Program Name: Kids First Childcare Center    License/Registration ID: 693369


 Program Overview
Contact Name: Michelle A. Vangarderen Contact Title: Acting Director
Program Type: Day Care Center Status: License Suspended  <
Oct 18, 2024 <
School District: Ballston Spa
Site Address: Map
12 Church Ave, Ballston Spa, NY 12020
First Licensed/Registration Date: Jun 2, 2015
Current Registration Period: Jun 2, 2017 - Jun 1, 2021
Phone: (518) 309-3540
Fax: (518) 309-3541
Total Capacity: 95
-Infants: 8
-Toddlers: 16
-Preschool: 41
-School-Age: 30
Open Child Care Slots*:
This information was self reported to OCFS on 10/2/2024 10:36:54 AM
-Infants: 0
-Toddlers: 0
-Preschool: 16
-School-Age: 4

*Important Note: This self reported information on open child care slots can quickly change.


Please contact this program for the most current openings.


Care available during non-traditional hours: No
Removed from referral list: Yes
This facility has Non-Patient Specific Auto Injectors.

For additional information on this program and compliance history, contact
Office: Albany Regional Office
Phone: (518) 402-3038
For additional details and to view the checklist used during an inspection, please click on the Inspection ID links below. Inspection checklists are generated per inspection type and reason. Also note, that any regulatory requirement can be assessed and cited during an inspection and as a result, may not be reflected on the inspection checklist. These items would be reflected in the program's compliance history that is posted.

 Inspection History: (Inspections in the past 24 months)

Date Inspection Type Inspection ID Inspection Result  
Oct 23, 2024 Fire Safety - TA 2024-I-ARO-103075 No violations cited for this Inspection
Oct 21, 2024 Monitoring 2024-I-ARO-103190 No violations cited for this Inspection
Oct 18, 2024 Other 2024-I-ARO-102879 No violations cited for this Inspection
Oct 17, 2024 Documentation Review 2024-I-ARO-102295 Violations Found
Inspection Conducted Off-Site
Oct 10, 2024 Complaint (Substantiated) 2024-I-ARO-100322 Violations Found
Sep 23, 2024 Self Reported Serious Incident 2024-I-ARO-095343 No violations cited for this Inspection
Aug 26, 2024 Complaint (Substantiated) 2024-I-ARO-081733 Violations Found
Aug 1, 2024 Monitoring 2024-I-ARO-077409 Violations Found
Jul 3, 2024 Self Reported Serious Incident 2024-I-ARO-060023 Violations Found
Jun 3, 2024 Complaint (Substantiated) 2024-I-ARO-049728 Violations Found
May 30, 2024 Complaint (Substantiated) 2024-I-ARO-049101 Violations Found
May 13, 2024 Complaint (Substantiated) 2024-I-ARO-046224 Violations Found
May 7, 2024 Complaint (Substantiated) 2024-I-ARO-046835 Violations Found
May 2, 2024 Fire Safety - TA 2024-I-ARO-045523 No violations cited for this Inspection
Apr 9, 2024 Other 2024-I-ARO-042781 No violations cited for this Inspection
Mar 19, 2024 Other 2024-I-ARO-039972 No violations cited for this Inspection
Mar 18, 2024 Complaint (Substantiated) 2024-I-ARO-038713 Violations Found
Mar 18, 2024 Complaint (Substantiated) 2024-I-ARO-038712 Violations Found
Mar 18, 2024 Complaint (Substantiated) 2024-I-ARO-038352 Violations Found
Mar 6, 2024 Fire Safety - Renewal 2024-I-ARO-037507 Violations Found
Mar 5, 2024 Other 2024-I-ARO-035341 Violations Found
Jan 22, 2024 Annual Unannounced 2024-I-ARO-007732 Violations Found
Dec 14, 2023 No Approved Director 2023-I-ARO-049979 Violations Found
Inspection Conducted Off-Site
Oct 19, 2023 No Approved Director 2023-I-ARO-041111 Violations Found
Inspection Conducted Off-Site
Jul 6, 2023 Complaint (Substantiated) 2023-I-ARO-035404 Violations Found
May 23, 2023 Application - Renewal 2021-I-ARO-016917 Violations Found
Mar 28, 2023 Annual Unannounced 2023-I-ARO-007709 Violations Found
Additional Inspection History

*Inspections may be conducted outside of program operating hours and/or off-site(where inspector was not on premises where care is provided) for the following reasons:
-Record/File Review
-Interviewing of Staff
-Or Other Investigative Reasons

