BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — In Buffalo, there are two different daycares with two different stories.
Divine Innovations on the Buffalo/Cheektowaga line is in danger of being closed. The on-site operator, Nadina Powell, could lose her license to operate over a number of violations found during an April inspection. Those issues were not corrected by June. When inspectors came back, they found other issues during their follow up.
Some issues they found include;
- "Suitable precautions must be taken to eliminate all conditions in areas accessible to children which pose a safety or health hazard"
- "Children cannot be left without competent supervision at any time"
- "A family daycare home must cooperate with inspectors...in regard to any inspections or investigations."
We called Divine Innovations several times and spoke with Powell, but she refused to be interviewed. When we went to record video of the daycare, we called a final time to get her side of the story. We left a voicemail. Powell still has not returned our phone call.
>>To see the inspection for Divine Innovations Daycare, click here.
On the other hand, ABC Learn and Play 2, on Masten Avenue in Buffalo, is seen as exemplary by the State.
"We all receive violations -- no program is perfect," Tiffany Malone, the owner, said. "Every program has issues with licensing and violations. What I do with my program is use those violations to help me level up the quality of care in my program."
In February, Malone was cited for not having proper documentation about the fire sprinkler system. She later got those papers to satisfy the State.
By May, there were no violations.
>>To see the inspection for ABC Learn & Play 2, click here.
"You can correct these things. You don't have to take it as a blow," Malone said.
Malone has some advice for parents, looking for daycare, but might find themselves in a bind.
"Looking for developmentally appropriate programs is important," she said. "Knowing what your child should have at their age and stage in their lives...so looking for that as a program -- also looking for teachers who are engaged with your children. are they on the floor are they active with them, do they have communication with them or are they just standing and watching the children play?"
She said you always want to make sure teachers are engaged with your children.
As for Divine Innovations, the State Office of Children and Family Services released a statement to the I-Team explaining:
The Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) moved to revoke the license of Divine Innovations following repeated violations of regulations. The program’s owner has exercised her right to request a hearing to challenge the proposed revocation. OCFS will continue to closely monitor Divine Innovations while the revocation is pending."
If you'd like to have the I-Team look into a specific daycare center, email ed.drantch@wkbw.com or send Ed a message on Facebook.
