The Goddard School · Center Valley
The Goddard School is a certified child care center in Center Valley, PA, with capacity for 191 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 4 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 12 times and confirmed violations in 3 complaint investigations. The state cited 48 violations, 10 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for training & qualifications (14 of 48). 3 citations came in the last 12 months. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is #3 of 5 centers in Center Valley and has fewer citations per inspection than 51% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
A complaint inspection was conducted on June 1, 2026, it was verified that on May 18, 2026, Staff Person #1 fed child #2 from Child #1's bottle. Staff Person #1 did not realize she was feeding Child #2 the wrong bottle until the child had taken about half of the contents.
A renewal inspection was conducted at the facility on April 9, 2026. At the time of the inspection an area of peeling paint was observed on one of the walls in the Gifted Van Gough's classroom.
A renewal inspection was conducted at the facility on April 9, 2026. At the time of the inspection a bottle of Zyrtec labeled for one of the children had expired December 2025.
Staff Person #1 has been working in a childcare position at the facility for more than 45 days without a valid PA State Police clearance. (See code sheet for date of hire.)
It was observed in the Lil Darwins room that the first aid kit was missing gauze pads. It was also observed in the Playful Picassos room that the first aid kit was missing gloves.
It was observed in the Mini Mozarks, Lil Darwins, Playful Picassos, Newton Apples, Wild Warhols, Busy Benjamins, and the Amazing Angelous room that the rest equipment for the children was not labeled.
It was observed in the Tiny einsteins room that while the cribs were in use, there was not 2 feet of space on three sides of the crib. There was no space between sides.
The following dates indicate that fire alarm testing was not done within the 30 day requirement: 7/27/23, 8/28/23, 10/21/23, 11/21/23, 12/21/23.
At the time of the inspection, staff person #1 did not have a health assessment on file that include an examination for communicable diseases and the results of that examination as well as the physician's or CRNP's assessment of the person's suitability to provide child care.
Video footage from 10/11/23 at 11:17am was reviewed. The certification representative observed staff person #1 grab child #1 from the top of the slide pull him over the top of the slide and sat down on the ground holding onto him. He began headbutting staff #1 and she continued holding onto him. At numerous times while she was restraining him, he attempted to break free but was unsuccessful. During the inspection on 10/17/23, staff person #1 admitted to restraining child #1 by holding the child in her lap and not allowing him to break free while on the playground.
Show 38 older citations
During the inspection, staff person #2, an aide, was observed unsupervised in the Little Darwins room with 8 young toddlers.
During the inspection, there was peeling paint in the Newton Apples and Busy Benjamins classroom.
During the inspection, staff person #1 did not have education documents on file to be qualified as an aide.
During the inspection, staff person #1 did not have a signed disclosure statement for the facility on the first day of hire. (see LIS code sheet for date of hire).
During the inspection, on the playground, child #1 was observed walking away from the other children on the play structure and towards the patio area which was around the corner from the play structure. Staff person #2 did not see child #1 walk in that direction until staff person #3 told her that she did. Staff person #2 was unable to see, hear, direct or assess child #1 while she was on the patio area. Staff person #2 was then asked the names of the children that she had in care. She admitted that she did not know the names because the names of the children were written on the board in the classroom. She was unable to see the names of the 10 children that were in her care while she was on the playground.
During the inspection, staff person #4 and staff person #5 admitted that they were aware that child #2 received emergency room treatment after an injury that occurred on 3/13/23. The regional office was not notified within 24 hours of the emergency room treatment and a written report was not sent to the regional office within 72 hours.
During the inspection, the last documented manual monthly monitoring of the fire detection system was done on 4/4/23 and not every 30 days as required. The facility is not in compliance with standards established under section 1016(c) of the act (62 P.S. § 1016(c).
During the inspection, the emergency contact form for child #2 was last reviewed and updated on 6/2022 and not within the 6-month requirement.
During the renewal, child #8 did not have an annual influenza vaccination on file.
During the renewal, child #11 had an Avi-Q at the facility. The prescription label stated to use by 2/24/23.
During the renewal, staff person #1 did not complete the required Health and Safety training update by 12/30/2022. Staff person #1 completed the training on 3/28/2023.
During the renewal, child #7 did not have a child service report or approved assessment tool dated within the previous 6 months in his file.
During the renewal inspection, staff person #2 only completed 2 clock hours of child care training during their training year of 9/2021-9/2022.
During the inspection, staff #1 did not have a current FBI clearance on file. The FBI clearance that was on file was dated 12/6/17 and therefore expired.
During the inspection, staff person #3 has not completed the following required pre-service training within 90 days of their date of hire (see LIS code sheet): Center Based Health and Safety training topics
During the inspection, staff person #2 did not complete the required one-hour 2022 update to the health and safety training by 12/30/2022.
During the onsite inspection, staff #1 did not have a completed FBI clearance on file and has been employed for more than 45 days (see LIS code sheet for date of hire). Staff #2 has resided in the state of Kentucky within the past 5 years and did not have requests for or a completed criminal background clearance, sex offender registry check, or child abuse clearance for the state of Kentucky on file at time of initial employment (see IS code sheet for date of hire). Staff #6 has an FBI clearance dated 11/1/22 which reflects a period longer than the 45-day provisional hiring timeframe (see code sheet for date of hire). Staff #7 has lived in New Hampshire within the previous 5 years and did not have New Hampshire clearances on file and has been employed for more than 45 days (see IS code sheet for date of hire). A previous staff data worksheet was documented by the provider indicating that no outside clearances were required. Staff #2, staff #4, staff #5, staff #6 and staff #8 do not have a date of signature on the disclosure statement. Staff #3 does not have a witness signature or a date on the disclosure statement. Staff #7 does not have a witness signature on the disclosure…
During the onsite inspection, staff person #1 has not completed the following required pre-service training within 90 days of their date of hire (see IS code sheet): Health and Safety training topics.
