The Learning Experience

3A:52-2.1(b) · A person applying for an initial license or renewal license to operate a center or relocation of a center shall submit a completed application to the Office of Licensing at least 45 days prior to the anticipated opening of the center or to the expiration of its existing regular license.

Complete and submit a DCF Renewal Attestation for the center's license renewal.

Corrected by May 13, 2026

3A:52-5.3(l) · (l) Emergency procedure requirements are as follows: 1. The center shall prepare written emergency procedures delineating: i. The location of the first aid kit and any additional first aid supplies; ii. The name, address and telephone number of the physician retained by the center or of the health facility to be used in emergencies; iii. An alternate indoor location that operates during the same operating hours as the center. The center shall: (1) Select an alternate indoor location within safe walking distance; or (2) Develop a written procedure for obtaining emergency transportation to the alternate location; iv. The hospital or clinic to which injured or ill children will be taken; v. The telephone numbers for obtaining police, fire, ambulance and poison control services, including the National Poison Emergency Hotline at (800) 222-1222; vi. The location of written authorization from parent(s) for emergency medical care for each child; vii. A diagram showing how the center is to be evacuated in case of emergency from each classroom and the outdoor play area; viii. The location of fire alarms and fire extinguishers; and ix. Procedures for ensuring children’s safety and communicating with parents in the event of evacuation, lockdown, natural or civil disaster, and other emergencies. The procedures shall indicate: (1) The plan for informing parents of their children’s whereabouts; and (2) The local law enforcement agency or emergency management office that has been notified of the center’s identifying information, as specified in (l)3 below. 2. The emergency procedures shall be readily accessible in a designated location within the center. 3. The center shall ensure that the appropriate local law enforcement agency or emergency management office is notified of: i. The center’s name and location; ii. The number, ages, and special needs of children enrolled; iii. The number of staff; iv. The need for emergency transportation; v. The location to which children will be evacuated; vi. The plan for a lockdown; and vii. The plan for reuniting children with their parents.

Maintain a written emergency plan in a readily accessible location that includes all required components.

Corrected by May 13, 2026

3A:52-4.10(a) · As a condition of securing a new or renewal license or Certificate of Life/Safety Approval, the sponsor or sponsor representative shall provide for himself or herself, and shall obtain from all staff members who are or will be working at the center on a regularly scheduled basis, written consent for the Department to conduct a Child Abuse Record Information (CARI) background check to determine whether an incident of child abuse or neglect has been substantiated against any such person. If a staff member refused to consent to a CARI background check, the sponsor or sponsor representative shall immediately terminate the staff member's employment at the center.

Ensure that CARI background checks are completed as required for the sponsor/sponsor representative and all regularly scheduled staff for the center's license renewal.

Corrected by May 13, 2026

3A:52-7.8(a)(1) · Handwashing requirements are as follows: the center shall ensure that children three months of age and older wash their hands with soap and running water before intake of food; immediately after using the toilet or having diapers changed; immediately after coming into contact with blood, fecal matter, urine, vomit, nasal secretions, or other body fluids or secretions; immediately after coming in contact with an animal's body secretions; and immediately after outdoor play. (2)for children under three months of age or for those children three months of age and older wherein hand washing with soap and running water may not be developmentally appropriate, the center may use an alternate means for hand washing, including but not limited to disposable baby wipes.

Ensure that children wash their hands with soap and running water as required including immediately after having a diaper change in rooms 108 and 114.

Corrected by May 13, 2026

3A:52-5.3(a)(1) · (a) Indoor maintenance and sanitation requirements are as follows: 1. The center shall be free of moisture resulting from water leaks or seepage. 2. Floors, carpeting, walls, window coverings, ceilings, and other surfaces shall be kept clean and in good repair. 4. Carpeting shall be securely fastened to the floor. 9. Toilets, wash basins, kitchen sinks, and other plumbing shall be maintained in good operating and sanitary condition.

Clean the bathroom stools in rooms 121 and 119.

Corrected by May 13, 2026

3A:52-7.7(e)(1)(iii) · In addition to the items specified in (a)3 above, the following equipment items or surfaces shall be washed and disinfected after each use: iii. Diapering surfaces;

Ensure diapering surfaces are washed and disinfected after each use in room 108.

Corrected by May 13, 2026

3A:52-7.7(a)(1)(i) · Disinfectants shall be used as follows: the center shall disinfect those items specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-7.7(a)3 with a solution that shall be a commercially prepared disinfectant that indicates it kills bacteria, viruses, and parasites. This solution shall be used in accordance with label instructions.

