Thinking Caps Academy
Thinking Caps Academy is a certified child care center in Philadelphia, PA, with capacity for 32 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 1 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 9 times. The state cited 39 violations, 6 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep). 6 citations came in the last 12 months, including 1 on a core-safety topic. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #609 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia and has fewer citations per inspection than 51% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
During a renewal inspection conducted on 12/22/25, the Certification Representative reviewed Staff's #2-#4 records and discovered that Staff #2-#4 records have an expired FBI Clearance. Staff #2 records have an expired State Police Clearance.
During the renewal inspection on 12/22/25, the Certification Representative reviewed staff records and determined that emergency plans for all staff were not current.
During the renewal inspection on December 22, 2025, the Certification Representative reviewed Staff #2, and Staff #4 personnel records and determined that a current health assessment was not included with the results of TB.
During the renewal inspection on 12/22/25, the Certification Representative reviewed all four staff records and determined that fire safety trainings for all staff were not current.
During the renewal inspection on 12/22/25, the Certification Representative reviewed Staff #2 records and determined that mandated reporter training certification was expired.
During a renewal inspection conducted on 12/22/25, the Certification Representative reviewed Staff #1, Staff #3 and Staff #4 files, and the staff evaluations for Staff #1, Staff #3, and Staff #4 were not maintained.
During a renewal inspection conducted on 12/11/24, the Certification Representative reviewed Staff's #3 content of records, and Staff #3 content of records contained an expired Child Abuse Clearance.
During a renewal inspection conducted on 12/11/24, the Certification Representative reviewed Staff #4 content of records, and the content of records of Staff's #4 contained an expired Health Assessment.
During a renewal conducted on 12/11/24, the Certification Representative reviewed the content of records of Staff #1, Staff #2, Staff #3, and Staff #4. Staff #1, Staff #2, Staff #3, and Staff #4 content of records did not contain 12 hours of training.
During a complaint investigation inspection conducted on 05/17/24, the Certification Representative conducted a walkthrough of the facility and found the infant room out of ratio with 6 infants and one staff member present.
Show 29 older citations
During a renewal inspection conducted on 12/19/23, the Certification Representative reviewed the Emergency plan, and the Emergency Plan did not include a continuity of operations/care.
During a renewal inspection conducted on 12/19/23, the Certification Representative reviewed the content of records of Staff #2, and Staff #2 content of records did not contain an updated Health Physical Assessment.
During a renewal inspection conducted on 12/19/23, the Certificate Representative reviewed Staff # 2, Staff #3, Staff #4, and Staff #5 content of records and the staff #2, #3, #4, and #5 did not include Staff evaluations.
During a renewal inspection conducted on 12/19/23, the Certification Representative reviewed Child #1, Child #2, and Child #3 content of records, and Child # 1, #2, and #3 content of records did not indicate a every six-month review on the emergency contacts, and fee agreements.
At the time of inspection, staff person #1 did not have verification of valid tuberculosis screening by the Mantoux method at initial employment.
An individual designated as director was not present at the renewal inspection on 1/19/2023. As a result the photo identification verification process could not be completed and compliance with the requirements for directors qualification could not be measured.
The file of staff person #1 doh (see lis code sheet), did not include a copy of the NSOR clearance history information as required under the CPSL.
At the time of inspection, staff persons #2, 3 and 4 did not have a valid health assessments.
At the time of inspection, the operator did not maintain a written record that fire drills are conducted at least once every 60 days.
An individual designated as director was not present at the renewal inspection on 12/15/2022. As a result the photo identification verification process could not be completed and compliance with the requirements for directors qualification could not be measured.
At the time of inspection, facility person #6 did not have an individual record.
AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION CERTIFICATION REPRESENTATIVE OBSERVED 5 INFANTS AND 1 STAFF PERSON AND 6 YOUNG TODDLERS WITH 1 STAFF PERSON.
AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION THE PROVIDER DID NOT HAVE THE MEDICATION N IN THE ORIGINAL CONTAINER
AT THE TIME INSPECTION CHILD #1 DID NOT HAVE AN AGREEMENT.
AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION THE EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION FOR CHILD # 1 DID NOT INCLUDE HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE OR POLICY NUMBER INFORMATION.
AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION THE EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION FOR CHILD #1 DID NOT CONTAIN SIGNED PARENTAL CONSENT FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE FOR THE CHILDREN. SIGNED PARENTAL CONSENT FOR ADMINISTRATION OF MINOR FIRST-AID PROCEDURES BY FACILITY STAFF.
