The Goddard School · 334 S 22nd St, Philadelphia
The Goddard School is a certified child care center in Philadelphia, PA, with capacity for 156 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 1 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 7 times and confirmed violations in 1 complaint investigation. The state cited 20 violations, 5 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep). 5 citations came in the last 12 months. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #455 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia and has fewer citations per inspection than 63% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
During the renewal inspection on 5/15/26, the operator did not have the full emergency plan posted in a conspicuous area for the parents to view.
During the renewal inspection on 5/15/26, in the Gym: 1. There was excess dirt on both window seals of the retractable doors. 2. There was a connecting wire at the base of the retractable door that was accessible to the children and posed as a hazard.
During the renewal inspection on 5/15/26, the gross motor blocks in the Young Toddler 3 room were peeling on the corners and were in poor repair.
During the renewal inspection on 5/14/26, during naptime, the staff did not ensure that there was at least 2 feet of space on 3 sides of each cot while they were in use.
During the renewal inspection on 5/15/26, child #1 in the Infant 1 room, had emergency contact information dated 11/10/25. Emergency contact information must be updated every 6-months.
During the renewal inspection on 4/22/25, staff persons #1 and 2 were not able to effectively identify their assigned groups.
During the renewal inspection on 4/22/25, in Room 201, there were unopened cardboard boxes containing a lightboard and sidewalk chalk being stored in the childcare space.
During the renewal inspection on 4/22/25, the emergency exit hallway from Room 103/First Steps was obstructed with 2 strollers and motor scooter.
During the renewal inspection on 4/22/25, the provider did not have written policy that addressed "The Prevention and identification of child maltreatment."
During the renewal inspection on 5/14/24, 1. There was a hole exposing insulation and frayed duct tape on the pipe for external water in the Multipurpose room. 2. There was chipping paint and brick particles from the brick wall alongside the window in the Multipurpose room.
During the renewal inspection on 5/14/24, there was an infant bottle that was not labelled in Classroom 101.
During the renewal inspection on 5/14/24, the agreement for child #1 was not signed by the operator.
During the renewal inspection on 5/14/24, child #1 did not have emergency contact information in the childcare space while he was in care.
During the complaint inspection it was reported that staff person# 1 has reoccurring situations of ridiculing and calling the children negative names. Calling children jerks, and fat.
During the complaint inspection it was reported that staff person#1 on reoccurring times has used harsh language saying inappropriate things to the children. Telling children they are so annoying, and they should get COVID.
While conducting a complaint inspection it was observed classroom #1 had a total of 12 children present. Staff person # 1, was not able to name the specific children responsible for. Classroom# 2 had a total of 12 children present. Staff person #2 was not able to name the specific children responsible for. Finally, classroom#3 had a total of 9 children present. Staff person #3 was not able to name the specific children responsible for.
While conducting a compliant inspection it was observed that child#1 was not placed in the sleeping position recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
While conducting a complaint inspection it was observed child#1 was placed in rest equipment that was not labeled for the use of a specific child and did not indicate that it was used only by the specified child.
DURING THE RENEWAL INSPECTION THE CERTIFICATION REPRESENTATIVE REVIEWED 5 CHILDREN FILES AND THE FILE FOR CHILDREN #1, #2, & #3 DID NOT CONTAIN AN UPDATED EMGENCY CONTACT FORM OR FINANCIAL AGREEMENT.
DURING THE RENEWAL INSPECTION THE CERTIFICATION REPRESENTATIVE REVIEWED 5 STAFF FILES. STAFF #1 & #2 FILES DID NOT CONTAIN PEDIATRIC CPR AND PEDICATRIC FIRST AID.
“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.
About this center
Common questions
Has The Goddard School 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 Apr 22, 2025 (supervision): “During the renewal inspection on 4/22/25, staff persons #1 and 2 were not able to effectively identify their assigned groups.” 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 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 Goddard School’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 1, effective Sep 18, 2020. 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 Philadelphia?
It is tied for #455 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 63% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was The Goddard School last inspected?
May 15, 2026 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
Who runs The Goddard School?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is JXJ Venture LLC.
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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.