Downtown Ithaca Children's Center
Data Freshness & Provenance
Inspection coverage
21 inspections on record
Active providers
License status: License
Last refreshed
April 3, 2026
Latest inspection
December 17, 2025
Provenance
New York licensing inspections and DaycareCheck scoring
Quick Facts
These facts are normalized from the official record so they can be quoted directly.
Updated April 3, 2026
- Provider
- Downtown Ithaca Children's Center
- License number
- 42195
- Location
- 506 First Street, Ithaca, NY 14850
- Status
- License
- Safety grade
- F (Poor), score 36.0/100
- Inspection record
- 21 inspections, last inspected December 17, 2025
- Provenance
- Official state licensing inspections and DaycareCheck scoring. Last refreshed April 3, 2026.
Safety Scorecard
61
Total Violations
Dec 17, 2025
Last Inspection
92
Capacity
Violation Timeline
Violations by month over the last 3 years, colored by severity.
All Violations (61)
All matches, lighters, medicines, drugs, cleaning materials, detergents, aerosol cans and other poisonous or toxic materials must be stored in their original containers. Such materials must be used in such a way that they will not contaminate play surfaces, food or food preparation areas, or constitute a hazard to children. Such materials must be kept in a place inaccessible to children.
Resolution: Corrected
The child day care center must employ staff who will promote the physical, intellectual, social, cultural and emotional well-being of the children.
Resolution: Corrected
Staff members must be qualified by training and experience to carry out their respective functions in the administration, operation and maintenance of the child day care center.
Resolution: Corrected
The parent of a child receiving care must have: unlimited and on demand access to the director and teachers whenever such child is in care or during the normal hours of operation; and
Resolution: Corrected
Children cannot be left without competent supervision at any time. Competent supervision includes awareness of and responsibility for the ongoing activity of each child. It requires that all children be within a teacher's range of vision and that the teacher be near enough to respond when redirection or intervention strategies are needed. Competent supervision must take into account the child's age emotional, physical, and cognitive development.
Resolution: Corrected
Play equipment must be used in a safe manner.
Resolution: Corrected
All corridors, aisles, and approaches to exits must be kept unobstructed at all times.
Resolution: Corrected
All corridors, aisles, and approaches to exits must be kept unobstructed at all times.
Resolution: Corrected
The program must maintain on file a record of each shelter-in-place drill conducted, using forms provided by the Office or approved equivalents.
Resolution: Corrected
The following items must be used and stored in such a manner that they are not accessible to children: handbags, backpacks or briefcases belonging to adults; plastic bags; and toys and objects small enough for young children to swallow.
Resolution: Corrected
Suitable precautions must be taken to eliminate all conditions in areas accessible to children which pose a safety or health hazard.
Resolution: Corrected
Children cannot be left without competent supervision at any time. Competent supervision includes awareness of and responsibility for the ongoing activity of each child. It requires that all children be within a teacher's range of vision and that the teacher be near enough to respond when redirection or intervention strategies are needed. Competent supervision must take into account the child's age emotional, physical, and cognitive development.
Resolution: Corrected
Suitable precautions must be taken to eliminate all conditions in areas accessible to children which pose a safety or health hazard.
Resolution: Corrected
Children cannot be left without competent supervision at any time. Competent supervision includes awareness of and responsibility for the ongoing activity of each child. It requires that all children be within a teacher's range of vision and that the teacher be near enough to respond when redirection or intervention strategies are needed. Competent supervision must take into account the child's age emotional, physical, and cognitive development.
Resolution: Corrected
Child care center staff must personally make, or cause to be made, an immediate report to the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment by telephone, followed by a written report within 48 hours, in the form and manner prescribed by the Office, to the child protective service of the social services district in the county in which the child resides.