THE FILE OF STAFF PERSON # 1, HIRED 6/18/2021, DID NOT CONTAIN COPY OF THE FBI AND OUT OF STATE CLEARANCE HISTORY INFORMATION AS REQUIRED UNDER THE CPSL. THE FILE OF STAFF PERSON #2, HIRED 1/5/2021, DID NOT CONTAIN A REQUEST OF THE CRIMINAL, CHILD ABUSE, FBI OR NSOR CLEARANCE HISTORY INFORMATION AS REQUIRED UNDER THE CPSL.
AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION TWO HIGH CHAIRS IN THE TODDLER ROOM DID NOT CONTAIN T-SHAPED SAFETY STRAPS.
AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION THE PROVIDER DID NOT HAVE THE MEDICATION IN THE ORIGINAL CONTAINER. CONTINUOUS NON-COMPLIANCE
AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION CERTIFICATION REPRESENTATIVE OBSERVED STAFF PERSON #1 NOT WASH A CHILD'S HANDS AFTER
AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION CERTIFICATION REPRESENTATIVE OBSERVED A NONHANDS-FREE COVERED CAN BEING USED IN THE TODDLER ROOM DURING DIAPER CHANGING.
AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION STAFF PERSON #2 DID NOT HAVE AN HEALTH ASSESSMENT OR TUBERCULIN SCREENING AS REQUIRED PRIOR TO INITIAL EMPLOYMENT AT THE FACILITY.
AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION THE FIRE DRILL LOG DID NOT DOCUMENT COMPLIANCE WITH FIRE DRILLS BEING CONDUCTED AT LEAST ONCE EVERY 60 DAYS.
AT THE TIME OF RENEWAL INSPECTION AN AGENT FROM THE DEPARTMENT DID NOT GAIN IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO THE FACILITY.
STAFF #2 WHO IS DESIGNATED AS DIRECTOR WAS NOT PRESENT AT THE RENEWAL INSPECTION ON 2/1/2018. AS A RESULT THE PHOTO IDENTIFICATION VERIFICATION PROCESS COULD NOT BE COMPLETED AND COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS FOR DIRECTORS QUALIFICATION COULD NOT BE MEASURED.
AT THE TIME INSPECTION CHILD #1 DID NOT HAVE AN AGREEMENT. CONTINUOUS NON-COMPLIANCE
AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION THE EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION FOR CHILD # 1 DID NOT INCLUDE HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE OR POLICY NUMBER INFORMATION. CONTINUOUS NON-COMPLIANCE
AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION THE EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION FOR CHILD #1 DID NOT CONTAIN SIGNED PARENTAL CONSENT FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE FOR THE CHILDREN. SIGNED PARENTAL CONSENT FOR ADMINISTRATION OF MINOR FIRST-AID PROCEDURES BY FACILITY STAFF. CONTINUOUS NON-COMPLIANCE
AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION STAFF PERSON #2 DID NOT HAVE INDIVIDUAL RECORD AS REQUIRED.
“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 |
|---|---|---|
| Newborn (Under 6 Weeks) | $46.69 | $40.70 |
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $46.69 | $40.70 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $45.67 | $38.66 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $40.54 | $34.55 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $37.47 | $30.45 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $31.73 | $27.37 |
| Older School-Age (4th gr.-15 yrs.) | $31.73 | $27.37 |
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 Thinking Caps Academy 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 22, 2025 (background checks): “During a renewal inspection conducted on 12/22/25, the Certification Representative reviewed Staff's #2-#4 records and discovered that Staff #2-#4 records have an expired FBI Clearance. Staff #2 records have an expired…” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Thinking Caps Academy?
Pennsylvania lists no complaint investigation that found a violation at Thinking Caps Academy since 2021. Its search shows these “verified complaints” but not what a complaint alleged, or whether every violation relates to it.
What is Thinking Caps Academy’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 1, effective May 5, 2023. 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 Thinking Caps Academy compare with other daycares in Philadelphia?
It is tied for #609 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 51% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Thinking Caps Academy last inspected?
Dec 22, 2025 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does Thinking Caps Academy cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $46.69 for newborn, $46.69 for infant, $45.67 for young toddler, $40.54 for older toddler in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Thinking Caps Academy?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Thinking Caps Academy.
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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.
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