Ups and Downs Day Care
Ups and Downs Day Care is a certified child care center in Philadelphia, PA, with capacity for 316 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 4 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 5 times and confirmed violations in 4 complaint investigations. The state cited 22 violations, 7 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for building & playground safety (7 of 22). 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 #775 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia and has more citations per inspection than 59% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
At time of renewal, Staff #1 and Staff #2 files did not contain a child abuse clearance as required by CPSL. Staff #5 file did not contain an NSOR clearance as required by CPSL. Staff #3 file did not contain out of state clearances as required by CPSL.
On 1/23/26, at time of renewal, bags containing first aid kits were observed accessible to children in Room 134, Room 121 and Room 125.
At time of renewal, Staff #4 file did not contain an initial health assessment, including results of tuberculosis testing. Staff #1 file did not contain a health assessment (only results of tuberculosis testing was on file). Staff #2 file did not contain a health assessment dated within 24 months. Staff #2 health assessment was dated 1/16/23. Staff #6 file did not contain a health assessment.
On 1/23/26, at time of renewal, a total of 33 preschool aged children were observed participating in gross motor activity in the indoor movement room. The indoor movement room has a capacity of 14 children.
At time of renewal, Staff #5 and Staff #7 files did not contain verification of age and address.
At time of renewal, Staff #1 and Staff #8 files contained a reference letter written by a family member.
On 6/3/25, Staff #1 reported that Staff #2 pulled Child #1 arm to get them out of a chair. Staff #2 then put their hands on the back of Child #1 neck and forcibly pushed Child #1 down to the floor to clean up something.
On 1/28/25, at time of renewal, Staff #1 and Staff #2 file did not contain annual fire safety training.
On 4/5/24, at approx. 3:30pm, staff person #1 observed staff person #2 grabbing Child #1 hand, pulling Child #1 down the hallway towards the classroom door, and attempting to push Child #1 into the classroom.
On 2/15/24, at time of renewal, Staff person #1 and Staff person #2 do not have current pediatric first-aid/CPR training. This is evidenced by the previously documented pediatric first-aid/CPR training expiration date of 10/25/23.
On 2/15/24, at time of renewal, Staff person #3, #4, #6, and #7 have not completed the following required pre-service training within 90 days of their date of hire: Pediatric First Aid/CPR from an approved curriculum.
During unannounced monitoring certification rep verified that staff 1 forcefully grabbed a child by the arm and forcefully pulled him to a seat.
During renewal inspection certification rep observed a loose outlet in room 102
During renewal inspection certification rep observed chipped/ plaster in the following rooms: 102, 103, 104, 105, 108, 112, 114, 116, 119, 126, 134. In rooms 108 and 112 the wall in the bathroom needs repair.
During renewal inspection certification rep observed a blue sofa in room 102 that had a hole in it exposing the foam the inside of the sofa.
During renewal inspection certification rep checked the refrigerator in room 102. The temperature in the refrigerator was 65° F.
During renewal inspection certification observed 2 of the medications for 1 that was passed the discard date. Epi-Pen had a discard date of 9-27-22 and the Benadryl discard date was 10-11-22.During renewal inspection certification rep asked to see the medication log for child 1. Child 1 did not have a medication log
During renewal inspection certification rep reviewed staff files. Staff #1 was missing NSOR. During renewal inspection certification rep reviewed staff files. Disclosure statement for staff #2 and 3 were not signed and dated by staff
During renewal inspection certification rep checked the water temperature. The water temperature in the following rooms were above 110° F: Room 116 water temperature was 132.2° F, Room 119 water temperature was 126.1° F, Room 134 water temperature was 113.7° F
During renewal inspection certification rep observed chipped paint in rooms 105, 108, 112, 114 and 119. Certification rep observed chipped paint on the doors of the classroom
Facility staff left child unattended on the play yard for approximately 38 minutes.
Facility staff left child unattended on the play yard for approximately 38 minutes
“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.) | $64.85 | — |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $57.69 | — |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $54.00 | $30.00 |
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 Ups and Downs Day Care had any serious violations?
Pennsylvania cited 7 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 23, 2026 (background checks): “At time of renewal, Staff #1 and Staff #2 files did not contain a child abuse clearance as required by CPSL. Staff #5 file did not contain an NSOR clearance as required by CPSL. Staff #3 file did not contain out of…” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Ups and Downs Day Care?
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 Ups and Downs Day Care’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 4, effective Mar 4, 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 Ups and Downs Day Care compare with other daycares in Philadelphia?
It is tied for #775 of 1,163 centers in Philadelphia by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has more citations per inspection than 59% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Ups and Downs Day Care last inspected?
Jan 23, 2026 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.
How much does Ups and Downs Day Care cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $64.85 for young toddler, $57.69 for older toddler, $54.00 for preschool in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Ups and Downs Day Care?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Special People In Northeast 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.