The Academy Preschool and Early Education · Altoona
The Academy Preschool and Early Education is a certified child care center in Altoona, PA, with capacity for 153 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 3 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 4 times and confirmed violations in 1 complaint investigation. The state cited 6 violations, 1 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep). 2 citations came in the last 12 months, including 1 on a core-safety topic. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is #6 of 22 centers in Altoona and has fewer citations per inspection than 82% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
After reviewing video footage and administrative interviews, it was determined that a child was left alone in PreK 2 room for three minutes.
The ceiling tiles in various areas in the facility were observed to be flaking and peeling leaving debris on the floors that are a hazard to the children and staff at the facility.
In the three-year-old room, it was observed to have burn cream and Neosporin in the first-aid kit.
It was observed in the young toddler room a can of sunscreen that did not identify the name of the child for whom it is intended.
The file for Child #1 was observed not to have documentation of a current Child Service Report.
The emergency contact form on file for Child #1 was observed not to include the complete address of the individual designated by the parent to whom the child may be released.
“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) | $43.60 | $43.60 |
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $43.60 | $43.60 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $43.60 | $43.60 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $42.00 | $42.00 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $39.40 | $39.40 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $35.00 | $35.00 |
| Older School-Age (4th gr.-15 yrs.) | $35.00 | $35.00 |
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 The Academy Preschool and Early Education 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 Jul 17, 2026 (supervision): “After reviewing video footage and administrative interviews, it was determined that a child was left alone in PreK 2 room for three minutes.” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about The Academy Preschool and Early Education?
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 The Academy Preschool and Early Education’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 3, effective Apr 16, 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 The Academy Preschool and Early Education compare with other daycares in Altoona?
It is #6 of 22 centers in Altoona by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 82% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was The Academy Preschool and Early Education last inspected?
Jun 29, 2026 (allocated unannounced monitoring). No violations were cited during that visit.
How much does The Academy Preschool and Early Education cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $43.60 for newborn, $43.60 for infant, $43.60 for young toddler, $42.00 for older toddler in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs The Academy Preschool and Early Education?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is The Academy Preschool and Early Education Center.
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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.