Sweet Dream and Fairy Tales Daycare · 4255 Ridge Ave, Philadelphia
Sweet Dream and Fairy Tales Daycare is a certified child care center in Philadelphia, PA, with capacity for 19 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 4 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 6 times. The state cited 12 violations, 1 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for building & playground safety (4 of 12). 3 citations came in the last 12 months. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #283 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia and has fewer citations per inspection than 76% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
During the renewal inspection on 7/8/26 a swing set with a tipping hazard and cracked slide was observed on the playground. The swing set was not designed for commercial use.
During the renewal inspection on 4/8/26 the health assessment for staff person #2 was expired.
During the renewal inspection on 4/8/26 Staff person #1 has completed Pediatric first aid and CPR training, however (the training was not completed through a Pennsylvania Quality Assurance System (PQAS) approved curriculum/ the trainer has not provided documentation that they are PQAS-certified in that training curriculum).
During the inspection on 9/16/25 numerous weeds were observed growing on the playground and up the fence on the playground including English and poison ivy.
During the inspection on 9/16/25 exposed bolts (Missing covers) were observed on the playground gate, a tricycle with missing handle grips was observed on the playground and pile of dirty/damaged toys was observed on the playground.
During the renewal inspection on 4/16/24 staff person #1 did not have verification of education on file at the facility.
During a renewal inspection on 03/28/2023, the file for staff person #1 did not contain verification of the Child Abuse clearance nor the National Sex Offender Registry Clearance.
During a renewal inspection on 03/28/2023, the emergency plan did not contain a continuity of operations plan; the file for staff person #2 did not contain the Pennsylvania Health and Safety 2022 update training.
During a renewal inspection on 03/28/2023, 17 children were observed on site. 16 children were potty trained and 1 child was in pull ups.
During a renewal inspection on 03/28/2023, the file for child #1 contained a health assessment dated more than 12-months old.
During a renewal inspection on 03/28/2023, the files for children # 1, 2, and 3 did not contain a record of current influenza vaccination.
During a renewal inspection on 03/28/2023, the Certificate of Occupancy was not posted or available for review.
“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 |
|---|---|---|
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $55.00 | $48.00 |
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 Sweet Dream and Fairy Tales Daycare had any serious violations?
Pennsylvania cited 1 violation 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 28, 2023 (background checks): “During a renewal inspection on 03/28/2023, the file for staff person #1 did not contain verification of the Child Abuse clearance nor the National Sex Offender Registry Clearance.” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Sweet Dream and Fairy Tales Daycare?
Pennsylvania lists no complaint investigation that found a violation at Sweet Dream and Fairy Tales Daycare since 2021. Its search shows these “verified complaints” but not what a complaint alleged, or whether every violation relates to it.
What is Sweet Dream and Fairy Tales Daycare’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 4, effective Sep 25, 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 Sweet Dream and Fairy Tales Daycare compare with other daycares in Philadelphia?
It is tied for #283 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 76% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Sweet Dream and Fairy Tales Daycare last inspected?
Apr 8, 2026 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does Sweet Dream and Fairy Tales Daycare cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $55.00 for preschool in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Sweet Dream and Fairy Tales Daycare?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Renata Howell.
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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.