The Malvern School · 250 Paoli Pike, Malvern
The Malvern School is a certified child care center in Malvern, PA, with capacity for 134 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 4 (accredited) rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 7 times and confirmed violations in 4 complaint investigations. The state cited 18 violations, 8 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for building & playground safety (5 of 18). 5 citations came in the last 12 months, including 3 on a core-safety topic. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is #4 of 12 centers in Malvern and has fewer citations per inspection than 59% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
During the renewal, inspection conducted 9/14/26, the fire detection log reviewed was not updated within 30 days. Last dated 8/10/26.
During the unannounced inspection conducted 1/21/26, It was found that during an incident that occurred on 1/14/26 staff #2 left the classroom leaving staff person # 1 alone with seven two-year-old, older toddlers. Staff # 2 left the room to locate child # 1 who was missing from the group.
During the unannounced inspection conducted 1/21/26, It was found that during an incident that occurred 1/14/26, staff #1 and #2 were unaware of child #1 whereabouts for 17mins per the video footage reviewed.
During the unannounced inspection conducted 1/21/26, it was found that during an incident that occurred on 1/14/26, where child # 1 was not being supervised by a staff person at all times, a staff person was not assigned the responsibility of supervision for child # 1.
During the complaint investigation conducted 11/10/25, the fire drill log reviewed was not updated within a 60-day period. Last dated 9/5/25.
During the renewal inspection conducted 9/10/25, upon request there was no verification available for review to verify the facility notified local traffic safety authorities annually in writing of the location of the facility and the program's use of pedestrian and vehicular routes around the childcare facility.
During the complaint investigation conducted 2/19/25, it was found that staff #1 pulled child #1 by the hair and forcefully sat child down into a chair.
During the renewal inspection conducted 9/11/2024 the emergency contacts reviewed for child #1, #2, #3 and #4 did not include the work telephone numbers of the enrolling parent.
At the time of renewal inspection, file of staff person #1, who is not a provisional hire, did not include NSOR certificate. File of staff person #2, who is not a provisional hire, did not include a current child abuse and neglect registry check from the state of Delaware in which staff resided within the last 5 years.
During renewal inspection, health assessment of staff person #1 didn't include information whether a staff person is suitable to provide child care.
On 2/2/2023 Staff person #1 was observed by the OCDEL certification representative placing their hand on the back of the head of child #1 and pushing the child's head down towards the naptime mat. Requested review of video of the naptime period prior to this incident on 2/2/23 revealed that staff person #1 pushed the child's head down towards the mat several times and also pulled the child by the legs back onto the mat when the child attempted to crawl off the mat and covered the child with the blanket over their head.
During an inspection on 12/20/22, a review of video tape footage from 12/16/22, revealed that Staff person. #1 removed child #1, from a group of children, by aggressively lifting and pulling child #1 by one arm. (The child's feet lifted off of the floor). This action was repeated a second time and caused injury to the arm of child #1.
During an inspection on 12/20/22, a review of video tape footage from 12/16/22, revealed that Staff person. #1 removed child #1, from a group of children, by aggressively lifting and pulling child #1 by one arm. (The child's feet lifted off of the floor). This action was repeated a second time and caused injury to the arm of child #1.
During the inspection on 12/21/2022 the center room on the upper level had a broken lock on the cabinet under the sink that was accessible to the children. Suntan lotion and rubber gloves were observed in the unlocked cabinet.
During the inspection on 12/20/22 a review of video footage from 12/16/2022 staff person #1 was observed changing diapers. Staff person #1 did not was hands for Child #1 #2 #3 and #4. Staff person #1 also failed to wash their hands between each diaper change.
During the renewal inspection on 12/21/22 a basketball and several kick balls that were deflated were observed on the back playground.
During the inspection on 12/20/22 a review of video footage from 12/16/2022 staff person #1 was observed changing diapers. Staff person #1 did not was hands for Child #1 #2 #3 and #4. Staff person #1 also failed to wash their hands between each diaper change.
During the Renewal inspection the provider did not have a copy of the proof of purchase for the fire detection system.
“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 |
|---|---|---|
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $50.40 | $37.80 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $48.40 | $36.40 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $40.20 | $30.20 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | — | $28.20 |
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 Malvern School had any serious violations?
Pennsylvania cited 8 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 Jan 21, 2026 (staff ratios): “During the unannounced inspection conducted 1/21/26, It was found that during an incident that occurred on 1/14/26 staff #2 left the classroom leaving staff person # 1 alone with seven two-year-old, older toddlers.…” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about The Malvern School?
Pennsylvania lists 4 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 Malvern School’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 4 (accredited), effective Mar 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 Malvern School compare with other daycares in Malvern?
It is #4 of 12 centers in Malvern by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 59% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was The Malvern School last inspected?
Sep 14, 2026 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does The Malvern School cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $50.40 for young toddler, $48.40 for older toddler, $40.20 for preschool in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs The Malvern School?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Malvern Educational Carousel INC.
Certified centers nearby
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75 Lancaster Ave, Malvern · 1.7 mi away · 36 spots More citations than most ST Norbert Early Education Center
6 Greenlawn Rd, Paoli · 2.0 mi away · 264 spots Among the most cited The Goddard School of Malvern
250 Lancaster Ave, Malvern · 2.2 mi away · 115 spots More citations than most
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.