Ensure a commercially prepared disinfectant is used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

Corrected by May 13, 2026

3A:52-7.8(d)(1)(ii)(3) · the diapering surface shall be flat, smooth, clean, dry, non-absorbent, and in good repair.

Replace diapering surface in room 111.

Corrected by May 13, 2026

3A:52-6.4(b)(2) · The center shall provide sleeping equipment for children over the age of 12 months and under the age of five years, the center shall provide for each child a crib that complies with the Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC), Federal Safety Standards for Full-Size and Non-Full-Size Baby Cribs; 16 CRF 1219 and 1220, which is incorporated herein by reference, and can be obtained through the CPSC's website at http://www.cpsc.gov/businfo/frnotices/fr11/cribfinal.pdf, playpen, cot, mat, or other Office of Licensing-approved sleeping equipment that meets the following requirements:

Repair and/or replace sleeping equipment that is in disrepair.

Corrected by Jan 14, 2025

3A:52-7.7(e)(1)(iii) · For early childhood programs, the following shall apply: in addition to the items specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-7.7(a)3, the following equipment items or surfaces shall be washed and disinfected after each use, diapering surfaces.

Ensure that the center washes and disinfects diapering surfaces after each use.

Corrected by Jan 14, 2025

3A:52-5.3(a)(9) · Indoor maintenance and sanitation requirements are as follows: toilets, wash basins, kitchen sinks, and other plumbing shall be maintained in good operating and sanitary condition.

Secure the girl's bathroom toilet seat in room 114.

Corrected by Jan 14, 2025

3A:52-5.3(a)(2) · Indoor maintenance and sanitation requirements are as follows: floors, carpeting, walls, window coverings, ceilings, and other surfaces shall be kept clean and in good repair.

Replace the stained ceiling tiles in room 111.

Corrected by Jan 14, 2025

3A:52-6.3(a)(12)(ii) · All centers shall comply with the following requirements, the center shall ensure that these safety and sanitation practices are followed: sippy cups shall be labeled with the child’s name.

Ensure that each child's sippy cup is labeled with the child's name in room 108.

Corrected by Aug 3, 2023

3A:52-5.3(a)(5)(ii) · Indoor maintenance and sanitation requirements are as follows: garbage receptacles shall be covered in a secure manner.

Ensure that garbage receptacles are maintained as required, including being covered in room 108.

Corrected by Aug 3, 2023

3A:52-6.1(e) · The center shall ensure that pacifiers are removed when the children are crawling or walking.

Ensure that pacifiers are removed when children are walking in room 108.

Corrected by Jun 26, 2023

3A:52-4.10(b)(1) · When the center applies for a new or renewal license or Certificate of Life/Safety Approval, the sponsor or sponsor representative shall submit to the Department the completed CARI consent forms for all staff members who are or will be working at the center on a regularly scheduled basis. Within two weeks after a new staff member begins working at the center, the sponsor or sponsor representative shall submit to the Department a completed CARI consent form for the new staff member.

Ensure that 3 named staff submit a CARI background check upon renewal.

Corrected by Sep 5, 2023

3A:52-4.11(a)(1) · As a condition of securing a license or Certificate of Life/Safety Approval, the sponsor or sponsor representative shall ensure that a Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) fingerprint background check is completed for himself or herself, and for all staff members at least 18 years of age who are or will be working at the center on a regularly- scheduled basis, to determine whether any such person has been convicted of a crime, as specified in P.L. 2000, c. 77 (N.J.S.A. 30:5B-6.10 to 6.17). The sponsor or sponsor representative and each staff member shall complete the electronic fingerprinting process through the vendor authorized by the State to conduct CHRI background checks through the Division of State Police in the Department of Law and Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Ensure that sponsor representative and 14 named staff complete a CHRI background check as required for the center's license renewal.

Corrected by Oct 16, 2023

3A:52-4.6(a) · The center shall maintain on file a Staff Records Checklist designated by the Office of Licensing, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.1(b), indicating that the center has obtained documentation of the applicable staff education and experience, as specified in 3A:52-4.6(b) through (d).

Ensure that the center completes and maintains on file a Staff Records Checklist designated by OOL.

Corrected by Oct 16, 2023

3A:52-5.3(a)(2) · Indoor maintenance and sanitation requirements are as follows: floors, carpeting, walls, window coverings, ceilings, and other surfaces shall be kept clean and in good repair.

Replace stained ceiling tiles throughout the center.