Resolution: Corrected
The program must immediately notify the parent and Office upon learning of the following events involving a child which occurred while the child was in care at the program or was being transported by the program: serious incident,
Resolution: Corrected
The program must maintain on file at the child day care center, available for inspection by the Office or its designees at any time, the following records in a current and accurate manner: children's individual health care plans; parental consents for emergency medical treatment; child's medical statement, immunizations, and any available results of lead screening for children not yet enrolled in kindergarten or a higher grade only; the name and dosage of any medications used by a child, the frequency of administration of such medications, and a record of their administration by child care center staff; daily health check documentation; a record of illnesses and injuries occurring while in care; and any indicators of child abuse or maltreatment;
Resolution: Corrected
All buildings used for day care centers must remain in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Fire Code and Building Code of New York State or other applicable fire and building codes when the Fire Code and Building Code of New York State is not applicable.
Resolution: Corrected
Behavior management must promote self-esteem in children and guide children in such a way as to help each child develop self-control and assume responsibility for his or her actions through clear and consistent rules and limits appropriate to the ages and development of the children in care.
Resolution: Corrected
The program must maintain on file at the child day care center, available for inspection by the Office or its designees at any time, the following records in a current and accurate manner: daily attendance records, which must be filled out at the time a child arrives and departs, and must include arrival and departure times;
Resolution: Corrected
The program must maintain on file at the child day care center, available for inspection by the Office or its designees at any time, the following records in a current and accurate manner: children's individual health care plans; parental consents for emergency medical treatment; child's medical statement, immunizations, and any available results of lead screening for children not yet enrolled in kindergarten or a higher grade only; the name and dosage of any medications used by a child, the frequency of administration of such medications, and a record of their administration by child care center staff; daily health check documentation; a record of illnesses and injuries occurring while in care; and any indicators of child abuse or maltreatment;
Resolution: Corrected
The program must establish and implement a daily schedule of program activities that offers reasonable regularity in routines, including snack and meal periods, nap and rest periods, indoor activities, outdoor play time and a variety of large muscle activities throughout the day. There must be physical activity, appropriate to the ages of the children in care, every day.
Resolution: Corrected
The child day care center must employ staff who will promote the physical, intellectual, social, cultural and emotional well-being of the children.
Resolution: Corrected
The program must maintain on file at the child day care center, available for inspection by the Office or its designees at any time, the following records in a current and accurate manner: daily attendance records, which must be filled out at the time a child arrives and departs, and must include arrival and departure times;
Resolution: Corrected
Play equipment must be used in a safe manner.
Resolution: Corrected
Materials and play equipment used by the children must be sturdy and free from rough edges and sharp corners.
Resolution: Corrected
All matches, lighters, medicines, drugs, cleaning materials, detergents, aerosol cans and other poisonous or toxic materials must be stored in their original containers. Such materials must be used in such a way that they will not contaminate play surfaces, food or food preparation areas, or constitute a hazard to children. Such materials must be kept in a place inaccessible to children.
Resolution: Corrected
The following items must be used and stored in such a manner that they are not accessible to children: handbags, backpacks or briefcases belonging to adults; plastic bags; and toys and objects small enough for young children to swallow.
Resolution: Corrected
The licensee must prepare a health care plan on forms furnished by the Office. Such plan must protect and promote the health of children. The health care plan must be on site, followed by all staff and available upon demand by a parent or the Office. In those instances in which the program will administer medications, the health care plan must also be approved by the program's health care consultant unless the only medications to be administered are:
Resolution: Corrected
Each infant and toddler must be removed from the crib, playpen or cot and held or placed in an appropriate chair for feeding.
Resolution: Corrected
Each applicant for, or individual in the position of director, teacher, or volunteer must complete Office-approved training that complies with federal minimum health and safety pre-service or three-month orientation period requirements. This training must be obtained pre-service or within three months of starting such position.
Resolution: Corrected
Each staff person and volunteer must complete a minimum of thirty (30) hours of training every two years. The required thirty (30) hours of training every two years is subject to the following conditions: Fifteen (15) of the required thirty (30) hours of training must be obtained during the person's first six months at the program.
