The Blue Giraffe
A day care center in Kenmore, New York 14217
3200 Elmwood Ave., Kenmore, New York 14217. (716) 447-6558.
- Pending Revocation: recommended for revocation (New York)
- Removed from the referral list (New York)
What New York’s list coversOutside New York City
Programs New York State’s Office of Children and Family Services licenses or registers outside New York City, each county added once it is read in full. Programs in the city’s five boroughs, including the day care centers its Health Department regulates, aren’t here yet.
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. New York’s own record is on hs.ocfs.ny.gov.
The short answer
Record last released by New York State Office of Children and Family Services on Nov 5, 2026.
- 21 violations in the last three years
- Sep 22026 the latest visit on record
- 148 children, its capacity in the state’s list
Each figure’s source sits beside it, in its section below.
What these words mean4
- Inspection (survey)
- A visit by state inspectors, often unannounced, who check a place against the rules it must meet. For nursing homes and other places Medicare pays, CMS calls these visits surveys: a standard survey of a nursing home comes at least every 15 months, and a complaint survey whenever a complaint calls for one. Source: CMS; 42 CFR 488.308.
- Deficiency, citation, violation
- What inspectors write up when a place didn’t meet a rule: the rule, what they saw, and when. CMS calls it a deficiency; states may say citation or violation. It is the inspectors’ finding, not a court’s, and the place is usually asked for a plan to correct it. Source: CMS, statement of deficiencies (Form CMS-2567); each state’s licensing agency.
- Licence status
- Whether the state’s licence lets the place operate now, in the state’s own words: licensed, on probation (allowed to keep operating on conditions, after problems), provisional, pending or expired. Source: Each state’s licensing agency.
- Capacity
- The most people the licence or certification lets the place care for at once: residents, children, beds or apartments, as the state counts them. It isn’t how many are there now. Source: Each state’s licensing agency.
What did inspectors find?
24 inspections in the last three years, the latest on Sep 2, 2026.
21 violations cited in the last three years.
New York State Office of Children and Family Services, Program pages: inspection and complaint history. Checked Oct 22, 2026. Updated daily.
When those violations happened
21 violations in 7 months of the last 36. Last cited Jul 2026. The last 3 years, to Nov 5, 2026.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Dec | |||||||||||
| 2024 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 2025 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 2026 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov |
Hover or focus a month to read it.
Hearth Record drew this from the dates and levels in the source’s own records.
Each violation, in its source’s words
Grouped by visit, newest first, with the level its source gave it.
New York State Office of Children and Family Services, Program pages: inspection and complaint history. Checked Oct 22, 2026. Updated daily.
Jul 13, 2026: complaint investigation3 violations
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Toilet facilities must be kept clean at all times, and must be supplied with toilet paper, soap and towels accessible to the children.
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Suitable precautions must be taken to eliminate all conditions in areas accessible to children which pose a safety or health hazard.
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The child day care center must employ staff who will promote the physical, intellectual, social, cultural and emotional well-being of the children.
Jul 7, 2026: complaint investigation2 violations
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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.
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The child day care center must employ staff who will promote the physical, intellectual, social, cultural and emotional well-being of the children.
May 13, 2026: self-Report1 violation
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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.
May 7, 2026: self-Report2 violations
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Evacuation drills must be conducted at least monthly during various hours of operation of the child day care center.
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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.
Apr 10, 2026: complaint investigation2 violations
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In accordance with the provisions of Sections 413 and 415 of the Social Services Law, child care center staff must immediately report any suspected incidents of child abuse or maltreatment concerning a child receiving child care to the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment, or cause such a report to be made, when such staff have reasonable cause to suspect that a child coming before them in their capacity as child care center workers is an abused or maltreated child. This must be done in the following manner:
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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,
Apr 7, 2026: fire Safety - Alternate Year1 violation
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All fire alarm and detection systems must be inspected, tested and maintained in accordance with the applicable requirements 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.
Jul 17, 2025: annual Unannounced2 violations
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All containers or bottles of, breast milk, formula or other individualized food items must be clearly marked with the child’s complete name.