Corrected by Aug 3, 2023

3A:52-5.3(i)(5)(i) · Environmental condition precautions are as follows: at the time of the initial application, any renewal application, relocation of an existing licensed center and, in the discretion of the Office of Licensing, any other time, the applicant or facility operator shall certify in writing that the center provides a potable water supply provided by a public community water system. If the facility is supplied by a public community water system, the applicant or facility operator shall provide documentation of water testing conducted by a laboratory certified by the Department of Environmental Protection for water testing for lead and copper from all faucets and other sources used for drinking water or food preparation and at least 50 percent of all indoor water faucets utilized by the center.

Complete and submit a DCF Drinking Water Testing Checklist and Statement of Assurance and a copy of the center's water testing completed by a laboratory certified by the Department of Environmental Protection.

Corrected by Sep 5, 2023

3A:52-5.3(l)(1) · Emergency procedure requirements are as follows: the center shall prepare written emergency procedures delineating

Ensure the center adequately adheres to lockdown procedures as lockdown requires children and staff to utilize the bathroom in rooms 104 and 106 as the bathroom was being used as occasional storage.

Corrected by Aug 3, 2023

3A:52-5.3(p) · Play equipment, materials, and furniture for indoor and outdoor use shall be of sturdy and safe construction, non-toxic, free of hazards, and used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. The center may not use play equipment intended for outdoor use indoors.

Repair peeling paint on the outdoor play structure.

Corrected by Oct 16, 2023

3A:52-2.1(b) · A person applying for an initial license or renewal license to operate a center or relocation of a center shall submit a completed application to the Office of Licensing at least 45 days prior to the anticipated opening of the center or to the expiration of its existing regular license.

Complete and submit a DCF Renewal Application and a DCF Renewal Attestation.

Corrected by Aug 3, 2023

3A:52-6.4(b)(2) · The center shall provide sleeping equipment for children over the age of 12 months and under the age of five years, the center shall provide for each child a crib that complies with the Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC), Federal Safety Standards for Full-Size and Non-Full-Size Baby Cribs; 16 CRF 1219 and 1220, which is incorporated herein by reference, and can be obtained through the CPSC's website at http://www.cpsc.gov/businfo/frnotices/fr11/cribfinal.pdf, playpen, cot, mat, or other Office of Licensing-approved sleeping equipment that meets the following requirements:

Repair and/or replace sleeping mats that are in disrepair throughout the center.

Corrected by Aug 3, 2023

3A:52-6.8(k)(6) · The center shall develop and follow a written policy on the use of social media including, but not limited to the guidelines for parents, including but not limited to, prohibiting the posting of photographs or videos of any child other than their own.

Ensure that the center's social media policy includes guidelines for parents prohibiting the posting of photographs of any child other that their own.

Corrected by Oct 16, 2023

3A:52-5.3(f)(2) · Toilet facility requirements are as follows: mirrors, dispensers, and other equipment shall be fastened securely.

Provide safety caps on toilets throughout the center.

Corrected by Aug 3, 2023

3A:52-7.8(d)(1)(ii)(3) · For early childhood programs, the following shall apply: diapering requirements for centers serving children who are not toilet trained are as follows, diapering area and surface requirements are as follows, the diapering surface shall be flat, smooth, clean, dry, non-absorbent, and in good repair.

Repair or replace changing table mat in room 114.

Corrected by Aug 3, 2023

3A:52-7.8(a)(1)(ii) · Handwashing requirements are as follows: the center shall ensure that children three months of age and older wash their hands with soap and running water immediately after using the toilet or having diapers changed.

Ensure that children wash their hands immediately after using the toilet or having their diaper changed in room 111.

Corrected by Aug 3, 2023

3A:52-7.8(a)(4) · Handwashing requirements are as follows: staff members shall wash their hands with soap and running water immediately

Ensure that staff wash their hands with soap and running water immediately after each diaper change.

Corrected by Aug 3, 2023

3A:52-7.8(a)(4)(vi) · Handwashing requirements are as follows: staff members shall wash their hands with soap and running water immediately after coming into contact with blood, fecal matter, urine, vomit, nasal secretions, or other body fluids or secretions.

Ensure that staff wash their hands after coming into contact with nasal secretions in rooms 106 and 108.

Corrected by Aug 3, 2023

3A:52-5.3(i)(5)(i) · Environmental condition precautions are as follows: at the time of the initial application, any renewal application, relocation of an existing licensed center and, in the discretion of the Office of Licensing, any other time, the applicant or facility operator shall certify in writing that the center provides a potable water supply provided by a public community water system. If the facility is supplied by a public community water system, the applicant or facility operator shall provide documentation of water testing conducted by a laboratory certified by the Department of Environmental Protection for water testing for lead and copper from all faucets and other sources used for drinking water or food preparation and at least 50 percent of all indoor water faucets utilized by the center.

