Smart Start
1954 Trumansburg Rd, Trumansburg, NY
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Downtown Ithaca Children's Center is a licensed child care center in Ithaca, New York. The state has licensed it since January 22, 1996, for up to 92 children, serving infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
It is open Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM. It describes its programs: after-school care, infant care, pre-k and preschool. It says it provides meals.
New York State Office of Children and Family Services made 18 visits in the last 3 years and cited 41 rules across 15 of them. The visit list, in the state's words, is below.
Hours
| Monday | 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM |
| Thursday | 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM |
| Friday | 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM |
| Saturday | Not listed |
| SundayToday | Not listed |
Programs
| Ages | Infants, toddlers and preschoolersFrom the state license. It lists: Six weeks to twelve years old |
|---|---|
| Programs | After-school care, infant care, pre-k, preschool, special-needs / inclusion care and toddler care |
| Curriculum | Conscious Discipline |
| Enrichment | Sciencenter programs for toddler and pre-K classrooms |
| Staff | Education, experience and ongoing training in early childhood practices |
| Daily life | USDA food program (CACFP); Meals provided; Snacks provided |
| Licensed capacity | 92 childrenFrom the state license |
Cost
Downtown Ithaca Children's Center has not listed its tuition. For comparison, full-time infant care at a child care center in Tompkins County has a median price of $289 a week (U.S. Department of Labor, 2022).
State record
18 visits in the last 3 years · Last visit Jul 30, 2026: 3 rules cited
Rules cited on 15 of 18 visits · 41 rules in all
For comparison: 79% of New York daycares had at least one rule cited in the last 3 years; the typical daycare had 4.
A cited rule is what an inspector found on the day of a visit. It is not a rating of the daycare today.
Own this daycare? Add your response to the state record
418-1.8(a) 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. (not corrected)
418-1.5(w) 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.
Corrected during the visit
418-1.5(f) Barriers must exist to prevent children from gaining access to unsafe areas. Such areas include, but are not limited to, swimming pools, drainage ditches, wells, ponds, or other bodies of open water, holes, wood and coal burning stoves, fireplaces, pellet stoves, permanently installed gas space heaters, or any other unsafe area. (not corrected)
418-1.12(z) All containers or bottles of, breast milk, formula or other individualized food items must be clearly marked with the child's complete name.
Corrected during the visit
418-1.7(q) Cribs, bassinets and other sleeping areas for infants through 12 months of age must include an appropriately sized fitted sheet, and must not have bumper pads, toys, stuffed animals, blankets, pillows, wedges or infant positioners. Wedges or infant positioners will be permitted with medical documentation from the child's health care provider.
Corrected during the visit
418-1.8(q)(2) Each day care center shall establish written rules and policies as are necessary to provide for monitoring and control of visitors to protect the health, safety and welfare of children in care.
418-1.5(a) Suitable precautions must be taken to eliminate all conditions in areas accessible to children which pose a safety or health hazard.
418-1.15(b)(8)(iii) 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
418-1.13(a) 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.
418-1.8(b) The child day care center must employ staff who will promote the physical, intellectual, social, cultural and emotional well-being of the children.
Corrected during the visit
418-1.5(v) 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.
Corrected during the visit
418-1.8(a) 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.
418-1.5(n)(3) Play equipment must be used in a safe manner.
418-1.4(f)(2) All corridors, aisles, and approaches to exits must be kept unobstructed at all times.
418-1.4(f)(2) All corridors, aisles, and approaches to exits must be kept unobstructed at all times.
418-1.5(aa) 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.
Corrected during the visit
418-1.5(b)(5) The program must maintain on file a record of each shelter-in-place drill conducted, using forms provided by the Office or approved equivalents.
418-1.8(a) 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.
418-1.5(a) Suitable precautions must be taken to eliminate all conditions in areas accessible to children which pose a safety or health hazard.
Corrected during the visit
418-1.15(c)(6) 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;
418-1.15(b)(14)(ii) 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,
418-1.10(c)(1) 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.
418-1.8(a) 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.
418-1.5(a) Suitable precautions must be taken to eliminate all conditions in areas accessible to children which pose a safety or health hazard.
418-1.15(c)(6) 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;
Corrected during the visit
418-1.15(c)(5) 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;
Corrected during the visit
418-1.9(d) 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.
418-1.3(o) 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.
Corrected during the visit
418-1.15(c)(5) 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;
418-1.8(b) The child day care center must employ staff who will promote the physical, intellectual, social, cultural and emotional well-being of the children.
418-1.7(a)(1) 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.
418-1.15(c)(11) 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;
418-1.14(c)(1) 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.
Corrected during the visit
418-1.14(b) 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.
Corrected during the visit
418-1.12(ai) Each infant and toddler must be removed from the crib, playpen or cot and held or placed in an appropriate chair for feeding.
418-1.11(c)(1) 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:
418-1.5(aa) 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.
Corrected during the visit
418-1.5(v) 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.
Corrected during the visit
418-1.5(n)(3) Play equipment must be used in a safe manner.
Corrected during the visit
418-1.5(n)(1) Materials and play equipment used by the children must be sturdy and free from rough edges and sharp corners.
Corrected during the visit
418-1.3(o) 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.
Corrected during the visit
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1954 Trumansburg Rd, Trumansburg, NY
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Ithaca, NY 14850 · Home daycare: the provider shares the address with families
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FAQ
Yes. New York State Office of Children and Family Services lists it as licensed and operating, first licensed January 22, 1996.
New York State Office of Children and Family Services lists the most recent visit on July 30, 2026, with 3 rules cited. It lists 18 visits in the last 3 years.
Yes. Inspectors cited 41 rules across 15 of 18 visits in the last 3 years. For comparison: 79% of New York daycares had at least one rule cited in the last 3 years; the typical daycare had 4. A cited rule is what an inspector found on the day of a visit. It is not a rating of the daycare today.
92, the licensed capacity on the state record. It is licensed to serve infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Holiday hours can differ.
It has not listed its tuition. Call (607) 272-7117 to ask.
(607) 272-7117.
506 First Street, Ithaca, NY 14850. The nearest other daycare we list is Tompkins Community Action, 0.1 miles away.