Thinking Out of the Box Learning Center INC
Thinking Out of the Box Learning Center INC is a certified child care center in Philadelphia, PA, with capacity for 70 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 2 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 7 times. The state cited 19 violations, 3 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for records & paperwork (12 of 19). None of them came in the last 12 months. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #283 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia and has fewer citations per inspection than 76% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
During the renewal inspection on 07/21/25, Certification Representative reviewed the files for staff member #1 and staff member #2. The files did not contain verification of the NSOR clearance.
During the renewal inspection on 07/21/25, Certification Representative reviewed the files for child #1, child #2 and child #3. The files did not contain verification of the Department's approved form to provide information to the family about the child's growth and development in the context of the services being provided.
During the renewal inspection on 07/21/25, Certification Representative reviewed the file for staff member #3. The file only contained one written, nonfamily reference attesting to the person's suitability to serve as a facility person.
During a renewal inspection conducted on 07/31/2024, the Certification Representative reviewed Staff's #4 content of records and the content of records of Staff #4 did not have the correct FBI Clearance.
During a renewal inspection conducted on 07/29/2024, the Certification Representative review Staff #3 content of records, and the content of records did not include an initial Health Assessment upon hire.
During a renewal inspection conducted on 07/29/2024, the Certification Representative review Staff #1, Staff # 2, and Staff #3, content of records, and the content of records did not include two letters of references upon hire.
During a renewal inspection conducted on 6/29/2023, 4 staff files were reviewed. Staff member number 2 file contained a valid current New Jersey Stat Drivers License. The staff member's file did not contain New Jersey CPSL clearances. LACKING REQUIRED HIRING DOCUMENTS: Facility Person # 2may not work in a child care position at the facility.
During a renewal inspection conducted on 6/29/2023, 4 staff files were reviewed. Staff member # 1 file did not contain 12 hours of annual child care training.
During a renewal inspection conducted on 3/3/2022, 2 staff files were reviewed. Staff member # 2 file did not contain an written staff evaluation.
During a renewal inspection conducted on 3/3/2022, 5 child files were reviewed. Child #3 file contained a fee agreement that did not specify the persons designated by a parent to whom the child may be released.
During a renewal inspection conducted on 3/3/2022, 5 child files were reviewed. Child # 2 file contained a fee agreement that did not specify the services which are to be considered as extra.
During a renewal inspection conducted on 3.3.2022, 5 child files were reviewed. Child # 3 emergency contact form did not include the child's birthdate.
During a renewal inspection conducted on 3/3/2022, 5 child files were reviewed. Child # 1 and 2 files contained emergency contact forms that did not list the work address of the enrolling parent. Child # 1 file contained an emergency contact form that did list the work telephone number of the enrolling parent.
During a renewal inspection conducted on 3/3/2022, 5 child files were reviewed. Child #4 file contained an emergency contact form that did not address the section regarding the child's disability
During a renewal inspection conducted on 3/3/2022, 5 child files were reviewed. Child # 1 file contained an emergency contact form that did not list the child's health insurance policy number.
During a renewal inspection conducted on 3/3/2022, 5 child files were reviewed. Child # 1 file contained an emergency contact form that was signed and dated 2.14.2021. There were no updated review signatures on this form.
During a renewal inspection conducted on 3/3/2022, 5 child files were reviewed. Child # 1 file contained a fee agreement that was signed and dated on 2/14/2021. There were no updates of reviews signed and dated on this form.
During a renewal inspection conducted on 3/3/20222, 5 child files were reviewed. Child #4 file contained an emergency form that did not address the section regarding parental consent for administration of minor first-aid procedures by facility staff.
During a renewal inspection conducted on 3/3/2022, 2 staff files were reviewed. Staff member # 1 file did not contain 12 hours of annual child care training.
“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 |
|---|---|---|
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $56.00 | $56.00 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $56.00 | $46.00 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $46.00 | $36.00 |
| Older School-Age (4th gr.-15 yrs.) | $46.00 | $36.00 |
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 Out of the Box Learning Center INC had any serious violations?
Pennsylvania cited 3 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 Jul 21, 2025 (background checks): “During the renewal inspection on 07/21/25, Certification Representative reviewed the files for staff member #1 and staff member #2. The files did not contain verification of the NSOR clearance.” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Thinking Out of the Box Learning Center INC?
Pennsylvania lists no complaint investigation that found a violation at Thinking Out of the Box Learning Center INC since 2021. Its search shows these “verified complaints” but not what a complaint alleged, or whether every violation relates to it.
What is Thinking Out of the Box Learning Center INC’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 2, effective May 20, 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 Thinking Out of the Box Learning Center INC compare with other daycares in Philadelphia?
It is tied for #283 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 76% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Thinking Out of the Box Learning Center INC last inspected?
Jul 21, 2026 (renewal). No violations were cited during that visit.
How much does Thinking Out of the Box Learning Center INC cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $56.00 for older toddler, $56.00 for preschool, $46.00 for young school-age, $46.00 for older school-age in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Thinking Out of the Box Learning Center INC?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Thinking Out Of The Box Learning CTR INC.
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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.