Complete and provide documentation of the water testing.

Corrected by Jul 30, 2021

3A:52-4.10(b)(1) · When the center applies for a new or renewal license or Certificate of Life/Safety Approval, the sponsor or sponsor representative shall submit to the Department the completed CARI consent forms for all staff members who are or will be working at the center on a regularly scheduled basis. Within two weeks after a new staff member begins working at the center, the sponsor or sponsor representative shall submit to the Department a completed CARI consent form for the new staff member.

Complete and provide documentation of the renewal CARI checks for 18 staff.

Corrected by Jul 21, 2021

3A:52-4.8(a)(11) · Topics of orientation training shall include recognizing and responding to injuries and emergencies, including the prevention of and response to emergencies due to food-related allergies and other allergic reactions.

Based on complaint #17894, retrain all staff on the center's policy and procedures for documentation and parental notification of head injuries.

Corrected by Nov 25, 2019

3A:52-7.6(a)(2) · The center shall take immediate necessary action to protect the child from further harm and shall immediately notify the child's parent(s) when a child sustains a head or facial injury, including when a child bumps his or her head.

Based on complaint #17894, the center needs to ensure that all areas on the injury reports are completed and indicate the time and person of notification for all head injuries.

Corrected by Nov 25, 2019

3A:52-5.2(b) · An applicant seeking a license or a Certificate of Life/Safety Approval to operate a center shall comply with all applicable provisions of the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code, as specified in N.J.A.C. 5:70 and hereinafter referred to as the NJUFC. The center shall obtain the building's fire safety inspection certificate issued by the municipality in which it is located, based on a fire inspection conducted within the preceding 12 months, reflecting the center's compliance with all applicable provisions of the NJUFC. The center shall maintain on file the building's fire safety inspection certificate.

125. Fire panel indicated a trouble signal. Center contacted the monitoring company and the monitoring company conformed that they received a signal. The monitoring company also confirmed that they would send someone out to check the system.

Corrected by Sep 11, 2019

3A:52-5.3(a)(15) · Indoor maintenance and sanitation requirements are as follows: ventilation outlets shall be clean and free from obstructions, and filters shall be replaced when saturated.

166. Maintain the mechanical ventilation and ceiling grates in clean and operating condition as needed throughout the center.

Corrected by Oct 16, 2019

3A:52-5.3(a)(2) · Indoor maintenance and sanitation requirements are as follows: floors, carpeting, walls, window coverings, ceilings, and other surfaces shall be kept clean and in good repair.

156. Repair or replace the microwave in room 111.

Corrected by Oct 16, 2019

3A:52-5.3(a)(4) · Indoor maintenance and sanitation requirements are as follows: carpeting shall be securely fastened to the floor.

157. Secure the area rug in room 119.

Corrected by Oct 16, 2019

3A:52-6.4(b)(2) · The center shall provide sleeping equipment for children over the age of 12 months and under the age of five years, the center shall provide for each child a crib that complies with the Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC), Federal Safety Standards for Full-Size and Non-Full-Size Baby Cribs; 16 CRF 1219 and 1220, which is incorporated herein by reference, and can be obtained through the CPSC's website at http://www.cpsc.gov/businfo/frnotices/fr11/cribfinal.pdf, playpen, cot, mat, or other Office of Licensing-approved sleeping equipment that meets the following requirements:

55. Repair or replace the sleeping equipment as needed throughout the center.

Corrected by Oct 16, 2019

3A:52-7.8(d)(1)(ii)(3) · For early childhood programs, the following shall apply: diapering requirements for centers serving children who are not toilet trained are as follows, diapering area and surface requirements are as follows, the diapering surface shall be flat, smooth, clean, dry, non-absorbent, and in good repair.

76. Ensure that the diapering pad in room 106 is in good repair.

Corrected by Oct 16, 2019

3A:52-5.2(d) · An applicant seeking the renewal of a license or of a Certificate of Life/Safety Approval to continue operating a center shall obtain and maintain on file a fire safety inspection certificate for the building based on a fire inspection conducted within the preceding 12 months. If the center prepares meals, the applicant seeking renewal shall obtain and maintain on file a satisfactory Sanitary Inspection Certificate, as specified in N.J.A.C. 8:24, indicating that the kitchen is in compliance with the applicable requirements of the State Sanitary Code, based on a sanitary inspection conducted within the preceding 12 months.

120. Maintain on file a current fire certificate.

Corrected by Oct 25, 2019