The Goddard School · Chester Springs
The Goddard School is a certified child care center in Chester Springs, PA, with capacity for 109 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 2 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 5 times and confirmed violations in 2 complaint investigations. The state cited 16 violations, 7 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for supervision (4 of 16). 5 citations came in the last 12 months, including 3 on a core-safety topic. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is #5 of 6 centers in Chester Springs and has fewer citations per inspection than 53% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
On July 8, 2026, during the unannounced inspection of a self-reported non-compliance, it was found that on 6/25/2026 child#1 was not supervised by a staff person at all times, when child#1 was left outside unattended for 9 minutes. (Outside Two's classroom door in gated and fenced walkway).
On July 8, 2026, during the unannounced inspection of a self-reported non-compliance, it was found that on 6/25/26, staff person #1 did not know the whereabouts of child#1(who was assigned to staff person #1s group) child #1 was left outside unattended for 9 minutes. (Outside Two's classroom door in gated and fenced walkway).
On March 24, 2026, during the renewal inspection, the record reviewed for staff person #1 did not include the out of state child abuse and neglect registry clearance, and the out of state sex offender registry clearance. The record reviewed for staff person #2 did not include a child abuse clearance. The record reviewed for staff person #3 did not include a national sex offender registry clearance. The record reviewed for staff person #4 did not include a child abuse clearance. The record reviewed for staff person #5 contained a mandated reporter training dated 2/17/2021, which is more than 60 months old. (See code sheet for hire dates)
On March 24, 2026, during the renewal inspection, the file reviewed for staff person #6 contained a health assessment dated 10/10/23, which is more than 24 months old.
On March 24, 2026, during the renewal inspection, there were not infant feeding schedules for the children present and receiving care in the Infant 1 and infant 2 childcare space, upon request none were produced.
At the time of renewal inspection, file of staff person #1, #2 did not include an acceptable verification that education had been evaluated to determine US equivalency. Diploma on file of staff person #1 was from Brazil, staff #2 had diploma from India. Evaluations provided on 4/23/25 were conducted by evaluator, who is not affiliated with the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE). Non-compliance continues since 3/24/25.
At the time of the inspection on 3/24/25, file of staff person #1 included staff health assessment with the corrected name and the date. On 3/26/25, verbal statement from the practice manager at Mainline Health verified that they do not have any record for staff person #1.
At the time of the inspection on 3/24/25 at around 2:30 PM observed staff person #1 being unsupervised in Room #4 without completed the following pre-service training required prior to caring for children unsupervised: Pediatric first Aid/CPR.
At the time of inspection on 3/24/25, file of staff person #2 did not include DHS required FBI clearance. FBI clearance on file from Department of Education is not acceptable. Staff person #2 is not a provisional hire.
At the time of renewal inspection, written verification that staff person #4 received training regarding the emergency plan at the time of initial employment was not observed in file of staff person #4.
At the time of renewal inspection observed rubber baseboard that was peeling off the wall in Room #3
At the time of renewal inspection, health assessment form for staff #3 did not include information on medical problems that might prohibit a staff person from providing adequate care to children. Question #3 stated that staff #3 is not suitable to provide childcare.
At the time of renewal inspection observed that emergency information for some children was not updated in Room #3, #4, #5, and #7. These classrooms had emergency contact forms that were updated by parents more than 6 months ago.
At the time of renewal inspection, file of staff person #1, #2 did not include an acceptable verification that education had been evaluated to determine US equivalency. Diploma on file of staff person #1 was from Brazil, staff #2 had diploma from India.
At the time of the Unannounced Visit on 02/20/2025, there were 11 children in the Older Toddler Classroom, Staff Person #2 was unable to name the children in their assigned supervisory group. Staff Person #3 identified 6 children in their supervisory group, leaving 5 children unaccounted for. Also, there were 20 children present in the Preschool Classroom, Staff Person #4 identified 4 children in their supervisory group and Staff Person #5 identified 4 children in their supervisory group, leaving 12 children unaccounted for.
At the time of the Unannounced Visit on 02/20/2025, Staff Person #1 was observed working alone supervising 18 Preschool Children during nap time without the required pre-service trainings. Staff Person #1's file contained the requied10-Hour Health and Safety training, but did not contain the 1-Hour Update or the required Health and Safety for Centers and Group Child Care Part 1 and 2 to be completed prior to working alone.
“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) | $99.00 | — |
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $99.00 | — |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $90.75 | $54.45 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $88.00 | $52.80 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $79.75 | $47.85 |
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 7 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 Jul 8, 2026 (supervision): “On July 8, 2026, during the unannounced inspection of a self-reported non-compliance, it was found that on 6/25/2026 child#1 was not supervised by a staff person at all times, when child#1 was left outside unattended…” 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 2, effective Mar 29, 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 Chester Springs?
It is #5 of 6 centers in Chester Springs by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 53% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was The Goddard School last inspected?
Mar 24, 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 $99.00 for newborn, $99.00 for infant, $90.75 for young toddler, $88.00 for older toddler 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 Speranza Chester Springs Investment Group LLC.
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.