Lower Bucks YMCA Newtown Branch Sycamore
Lower Bucks YMCA Newtown Branch Sycamore is a certified child care center in Newtown, PA, with capacity for 95 children. It holds a Keystone STAR 1 rating. Since August 2021, Pennsylvania certification staff have inspected it 7 times and confirmed violations in 3 complaint investigations. The state cited 18 violations, 5 of them core-safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep), most often for building & playground safety (7 of 18). 3 citations came in the last 12 months, including 2 on a core-safety topic. Measured by topic-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #11 of 16 centers in Newtown and has fewer citations per inspection than 66% of Pennsylvania certified centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
Child eloped from childcare center.;',
Children were playing in a hallway as an indoor play area.
On 4-20-26 Certification Representative verified that staff person # 1 pulled child's arm.
On 1/9/24 during renewal inspection Certification Representative noticed that chipped paint on walls.
On 1/9/24 during renewal inspection Certification Representative noticed that two high chairs were missing T-straps.
At the time of the inspection there were multiple areas of leaking pipes observed. The bathroom next to main entrance appeared to have been flooded as well as the Bathroom in the older toddler room. The ceiling tiles in the hallway were water stained and appeared to have evidence of mold.
At the time of the inspection the 1 year old room did not have a first aid kit and the first aid kit in the pre k room was lacking in tweezers
At the time of the inspection the ceiling in the infant room had tiles with water damage which were corroded.
At the time of the inspection the bathroom adjacent to the main entrance had an unlidded trash can inside of it.
At the time of the inspection the record of staff person # 5, having served the facility over as lacking in the proof of having completed the required health and safety training. The record of staff person # 2 and #6, having served the facility over 90 days, was lacking in the proof of having completed the required first aid training.
At the time of the inspection the record of staff person #2 was lacking in the verification of education to qualify them for the position they have been identified and observed performing at the facility. At the time of the inspection the records of staff persons # 1 and #2 were lacking in the verification of childcare experience to qualify them for the position they have been identified and observed performing.
At the time of the inspection the records of the following staff persons were lacking in the required two nonfamily reference letters: #3, #4, #5
At the time of the inspection staff person #2 did leave the pre k classroom with one child to go to the bathroom, leaving staff person #1 with a ratio of 1:12 with Preschool aged children.
At the time of the inspection the record of staff person #2 did not have the required FBI clearance.
During the onset of the inspection the staff person who did answer the door for the certification representative did leave the other staff person in the child care space with 5 children including one infant.
At the time of the inspection the records of children #1 and #2 (both preschool aged) did not have current health assessments; Child #1's last health assessment on file was dated 12/2/20 and for child #2 the date on their health assessment was 2/16/21
At the time of the inspection the provider did not have the current copy of the comprehensive general liability insurance to cover the persons who are on the premises at the facility.
At the time of the inspection the record's of staff persons #1 #2, #3 and #4 did not have the required verification of experience to quality them for the position they had been identified to serve the facility as.
“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.
Complaint investigations and reported incidents
Pennsylvania’s search lists complaint investigations in which the state found at least one violation (“verified complaints”). It does not say what a complaint alleged, or whether every violation relates to it. Incident investigations look into something that happened at the center; self-reported violations are ones the center reported to the state itself.
Enforcement actions
Negative sanctions Pennsylvania lists for this center, such as a downgrade to a provisional certificate, refusing to renew or revoking its certificate of compliance, with the status COMPASS shows. “Operation permitted” means the center may keep operating while it appeals; “operation not permitted” means it may not.
Daily rates
| Age group | Full time, per day | Part time, per day |
|---|---|---|
| Newborn (Under 6 Weeks) | $62.54 | $43.79 |
| Infant (6 Weeks-12 mos.) | $62.54 | $43.79 |
| Young Toddler (13-24 mos.) | $61.48 | $43.05 |
| Older Toddler (25-36 mos.) | $61.48 | $43.05 |
| Preschool (37 mos.- Entering K) | $59.31 | $41.52 |
| Young School-Age (K-3rd gr.) | $59.31 | $41.52 |
| Older School-Age (4th gr.-15 yrs.) | $59.31 | $41.52 |
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 Lower Bucks YMCA Newtown Branch Sycamore had any serious violations?
Pennsylvania cited 5 violations since 2021 on the topics Daycare Record treats as core safety (supervision, staff ratios, discipline, background checks, child protection or safe sleep). The most recent, on Aug 13, 2026 (supervision): “Child eloped from childcare center.;',” Pennsylvania’s records don’t grade violations by severity; each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Lower Bucks YMCA Newtown Branch Sycamore?
Pennsylvania lists 3 complaint investigations since 2021 in which it found at least one violation; the violations are listed above. Its search shows these “verified complaints” but not what a complaint alleged, or whether every violation relates to it.
What is Lower Bucks YMCA Newtown Branch Sycamore’s Keystone STARS rating?
STAR 1, effective Mar 31, 2023. 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 Lower Bucks YMCA Newtown Branch Sycamore compare with other daycares in Newtown?
It is tied for #11 of 16 centers in Newtown by topic-weighted citations per inspection, and has fewer citations per inspection than 66% of Pennsylvania certified centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Lower Bucks YMCA Newtown Branch Sycamore last inspected?
Dec 3, 2025 (renewal). No violations were cited during that visit.
How much does Lower Bucks YMCA Newtown Branch Sycamore cost?
It reported full-time daily rates of $62.54 for newborn, $62.54 for infant, $61.48 for young toddler, $61.48 for older toddler in Pennsylvania’s COMPASS search. Rates can change; confirm with the center.
Who runs Lower Bucks YMCA Newtown Branch Sycamore?
The legal entity on its Pennsylvania certificate is River Crossing Young Mens Christian Association.
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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.