The Goddard School · Exton
The Goddard School is a certified child care center in Exton, PA, with capacity for 117 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 4 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 7 times and confirmed violations in 2 complaint investigations. The state cited 11 violations, 4 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep). None of them came in the last 12 months. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is #4 of 15 centers in Exton and has fewer citations per inspection than 77% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
During the renewal inspection, certification representative reviewed 7 staff files and the file for staff #3 did not have the test results of the TB.
During the allocated unannounced inspection, certification representative reviewed 25 staff files and the file for staff #1 is missing a NY criminal clearance.
During the allocated unannounced monitoring, certification representative conducted a facility walkthrough during naptime and staff #1, staff #2, staff #3, staff #4, staff #5, staff #6, staff #7, staff #8 and staff #9 were not positioned in a way that they could properly supervise tall the children in their care.
During the allocated unannounced monitoring, certification representative reviewed 25 staff files and the file for staff #7, staff #10 and staff #11 did not contain the 10 hr health and safety professional development revised or with 1 hr update or the updated two-part health and safety trainings.
During the renewal inspection on 6/7/23: 1. The air-conditioning unit near the left egress door to the playground had excess chipping, and loose rust on the Fan Blade Cover. 2. In the outside classroom there was a wooden raised garden bed that has chipped wood and 2 exposed screws. 3. In the big and small outdoor play area, the pour and play surface was damaged around all edges and the exposed edge framing was exposed posing a hazard to the children.
During the investigation of self-reported noncompliance, it was verified that child #1 was left alone in the outdoor play space during transition back into the facility on 3/23/23.
During the complaint investigation on 1/5/23, it was confirmed that Staff person #1 admitted to inappropriately grabbing Child #1 via a text message to another staff person. The elbow of Child #1 was dislocated as a result of Staff person #1 grabbing the child inappropriately.
During the unannounced monitoring on 1/5/23, it was observed that the provider did not report the incident of injury to OCDEL or in Pelican of child #1 on 12/22/22. The provider did not contact OCDEL until 1/3/22 by email.
DURING THE RENEWAL INSPECTION ON 7/22/22, IN THE PRE-TODDLER ROOM, THE MATTRESS ON THE CHANGING STATION WAS TORN AND HAD EXCESS DEBRIS ON THE BASE. IN THE TODDLERS ROOM, THE WAS EXCESS DIRT AND DEBRIS UNDER THE MATTRESS. IN THE GET SET ROOM, THE CHANGING STATION BASE WAS DIRTY AND THERE WERE 2 SCREWS ATTACHED TO THE MATTRESS THAT POSED A DANGER TO THE CHILDREN.
DURING THE RENEWAL INSPECTION ON 7/22/22, THE OPERATOR DID NOT HAVE A MENU POSTED CONSPICUOUSLY.
DURING THE RENEWAL INSPECTION ON 7/22/22, THERE WERE NO INSTRUCTIONS FOR ACCESSING THE APPLICABLE REGULATIONS ELECTRONICALLY.
“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.) | $101.00 | $75.60 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $99.00 | $74.00 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $97.00 | $73.00 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $93.00 | $70.00 |
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 Goddard School had any serious violations?
Pennsylvania cited 4 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 Feb 27, 2025 (background checks): “During the allocated unannounced inspection, certification representative reviewed 25 staff files and the file for staff #1 is missing a NY criminal clearance.” 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 2 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 May 8, 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 Exton?
It is #4 of 15 centers in Exton by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 77% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was The Goddard School last inspected?
Mar 24, 2026 (renewal). No violations were cited during that visit.
How much does The Goddard School cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $101.00 for infant, $99.00 for young toddler, $97.00 for older toddler, $93.00 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 NTS LLC.
Certified centers nearby
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721 E Lincoln Hwy, Exton · 0.7 mi away · 91 spots More citations than most The Leaman Academy LLC
305 N Pottstown Pike, Exton · 0.8 mi away · 30 spots Too few inspections to compare New Horizons Montessori Academy
251 S Whitford Rd, Exton · 1.2 mi away · 205 spots More citations than most Primrose School of Exton
363 W Lincoln Hwy, Exton · 1.3 mi away · 203 spots More citations than most Celebree School of Exton
100 Campbell Blvd, Exton · 1.5 mi away · 150 spots Fewer citations than most
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.