 Compliance History
Date of Last Inspection: Oct 23, 2024 Currently uncorrected violations: Yes
Date Regulation Description Compliance Status as of last inspection
Oct 17, 2024 418-1.15(b)(4) The staff and volunteers must be in good health and be of good character and habits. Not Corrected
Oct 10, 2024 418-1.3(a)(3) Child care can only be provided in the areas that have been included in the diagram and approved as child care space. Not Corrected
Oct 10, 2024 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. Not Corrected
Oct 10, 2024 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
Oct 10, 2024 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. Not Corrected
Oct 10, 2024 418-1.15(b)(4) The staff and volunteers must be in good health and be of good character and habits. Not Corrected
Oct 10, 2024 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, Not Corrected
Aug 26, 2024 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
Aug 1, 2024 418-1.4(b)(1) Evacuation drills must be conducted at least monthly during various hours of operation of the child day care center. Corrected
Jul 3, 2024 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. Corrected
Jun 3, 2024 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
Jun 3, 2024 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, Not Corrected
May 30, 2024 418-1.2(f) Applicants for renewal of a license may not be issued a license until an inspection of the child day care center has been conducted showing compliance with the requirements of this Subpart and the relevant provisions of the Social Services Law. Not Corrected
May 30, 2024 418-1.4(a) Suitable precautions must be taken to eliminate all conditions which may contribute to or create a fire hazard. Corrected
May 30, 2024 418-1.8(k)(3)(i) for children between ages 18 months old and 36 months old: there must be one teacher for every five children; Corrected
May 30, 2024 418-1.8(k)(7)(i) for a child of school-age through the age of 9 years old: there must be one teacher for every ten children; Corrected
May 30, 2024 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: Corrected
May 30, 2024 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
May 13, 2024 418-1.8(k)(3)(i) for children between ages 18 months old and 36 months old: there must be one teacher for every five children; Corrected
May 13, 2024 418-1.8(l)(8) Except for Office approved continuity of care classrooms, children under three years of age may not participate in mixed age groups except for limited periods of time at the beginning and end of the child day care center's daily operation. Corrected
May 13, 2024 418-1.13(g) Minimum education and experience qualifications: Not Corrected
May 13, 2024 418-1.15(b)(23)(iv) Upon termination or resignation of the director: An approved, permanent director must be on-site, performing the duties of the position, within 90 days. Corrected
May 7, 2024 413.4(d)(6) Pending notification of completion of all required background check components in subdivision (a) of this section, a prospective director, employee or volunteer must always be supervised by an individual who received a qualifying result on the background checks described in paragraph (a) of this section within the past five years. A provisional director, employee or volunteer shall not have unsupervised contact with children in care. Not Corrected
May 7, 2024 418-1.8(l)(8) Except for Office approved continuity of care classrooms, children under three years of age may not participate in mixed age groups except for limited periods of time at the beginning and end of the child day care center's daily operation. Not Corrected
May 7, 2024 418-1.15(a)(4) The provisions specified on the license are binding and the child day care center must operate in compliance with the terms of the license. The number and age range of children specified thereon are the maximum number and age range of children who may be in the care of the child day care center at any one time. Corrected
Mar 18, 2024 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
Mar 18, 2024 418-1.10(a) Any abuse or maltreatment of a child is prohibited. A day care center must prohibit and may not tolerate or in any manner condone an act of abuse or maltreatment by an staff, volunteer or any other person. An abused child or maltreated child means a child defined as an abused child or maltreated child pursuant to Section 412 of the Social Services Law. Not Corrected
Mar 18, 2024 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. Not Corrected
Mar 18, 2024 418-1.13(a)(1) Staff and volunteers must be mature, of good character and possess suitable personal qualifications. Not Corrected
Mar 18, 2024 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, Not Corrected
Mar 18, 2024 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
Mar 18, 2024 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
Mar 18, 2024 418-1.9(m) Methods of discipline, interaction or toilet training which frighten, demean or humiliate a child are prohibited. Corrected
Mar 18, 2024 418-1.10(a) Any abuse or maltreatment of a child is prohibited. A day care center must prohibit and may not tolerate or in any manner condone an act of abuse or maltreatment by an staff, volunteer or any other person. An abused child or maltreated child means a child defined as an abused child or maltreated child pursuant to Section 412 of the Social Services Law. Not Corrected
Mar 18, 2024 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. Not Corrected
Mar 18, 2024 418-1.13(a)(1) Staff and volunteers must be mature, of good character and possess suitable personal qualifications. Corrected
Mar 18, 2024 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, Not Corrected
Mar 18, 2024 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
Mar 18, 2024 418-1.8(d) No person under 18 years of age may be left alone to supervise a group of children at any time, including in an emergency. Corrected
Mar 18, 2024 418-1.8(k) The supervision ratios are as follows: Corrected
Mar 6, 2024 418-1.4(e) All fire suppression equipment and systems must be 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. Corrected
Mar 5, 2024 418-1.3(h) Peeling or damaged paint or plaster must be repaired. Corrected
Jan 22, 2024 418-1.3(h) Peeling or damaged paint or plaster must be repaired. Corrected
Jan 22, 2024 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
