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Chambersburg YMCA the Ark Child Development Center

756 S Coldbrook Ave, Chambersburg, PA 17201 · Franklin County
Keystone STAR 1

Chambersburg YMCA the Ark Child Development Center is a certified child care center in Chambersburg, PA, with capacity for 88 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 1 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 6 times. The state cited 19 violations, none of them core-safety, most often for building & playground safety (9 of 19). 1 citation came in the last 12 months. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is #2 of 18 centers in Chambersburg and has fewer citations per inspection than 62% of Pennsylvania certified centers.

Inspection record

Fewer citations than 62% of 4,789 Pennsylvania certified centers, per inspection, weighted by topic. About typical
#2 of 18 centers in Chambersburg
0 Core-safety citations
19 Other citations
6 Inspections
0 Complaint investigations that found violations
19 citations from 6 state visits since Aug 16, 2021 · 1 in the last 12 months · last inspected Mar 12, 2026

Every state visit

2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 INSPECTIONS (top) · REPORTS & INVESTIGATIONS (bottom) Mar 12, 2026 · Inspection · citation found Apr 30, 2025 · Inspection · no citation Mar 12, 2025 · Inspection · citation found Mar 14, 2024 · Inspection · citation found Mar 15, 2023 · Inspection · citation found Mar 29, 2022 · Inspection · citation found
Violation found No violation Top row: inspections · bottom row: complaint investigations, self-reported incidents and other visits

What inspectors cited most

Building & playground safety 9
Health & medication 6
Records & paperwork 3
Training & qualifications 1

Citations, newest first

Citation Mar 12, 2026 Inspection Building & playground safety
Locked or inaccessible 55 Pa. Code §3270.66(a)
A bottle of white out was observed in the Green room in a desk drawer that was not locked or otherwise made inaccessible to children. A Chrysanthemum, identified as toxic was observed in the yellow room.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Apr 30, 2026): “Staff removed white out and Chrysanthemum from classrooms.”
Citation Mar 12, 2025 Inspection Health & medication
Special notes 55 Pa. Code §3270.133(7)(viii)
The facility was observed to have a medication log for child #1 that lacked documentation of special notes related to problems of administration. Medication and medication logs for children #1 and #2 were observed to lack the prescriber's phone numbers.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, May 14, 2025): “Staff will request that the families provide prescriber's phone number if available. If not available, staff will have families mark "NA" on the medication log for the prescriber's phone number.”
Citation Mar 14, 2024 Inspection Building & playground safety
Protective Outlet Covers 5 yrs. or less 55 Pa. Code §3270.65
Observed in the blue room, an electrical outlet on the end of plugged in decorative lights, which did not have a protective receptacle cover.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Mar 27, 2024): “Staff added protective cover to outlet at end of decorative light string.”
Citation Mar 14, 2024 Inspection Building & playground safety
Original container 55 Pa. Code §3270.66(b)
Observed in the blue room, two bottles of baby oil stored on the same cabinet shelf with cereal and other food items.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Mar 27, 2024): “Staff removed baby oil from classroom and placed in storage closet.”
Citation Mar 14, 2024 Inspection Health & medication
Exemption documentation from parent/guardian 55 Pa. Code §3270.131(e)(1)
Observed child file #2 contained a valid health assessment which did not contain an updated written verification of ongoing vaccines administered to an infant, toddler or preschool child in accordance with the schedule recommended by the ACIP.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Mar 27, 2024): “Staff contacted family and received written confirmation of why child's immunization schedule is not in accordance with recommendations by ACIP. Family is declining certain immunizations at this time.”
Citation Mar 14, 2024 Inspection Health & medication
Health information 55 Pa. Code §3270.131(a)
Observed child file #1 contained an initial health assessment which was dated more than 60 days following the first day of attendance at the facility.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Mar 27, 2024): “Staff received health assessment from family. Child has a current valid health assessment.”
Citation Mar 15, 2023 Inspection Building & playground safety
Protective Outlet Covers 5 yrs. or less 55 Pa. Code §3270.65
On 3/16/23, observed electrical outlets which did not have protective receptacle covers, on an extension cord next to the television in the green room.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Apr 11, 2023): “Staff covered all receptacles.”
Citation Mar 15, 2023 Inspection Building & playground safety
Arts and crafts non-toxic 55 Pa. Code §3270.66(e)
On 3/16/23 observed dabbn fever bingo markers which did not have the non-toxic symbol in the green room. Observed shaving cream, labeled keep out of the reach of children, with the arts and crafts materials in the blue room.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Apr 11, 2023): “Staff removed bingo markers from classroom.”
Citation Mar 15, 2023 Inspection Building & playground safety
Building Surfaces 55 Pa. Code §3270.76
On 3/16/23 observed ceiling vents in the yellow room, blue room, and the hallway which needed to be cleaned.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Apr 17, 2023): “Staff will clean ceiling vents.”
Citation Mar 15, 2023 Inspection Health & medication
Immunization record/Dismissal policy 55 Pa. Code §3270.131(d)(5)/3270.131(e)(3)
On 3/15/23 observed child file #1, 2, and 6 did not contain written verification of ongoing flu vaccines administered in accordance with the schedule recommended by the ACIP.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Apr 11, 2023): “Staff provided verification from families stating that they declined flu vaccines.”
Citation Mar 15, 2023 Inspection Records & paperwork
Admission date 55 Pa. Code §3270.123(a)(6)
On 3/15/23 observed the financial agreement for child file #1 and #3 did not contain the date of the child's admission.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Apr 11, 2023): “Staff include date of child's admission on any updated paperwork.”
Citation Mar 15, 2023 Inspection Records & paperwork
Parent receives original 55 Pa. Code §3270.123(b)
On 3/15/23 observed child file #1, 3, 4, 5, and 6 contained original agreements.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Apr 11, 2023): “Staff gave families original agreements and retained copies in children's files.”
Citation Mar 15, 2023 Inspection Training & qualifications
Professional development certificate 55 Pa. Code §3270.31(g)
On 3/15/23, observed staff file #1 contained documentation of the completion of the required update to the mandated health and safety training which was completed after the due date of 12/31/22.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, Apr 11, 2023): “Staff completed update to the mandated health and safety training.”
Citation Mar 29, 2022 Inspection Building & playground safety
Original container 55 Pa. Code §3270.66(b)
In Room #3 it was observed that a bottle containing bleach was not stored in an original container or in a container that specifies the content.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, May 19, 2022): “Bottle was labeled correctly.”
Citation Mar 29, 2022 Inspection Building & playground safety
Handwashing signs 55 Pa. Code §3270.82(h)
It was observed that all of the toilets in all of the bathrooms lacked a hand washing sign.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, May 19, 2022): “Handwashing signs were moved from the wall across from each toilet to above each toilet.”
Citation Mar 29, 2022 Inspection Building & playground safety
Clean and good repair 55 Pa. Code §3270.102(a)
In the outdoor play space a green scooter was observed to be cracked, exposing sharp edges, potentially causing scraping or cutting.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, May 19, 2022): “Green scooter was thrown away.”
Citation Mar 29, 2022 Inspection Health & medication
Name on bottle 55 Pa. Code §3270.133(3)
It was observed that a Tylenol bottle in Room #3 was not labeled with the name of a child for whom the medication is intended.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, May 19, 2022): “Child's name was written on the bottle of Tylenol with permanent marker.”
Citation Mar 29, 2022 Inspection Health & medication
Health information 55 Pa. Code §3270.131(a)
The file for Child # 1 enrolled 9/20/21 did not have an initial health report within 90 days of start date. Child #1 Health Report is dated 1/27/22.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, May 19, 2022): “Staff will not allow students to continue to attend beyond the deadline for the initial health report.”
Citation Mar 29, 2022 Inspection Records & paperwork
Availability of certificate of compliance and applicable regulations 55 Pa. Code §3270.25(a)
It was observed that the facility did not provide the parent of each child in the facility with information on how to access the regulations electronically.
Center’s plan of correction (implemented, May 19, 2022): “The information on how to access the child care regulations electronically was posted on the family information board and added to the family handbook.”