Resolution: Corrected
The program must maintain on file at the child day care center, available for inspection by the Office or its designees at any time, the following records in a current and accurate manner: personnel information including a list of all staff with job assignments and schedules; each staff and volunteer's final and, if applicable, provisional criminal history review and background check approval letter(s); staff resumes; medical statements; acceptable references and other information required by section 418-1.13 of this Subpart;
Resolution: Corrected
All buildings used for day care centers must remain in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Fire Code and Building Code of New York State or other applicable fire and building codes when the Fire Code and Building Code of New York State is not applicable.
Resolution: Corrected
The program must maintain on file at the child day care center, available for inspection by the Office or its designees at any time, the following records in a current and accurate manner: daily attendance records, which must be filled out at the time a child arrives and departs, and must include arrival and departure times;
Resolution: Corrected
Cleaning materials must be stored in their original containers unless the product's use or the program's health care plan indicates that the product be mixed with water before use. In this case, the container used for subsequent use of the mixed product must state the name of the cleaning material contained within. Cleaning materials must be used in such a way that they will not contaminate play surfaces, food or food preparation areas, or constitute a hazard to children. Such materials must be kept in a place inaccessible to children.
Resolution: Corrected
The following items must be used and stored in such a manner that they are not accessible to children: handbags, backpacks or briefcases belonging to adults; plastic bags; and toys and objects small enough for young children to swallow.
Resolution: Corrected
Garbage receptacles must be covered, and cleaned as needed after emptying.
Resolution: Corrected
Methods of discipline, interaction or toilet training which frighten, demean or humiliate a child are prohibited.
Resolution: Corrected
Children cannot be left without competent supervision at any time. Competent supervision includes awareness of and responsibility for the ongoing activity of each child. It requires that all children be within a teacher's range of vision and that the teacher be near enough to respond when redirection or intervention strategies are needed. Competent supervision must take into account the child's age emotional, physical, and cognitive development.
Resolution: Corrected
The child day care center must employ staff who will promote the physical, intellectual, social, cultural and emotional well-being of the children.
Resolution: Corrected
The child day care center must provide supervision of the staff responsible for the care of children. Workloads and assignments must be arranged to provide consistency of care to children and to allow staff to fulfill their respective responsibilities.
Resolution: Corrected
The program must establish and follow a written plan for behavior management that is acceptable to the office. This plan must include how the staff will approach challenging behaviors, help children solve problems and encourage acceptable behaviors.
Resolution: Corrected
Corporal punishment is prohibited. For the purposes of this Subpart, the term corporal punishment means punishment inflicted directly on the body including, but not limited to, physical restraint, spanking, biting, shaking, slapping, twisting or squeezing; demanding excessive physical exercise, prolonged lack of movement or motion, or strenuous or bizarre postures; and compelling a child to eat or have in the child's mouth soap, foods, hot spices or irritants or the like.
Resolution: Corrected
Child care center staff must personally make, or cause to be made, an immediate report to the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment by telephone, followed by a written report within 48 hours, in the form and manner prescribed by the Office, to the child protective service of the social services district in the county in which the child resides.
Resolution: Corrected
Children must be kept clean and comfortable at all times. Diapers must be changed when wet or soiled. The diaper changing area must be as close as possible to a sink with soap and hot and cold running water. This area or sink must not be used for food preparation. Diaper changing surfaces must be cleaned and disinfected after each use with an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered product that has an EPA registration number on the label.
Resolution: Corrected
The program must immediately notify the parent and Office upon learning of the following events involving a child which occurred while the child was in care at the program or was being transported by the program: serious injury,
Resolution: Corrected
Children cannot be left without competent supervision at any time. Competent supervision includes awareness of and responsibility for the ongoing activity of each child. It requires that all children be within a teacher's range of vision and that the teacher be near enough to respond when redirection or intervention strategies are needed. Competent supervision must take into account the child's age emotional, physical, and cognitive development.
