What Pennsylvania inspectors cite the most

The operator must comply with the CPSL (Child Protective Services Law) and Chapter 3490 — including current background-check clearances and mandated-reporter training (every 5 years).

• Staff record missing required CPSL hiring documents
• Mandated-reporter training older than 60 months
• Returning staff not re-screened

Personnel records must contain written verification of health-and-safety training topics required to work unsupervised with children.

• Staff working unsupervised without H&S training documentation
• Health and safety training not completed within hire window
• Renewal training overdue

A facility shall operate in conformity with applicable Federal and State laws and regulations from agencies whose rules apply (fire, health, building, etc.).

• Staff record missing required H&S training
• Failure to comply with another agency's applicable regulation
• Local fire-marshal or building-code deficiency uncorrected

Floors, walls, ceilings, and other surfaces — including the facility's outdoor play space — shall be kept clean, in good repair, and free from visible hazards.

• Surfaces in disrepair during construction
• Visible damage to floors or walls in child-use areas
• Outdoor play surface presenting hazard

Toxic, poisonous, or hazardous substances must be kept inaccessible to children at all times — locked or out of reach.

• Toxic items in unlocked cabinet accessible to children
• Cleaning supplies stored within child reach
• Chemicals labeled 'Keep Out of Reach' present in unlocked cupboards

Each facility person's record shall include verification of training, qualifications, and the position held — assembled and maintained per Chapter 3270.

• Personnel record missing H&S training documentation
• Verification of education or experience missing
• Required training certificate not on file

Parents must update emergency contact and financial agreement information at least every 6 months, or sooner if information changes.

• Emergency contact information not updated within 6 months
• Financial agreement out of date
• Several children's records missing recent updates

Annual fire-system report from a fire safety professional, including documentation of an interconnected fire-detection device, must be on file.

• Annual fire-system report missing or outdated
• No proof of purchase for interconnected fire-detection device
• Fire-detection device installed but not documented

Facility must maintain written documentation of an interconnected fire-detection device or system per Act 62 of 2020 (62 P.S. §1016).

• No documentation of interconnected fire-detection device
• Proof of purchase missing
• Date of purchase not on file

Each child's emergency contact form must include the child's health insurance coverage and policy number — or the corresponding Medical Assistance details.

• Health insurance coverage missing on emergency form
• Policy number not recorded
• Family policy / Medicaid information not on file

A primary staff person shall have a high school diploma or GED plus 2 years of experience with children — verified in the personnel record.

• Primary staff record missing diploma/GED verification
• Experience documentation incomplete
• Two years of child-care experience not verified

For older toddlers and preschool children, the operator must obtain an updated health report from the parent at least every 12 months.

• Updated health report not on file within past 12 months
• Health report not made available at inspection
• Health report missing required elements