The Goddard School · Valencia
The Goddard School is a certified child care center in Valencia, PA, with capacity for 173 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 1 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 4 times. The state cited 14 violations, 5 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for health & medication (4 of 14). 12 citations came in the last 12 months, including 5 on a core-safety topic. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #8 of 46 centers in Butler County and has more citations per inspection than 50% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
The file for staff person #1 who was hired as a group supervisor on (See LIS Code Sheet) lacked an FBI Clearance and NSOR verification certificate that was completed prior to working in a child care position at the facility. The FBI clearance in the file was dated 6/10/26. The NSOR verification certificate in the file was dated 6/8/26. The file for staff person #2 who was hired as an aide on (See LIS Code Sheet lacked an FBI clearance that was completed prior to working in a child care position at the facility. The FBI clearance in the file was dated 5/8/26. The file for staff person #3 who was hired as an aide on (See LIS Code Sheet) lacked an NSOR verification certificate that was completed prior to working in a child care position at the facility. The NSOR verification certificate in the file was dated 5/7/26.
The file for child #1 who is an infant lacked a child health report that was completed in the past 6 months. The child health report in the file was dated 12/18/25.
The Fire Drill and Fire Detection log was observed for the 30-day smoke detector checks. There were 35 days between 12/8/25 and 1/12/26, 31 days between 3/10/26 and 4/10/26, 31 days between 4/10/26 and 5/11/26, and 31 days between 5/11/26 and 6/11/26.
The file for staff person #1 who was hired on (See LIS Code Sheet) lacked a valid State Police Clearance. The State Police Clearance was missing the disseminated date.
According to the facility's self-report, staff statements and video footage, on 2/25/26 at 4:35pm, Staff #1 and Staff #2 were transitioning 14 preschoolers from the outdoor playspace to the classroom when Child #1 was left in the outdoor playspace. Staff person #3 walked into the classroom approximately 1 minute after the class had come into the classroom and saw child #1 in the outdoor playspace. Staff Person #3 opened the door letting Child #1 back into the classroom.
According to the facility's self-report, staff statements and video footage, on 2/25/26 at 4:35pm, Staff #1 and Staff #2 were transitioning 14 preschoolers from the outdoor playspace to the classroom when Child #1 was left in the outdoor playspace. Staff person #3 walked into the classroom approximately 1 minute after the class had come into the classroom and saw child #1 in the outdoor playspace. Staff Person #3 opened the door letting Child #1 back into the classroom.
The files for staff persons #1 and #4 lacked disclosure statements that had a witness signature and date. The file for staff person #6 who was hired on (See LIS Code Sheet) lacked an NSOR verification certificate. The file for staff person #7 who was hired on (See LIS Code Sheet) lacked a valid Child Abuse Clearance. The Child Abuse Clearance was requested for volunteer purposes instead of employment purposes.
In Room 103 five cots were observed to not have at least 2 feet of space on three sides. In Room 106 one cot was observed to not have at least 2 feet of space on three sides.
The files for children #2 and #3 lacked child health reports that included a statement that the child is able to participate in child care and appears to be free from contagious or communicable disease.
In Room 106 a diaper genie was observed in the restroom that was not hands-free.
The files for staff persons #1, #2, #3, #4, and #5 lacked 2 years experience with children.
The files for children #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, and #6 lacked agreements that specified the date of the child's admission.
In Room #111 the hot water temperature was observed to be 112 degrees.
In Room #110 and Room #111 the first-aid kits were observed to be missing gloves.
“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 Jul 10, 2026 (background checks): “The file for staff person #1 who was hired as a group supervisor on (See LIS Code Sheet) lacked an FBI Clearance and NSOR verification certificate that was completed prior to working in a child care position at the…” 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 no complaint investigation that found a violation at The Goddard School since 2021. 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 Dec 29, 2025. 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 Butler County?
It is tied for #8 of 46 centers in Butler County by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has more citations per inspection than 50% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was The Goddard School last inspected?
Jul 10, 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 SPERANZA MARS INVESTMENT GRP LLC dba THE GODDARD.
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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.