Ranked among the top 10 childcare centers in Akron. Fewer than half of all centers in the city reach this level across our full 11-dimension scoring.
Best for Safety
Earned the highest safety score in Akron. Our safety dimension weighs inspection history, deficiency records, and parent-reported safety culture across reviews.
Best K-Ready
Earned the highest kindergarten-readiness score in Akron. This dimension reflects pre-literacy, pre-math, and school-readiness preparation reported by parents and visible in the curriculum.
Full Ranking Detail
childcare
Firestone Park YMCA School Age & Preschool Program is a SUTQ Gold-rated, full-service provider at 350 E Wilbeth Rd in Akron serving infants (6 weeks) through school-age children with integrated kindergarten-readiness curriculum centered on YMCA character values. The facility prioritizes safety with a peanut-free environment, catered meals, classroom cameras, and secure entry, while staff complete 20 hours of biannual professional development and maintain CPR/First Aid certification, with support for CDA credentials. Full-time enrollment includes free family YMCA membership and sliding-scale tuition assistance, and the program accepts publicly funded childcare vouchers. Over 70 years of service to the Firestone Park community is complemented by summer day camp and themed enrichment weeks on non-school days. Parent review coverage is limited, making independent verification of family experience difficult.
Safety8.0
Curriculum8.0
Art / Music7.0
Infant care7.0
Kindergarten readiness8.0
Teacher quality8.0
Compassion7.0
Management8.0
Culture7.0
Extracurriculars7.0
Programs & curriculum
Programs & activities: Before and after school care, summer day camp, youth and family programming, group exercise classes, child watch hours.
What sets it apart: Over 70 years serving Firestone Park and surrounding communities; one of the area's largest providers of childcare; collaborates with community organizations for off-site school-age childcare; facilities include gymnasium, playground, and fitness equipment.
Recognition of Excellence — Website Badge
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Top 10 in Akron
<!-- Recognition of Excellence: Firestone Park Ymca School Age & Preschool Program -->
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<strong style="display:block;font-size:15px;color:#1A1A18;margin-bottom:5px;">Top 10 in Akron</strong>
<span style="font-size:13px;color:#4A4A46;line-height:1.5;">Ranked among the top 10 childcare centers in Akron. Fewer than half of all centers in the city reach this level across our full 11-dimension scoring.</span>
</span>
</a>
Best for Safety
<!-- Recognition of Excellence: Firestone Park Ymca School Age & Preschool Program -->
<a href="https://creativemindsmontessori.com/US-wide-childcare-preschool-rankings/ohio/akron-canton/akron/firestone-park-ymca-school-age-preschool-program/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:16px;padding:18px;background:#FFFBF0;border:1px solid #EDD97A;border-radius:10px;max-width:420px;text-decoration:none;color:inherit;font-family:-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,'Segoe UI',Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;">
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<span>
<strong style="display:block;font-size:15px;color:#1A1A18;margin-bottom:5px;">Best for Safety</strong>
<span style="font-size:13px;color:#4A4A46;line-height:1.5;">Earned the highest safety score in Akron. Our safety dimension weighs inspection history, deficiency records, and parent-reported safety culture across reviews.</span>
</span>
</a>
Best K-Ready
<!-- Recognition of Excellence: Firestone Park Ymca School Age & Preschool Program -->
<a href="https://creativemindsmontessori.com/US-wide-childcare-preschool-rankings/ohio/akron-canton/akron/firestone-park-ymca-school-age-preschool-program/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:16px;padding:18px;background:#FFFBF0;border:1px solid #EDD97A;border-radius:10px;max-width:420px;text-decoration:none;color:inherit;font-family:-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,'Segoe UI',Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;">
<img src="https://creativemindsmontessori.com/US-wide-childcare-preschool-rankings/badges/dim-kinder.jpg" alt="Best K-Ready - Firestone Park Ymca School Age & Preschool Program - Akron, OH" width="80" height="80" style="border-radius:8px;flex-shrink:0;" loading="lazy">
<span>
<strong style="display:block;font-size:15px;color:#1A1A18;margin-bottom:5px;">Best K-Ready</strong>
<span style="font-size:13px;color:#4A4A46;line-height:1.5;">Earned the highest kindergarten-readiness score in Akron. This dimension reflects pre-literacy, pre-math, and school-readiness preparation reported by parents and visible in the curriculum.</span>
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</a>
This recognition is awarded independently by Creative Minds Montessori based on publicly available parent reviews and public records. Centers do not pay for or request these rankings. Scores reflect editorial synthesis of verified parent experience — not center marketing materials. Rankings are updated periodically as new reviews are analyzed.
