Tender Care Learning Centers · 5425 Baum Blvd, Pittsburgh
Tender Care Learning Centers is a certified child care center in Pittsburgh, PA, with capacity for 90 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 4 (accredited) rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 5 times and confirmed violations in 1 complaint investigation. The state cited 35 violations, 5 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for building & playground safety (16 of 35). 4 citations came in the last 12 months, including 3 on a core-safety topic. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #108 of 251 centers in Pittsburgh and has more citations per inspection than 78% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
A child was able to crawl outside of the infant classroom into the hallway unattended. Another child was in a bouncer seat and out of sight of the one staff member that was present who was changing another child's diaper.
A child was able to crawl outside of the infant classroom into the hallway unattended. Another child was in a bouncer seat and out of sight of the one staff member that was present who was changing another child's diaper.
During investigations, Staff #1 was observed roughly handling child#1, this included picking the child up by their clothes and forcefully moving them out into the hallway.
Staff person #1 has not completed Pediatric first aid and CPR training on or before expiration of the most current certification. This is evidenced by the previously documented Pediatric first aid and CPR training on file expiring (12/11/25). Documentation of updated Pediatric first aid and CPR training is not on file.
Although the files for Staff#1 and #5 contained an NSOR Certificate at the time of Renewal Inspection it was observed that it was obtained after the first day caring for children. The file for Staff #2 contained an incomplete PA State Police Clearance. The file for Staff #6 contained a disclosure statement that lacked a witness. The file for Staff #5 who has lived in Illinois within the last 5 years did not have the required Illinois Clearances.
Observed an electrical outlet with one plug in Room 6, beside the refrigerator that was missing a protective outlet covers. This outlet was accessible to children 5 years of age and younger.
In Room 4 there was an unlocked cabinet that contained a large bottle of Fantasik and a spray bottle of Fantasik labeled, "keep out of reach of children" that were on a low shelf accessible the children in care.
In Room 3 the First aid kit was hanging on a low hook making the first aid kit accessible to children.
The first aid kit located in the Room 4 lacked tweezers and scissors.
A desk was obstructing the walkway from the hallway to the play space exit of the building.
Show 25 older citations
Observed multiple colored foam blocks in Room 2 (young toddlers) and Room 4 (older toddlers) that had teeth marks and missing sections. These blocks were accessible to children who are still placing objects in their mouths.
The file for Child #2, a Young Toddler, contained Health Reports that were updated in an interval greater than 6 months
The file for Child #1, enrolled for more that 60 days at the facility, did not contain documentation of a 2nd dose of the Rotavirus vaccination, 2nd dose DTAP vaccination, 2nd dose of HIB vaccination, 2nd dose of Pneumococcal vaccination, and 2nd dose of Polio vaccination as required based on the child's age as per the ACIP recommended schedule.
Staff person #7 has not completed Pediatric first aid and CPR training on or before expiration of the most current certification. This is evidenced by the previously documented Pediatric first aid and CPR training on file expiring (9/2025). Documentation of updated Pediatric first aid and CPR training is not on file.
The file for Staff #4 contained Fire Safety Trainings that were dated more than 12 months apart.
The files for Staff #8 and #9 contained mandated reporter training that was not completed within 60 months of the previous training.
The Agreement for Child #2 lacked the persons designated by a parent to whom the child may be released.
The Emergency Contact Form for Child #3 lacked the telephone number of the child's physician.
The file for Staff #3, lacked documentation of 3 hours of the required 12 annual clock hours of childcare training.
The restroom in Room 5 contained a toxic sticky bug trap that was on the floor and accessible to the children using this restroom.
On the day of the Renewal Inspection, the temperature in Room 2 measured 56 degrees and the temperature in Room 6 measured 61 degrees.
In Room 5 two metal handles came off the upper left cabinets when opened in the food prep area. In Room 3 three door handles were missing from the cabinets in the diapering area.
In Room 3 along the far dark gray wall there was chipping paint. In Room 6 there were multiple spots of peeling paint including three spots by the restroom and 2 spots over by the mirror on the outside wall.
The two restrooms in Room 3 contained small waste receptables in which the lid was stuck open preventing the waste receptable from lacking a closed lid.
The file for Child #1, enrolled for more that 60 days at the facility, did not contain documentation of a 1st dose of the MMR vaccination and a 1st does of the Varicella vaccination as required based on the child's age as per the ACIP recommended schedule.
The file for Staff #1 contained chest x-ray results regarding a tb screening but did not contain positive results on the health assessment.
The file for Staff #1 contained transcripts from Jamacia and their credentials could not be determined.
The file for Staff #1 contained an FBI Clearance that did not include the complete Rap Sheet.
In Room 1 there were two outlet covers on the surge protector next to the refrigerator that were missing protective outlet covers. In Room 2 there was an outlet cover on the surge protector by the refrigerator that was missing a protective outlet cover. Children 5 years of age and younger are cared for in both of these spaces.
Although the file for Staff #2 contained TB screening at the time of the inspection, it was observed that Staff #2 did not have TB screening prior to working with children.
The last documented smoke detector testing was 9/26/24 which was over 30 days prior to the date of the inspection.
The file for Staff #3 lacked acceptable verification of experience, education or training in the form of a transcript or a diploma or a letter signed by a representative of the experiential, educational or training entity.
The hot water in Room 3 measured at 110.4° F in the first bathroom and 116.7° F in the second bathroom. The hot water in Room 4 measured at 117.5° F in the first bathroom.
In Room 6 there was peeling paint on the wall near the cots.
In Room 2 there was a ripped mattress that had exposed foam that was accessible to children who are still placing objects in their mouths.
“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 |
|---|---|---|
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $79.60 | $64.00 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $77.20 | $61.20 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $77.20 | $61.20 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $65.20 | $51.60 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $65.20 | $34.00 |
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 Tender Care Learning Centers had any serious violations?
Pennsylvania cited 5 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 31, 2026 (supervision): “A child was able to crawl outside of the infant classroom into the hallway unattended. Another child was in a bouncer seat and out of sight of the one staff member that was present who was changing another child's…” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Tender Care Learning Centers?
Pennsylvania lists 1 complaint investigation 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 Tender Care Learning Centers’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 4 (accredited), effective Jun 3, 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 Tender Care Learning Centers compare with other daycares in Pittsburgh?
It is tied for #108 of 251 centers in Pittsburgh by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has more citations per inspection than 78% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Tender Care Learning Centers last inspected?
Dec 16, 2025 (unannounced monitoring). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does Tender Care Learning Centers cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $79.60 for infant, $77.20 for young toddler, $77.20 for older toddler, $65.20 for preschool in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Tender Care Learning Centers?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Bradford Child Care Services 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.