During an inspection, staff person #9 has acceptable pediatric first aid/CPR training in an approved curriculum; however, the trainer has not provided documentation that they are PQAS-certified in that training topic.
Facility self-reported that Staff #1 admitted on 8/5/2022 that she had vaped in the classroom during nap time and on the playground. Staff #1 also provided a written admission on 8/5/2022 to vaping in the classroom and on the playground.
During an onsite inspection on 5/31/22, staff #1 had Pediatric First Aid/Pediatric CPR training that stated was conducted by American Red Cross. There was no PQAS approved instructor listed. Staff #5 did not have Pediatric First Aid/Pediatric CPR conducted through an approved curriculum within 90 days of employment (see code sheet for date of hire). Staff #8 did not have approved Health and Safety training topics within 90 days of employment (see code sheet for date of hire). The certification representative observed staff #1 and #2 (see code sheet for date of hire) working together. Neither of these staff have completed the required Health and Safety topics or Pediatric First Aid and Pediatric CPR training in order to be working unsupervised.
During an onsite inspection on 5/31/22, staff #1 and staff #13 do not have a DHS approved FBI clearance on file and are past 45 days of employment. The FBI clearance on file was from CJIS and is not accepted by DHS. (see code sheet for date of hire) Staff #2 and staff #22 do not have a DHS approved FBI clearance on file and are past 45 days of employment. The FBI clearance on file was from PDE and is not accepted by DHS. (see code sheet for date of hire) Staff #8 has a Child Abuse clearance that is of volunteer status and not for employment purposes. (see code sheet for date of hire) Staff #14 and #18 did not have a completed NSOR on file and was hired under Act 12. (see code sheet for date of hire).
During an onsite inspection on 5/31/22, there was chipped paint under the mirror in the Little Darwins classroom, under the window in Newton Apples, and under the windows in Wild Warhols. There was also chipped paint by the outlet in Busy Benjamins, throughout the room in Amazing Angelos, and by the light switch in Van Goghs.
During an onsite inspection on 5/31/22, there was no visual strip or identification on the glass doors of the Infants and Mini Mozart classrooms.
During an onsite inspection on 5/31/22, staff #7 had a health assessment on file dated 3/6/2020. This health assessment was conducted more than 12 months from the initial date of employment. This health assessment is also expired and not updated within the 24 months required (see code sheet for date of hire). Staff #18 did not have a health assessment with TB test at initial employment (see code sheet for date of hire).
During an onsite inspection on 5/31/22, staff #13 had a health report that was not signed by a physician.
During an onsite inspection on 5/31/22, in the Busy Benjamins room, there was a slice of pizza in a child's lunch box that was stored in the cubby and not refrigerated.
During an onsite inspection on 5/31/22, staff #1, staff #2, staff #5, staff #11, staff #12 had not yet completed training relating to Health and Safety Pre-service training topics and has been employed for more than 90 days (see code sheet for date of hire). Staff #19 had not yet completed training relating to Pediatric First Aid and Pediatric CPR and have been employed for more than 90 days (see code sheet for date of hire).
During an onsite inspection on 5/31/22, staff #10 did not have a transcript on file to qualify the staff person as a Group Supervisor.
During an onsite inspection on 5/31/22, staff person #17 did not have a high school diploma to accompany the college credits taken on file in order to qualify this person as an assistant group supervisor. Staff #19 did not have 1 year of experience with children on file to qualify this person as an assistant group supervisor.
During an onsite inspection on 5/31/22, staff #22 did not have 2 years of experience with children on file to qualify this person as an assistant group supervisor.
During an onsite inspection on 5/31/22, staff #18 did not have any education on file to qualify this person as an Aide.
During an onsite inspection on 5/31/22, child #5 did not have the address of the individual designated by the parent to whom the child may be released on the emergency contact form.
During an onsite inspection on 5/31/22, staff #17 did not have verification of two written, nonfamily references from individuals attesting to the person's suitability to serve as a facility person on file.
During an onsite inspection, staff #2 did not complete Pediatric first aid and pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation by a PQAS approved instructor within 90 days of hire. (see code sheet for date of hire)
During an onsite inspection on 5/31/22, staff #3, staff #15, staff #20 did not have verification of 12 clock hours of child care training from the previous year of employment (see code sheet for date of hire).
When in the infant room, inspector observed an infant sleeping in the crib. Said child had a pacifier with a toy attached to the pacifier in their mouth.
On 2.18.22, a complaint investigation was conducted. After conducting interviews, and a site review, staff 1 admitted to mixing two children up in the infant room and giving child 1 child 2's bottle. While conducting investigation, inspector observed 2 bottles not labeled with child's name.
“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.) | $83.60 | $68.40 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $79.00 | $60.80 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $77.20 | $58.60 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $72.00 | $54.40 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $72.00 | $54.40 |
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 Goddard School had any serious violations?
Pennsylvania cited 10 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 Apr 15, 2025 (background checks): “Staff Person #1 has been working in a childcare position at the facility for more than 45 days without a valid PA State Police clearance. (See code sheet for date of hire.)” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about The Goddard School?
Pennsylvania lists 3 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 The Goddard School’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 4, effective Jun 2, 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 Goddard School compare with other daycares in Center Valley?
It is #3 of 5 centers in Center Valley by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 51% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was The Goddard School last inspected?
Apr 9, 2026 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does The Goddard School cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $83.60 for infant, $79.00 for young toddler, $77.20 for older toddler, $72.00 for preschool in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs The Goddard School?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Center Valley Preschool INC D/B/A The Goddard SCH.
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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.
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