Owl Creek Nature Playschool
326 1/2 STONE QUARRY ROAD, ITHACA, NY 14850Childery Rating: 2/5
Data last updated ·
Quality Indicators
See Methodology →- Overall QualityCombines daily care quality (interactions, learning, environment) with structural features like staff-to-child ratios and teacher qualifications.2 / 5
- Process QualityThe quality of daily care — caregiver-child interactions, learning activities, and the emotional climate. Drawn from the state QRIS rating, accreditations, and Head Start CLASS observations.2 / 5
- Structural QualityMeasurable features like staff-to-child ratios, group sizes, license status, and teacher qualifications. Provider-level data when available; otherwise the state regulatory baseline.4 / 5
Why this rating
This daycare earned 2 out of 5 stars overall. Process quality reflects a QUALITYstarsNY rating of Level 1 (out of 5). Structural quality reflects a 25% violation rate across 16 visits in the last 3 years (most recently inspected March 2026) and a license in good standing. The structural rating also includes New York's licensing baseline — what every licensed daycare in the state must meet. New York caps infant ratios at 1:4, toddler ratios at 1:5, and preschool ratios at 1:8. Lead teachers must hold a Child Development Associate (CDA). Teachers must complete 15 hours of annual training.
Quality Recognitions & Accreditations
- State Quality Rating
- QUALITYstarsNY Level 1 (Max 5) Learn more →
- Accreditations
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)Not Accredited
- National Accreditation Commission (NAC)Not Accredited
- National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA)Not Accredited
- National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC)Not Accredited
Facility Info
- Facility type
- Group Child Care Home
- Age groups served
- Infants, Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age
- Licensed capacity
- 16
- Teacher-child ratios & group sizesState Minimum Displayed
Age Max ratio Max group Infants 1:4 8 Toddlers 1:5 12 Preschool 1:8 21
Teacher Credentials
- Lead teacher credentialState Minimum Displayed
- Child Development Associate (CDA)
Inspection History
Across 3 inspections since 2024, the issues cited most often were Children's Records & Files (2), Emergency Preparedness & Drills (1), and Hazardous Materials Handling (1). Of 5 total findings, 1 was critical.
See All 3 Inspection Visits
Mar 4, 20262 Findings1 Critical1 Important
- In Addition to a Smoke Detector on Each Floor416.4(d)
In addition to a smoke detector on each floor, there must be a smoke detector located either within rooms where children nap, or in adjoining rooms. In the case
✓ Corrected at visit
- Operating Carbon Monoxide Detectors Must Be Used in All Group Family Day Care Homes When Required, and Located in Areas…416.5(v)
Operating carbon monoxide detectors must be used in all group family day care homes when required, and located in areas of the home in accordance with applicabl
✓ Corrected at visit
Feb 10, 20251 Finding1 Important
- At the Two-year Calendar Date in a Four Year Licensing Cycle416.15(b)(25)(iii)
At the two-year calendar date in a four year licensing cycle, a program must be in compliance with the following mid-point requirements and be able to show proo
✓ Corrected at visit
Dec 11, 20242 Findings2 Important
- Medication Must Be Returned to the Parent or Guardian When It Is No Longer Required by the Child Or, with The…416.11(f)(13)
Medication must be returned to the parent or guardian when it is no longer required by the child or, with the permission of the parent or guardian, be properly
✓ Corrected at visit
- In the Case of Medication That Needs to Be Given on an Ongoing416.11(f)(21)
In the case of medication that needs to be given on an ongoing, long-term basis, the authorization and consent forms for children under the age of 5 years of ag
✓ Corrected at visit
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