One of the largest daycare providers in Rochester is facing possible revocation of its license.
According to the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, the Carlson MetroCenter Child Care Center at the YMCAon East Main Street is facing some problems with the state.
OCFS has moved to revoke the program’s license due to a lack of required supervision and the lack of required record keeping.
The YMCA of Greater Rochester released a statement saying that they are working closely with the state regarding an incident on April 23rd where a child exited an enclosed area before being immediately returned safely inside the branch. Officials say it involved a child enrolled in the day’s Fun Club program, which is offered to families on days when school is not in session.
YMCA says its staff was positioned five feet from the kids they were supervising when they noticed a child near the gate of the enclosed playground. A staff member shouted to the child to stop when the girl unlatched the gate and left the playground. Staff members went after the child as she ran toward the nearby street and intercepted her as she reached the bike lane just beyond the sidewalk curb, and brought her back to the branch.
The YMCA self-reported the incident to the state as required by regulations. Officials say that while the playground gate cannot be opened from the outside, it does remain latched but unlocked from the inside, since it is an emergency exit for the child care center. The 'Y' officials say that since the incident, the Carlson branch has added alarms to its child care area doors and gates and updated its playground supervision policy.
Kevin Fitzpatrick, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President for the YMCA of Greater Rochester released this statement:
“The safety and security of the thousands of children in our care is our highest priority. Still, the YMCA always strives to do better. We have heightened our internal training, and are partnering with New York State Office of Children and Family Services for additional onsite assistance and to ensure we are in compliance with all state regulations. To date, the YMCA of Greater Rochester has responded to all cited violations.
The YMCA of Greater Rochester is a nonprofit organization that has offered childcare services for 36 years at more than 40 locations. We are proud to be the largest childcare provider in Monroe County. Our commitment to serve the families of our community is highlighted by the tenure of the staff at our suburban and urban branches. The Y remains committed to improving child safety and meeting the needs of the communities we serve.”
Officials at the YMCA say that management of the Carlson Child Care Center was recently reorganized with Urban Executive Director James Smith now directly overseeing child care programming including compliance with all regulatory standards and mandatory training for staff.
The child care center serves close to 200 families and is the largest childcare provider in Monroe County, having operated its childcare programs for 36 years.
The NYS Office of Children and Family Services says that the child care program can appeal the possible revocation of its license at an administrative hearing.
