Trinity Merrill Lutheran Early Learning Center
201 STANGE ST, MERRILL, WI 54452-2309Childery Rating: 5/5
Data last updated ·
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 license in good standing. The structural rating also includes Wisconsin's licensing baseline — what every licensed daycare in the state must meet. Wisconsin caps infant ratios at 1:4, toddler ratios at 1:4, and preschool ratios at 1:13. Lead teachers must hold a High School Diploma. Teachers must complete 15 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
- Group Child Care Home
- Age groups served
- Infants
- Licensed capacity
- 70
- Teacher-child ratios & group sizesState Minimum Displayed
Age Max ratio Max group Infants 1:4 8
Teacher Credentials
- Lead teacher credentialState Minimum Displayed
- High School Diploma
Inspection History
Across 7 inspections since 2025, the issues cited most often were Discipline & Adult-Child Interaction (5), Parent Communication & Policies (4), and Children's Records & Files (4). Of 30 total findings, 3 were critical.
See All 7 Inspection Visits
Apr 7, 20264 Findings1 Critical3 Important
- Prohibited Actions - Corporal Punishment251.07(2)(e)1.
A self-reported incident occurred on 03/31/26, when Staff A in the Sonshine Room was observed slapping a child on their
- Report - Prohibited Actions251.04(3)(jm)
A self-reported incident occurred on 03/31/26 when a child was slapped on both hands by Staff A just before 8:00am. The
- Parent Notification - Inappropriate Child Guidance251.04(4)(a)2.e.
On 03/31/26 a child was slapped on both hands by Staff A in the Sonshine Room just before 8:00am. Parents did not receiv
- Properly Clothed Children251.07(6)(g)4.
On 04/01/26 a child was not dressed appropriately to ensure body warmth and comfort while playing outside in capris.
Feb 26, 20266 Findings6 Important
- Parent Notification - Injury, Consumption Of Allergen, Incor251.04(4)(a)2.c.
Per interview, staff in the Tiny Tiger Classrooms do not immediately notify parents of all head injuries.
- Mixed-Age Group - Staff-To-Child Ratio251.055(2)(c)
Per staff interview, the Tiny Tigers Classroom was out of ratio one morning the week of March 2nd.
- Exits & Passageways - Unobstructed, Minimum Width251.06(4)(d)
The exit door in the cafeteria was locked and required more than a one-hand and one-motion to open it.
- Prohibited Actions - Verbal251.07(2)(e)2.
Per staff interview, Staff A in the Sonshine Classroom threatened to take away children's blankets or stuffed animals fo
- Naps Or Rest Periods - Awake Children251.07(4)(b)
Per staff interview, children in the Sonshine Classroom are not allowed to get off their sleeping bags after 30 minutes
- Special Diets - Medical Condition251.07(5)(a)9.
One medication in the Caterpillar Classroom was labeled as a dietary supplement and written instruction from a doctor wa
Nov 20, 20251 Finding1 Important
- Naps Or Rest Periods - Awake Children251.07(4)(b)
Per staff interview, children are made to lay down for up to one hour during naptime before being allowed to get off the
Oct 14, 202510 Findings10 Important
- Child Record - Immunization History251.04(6)(a)6m.
Child 5 did not have record of immunizations or a waiver on file.
- Child Record - Physical Exam - Under 2251.04(6)(a)8.a.
Child 5 did not have record of a health report on a file.
- Current, Accurate Daily Attendance Record251.04(6)(b)
The Sonshine and Big Bears Classrooms had combined for the day and the daily attendance did not accurately reflect the l
- Staff Record - Days & Hours Worked251.05(2)(a)6.
One staff did not sign out in the Sonshine and Big Bears Classrooms. The Sonshine and Big Bears Classroom had combined f
- Storage Areas Under Stairs251.06(4)(h)
The closet under the stairs in the Big Bears Classroom was used for storage. The closet contained a disarray of cots, be
- Food Storage - Cold Storage Thermometers251.06(9)(d)1.c.
The refrigerator in the cafeteria did not contain a thermometer.
- Prohibited Actions - Withholding / Forcing Food Or Sleep251.07(2)(e)4.
A self-reported incident occurred on 09/22/25, when Staff A withheld food from a child at lunch time because the child w
- Current Authorizations For Medications On Premises251.07(6)(f)6.
In the Sonshine Classroom the parent authorization to administer for two medications expired on 05/01/25 and 08/10/25. O
- Washing Child's Hands & Face251.07(6)(i)1.
Per staff interview and observation, children under the age of 1 year old are having their hands washed with wipes that
- Infant & Toddler - Diaper Changing Surface Disinfection251.09(4)(a)3.
The downstairs diaper changing surface was visibly dirty and dirt and debris was under the mat.
Aug 20, 20251 Finding1 Critical
- Staff Record - Completed Background Check251.05(2)(a)2.
Fingerprints not completed for the following individuals: Individual 001
Jul 17, 20252 Findings2 Important
- Policy Submitted & Implemented - Health Care251.04(2)(h)5.
The biting policies are not being implemented. The center stated policies were updated; however, parents were not notifi
- Time Out - Not Removed From Classroom251.07(2)(c)5.
A child was removed for their classroom and placed in a different classroom as a result of biting.
Jun 6, 20256 Findings1 Critical5 Important
- Mandated Reporting - Child Abuse & Neglect251.04(8)(a)
Several staff stated a child's condition rose to the level of abuse and/or neglect; however, they did not report concern
- Report - Prohibited Actions251.04(3)(jm)
Prohibited actions were not reported to the department within 24 hours after the incident.
- Parent Notification - Injury, Consumption Of Allergen, Incor251.04(4)(a)2.c.
A child in the Sunshine Classroom sustained a head injury on 06/05/25 at 8:30am and parents were not immediately notifie
- Parent Notification - Inappropriate Child Guidance251.04(4)(a)2.e.
Parents were not notified that their child was subject to prohibited child guidance by staff.
- Child Care Teacher - High School Or Equivalent251.05(3)(f)2.b.
Staff E and J did not have record of a high school diploma or its equivalent on file.
- Supervision - Teacher Per Group Of Children251.055(1)(b)
Per staff interview and review of the daily attendance sheet, two assistant teachers were supervising the Mini Monkeys C
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