Program Name: First Step Day Care, Inc.    License/Registration ID: 40860


 Program Overview
Contact Name: Sasha M. Jackson Contact Title: Director
Program Type: Day Care Center Status: Open
School District: Watertown
Site Address: Map
317 Washington St, Watertown, NY 13601
First Licensed/Registration Date: Aug 19, 1991
Current Registration Period: Aug 1, 2023 - Jul 31, 2027
Phone: (315) 788-5437
Fax: (315) 788-6190
Total Capacity: 64
-Infants: 8
-Toddlers: 8
-Preschool: 33
-School-Age: 15
Open Child Care Slots*:
This information was self reported to OCFS on 5/6/2025 12:13:30 PM
-Infants: 0
-Toddlers: 0
-Preschool: 0
-School-Age: 6

*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: No
This facility has Non-Patient Specific Auto Injectors.

For additional information on this program and compliance history, contact
Office: Syracuse Regional Office
Phone: (315) 423-1202
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  
Jan 8, 2026 Annual Unannounced 2026-I-SRO-001024 Violations Found
Oct 17, 2025 Monitoring 2025-I-SRO-107706 No violations cited for this Inspection
Aug 22, 2025 Monitoring 2025-I-SRO-057285 Violations Found
Jun 5, 2025 Monitoring 2025-I-SRO-044472 No violations cited for this Inspection
Jun 5, 2025 Fire Safety - Other 2025-I-SRO-044077 Violations Found
Feb 10, 2025 Fire Safety - Alternate Year 2025-I-SRO-023075 No violations cited for this Inspection
Feb 7, 2025 Annual Unannounced 2025-I-SRO-001839 Violations Found
Oct 15, 2024 Complaint (Unsubstantiated) 2024-I-SRO-100522 Violations Found
Aug 9, 2024 Self Reported Serious Incident 2024-I-SRO-078452 Violations Found
Aug 2, 2024 Complaint (Unsubstantiated) 2024-I-SRO-077004 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: Jan 8, 2026 Currently uncorrected violations: Yes
Date Regulation Description Compliance Status as of last inspection
Jan 8, 2026 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: Not Corrected
Aug 22, 2025 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
Jun 5, 2025 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; Not Corrected
Jun 5, 2025 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; Not Corrected
Feb 7, 2025 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
Oct 15, 2024 418-1.12(d) Food must be prepared and stored in a safe and sanitary manner and served at appropriate intervals. Corrected
Aug 9, 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
Aug 9, 2024 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
Aug 2, 2024 418-1.7(r)(7) The resting/napping places must: be at least two feet apart from each other. Corrected
Aug 2, 2024 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. Corrected
Aug 2, 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
Aug 2, 2024 418-1.11(c) The Health Care Plan. Corrected
Aug 2, 2024 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
Aug 2, 2024 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. Corrected
Aug 2, 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
*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: Syracuse Regional Office
Phone: (315) 423-1202

 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 April, 2021: None