3A:52-7.3(a) · (a) For early childhood programs, the following shall apply: 1. Each child not enrolled in a public or private school shall have had a health examination performed by a health care provider within: i. Six months prior to admission, for children who are 2½ years of age or younger; or ii. One year prior to admission, for children above 2½ years of age. 2. For each child not enrolled in a public or private school, upon admission, the center shall maintain on file at the center a Universal Child Health Record (Department of Health Form CH-14) or its equivalent, updated annually, along with an immunization record , and a special care plan, if applicable. A 30-day grace period is permitted in N.J.A.C. 8:57- 4.5(e): i. For children coming from other states or countries in accordance with N.J.A.C. 8:57-4.6 and 4.7; and ii. For children who are in foster care or experiencing homelessness as defined by the McKinney-Vento Act, 42 U.S.C. § 11434a(2). 3. For children enrolled in a public or private school, the center shall obtain a written statement from each child's parent indicating: I. That the child is in good health and can participate in the normal activities of the program; and ii. Any conditions or specific needs that may require special accommodations. 4. If immunizations are contraindicated for medical reasons, the center may choose to admit the child, provided that the parent submits to the center a written statement from a health care provider attesting to the following: i. The reason the immunization is medically contraindicated; and ii. The specific time period that the immunization is medically contraindicated. 5. A child shall be exempted from a physical examination, immunization, or medical treatment if the parent objects thereto in a written statement submitted to the center, signed by the parent, explaining how the examination, immunization, or medical treatment conflicts with the child’s exercise of bona fide religious tenets or practices. i. Religiously-affiliated centers shall have the authority to withhold or grant a religious exemption from the required immunization for children entering or attending their centers without challenge by any secular health authority, as specified in N.J.A.C. 8:57-4.4. ii. The center shall maintain the parent’s written statement on file as part of the child’s record. 6. Those children with immunization exemptions may be excluded from the center by the Office of Licensing or the Department of Health during a vaccine-preventable disease outbreak or threatened outbreak, as determined by the State Commissioner of Health.

Ensure health records are maintained on file as required including a universal health record and record of immunizations for one child.

Corrected Corrected by Jan 12, 2026

Category: health medication. Marked corrected in the state record.

3A:52-5.3(n)(1) · Fire prevention requirements are as follows: the center shall conduct fire drills at least once a month, as specified in the NJUFC. The center shall ensure that fire drills are conducted during each session provided at the center and that one fire drill per year is conducted during nap time, if applicable. The center shall ensure that all children present are evacuated from the building within three minutes during each fire drill.

Ensure fire drills are conducted monthly and documented as required.

Corrected Corrected by Jan 12, 2026

Category: physical safety. Marked corrected in the state record.

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.

Identify an alternate indoor evacuation location and document on the emergency plan.

Corrected Corrected by Feb 17, 2026

Category: health medication. Marked corrected in the state record.

3A:52-133 · Remove excess storage and/or combustibles from the furnace room.

Corrected Corrected by Jan 12, 2026

Marked corrected in the state record.

3A:52-4.5(c)(2) · The director or his or her designee(s) shall be on the premises at all times when the center is operating and the designee: shall not have full-time classroom responsibilities during the times when the director is not present at the center and shall complete staff development in understanding licensing rules as provided by the Office of Licensing.

Ensure that the center director designee completes the OOL's Understanding Licensing training.

Corrected Corrected by Feb 17, 2026

Category: recordkeeping. Marked corrected in the state record.

3A:52-6.8(a)(1) · The center shall complete and maintain on file for each enrolled child a Children’s Records Checklist, signed by the director, sponsor, or sponsor representative and designated by the Office of Licensing, indicating that the center has obtained documentation of the child's name, address, birth date, and date of enrollment; the name(s), home and work address(es), home and work telephone number(s) and signature(s) of the parent(s); the name(s), address(es), and telephone number(s) of any person(s) authorized by the parent(s) to visit the child at the center and/or take the child from the center, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-6.5(a)1; and the name, address, and telephone number of the child's health care provider; signed authorization from the parent(s) for emergency medical treatment; the parent’s signature attesting to the receipt of the Information to Parents document, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-3.6(b); the parent’s signature attesting to the receipt of the Information to Parents document, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-3.6(b).; health information for each child, as follows: for early childhood programs, a record of the child’s health examination and immunizations, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-7.3(a); and for school-age child care programs, a record of the parent’s statement concerning the child’s health, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-7.3(b).

Ensure there is signed authorization from the parent for emergency medical treatment for one child.

Corrected Corrected by Jan 12, 2026

Category: health medication. Marked corrected in the state record.

3A:52-4.8(e) · Directors shall complete staff development in understanding licensing regulations as provided by the Office of Licensing within 90 days of hire. Such staff development may be included in the required 20 hours of staff development specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.8(d).

Ensure that the center director completes the OOL's Understanding Licensing training.

Corrected Corrected by Feb 17, 2026

Category: recordkeeping. Marked corrected in the state record.

3A:52-4.6(c)(1) · For early childhood programs, the following shall apply: or all centers, the head teacher or consulting head teacher shall meet the qualification requirements specified in one of the seven options set forth in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.6(c) for education and experience.

Provide documentation that the head teacher meets the required qualifications as specified in the manual.

Corrected Corrected by May 22, 2026

Category: recordkeeping. Marked corrected in the state record.