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Child care center 

Downtown Ithaca Children's Center

506 First Street, Ithaca, NY 148504.5· 4 reviews
licensed capacity
92
open each week
5 days
a week, county median
$289
year first licensed
1996

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Licensed by the stateInspection record

About

About Downtown Ithaca Children's Center

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.

InfantsPreschool / pre-KBefore- and after-schoolMeals provided

Ages served: infants, toddlers and preschoolers

From the state license. Ages it lists: six weeks to twelve years old
Ask when you call: rates, current openings, staff-to-child ratio and whether it accepts child care subsidies.
Type
Child care center
Ages
Infants, toddlers and preschoolers
Hours today
Closed today
Licensed capacity
92 children

Hours

Hours

Monday7:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Tuesday7:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Wednesday7:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Thursday7:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Friday7:30 AM to 5:30 PM
SaturdayNot listed
SundayTodayNot listed

Programs

Programs and care

AgesInfants, toddlers and preschoolersFrom the state license. It lists: Six weeks to twelve years old
ProgramsAfter-school care, infant care, pre-k, preschool, special-needs / inclusion care and toddler care
CurriculumConscious Discipline
EnrichmentSciencenter programs for toddler and pre-K classrooms
StaffEducation, experience and ongoing training in early childhood practices
Daily lifeUSDA food program (CACFP); Meals provided; Snacks provided
Licensed capacity92 childrenFrom the state license
A daycare without an item may still offer it; ask.

Cost

Tuition and costs

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).

Ask the daycare for its ratesIt has not listed its tuition. The county medians below are a starting point.
Tompkins County medians, full time, per week

Infant

Center$289
Home daycare$200

Toddler

Center$275
Home daycare$200

Preschool

Center$255
Home daycare$198

School age

Center$215
Home daycare$180

County median full-time prices at centers and home daycares, U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices, 2022 (the latest year). Not this daycare's rates; prices have risen since.

State record

Inspection reports for Downtown Ithaca Children's Center

License

Status
Licensed and operating
License type
Licensed Day Care Center
Capacity
92 children
Ages
Infants, toddlers and preschoolers
First licensed
1996
License number
#42195
See the state's record

Summary

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

  • Safety and hazards 10
  • Records and paperwork 6
  • Building, equipment and play areas 6
  • Staff training and qualifications 5
  • Supervision and ratios 4
  • Health, medication and illness 3
  • Discipline and child guidance 3
  • Food and nutrition 2
  • Safe sleep 1
  • Background checks 1

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

See all 18 visits
  1. Jul 30, 2026Complaint investigation3 rules cited
    • Supervision and ratios

      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)

    • Safety and hazards

      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

    • Safety and hazards

      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)

  2. Jun 8, 2026Inspection2 rules cited
    • Food and nutrition

      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

    • Safe sleep

      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

  3. Apr 7, 2026Visit2 rules cited
    • Records and paperwork

      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.

    • Safety and hazards

      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.

  4. Mar 24, 2026InspectionNo rules cited
  5. Mar 2, 2026InspectionNo rules cited
  6. Dec 8, 2025InspectionNo rules cited
  7. Jul 25, 2025Complaint investigation4 rules cited
    • Records and paperwork

      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

    • Staff training and qualifications

      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.

    • Staff training and qualifications

      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

    • Safety and hazards

      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

  8. May 2, 2025Complaint investigation1 rule cited
    • Supervision and ratios

      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.

  9. Apr 25, 2025Complaint investigation1 rule cited
    • Building, equipment and play areas

      418-1.5(n)(3) Play equipment must be used in a safe manner.

  10. Apr 14, 2025Inspection1 rule cited
    • Safety and hazards

      418-1.4(f)(2) All corridors, aisles, and approaches to exits must be kept unobstructed at all times.

Show 8 earlier visits
  1. Mar 7, 2025Complaint investigation1 rule cited
    • Safety and hazards

      418-1.4(f)(2) All corridors, aisles, and approaches to exits must be kept unobstructed at all times.

  2. Jan 27, 2025Inspection2 rules cited
    • Building, equipment and play areas

      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

    • Records and paperwork

      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.

  3. Aug 12, 2024Complaint investigation2 rules cited
    • Supervision and ratios

      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.

    • Safety and hazards

      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

  4. Jul 22, 2024Complaint investigation5 rules cited
    • Health, medication and illness

      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;

    • Records and paperwork

      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,

    • Discipline and child guidance

      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.

    • Supervision and ratios

      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.

    • Safety and hazards

      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.

  5. May 22, 2024Inspection4 rules cited
    • Health, medication and illness

      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

    • Records and paperwork

      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

    • Discipline and child guidance

      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.

    • Building, equipment and play areas

      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

  6. Jan 4, 2024Complaint investigation3 rules cited
    • Records and paperwork

      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;

    • Staff training and qualifications

      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.

    • Discipline and child guidance

      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.

  7. Dec 14, 2023Inspection9 rules cited
    • Background checks

      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;

    • Staff training and qualifications

      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

    • Staff training and qualifications

      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

    • Food and nutrition

      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.

    • Health, medication and illness

      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:

    • Building, equipment and play areas

      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

    • Safety and hazards

      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

    • Building, equipment and play areas

      418-1.5(n)(3) Play equipment must be used in a safe manner.

      Corrected during the visit

    • Safety and hazards

      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

  8. Nov 7, 2023Inspection1 rule cited
    • Building, equipment and play areas

      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

Copied from New York State Office of Children and Family Services on October 2, 2026; the state's records start around Oct 2023. Rule wording, severity and dates are the state's.

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FAQ

Questions about Downtown Ithaca Children's Center

Is Downtown Ithaca Children's Center licensed?

Yes. New York State Office of Children and Family Services lists it as licensed and operating, first licensed January 22, 1996.

When was Downtown Ithaca Children's Center last inspected?

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.

Has Downtown Ithaca Children's Center had rules cited by the state?

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.

How many children can Downtown Ithaca Children's Center care for?

92, the licensed capacity on the state record. It is licensed to serve infants, toddlers and preschoolers.

What are Downtown Ithaca Children's Center's hours?

Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Holiday hours can differ.

How much does Downtown Ithaca Children's Center cost?

It has not listed its tuition. Call (607) 272-7117 to ask.

What is Downtown Ithaca Children's Center's phone number?

(607) 272-7117.

Where is Downtown Ithaca Children's Center?

506 First Street, Ithaca, NY 14850. The nearest other daycare we list is Tompkins Community Action, 0.1 miles away.

Sources: New York State Office of Children and Family Services (license and visits) · U.S. Department of Labor, 2022 (county prices).