Gateway Educare Infant Center and Preschool · Preschool, Merced
Gateway Educare Infant Center and Preschool is a licensed child care center in Merced, CA, licensed for up to 46 children and serving preschool-age children. It has held its California license since 2005. Since February 2021, state licensing staff have inspected it 5 times. The state issued 3 citations, 1 of them Type A (the most serious), most often for building & playground safety (2 of 3). None of them came in the last 12 months. Measured by weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #28 of 36 centers in Merced and has more citations per inspection than 60% of California licensed centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
Based on observation. During inspection of Orange Classroom, LPA observed a cabinet drawer that was completely broken off from one of the hinges. This poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
LPA observation of surveillance footage that showed Staff #1 push Child #1. 1 Facility has taken steps to remedy the situation by suspending and terminating the employment of Staff #1. Deficiency cleared. This is an immediate danger to the health, safety or personal rights of children in care.
LPA observation of weeds in the outdoor play area. This is a potential risk to the health, safety or personal rights of children in care. 1 Director stated she will have the weeds removed and submit proof of removal to Community Care Licensing by 9/14/21.
About this center
Other licenses at this address
Common questions
Does Gateway Educare Infant Center and Preschool take infants?
Not under this license, which covers preschool-age children. An infant center is licensed separately at the same address (listed below).
Has Gateway Educare Infant Center and Preschool had any serious violations?
California issued 1 Type A citation since 2021, its most serious category. The most recent was on Feb 23, 2022, for personal rights. Each citation is listed in full above.
How does Gateway Educare Infant Center and Preschool compare with other daycares in Merced?
It is tied for #28 of 36 centers in Merced by weighted citations per inspection, and has more citations per inspection than 60% of California licensed centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Gateway Educare Infant Center and Preschool last inspected?
Dec 9, 2025. No citations were issued during that visit.
How much does Gateway Educare Infant Center and Preschool cost?
California does not publish individual centers’ prices, so ask Gateway Educare Infant Center and Preschool for its current tuition. For comparison, the median full-time price at licensed centers in Merced County, which includes Merced, was $730 a month for preschoolers (about $920 today) in the state’s 2021 Regional Market Rate Survey.
Who runs Gateway Educare Infant Center and Preschool?
The licensee is Gateway Community Christian Reformed Church, INC., and the administrator listed with the state is Stephanie Dunn.
Licensed centers nearby
343 E. Donna Drive, Merced · under 0.1 mi away · 26 spots More citations than most Peterson Preschool
848 E Donna Dr, Merced · 0.3 mi away · 24 spots No citations Buhach Preschool Yosemite Crossing
3670 G St, Merced · 0.4 mi away · 121 spots Too few inspections to compare Merced College Child Development Center
3600 M Street, Merced · 0.7 mi away · 120 spots Among the most cited Merced College Child Development Center
3600 M Street, Merced · 0.7 mi away · 30 spots No citations Buhach Preschool
760 Loughborough Dr, Merced · 1.0 mi away · 98 spots More citations than most
Citations are quoted from California Department of Social Services inspection and complaint reports. Type A citations are the state’s most serious category (an immediate risk to children’s health, safety or personal rights); Type B citations are a potential risk. A citation is a finding about one rule, not a judgment about a center overall. Complaint allegations appear here only when the state substantiated them.
To read the full state reports, search facility number 243808216 on the California Care Facility Search. Data refreshed Oct 3, 2026.
Comparing centers? See how to choose a daycare: 30 questions to ask and a printable checklist.