“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.

Daily rates

Age group Full time, per day Part time, per day
Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) $31.00 $31.00

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

Capacity 88 children
Certificate status Regular
Certificate valid through Jun 8, 2027
Keystone STARS STAR 1
since Aug 1, 2019 · what STARS means
Operator Chambersburg Memorial YMCA
Hours Monday–Friday 6:30 AM–5:30 PM How Pennsylvania centers’ hours compare
Phone (717) 446-0533
State certificate # CER-00256337
Parent reviews Google Maps reviews
Not checked by Daycare Record

Common questions

Has Chambersburg YMCA the Ark Child Development Center had any serious violations?

No citations on supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep since 2021. It has 19 other citations, listed above.

Have there been complaints about Chambersburg YMCA the Ark Child Development Center?

Pennsylvania lists no complaint investigation that found a violation at Chambersburg YMCA the Ark Child Development Center since 2021. Its search shows these “verified complaints” but not what a complaint alleged, or whether every violation relates to it.

What is Chambersburg YMCA the Ark Child Development Center’s Keystone STARS rating?

STAR 1, effective Aug 1, 2019. 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 Chambersburg YMCA the Ark Child Development Center compare with other daycares in Chambersburg?

It is #2 of 18 centers in Chambersburg by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 62% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.

When was Chambersburg YMCA the Ark Child Development Center last inspected?

Mar 12, 2026 (renewal). The state cited at least one violation during that visit.

How much does Chambersburg YMCA the Ark Child Development Center cost?

It reported full-time daily rates of $31.00 for preschool in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.

Who runs Chambersburg YMCA the Ark Child Development Center?

The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is Chambersburg Memorial YMCA.

Certified centers nearby

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.