Merrimack YMCA Child Care
Data last updated · May 2026
Quality Indicators
See Methodology →- Overall QualityCombines daily care quality (interactions, learning, environment) with structural features like staff-to-child ratios and teacher qualifications.5 / 5
- Process QualityThe quality of daily care — caregiver-child interactions, learning activities, and the emotional climate. Drawn from the state QRIS rating, accreditations, and Head Start CLASS observations.Not Available
- Structural QualityMeasurable features like staff-to-child ratios, group sizes, license status, and teacher qualifications. Provider-level data when available; otherwise the state regulatory baseline.5 / 5
Why this rating
This daycare earned 5 out of 5 stars overall. Structural quality reflects a 4% violation rate across 2 visits in the last 3 years (most recently inspected December 2025) and a license in good standing. The structural rating also includes New Hampshire's licensing baseline — what every licensed daycare in the state must meet. New Hampshire caps infant ratios at 1:4, toddler ratios at 1:5, and preschool ratios at 1:12. Lead teachers must hold a High School Diploma. Teachers must complete 18 hours of annual training. No objective process measures (e.g., state quality rating or national accreditation) are available for this daycare. The overall rating reflects structural features only.
Quality Recognitions & Accreditations
- Accreditations
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)Not Accredited
- National Accreditation Commission (NAC)Not Accredited
- National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA)Not Accredited
- National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC)Not Accredited
Facility Info
- Facility type
- Daycare
- Age groups served
- Infants, Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age
- Licensed capacity
- 460
- Teacher-child ratios & group sizesState Minimum Displayed
Age Max ratio Max group Infants 1:4 12 Toddlers 1:5 15 Preschool 1:12 24
Teacher Credentials
- Lead teacher credentialState Minimum Displayed
- High School Diploma
Inspection History
Across 3 inspections since 2024, the issues cited most often were Building & Premises Safety (6), Medication Administration (5), and Food Safety & Allergic Reactions (2). Of 24 total findings, 6 were critical.
See All 3 Inspection Visits
Apr 24, 20264 Findings4 Important
- Medication Is Stored and Labeled in Accordance with RuleHe-C 4002.20(j)(1)
All medication shall be: Inaccessible to children.
- Cords or Strings Long Enough to Encircle a Child’s Neck Are OOR of ChildrenHe-C 4002.22(e)
Cords or strings long enough to encircle a child’s neck, such as cords on window blinds, curtains, or shades, shall be kept out of children’s reach.
- Auto Control Keeps Water Temp at Taps Less Than 120°F if Access. to ChildrenHe-C 4002.26(c)
Hot water at taps which are accessible to children shall have an automatic control to maintain a temperature at the tap of not higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
- All Background Record Checks Have Been Completed as Required.He-C 4002.40(a)
Background record checks shall be completed in accordance with this section.
Dec 11, 202512 Findings12 Important
- Each Allergy Care Plan Is Posted, Staff Are FamiliarHe-C 4002.19(k)
With permission of the parent or guardian, the program shall post each child’s allergy care plan and treatment plan in the kitchen or food preparation area, the child's classroom, and wherever the child might have contac…
- Medication Is Stored and Labeled in Accordance with RuleHe-C 4002.20(j)(1)
All medication shall be: Inaccessible to children.
- Program Returns or Disposes Expired/discontinued MedsHe-C 4002.20(q)
Any contaminated, expired, or discontinued medication, whether prescription or over-the-counter, and topical substances shall be returned to the child’s parents or guardians whenever possible or, if belonging to the prog…
- Items Labeled “Harmful if Swallowed/flammable” Inaccessible to ChildrenHe-C 4002.22(b)
Child care staff shall ensure that potentially harmful items, including but not limited to matches, lighters, chemicals, materials labeled “harmful if swallowed,” flammable materials, sharp objects, and staffs’ personal…
- Items Labeled “Keep Out Of Reach” Are Used Only During Teacher Directed ActivitiesHe-C 4002.22(d)
Non-toxic materials labeled “keep out of reach of children” shall only be used during a teacher-directed activity.
