The Goddard School · Lancaster
The Goddard School is a certified child care center in Lancaster, PA, with capacity for 189 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 1 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it twice. The state cited 7 violations, 2 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for emergency preparedness (4 of 7). All 7 came in the last 12 months, including 2 on a core-safety topic. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #30 of 73 centers in Lancaster and has more citations per inspection than 52% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
Upon inspection of facility personnel files onsite at the time of inspection, it was found that the required CPSL signed disclosure was not on file for Facility Person #1. Facility Director immediately had Facility Person #1 sign the document and placed it on file during the inspection.
Upon inspection of the facility emergency plan presented for inspection on site, it was found that specific plans for how essential/required documents will be managed and accessible during longer term emergency situations when the primary site is unavailable were not included.
Upon inspection of the physical site and all posted documents, it was found that a copy of the facility emergency plans were not posted at a conspicuous location.
Staff person #1's file did not include the required out-of-state sex offender clearance (corrected during inspection). Staff person #1's file did not include the required out-of-state Child Abuse clearance check results. Due to an incomplete file, staff person #1 cannot work as Director at this time.
The emergency plan's continuity of operations did not include information about the ability to access children's files during this type of scenario.
It was observed that the water temperature of the classroom sinks in Rooms 116 and 117 was greater than 110 degrees (122 and 114 degrees F respectively) Corrected during inspection
The facility's emergency plan and letter to the parents about the emergency plan did not include lock-down procedures. The letter to the parents about the emergency plan to not include a method to inform parents when the emergency starts and when it ends, so that they could be reunited with their children and did not include accommodations for infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities (corrected during inspection).
“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.
Daily rates
| Age group | Full time, per day | Part time, per day |
|---|---|---|
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $86.60 | — |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $80.60 | — |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $79.40 | $63.60 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $74.00 | $59.40 |
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 2 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 Mar 9, 2026 (background checks): “Upon inspection of facility personnel files onsite at the time of inspection, it was found that the required CPSL signed disclosure was not on file for Facility Person #1. Facility Director immediately had Facility…” 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 Apr 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 Lancaster?
It is tied for #30 of 73 centers in Lancaster by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has more citations per inspection than 52% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was The Goddard School last inspected?
Mar 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 $86.60 for infant, $80.60 for young toddler, $79.40 for older toddler, $74.00 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 Spring Edu 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.