Hearth Record

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.

New York’s own record, on hs.ocfs.ny.gov

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.

The last 24 months 21 violations in 7 months of the last 36. Last cited Jul 2026. Every month

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.

Source:

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.

21 violations by month over the last 3 years. Each cell is one month.
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
2023 Dec
2024 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
2025 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
2026 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNov

Hover or focus a month to read it.

No visit on record Visited, nothing cited A stronger orange is more serious, on its source’s own levels, read onto four bands: from the least serious it publishes to the most
Source:

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.

Source:

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
  • Toilet facilities must be kept clean at all times, and must be supplied with toilet paper, soap and towels accessible to the children.

    Rule 418-1.11(i)(18)(i). From a complaint.

  • Suitable precautions must be taken to eliminate all conditions in areas accessible to children which pose a safety or health hazard.

    Rule 418-1.5(a). From a complaint.

  • The child day care center must employ staff who will promote the physical, intellectual, social, cultural and emotional well-being of the children.

    Rule 418-1.8(b). From a complaint.

Jul 7, 2026: complaint investigation2 violations
  • 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.

    Rule 418-1.8(a). From a complaint.

  • The child day care center must employ staff who will promote the physical, intellectual, social, cultural and emotional well-being of the children.

    Rule 418-1.8(b). From a complaint.

May 13, 2026: self-Report1 violation
  • 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.

    Rule 418-1.8(a).

May 7, 2026: self-Report2 violations
  • Evacuation drills must be conducted at least monthly during various hours of operation of the child day care center.

    Rule 418-1.4(b)(1).

  • 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.

    Rule 418-1.8(a).

Apr 10, 2026: complaint investigation2 violations
  • 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:

    Rule 418-1.10(c). From a complaint.

  • 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,

    Rule 418-1.15(b)(14)(ii). From a complaint.

Apr 7, 2026: fire Safety - Alternate Year1 violation
  • 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.

    Rule 418-1.4(d).

Jul 17, 2025: annual Unannounced2 violations
  • All containers or bottles of, breast milk, formula or other individualized food items must be clearly marked with the child’s complete name.

    Rule 418-1.12(z). Corrected during the inspection.

  • 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.

    Rule 418-1.14(c)(1).

Mar 28, 2025: complaint investigation1 violation
  • 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:

    Rule 418-1.10(c). From a complaint.

Mar 6, 2025: monitoring2 violations
  • All devices used to warm breast milk, formula or food for infants must be kept at a low temperature not exceeding 120 degrees.

    Rule 418-1.12(ac).

  • Evacuation drills must be conducted at least monthly during various hours of operation of the child day care center.

    Rule 418-1.4(b)(1). Corrected during the inspection.

Mar 5, 2025: complaint investigation1 violation
  • 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.

    Rule 418-1.8(a). From a complaint.

Aug 15, 2024: self Reported Serious Incident1 violation
  • Suitable precautions must be taken to eliminate all conditions in areas accessible to children which pose a safety or health hazard.

    Rule 418-1.5(a).

Aug 6, 2024: monitoring2 violations
  • 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.

    Rule 418-1.5(g). Corrected during the inspection.

  • 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.

    Rule 418-1.7(c).

Feb 29, 2024: self Reported Serious Incident1 violation
  • 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.

    Rule 418-1.8(a).

All 29 visits on record
Visits on record
DateVisitWhat the record says
Sep 2, 2026Self-ReportNo violations found
Aug 12, 2026Annual UnannouncedNo violations found
Jul 13, 2026ComplaintComplaint (Substantiated); 3 violations cited
Jul 7, 2026ComplaintComplaint (Substantiated); 2 violations cited
May 13, 2026Self-Report1 violation cited
May 7, 2026Self-Report2 violations cited
Apr 10, 2026ComplaintComplaint (Substantiated); 2 violations cited
Apr 7, 2026Fire Safety - Alternate Year1 violation cited
Feb 19, 2026Self-ReportNo violations found
Feb 9, 2026Self-ReportNo violations found
Dec 16, 2025MonitoringNo violations found
Nov 3, 2025ExpansionNo violations found
Sep 15, 2025Self-ReportNo violations found
Jul 17, 2025Annual Unannounced2 violations cited
Apr 18, 2025Serious InjuryNo violations found
Apr 4, 2025Fire Safety - Alternate YearNo violations found
Mar 28, 2025ComplaintComplaint (Unsubstantiated); 1 violation cited
Mar 6, 2025Monitoring2 violations cited
Mar 5, 2025ComplaintComplaint (Substantiated); 1 violation cited
Dec 18, 2024MonitoringNo violations found
Oct 30, 2024Fire Safety - OtherNo violations found
Aug 15, 2024Self Reported Serious Incident1 violation cited
Aug 6, 2024Monitoring2 violations cited
Jun 20, 2024Fire Safety - Alternate YearNo violations found
May 1, 2024Serious InjuryNo violations found
Apr 16, 2024Self Reported Serious IncidentNo violations found
Feb 29, 2024Self Reported Serious Incident1 violation cited
Feb 13, 2024Annual UnannouncedNo violations found
Dec 27, 2023Serious InjuryNo 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.
Source:

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.
Source:

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.

On record, newest first
DateWhatDetail
Removed from the referral listNew York’s referral agencies won’t refer families to this program until its compliance issues are resolved.
Pending RevocationNew York lists this program as Pending Revocation: recommended for revocation.
Jul 13, 2026Complaint (Substantiated)New York’s status for this complaint: Complaint (Substantiated).
Jul 7, 2026Complaint (Substantiated)New York’s status for this complaint: Complaint (Substantiated).
Apr 10, 2026Complaint (Substantiated)New York’s status for this complaint: Complaint (Substantiated).
Mar 28, 2025Complaint (Unsubstantiated)New York’s status for this complaint: Complaint (Unsubstantiated).
Mar 5, 2025Complaint (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.
Source:

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.
Source:

New York State Office of Children and Family Services, Program pages: inspection and complaint history. Checked Oct 22, 2026. Updated daily.

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

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.

Source:

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.

How to read a record

Four things every record does, shown on an example record made up for this guide.

An example record, made up for this guide

An example nursing home

Made up for this guide: no real place is shown

Not fully inspected in over two years (CMS flag)

11 health citations at the latest inspection cycle

The state average is 14.3.

Source:

CMS, State and US Averages and Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated monthly.

From the homeNone yet. Replies and paid listings aren’t open, and when they open they will sit here, below the record.

1 of 4

Every fact names its source.

Who published it, when, and how often it changes sit beside each fact, with a link to the agency’s own file.

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