongoing.
During the renewal inspection on 9/14/2023 the sink in the preschool classroom was filled with water that would not drain and the diaper changing table pad in the child's bathroom was torn.
During the renewal inspection on 9/14/2023 the child health history for child #2 #3 #4 and #5 did not have verification of influenza vaccine. Child# 5 did not have verification of Heb B Rotavirus vaccine.
During the renewal inspection on 9/14/2023 the operator did not have verification that the emergency plan and updates have been sent to the local municipality and to the county emergency management agency.
During the inspection on 6/14/23 staff person #2 did not have the required out of state clearance information as required by CPSL
Child #2 was observed with a round wooden bead in their mouth at nap time.
During the unannounced inspection on 6/14/203 medication for child #1 was observed on the teacher's desk in reach of the children.
During the unannounced inspection on 6/14/2023 the operator did not have a log listing the time and dates that the fire alarm system was tested every 30 days as required.
During the inspection on 6/14/2023 Staff persons #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 and #8 did not have verification of the one-hour health and safety update as required. Staff Persons #2 #3 #7 and #8 did not have the required Pedicatric First aid and CPR from an approved curriculum and PQUAS trainer.
During the inspection on 6/14/2023 the operator stated that parents sign the incident report on the day of the incident but are only asked if they want a copy - they are not always provided a copy of the incident the day of incident,
During a renewal inspection on 09/16/2022, the file for child #3 contained a health assessment more than one-year-old.
During a renewal inspection on 09/16/2022, the files for children #1 and #2 had an emergency contact form and financial agreement dated more than 6 months old.
During a renewal inspection on 09/16/2022, the some of the emergency contacts in the classrooms were not updated.
During an unannounced inspection on 08/17/2022, the certification representative observed a video of a child getting hurt on a water fountain. The child was taken to the emergency room by the child's mother. The provider did not contact the appropriate regional office within 24 hours of the incident occurring.
During an unannounced inspection on 08/02/2022, Staff person #1 spoke with the certification representative and stated they found child #1 outside in the parking lot unsupervised.
During an unannounced inspection on 06/21/2022, the certification representative was informed of an incident by the director and staff persons #1 and #2 that child #1 was left unsupervised in the classroom while the rest of the class and two teachers were on the playground.
During an unannounced inspection on 06/21/2022, staff persons #1 and #2 were observed for be caring for children unsupervised. Staff person #1 has not completed the following pre-service trainings required prior to caring for children unsupervised: Health and Safety training, Pediatric First Aid and CPR. Staff person #2 has not completed the following pre-service trainings required to caring for children unsupervised: Mandated Reporter training, Health and Safety training and Pediatric First Aid and CPR.
During an unannounced inspection on 06/21/2022, staff person #1 and staff person #2 were observed working unsupervised while working in a provisional hire capacity. Staff person #1 is currently waiting for National Sex Offender Registry Clearance (requested 06/06/2022).Staff person #2 is currently waiting for FBI clearance and A National Sex Offender Registry Clearance (both requested on 05/05/2022).
During an unannounced inspection on 06/21/2022, the file for staff person # 1 did not contain a health assessment.
During an unannounced inspection on 06/21/2022, the file for staff person #1 and #2 did not contain two written, nonfamily references.
During an unannounced inspection on 04/26/2022, the files for staff person #1 did not contain a Child Abuse Clearance, FBI Clearance, nor a National Sex Offender Registry Clearance; the files for staff person #2 did not contain a Child Abuse Clearance not a FBI Clearance; the file for staff person #3 did not contain a Child Abuse Clearance; the files for staff person #4 did not contain a National Sex Offender Registry Clearance, a Child Abuse Clearance nor a FBI Clearance.
During an unannounced inspection on 04/26/2022, staff persons #2 and #3, holding a position of aide, were working unsupervised in a room together.
During an unannounced inspection on 04/26/2022, the files for staff persons #1, 2, 3 and 4 did not contain verification of Emergency Plan Training.
During an unannounced inspection on 04/26/2022, the files for staff persons #1, 2, 3 and 4 did not contain a Health Assessment.
During an unannounced inspection on 04/26/2022, the files for staff persons #1, 2 and 4 did not contain proof of education.
Duirng an unannounced inspection on 04/27/2022, the files for staff persons #1, 2 and 4 did not contain two written, nonfamily references from individuals attesting to the person's suitability to serve as a facility person.
During a complaint investigation on 10/12/0201, the director stated there were several recent cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth that was not reported to the Department of Health.
During a complaint investigation on 10/12/2021, the acting director did not have proof of education qualifications.
“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) | $91.00 | $79.00 |
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $91.00 | $79.00 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $86.00 | $73.00 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $84.00 | $70.00 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $79.00 | $60.00 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $73.00 | $50.00 |
| Older School-Age (4th gr.-15 yrs.) | $73.00 | $50.00 |
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 ST Francis Early Learning Center had any serious violations?
Pennsylvania cited 15 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 20, 2026 (child protection): “An inspection on 5/20/26 revealed that staff person #1 was informed by a parent that individual #2 was hitting and pushing a child aggressively in the hallway of the facility. Staff person #1 did not report to Childline…” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about ST Francis Early Learning Center?
Pennsylvania lists 8 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 ST Francis Early Learning Center’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 4, effective Jun 25, 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 ST Francis Early Learning Center compare with other daycares in Norristown?
It is #13 of 26 centers in Norristown by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has more citations per inspection than 57% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was ST Francis Early Learning Center last inspected?
Oct 17, 2025 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does ST Francis Early Learning Center cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $91.00 for newborn, $91.00 for infant, $86.00 for young toddler, $84.00 for older toddler in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs ST Francis Early Learning Center?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is ST Francis Of Assisi Roman Catho Church.
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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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