The Learning Ladder is a certified child care center in Pittsburgh, PA, with capacity for 24 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 1 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 5 times. The state cited 8 violations, 1 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for emergency preparedness (3 of 8). None of them came in the last 12 months. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is #17 of 251 centers in Pittsburgh and has fewer citations per inspection than 80% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
The files for Staff Persons #1 and #3 were observed to have documentation of PA State Police Clearance and PA Child Abuse Clearance results that were not renewed before the expiration date of the most current certification. PA State Police: 2/7/20 and 3/27/25. PA Child Abuse: 2/2/20 and 4/5/25. The file for Staff Person #2 was observed to have documentation of FBI Clearance results that was not renewed before the expiration date of the most current certification: 1/14/20 and 3/19/25.
The two most recent health assessments in the file for staff person #1 are dated more than 24 months apart: 2/3/22 and 4/9/24.
The facility had documentation of conducting an emergency drill on 2/20/23 and 8/22/24, which were more than one year apart.
The facility did not have documentation of conducting an emergency drill for the year 2022.
The two most recent fire safety trainings in the file for staff person #1 are dated more than 12 months apart: 10/24/21 and 1/18/23.
The facility lacked updating the facilities emergency plan to address continuity of operations for emergency preparedness.
In the SA room, a red bin containing a children's puzzle was observed to be cracked on the corner exposing the children to sharp corners and rough edges.
The file for staff person #1, #2 and #3 lacked completion of the Health and Safety pre-service training by April 29, 2022. The pre-service training on file for staff person #1 and #3 are dated 8/21/22 and the the file for staff #2 has a completion date of 8/22/22.
“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 |
|---|---|---|
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $64.54 | $51.68 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $63.29 | $50.22 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $58.37 | $46.24 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $51.97 | $35.97 |
| Older School-Age (4th gr.-15 yrs.) | $51.97 | $35.97 |
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 Learning Ladder had any serious violations?
Pennsylvania cited 1 violation 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 Sep 3, 2025 (background checks): “The files for Staff Persons #1 and #3 were observed to have documentation of PA State Police Clearance and PA Child Abuse Clearance results that were not renewed before the expiration date of the most current…” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about The Learning Ladder?
Pennsylvania lists no complaint investigation that found a violation at The Learning Ladder since 2021. Its search shows these “verified complaints” but not what a complaint alleged, or whether every violation relates to it.
What is The Learning Ladder’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 1, effective Jun 9, 2017. 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 Learning Ladder compare with other daycares in Pittsburgh?
It is #17 of 251 centers in Pittsburgh by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 80% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was The Learning Ladder last inspected?
Sep 11, 2026 (renewal). No violations were cited during that visit.
How much does The Learning Ladder cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $64.54 for young toddler, $63.29 for older toddler, $58.37 for preschool, $51.97 for young school-age in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs The Learning Ladder?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Janet M Pettus.
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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.