Resolution: Corrected
Children cannot be left without competent supervision at any time. Competent supervision includes awareness of and responsibility for the ongoing activity of each child. It requires that all children be within a teacher's range of vision and that the teacher be near enough to respond when redirection or intervention strategies are needed. Competent supervision must take into account the child's age emotional, physical, and cognitive development.
Resolution: Corrected
The child day care center must employ staff who will promote the physical, intellectual, social, cultural and emotional well-being of the children.
Resolution: Corrected
Where a child's behavior harms or is likely to result in harm to the child, others or property, or seriously disrupts or is likely to seriously disrupt group interaction, the child may be separated briefly from the group, but only for as long as is necessary for the child to regain enough self-control to rejoin the group. The child must be placed in an area where he or she is in the view of, and can be supervised and supported by, a teacher. Interaction between a teacher and the child must take place immediately following the separation to guide the child toward appropriate group behavior. Separation of a child from the group in a manner other than that provided for herein is prohibited.
Resolution: Corrected
Corporal punishment is prohibited. For the purposes of this Subpart, the term corporal punishment means punishment inflicted directly on the body including, but not limited to, physical restraint, spanking, biting, shaking, slapping, twisting or squeezing; demanding excessive physical exercise, prolonged lack of movement or motion, or strenuous or bizarre postures; and compelling a child to eat or have in the child's mouth soap, foods, hot spices or irritants or the like.
Resolution: Corrected
Methods of discipline, interaction or toilet training which frighten, demean or humiliate a child are prohibited.
Resolution: Corrected
The program must immediately notify the parent and Office upon learning of the following events involving a child which occurred while the child was in care at the program or was being transported by the program: serious incident,
Resolution: Corrected
Suitable precautions must be taken to eliminate all conditions in areas accessible to children which pose a safety or health hazard.
Resolution: Corrected
Daily supervised outdoor play is required for all children in care, except during inclement or extreme weather or unless otherwise ordered by a health care provider. Parents may request and programs may permit children to remain indoors during outdoor play time so long as such children will be supervised in accordance with section 418-1.8 of this Subpart.
Resolution: Corrected
The staff must use acceptable techniques and approaches to help children solve problems.
Resolution: Corrected
The program must maintain on file at the child day care center, available for inspection by the Office or its designees at any time, the following records in a current and accurate manner: daily attendance records, which must be filled out at the time a child arrives and departs, and must include arrival and departure times;
Resolution: Corrected
The use of any type of personal electronic media device for social or entertainment purposes, including but not limited to, listening to music on headphones, playing screen games, surfing the internet, sending e-mails, or making personal calls while supervising children is prohibited. The use of mobile phones is permitted as necessary to promote the children's safety and ensuring the orderly operation of the program.
Resolution: Corrected
Staff must take steps to prevent a child's exposure to the foods to which the child is allergic.
Resolution: Corrected
The program must maintain on file at the child day care center, available for inspection by the Office or its designees at any time, the following records in a current and accurate manner: daily attendance records, which must be filled out at the time a child arrives and departs, and must include arrival and departure times;
Resolution: Corrected
Get Inspection Alerts
Be the first to know when new inspections or violations are reported for Downtown Ithaca Children's Center.
Nearby Daycares in Ithaca
South Hill School Age Program
520 Hudson Street
Aspen Grove Caterpillars
111 E York Street
Creative Care by Karin, LLC
1523 Trumansburg Road
KING MONTESSORI ACADEMY
320 King Rd East
West Hill Educare
310 Richard Place
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Downtown Ithaca Children's Center's safety grade?
Downtown Ithaca Children's Center has a safety grade of F (Poor) based on state inspection data. The composite score is 36.0 out of 100.
How many violations does Downtown Ithaca Children's Center have?
Downtown Ithaca Children's Center has 61 total violations on record, including 0 critical, 61 serious, and 0 minor.
When was Downtown Ithaca Children's Center last inspected?
Downtown Ithaca Children's Center was last inspected on December 17, 2025.