MERRIMACK — A new early childhood educational facility is about to open its doors in Merrimack, but not at the location it originally considered.

Children’s Quest Academy, founded by a local couple with four young children, was initially planning to operate its new school at 401 Daniel Webster Highway where Eye-Q Vision Therapy is housed.

However, the owners said Monday that they have withdrawn their application for that site and have identified different location in town for their future school.

“We are definitely still doing this, our plans have just changed a little bit,” said Tracy Carl of Joppa Road.

The new location — which she said is too premature to disclose — could allow the school to service children under the age of two, accommodating 70 students to enroll in the first two years.

Although the original school site seemed feasible, she explained that the new, undisclosed location will be more flexible for the future school, allowing it to grow significantly.

“This is a very exciting opportunity for us,” said the owner, adding the school hopes to open in the spring of 2013, about six months later than its original opening date set for Nov. 1.

Carl and her husband, Alfred, decided to form a new pre-school after Perfect Balance Preschool in Merrimack recently closed. They are working with its former director to create a new learning institution for toddlers, pre-school, pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students.

With four children under the age of six, Carl said she understands the importance of quality childcare offering more than a typical daycare. Her school will provide a variety of educational learning opportunities for youngsters, she said.

“We are more academic-based, and really want to offer extended hours beyond normal two- or three-hour pre-school sessions,” Carl said.

“Originally, we were looking to serve kids ages two to six,” said Carl, explaining they initially hoped to educate about 45 students in the first year or two.

According to plans filed at the Community Development Office, Children’s Quest Academy will be a nurturing educational environment that helps build connections for children between the classroom and the outside world.

The academy’s primary mission was stated in their plans; “Our programs and curriculum is designed to develop each child’s potential through activities that promote independence, physical coordination, emotional growth, teamwork and exploration.”

khoughton@newstote.com