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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.
Mar 28, 2025: complaint investigation1 violation
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In accordance with the provisions of Sections 413 and 415 of the Social Services Law, child care center staff must immediately report any suspected incidents of child abuse or maltreatment concerning a child receiving child care to the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment, or cause such a report to be made, when such staff have reasonable cause to suspect that a child coming before them in their capacity as child care center workers is an abused or maltreated child. This must be done in the following manner:
Mar 6, 2025: monitoring2 violations
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All devices used to warm breast milk, formula or food for infants must be kept at a low temperature not exceeding 120 degrees.
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Evacuation drills must be conducted at least monthly during various hours of operation of the child day care center.
Mar 5, 2025: complaint investigation1 violation
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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.
Aug 15, 2024: self Reported Serious Incident1 violation
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Suitable precautions must be taken to eliminate all conditions in areas accessible to children which pose a safety or health hazard.
Aug 6, 2024: monitoring2 violations
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The use of pools that have not received a Department of Health permit to operate, spa pools and all fill-and-drain wading pools are prohibited.
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Each program must provide a sufficient quantity and variety of materials and play equipment appropriate to the ages of the children and their developmental levels and interests, including children with developmental delays or disabilities, which promote the children’s cognitive, educational, social, cultural, physical, emotional, language and recreational development.
Feb 29, 2024: self Reported Serious Incident1 violation
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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.
All 29 visits on record
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 2, 2026 | Self-Report | No violations found |
| Aug 12, 2026 | Annual Unannounced | No violations found |
| Jul 13, 2026 | Complaint | Complaint (Substantiated); 3 violations cited |
| Jul 7, 2026 | Complaint | Complaint (Substantiated); 2 violations cited |
| May 13, 2026 | Self-Report | 1 violation cited |
| May 7, 2026 | Self-Report | 2 violations cited |
| Apr 10, 2026 | Complaint | Complaint (Substantiated); 2 violations cited |
| Apr 7, 2026 | Fire Safety - Alternate Year | 1 violation cited |
| Feb 19, 2026 | Self-Report | No violations found |
| Feb 9, 2026 | Self-Report | No violations found |
| Dec 16, 2025 | Monitoring | No violations found |
| Nov 3, 2025 | Expansion | No violations found |
| Sep 15, 2025 | Self-Report | No violations found |
| Jul 17, 2025 | Annual Unannounced | 2 violations cited |
| Apr 18, 2025 | Serious Injury | No violations found |
| Apr 4, 2025 | Fire Safety - Alternate Year | No violations found |
| Mar 28, 2025 | Complaint | Complaint (Unsubstantiated); 1 violation cited |
| Mar 6, 2025 | Monitoring | 2 violations cited |
| Mar 5, 2025 | Complaint | Complaint (Substantiated); 1 violation cited |
| Dec 18, 2024 | Monitoring | No violations found |
| Oct 30, 2024 | Fire Safety - Other | No violations found |
| Aug 15, 2024 | Self Reported Serious Incident | 1 violation cited |
| Aug 6, 2024 | Monitoring | 2 violations cited |
| Jun 20, 2024 | Fire Safety - Alternate Year | No violations found |
| May 1, 2024 | Serious Injury | No violations found |
| Apr 16, 2024 | Self Reported Serious Incident | No violations found |
| Feb 29, 2024 | Self Reported Serious Incident | 1 violation cited |
| Feb 13, 2024 | Annual Unannounced | No violations found |
| Dec 27, 2023 | Serious Injury | No violations found |
Is it licensed?
- Day Care Center, open since Jul 18, 2005.
- School district: Kenmore.
- Capacity, in New York’s words: 32 Infants, 32 Toddlers, 52 Preschoolers and 32 School-Aged Children.
- Keeps epinephrine auto-injectors for emergencies.
- Licence 239562, issued Jul 18, 2023, expires Jul 17, 2027.
- Capacity: 148 children.
New York State Office of Children and Family Services, Child Care Regulated Programs. Released Nov 5, 2026. Updated daily.