Jan 22, 2024 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: Corrected
Jan 22, 2024 418-1.13(g) Minimum education and experience qualifications: Not Corrected
Jan 22, 2024 418-1.15(b)(23)(iv) Upon termination or resignation of the director: An approved, permanent director must be on-site, performing the duties of the position, within 90 days. Corrected
Dec 14, 2023 418-1.15(b)(23)(iv) Upon termination or resignation of the director: An approved, permanent director must be on-site, performing the duties of the position, within 90 days. Corrected
Oct 19, 2023 418-1.15(b)(23)(iv) Upon termination or resignation of the director: An approved, permanent director must be on-site, performing the duties of the position, within 90 days. Corrected
Jul 6, 2023 418-1.2(a)(16) Applicants for a license must submit to the Office: a sworn statement by the applicant indicating whether, to the best of the applicant's knowledge, the applicant has ever been convicted of a misdemeanor or a felony in New York State or any other jurisdiction, and fingerprint images to comply with the requirements of section 413.4 of this Title; Corrected
Jul 6, 2023 418-1.11(b)(1)(ii) Staff and volunteers must each submit a medical statement on forms furnished by the Office or an approved equivalent from a health care provider: before such person has any involvement in child care work. Corrected
May 23, 2023 418-1.3(h) Peeling or damaged paint or plaster must be repaired. Corrected
May 23, 2023 418-1.4(b)(1) Evacuation drills must be conducted at least monthly during various hours of operation of the child day care center. Corrected
May 23, 2023 418-1.4(f) Adequate means of egress must be provided. Children may be cared for only on such floors as are provided with readily accessible alternate means of egress to other floors, in the case of fire-resistant buildings, and to the outside in the case of non-fire-resistant buildings. Corrected
May 23, 2023 418-1.4(f)(2) All corridors, aisles, and approaches to exits must be kept unobstructed at all times. Corrected
May 23, 2023 418-1.4(g) Trash, garbage and combustible materials must not be stored in the furnace room or in rooms or outdoor areas adjacent to the facility that are ordinarily occupied by or accessible to children. Corrected
May 23, 2023 418-1.4(h) The director or a designated qualified staff member must conduct monthly inspections of the premises to observe possible fire or safety hazards. Any such hazard must be corrected immediately. Corrected
May 23, 2023 418-1.5(r) An operable flashlight or battery powered lantern must be kept in each classroom. Such equipment must be properly maintained for use in the event of a power failure. Corrected
May 23, 2023 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
May 23, 2023 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
May 23, 2023 418-1.5(y) Protective caps, covers or permanently installed obstructive devices must be used on all electrical outlets that are accessible to children. Corrected
May 23, 2023 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. Corrected
May 23, 2023 418-1.11(b)(1) Staff and volunteers must each submit a medical statement on forms furnished by the Office or an approved equivalent from a health care provider: Corrected
May 23, 2023 418-1.11(b)(6) The initial medical statement for staff and volunteers must include the results of a Mantoux tuberculin test or other federally approved tuberculin test performed within the 12 months preceding the date of the application. Corrected
May 23, 2023 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: Corrected
May 23, 2023 418-1.13(b)(2) Child day care centers must review and evaluate the backgrounds of all applicants for staff and volunteer positions. All applicants whose backgrounds must be checked are required to provide the following: the names, addresses and day time telephone numbers of at least two acceptable references, other than relatives, at least one of whom can verify employment history, work record and qualifications, and at least one of whom can attest to the applicant's character, habits and personal qualifications to be a child care center staff member; Corrected
May 23, 2023 418-1.13(g) Minimum education and experience qualifications: Not Corrected
May 23, 2023 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
May 23, 2023 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
May 23, 2023 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
Mar 28, 2023 418-1.5(b)(4) Each program must hold two shelter-in-place drills annually during which procedures and supplies are reviewed. Parents must be made aware of this drill in advance. Corrected
Mar 28, 2023 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. Corrected
Mar 28, 2023 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: Corrected
Mar 28, 2023 418-1.14(k) All child care programs must have at least one staff person who holds a valid certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid on the premises of the program during the program's operating hours. Corrected
Mar 28, 2023 418-1.15(a)(4) The provisions specified on the license are binding and the child day care center must operate in compliance with the terms of the license. The number and age range of children specified thereon are the maximum number and age range of children who may be in the care of the child day care center at any one time. Corrected
*Violations are posted on this web site after the inspection results have been finalized in a report mailed to the provider. Violations are listed here as 'Corrected' after the Office has verified corrections with the provider, and a letter confirming the corrections has been mailed to the provider.
For additional information on this program and compliance history, contact
Office: Albany Regional Office
Phone: (518) 402-3038

 Enforcement History
The New York State Office of Children and Family Services uses a range of tools to help bring child care programs into compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.

The enforcement actions listed on this website only include denial, revocation or suspension of a child care program's license or registration. Fines are not shown on this website. OCFS stops referring families to the program if a program's license or registration is closed, revoked or suspended.

Other enforcement actions such as Corrective action plans and fines are not shown on this website.
Enforcement Actions since December, 2019: Yes