- Cords or Strings Long Enough to Encircle a Child’s Neck Are OOR of ChildrenHe-C 4002.22(e)
Cords or strings long enough to encircle a child’s neck, such as cords on window blinds, curtains, or shades, shall be kept out of children’s reach.
- Garbage Disposed of in a Lined & Covered Container, Emptied Daily or as NeededHe-C 4002.22(q)
Garbage shall be disposed of in a lined and covered container and staff shall empty trash containers daily or sooner if contents create an odor or a health risk.
- Children >3 Years No Have Access to Small Toys/parts/items That Pose a Suffocation HazardHe-C 4002.24(e)
Child care staff shall not allow children younger than 3 years of age to have access to toys, toy parts, and other materials that pose a suffocation or choking risk or are small enough to be swallowed, including, but not…
- Cribs and Playpens Are Safe, No Soft Items, and Proper Bedding MaterialsHe-C 4002.25(f)(1)
Cribs and play pens required under (c) above shall: Not be stacked.
- Diaper Changing Close to a HW Sink/surface Washable/hands-free Trash/not in Food AreaHe-C 4002.28(a)
Programs serving diapered children and children who are not toilet trained shall have a diaper changing area, which shall be located adjacent to or in close proximity to a designated hand washing sink to allow access for…
- Prep/store/serve/discard/freeze/thaw/warm Formula & Breast Milk per RuleHe-C 4002.30(k)(1)
Prepared formula shall be: Used immediately or stored in the refrigerator no longer than 24 hours.
- All Background Record Checks Have Been Completed as Required.He-C 4002.40(a)
Background record checks shall be completed in accordance with this section.
Jul 24, 20248 Findings6 Critical2 Important
- HIGH RISK: Medication Is Stored in Accordance with RuleHe-C 4002.21(o)
All medication shall be: (1) Inaccessible to children; (2) Stored at the temperature and conditions recommended by the manufacturer or as directed on the prescription label; (3) Stored in a secondary container separate f…
- HIGH RISK: Program Returns or Disposes Expired/discontinued MedsHe-C 4002.21(u)
Any contaminated, expired, or discontinued medication, whether prescription or over-the-counter, and topical substances shall be returned to the child’s parents or, if belonging to the program, disposed of properly by au…
- HIGH RISK: Are Dangerous Items and Staff Personal Belongings Stored OOR or LockedHe-C 4002.23(c)
Child care staff shall ensure that potentially harmful items, including but not limited to matches, lighters, chemicals, materials labeled “harmful if swallowed,” flammable materials, sharp objects, and staffs’ personal…
- HIGH RISK: Garbage Disposed of in a Lined & Covered Container, Emptied Daily or as NeededHe-C 4002.23(r)
Garbage shall be disposed of in a lined and covered container and staff shall empty trash containers daily or sooner if contents create an odor or a health risk.
- HIGH RISK: Fencing Is Free of Gaps >4”, Designed So Children Cannot Climb Over/under/ Through FenceHe-C 4002.24(c)(1)
All fencing required by the department or otherwise intended to limit children’s access to a defined area shall have no gaps greater than 4 inches and be designed to restrain preschool children from climbing out of, over…
- HIGH RISK: Toy Boxes W/lids Are Equipped with a Safety Lid SupportHe-C 4002.25(j)
Toy boxes accessible to children used to store any child care materials and equipment shall have a safety lid support or not have a lid.
- Items Labeled "Keep Out Of Reach" Are Used Only During Teacher Directed ActivitiesHe-C 4002.23(e)
Non-toxic materials labeled “keep out of reach of children” shall only be used during a teacher-directed activity.
- HIGH RISK: Staff Have Completed Required Professional DevelopmentHe-C 4002.33(a)
All center directors, agency administrators, site coordinators, or site directors, and all other child care staff who are responsible for the supervision of children, or who are necessary for the staff to child ratios, s…