New York State Office of Children and Family Services, Program pages: inspection and complaint history. Checked Oct 22, 2026. Updated daily.
Has New York acted against it?
- 5 complaints in the last three years. New York’s status for each: Complaint (Substantiated) (4), Complaint (Unsubstantiated) (1).
- New York’s referral agencies won’t refer families to this program until its compliance issues are resolved.
- New York lists this program as Pending Revocation: recommended for revocation.
New York State Office of Children and Family Services, Program pages: inspection and complaint history. Checked Oct 22, 2026. Updated daily.
New York State Office of Children and Family Services, Child Care Regulated Programs. Released Nov 5, 2026. Updated daily.
| Date | What | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Removed from the referral list | New York’s referral agencies won’t refer families to this program until its compliance issues are resolved. | |
| Pending Revocation | New York lists this program as Pending Revocation: recommended for revocation. | |
| Jul 13, 2026 | Complaint (Substantiated) | New York’s status for this complaint: Complaint (Substantiated). |
| Jul 7, 2026 | Complaint (Substantiated) | New York’s status for this complaint: Complaint (Substantiated). |
| Apr 10, 2026 | Complaint (Substantiated) | New York’s status for this complaint: Complaint (Substantiated). |
| Mar 28, 2025 | Complaint (Unsubstantiated) | New York’s status for this complaint: Complaint (Unsubstantiated). |
| Mar 5, 2025 | Complaint (Substantiated) | New York’s status for this complaint: Complaint (Substantiated). |
Who does the caring?
- New York doesn’t publish staffing levels for individual programs.
Who owns it?
- New York’s open data doesn’t list owners.
How is it rated?
- Takes part in QUALITYstarsNY, New York’s quality rating program.
New York State Office of Children and Family Services, Program pages: inspection and complaint history. Checked Oct 22, 2026. Updated daily.
How does it compare nearby?
- Among 467 child care providers in Erie County, the middle value for violations cited in the last three years was 3; this one had 21.
New York State Office of Children and Family Services, Program pages: inspection and complaint history. Checked Oct 22, 2026. Updated daily.
| Place | Violations cited in the last three years |
|---|---|
| The Blue Giraffe This child care provider | 21 |
| Care-A-Lot Childcare Centre, Inc. | 62 |
| Creative Child Day Care Center, Inc. | 17 |
| Tiny Treasures Day Care | 17 |
| Brierwood Child Care of Lancaster, Inc. | 5 |
| Little O’s Cuddley Family Day Care | 0 |
| Bluff, Lori | 0 |
| Stepping Stones Family Day Care | 0 |
| Harris, Tonya | 4 |
| Tracy’s Tots, Inc. | 11 |
| Doodle Bugs! Children’s Centers | 8 |
| BRIGHTPATH | 4 |
What the record doesn’t say
- New York doesn’t grade violations by severity, so read what was cited.
- New York’s records give the regulation behind each violation, not what the inspector saw.
- New York’s program pages cover four calendar years; this page shows the last three years.
- New York doesn’t publish staffing levels or owners for individual programs.
Sources
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New York State Office of Children and Family Services, Child Care Regulated Programs (cb42-qumz).
Released Nov 5, 2026 and checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated daily. No licence stated.
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New York State Office of Children and Family Services, Program pages: inspection and complaint history.
Checked Oct 22, 2026. Updated daily. No licence stated.
If you believe something here is wrong, a correction starts with the agency whose record this copies: New York State Office of Children and Family Services. New York’s own record is on hs.ocfs.ny.gov. If Hearth Record copied something wrongly, it will fix it and log the correction publicly, with its date: how corrections work.
This copy of the record was made on Nov 5, 2026.
From the provider
The public record above comes first. Anything the provider adds will appear here, below it, and say who wrote it.
Replies
None. Replies aren’t open yet. When they open, the provider will be able to answer any finding for free, and the reply will show beside that finding, unedited and dated.
Paid listing
None. Paid listings aren’t open yet. When they open, anything paid for will say “Paid by the provider”, and paying will never change a finding, a rating or the order of results.