Chambersburg YMCA the Ark Child Development Center
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
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
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.
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.
Observed in the blue room, an electrical outlet on the end of plugged in decorative lights, which did not have a protective receptacle cover.
Observed in the blue room, two bottles of baby oil stored on the same cabinet shelf with cereal and other food items.
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.
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.
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.
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.
On 3/16/23 observed ceiling vents in the yellow room, blue room, and the hallway which needed to be cleaned.
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.
On 3/15/23 observed the financial agreement for child file #1 and #3 did not contain the date of the child's admission.
On 3/15/23 observed child file #1, 3, 4, 5, and 6 contained original agreements.
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.
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.
It was observed that all of the toilets in all of the bathrooms lacked a hand washing sign.
In the outdoor play space a green scooter was observed to be cracked, exposing sharp edges, potentially causing scraping or cutting.
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.
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.
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.
“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
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.
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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.