Jan Ward
Watertown, NY 13601 · Home daycare: the provider shares the address with families
We are a directory, not the daycare. We cannot hold a spot, enroll a child or answer questions about care.
Own this daycare? Claim itAbout
First Step Day Care is a licensed child care center in Watertown, New York. The state has licensed it since August 19, 1991, for up to 64 children, serving infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.
It is open Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM. It describes its programs: infant care, pre-k, preschool and summer camp. It lists weekly tuition from $230 to $280.
New York State Office of Children and Family Services made 15 visits in the last 3 years and cited 19 rules across 8 of them. The visit list, in the state's words, is below.
Hours
| MondayToday | 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 |
| Sunday | Not listed |
Programs
| Ages | Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age childrenFrom the state license |
|---|---|
| Programs | Infant care, pre-k, preschool, summer camp and toddler care |
| Assistance it accepts | DSS & Child Care Aware |
| Discounts | 10% discount (page text truncated) |
| Licensed capacity | 64 childrenFrom the state license |
Cost
First Step Day Care lists weekly tuition from $230 to $280. For comparison, full-time infant care at a child care center in Jefferson County has a median price of $247 a week (U.S. Department of Labor, 2022).
| Weekly · program, in its own words | Price |
|---|---|
| Infant (6 weeks - 18 months) | $280 |
| Pre-k (4-5 years) | $265 |
| Preschool (3 years old) | $270 |
| SACC: (School age child care) 5-12 years | $230 |
| Toddler (18 months- 3 years) | $275 |
State record
15 visits in the last 3 years · Last visit Sep 11, 2026: 4 rules cited
Rules cited on 9 of 15 visits · 19 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
418-1.15(b)(4) The staff and volunteers must be in good health and be of good character and habits. (not corrected)
418-1.9(m) Methods of discipline, interaction or toilet training which frighten, demean or humiliate a child are prohibited. (not corrected)
418-1.9(j) 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. (not corrected)
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. (not corrected)
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:
418-1.3(e) A firm clean crib, cot, bed or washable padded mat of age appropriate size and construction must be provided for all children requiring a rest period.
Corrected during the visit
418-1.15(c)(32) 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: documentation from service personnel qualified to perform fire suppression systems maintenance, repair and testing showing that fire suppression equipment and systems have been tested and maintained during the current license period in accordance with the applicable requirements of the Fire and Building Code of New York State;
418-1.15(c)(22) 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: documentation from the local health department or the New York State Department of Health showing that the facility has been approved in accordance with the requirements of the New York State Department of Health;
418-1.15(c)(32) 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: documentation from service personnel qualified to perform fire suppression systems maintenance, repair and testing showing that fire suppression equipment and systems have been tested and maintained during the current license period in accordance with the applicable requirements of the Fire and Building Code of New York State;
418-1.15(c)(22) 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: documentation from the local health department or the New York State Department of Health showing that the facility has been approved in accordance with the requirements of the New York State Department of Health;
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
418-1.12(d) Food must be prepared and stored in a safe and sanitary manner and served at appropriate intervals.
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;
418-1.8(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.
418-1.15(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;
418-1.11(i)(18)(v) When disposable diapers are used, soiled diapers must be disposed of immediately into an outside trash disposal, or placed in a tightly covered plastic-lined trash can inaccessible to children until outdoor disposal is possible.
418-1.11(i)(7) Equipment that is frequently used or touched by children on a daily basis must be cleaned and then sanitized or disinfected, using an EPA registered product, when soiled and at least once weekly.
Corrected during the visit
418-1.11(c) The Health Care Plan.
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.
418-1.7(w) Children unable to sleep during nap time shall not be confined to a sleeping surface (cot, crib, etc) but instead must be offered a supervised place for quiet play.
418-1.7(r)(7) The resting/napping places must: be at least two feet apart from each other.
Reviews
If your child goes or went here, your review helps other parents. We check every review against our review guidelines.
Watertown, NY 13601 · Home daycare: the provider shares the address with families
327 Franklin St, Watertown, NY
514 Washington Street, Watertown, NY
Watertown, NY 13601 · Home daycare: the provider shares the address with families
Watertown, NY 13601 · Home daycare: the provider shares the address with families
Watertown, NY 13601 · Home daycare: the provider shares the address with families
Watertown, NY 13601 · Home daycare: the provider shares the address with families
Watertown, NY 13601 · Home daycare: the provider shares the address with families
Watertown, NY 13601 · Home daycare: the provider shares the address with families
FAQ
Yes. New York State Office of Children and Family Services lists it as licensed and operating, first licensed August 19, 1991.
New York State Office of Children and Family Services lists the most recent visit on September 11, 2026, with 4 rules cited. It lists 15 visits in the last 3 years.
Yes. Inspectors cited 19 rules across 9 of 15 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.
64, the licensed capacity on the state record. It is licensed to serve infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.
Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Holiday hours can differ.
Weekly tuition from $230 to $280, as it lists it.
(315) 788-5437.
317 Washington St, Watertown, NY 13601. The nearest other daycare we list is New Day Children's Center, 0.2 miles away.