The Growing Place Childcare & Preschool Kennett
The Growing Place Childcare & Preschool Kennett is a certified child care center in Kennett Square, PA, with capacity for 144 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 1 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 6 times and confirmed violations in 2 complaint investigations. The state cited 10 violations, 6 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for records & paperwork (3 of 10). 1 citation came in the last 12 months, including 1 on a core-safety topic. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is #3 of 11 centers in Kennett Square and has fewer citations per inspection than 75% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
On December 18, 2025, during the complaint investigation, it was found that on December 11, 2025, child # 1 was not supervised by a staff person at all times. Child # 1 was playing with a pair of toy glasses when the child took a battery out of the glasses and swallowed it. Staff were not aware that child # 1 swallowed the battery. Child # 1 made staff person # 1 aware that he swallowed the battery.
During the renewal inspection conducted 5/5/25, the ceiling tile in the morning glories, snap dragons and wildflowers childcare space was observed with water stains.
During the renewal inspection conducted 5/5/25, the agreement reviewed for child #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, and #10 did not specify the services which are to be considered as extra.
During the renewal inspection conducted 5/5/25, the emergency contact reviewed for child #2, #3, #4, #6, and #9, did not include the work addresses and work telephone numbers of the enrolling parent.
During the complaint investigation on 4/15/25, Certification Representative was informed that an infant was placed on the infant's stomach while sleeping.
During the allocated unannounced inspection on 4/15/25, Certification Representative found that the infant's classroom was out of ratio with 17 infants and 4 staff members.
File Record for Staff #1, Staff #2, and Staff #3 did not include acceptable verification of education
Facility owner and director confirmed staff #1 was placed on probation effective 8/28/23. The decision was made when a parent expressed concern after observing staff #1 physically mishandle their child and use harsh language during the exchange.
Facility owner and director confirmed staff #1 was placed on probation effective 8/28/23. The decision was made when a parent expressed concern after observing staff #1 physically mishandle their child and use harsh language during the exchange.
During the renewal inspection, certification representative reviewed 16 staff files and the file for staff #1 is missing a child abuse clearance. (CORRECTED ON SITE)
“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) | $60.56 | — |
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $60.56 | — |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $59.53 | — |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $53.98 | — |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $58.26 | — |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $63.00 | $35.76 |
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 Growing Place Childcare & Preschool Kennett had any serious violations?
Pennsylvania cited 6 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 Dec 18, 2025 (supervision): “On December 18, 2025, during the complaint investigation, it was found that on December 11, 2025, child # 1 was not supervised by a staff person at all times. Child # 1 was playing with a pair of toy glasses when the…” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about The Growing Place Childcare & Preschool Kennett?
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 Growing Place Childcare & Preschool Kennett’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 1, effective Oct 9, 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 Growing Place Childcare & Preschool Kennett compare with other daycares in Kennett Square?
It is #3 of 11 centers in Kennett Square by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 75% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was The Growing Place Childcare & Preschool Kennett last inspected?
May 6, 2026 (renewal). No violations were cited during that visit.
How much does The Growing Place Childcare & Preschool Kennett cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $60.56 for newborn, $60.56 for infant, $59.53 for young toddler, $53.98 for older toddler in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs The Growing Place Childcare & Preschool Kennett?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Growing Place Childcare & Preschool Kennett Square.
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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.