Home NJ Elizabeth Donald Stewart Early Childhood Center #51

Donald Stewart Early Childhood Center #51

544 Pennsylvania Ave, Elizabeth NJ 07208 · License #20EAR0001 · Child Care Center

Pending
1-Star programLast inspected Oct 1, 2025
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Contact

Director
Julian Acebo
Website
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Address
544 Pennsylvania Ave, Elizabeth NJ 07208 · Directions

Hours

Mon07:30 AM–08:15 AM, 03:00 PM–05:30 PM
Tue07:30 AM–08:15 AM, 03:00 PM–05:30 PM
Wed07:30 AM–08:15 AM, 03:00 PM–05:30 PM
Thu07:30 AM–08:15 AM, 03:00 PM–05:30 PM
FriClosed
SatClosed
SunClosed

Care & schedule

When they operate

Schedule type not published.

Ages served

Ages not published.

  • 1-Star quality rating
  • Accepts child care subsidy (CCDF)
15
Violations, past 3 yrs
From inspections (not complaints)
0
High-risk violations
Serious / high-risk non-compliance
0
Substantiated complaints
Published by New Jersey DCF
4
Inspections, past 3 yrs
Monitoring & assessments

How this facility compares

Violations per inspection, 3-yr
This facility
3.8
New Jersey average
9.1

Inspection history & violations

Source: New Jersey DCF, Office of Licensing
Oct 1, 2025 — Other
No violations cited · view state record
Clean
May 29, 2025 — Renewal
2 violations cited · view state record
2 violations
  • Violation

    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 Aug 8, 2025

    View state record

  • Violation

    3A:52-4.1(d) · the Staff Records Checklist for the current director and all staff members currently working at the center shall be maintained on file at the center.

    Complete and maintain on file, a current Staff Records Checklist including health exams and Mantoux results for 2 named staff. 9/18/25: 1 health exam received, 1 outstanding.

    Corrected by Sep 22, 2025

    View state record

Aug 5, 2024 — Monitoring
8 violations cited · view state record
8 violations
  • Violation

    3A:52-4.8(g)(1) · The center shall maintain on file documentation of the date, time, topic, presenter, and attendance for all staff development and orientation completed by center staff members. For staff development provided by the center, the center shall maintain on file documentation or a copy of all staff development materials used.

    Ensure that all staff complete orientation training within two weeks of hire and annually, and that documentation is maintained on file at the center and includes the name of the person or organization that provided the training.

    Corrected by Sep 5, 2024

    View state record

  • Violation

    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.

    Submit a copy of the public school's drinking water test results.

    Corrected by Nov 14, 2024

    View state record

  • Violation

    3A:52-5.3(o)(1) · First aid requirements are as follows: at least two staff members who have current certified basic knowledge of first aid principles and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), as defined by a recognized health organization (such as the American Red Cross), shall be in the center at all times when enrolled children are present.

    Ensure that at least two staff member who have current first aid and CPR certifications and are present at the center at all times.

    Corrected by Nov 20, 2024

    View state record

  • Violation

    3A:52-3.4(a) · The sponsor or sponsor representative shall secure comprehensive general liability insurance coverage for the center and shall maintain on file a copy of the insurance policy or documentation of current insurance coverage.

    Ensure that the center has a current comprehensive general liability insurance policy and maintains the documentation on file.

    Corrected by Nov 20, 2024

    View state record

  • Violation

    3A:52-4.10(a)(2) · 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 conset to a CARI background check, the sponsor or sponsor representative shall immediation terminate the staff member's employment at the center.

    Ensure that CARI background checks are completed as required for 3 named staff.

    Corrected by Sep 5, 2024

    View state record

  • Violation

    3A:52-4.11(a)(3) · 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). If a staff member refuses to consent to a CHRI background check, the sponsor or sponsor representative shall immediately terminate the staff member’s employment at the center.

    Ensure that CHRI background checks are completed as required for 4 named staff. 9/5/24: 3 CHRI background checks received, 1 outstanding.

    Corrected by Nov 14, 2024

    View state record

  • Violation

    3A:52-4.6(c)(1) · For early childhood programs, the following shall apply: for 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 by Nov 20, 2024

    View state record

  • Violation

    3A:52-4.6(c)(3)(i) · For early childhood programs, the following shall apply: the group teacher shall meet the requirements for experience and education one year of teaching experience in a group program for children under six years of age, which may include supervised practice teaching and/or student teaching.

    Provide documentation that the group teacher meets the required qualifications as specified in the manual, including the required teaching experience in a group program for children.

    Corrected by Nov 20, 2024

    View state record

Jul 19, 2023 — Monitoring
5 violations cited · view state record
5 violations
  • Violation

    3A:52-4.3(a)(2) · The center shall ensure that all staff members are trained in the method of keeping track of children and know how many children are in their care at all times.

    Ensure that all staff have completed training pertaining to the center's policies and procedures for tracking children and are aware of the number of children in their care at all times.

    Corrected by Aug 7, 2023

    View state record

  • Violation

    3A:52-4.8(a)(1) · Topics of orientation training shall include supervising and tracking all children, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.3(a).

    Ensure that all staff complete orientation training on all required topics annually.

    Corrected by Aug 7, 2023

    View state record

  • Violation

    3A:52-4.1(d)(1) · The staff records specified in 3A:52-4.1(a) through (c) shall be maintained on file as follows: the Staff Records Checklist for the current director and all staff members currently working at the center shall be maintained on file at the center.

    Ensure that the information on the Staff Records Checklist is current and that it is maintained on file at the center, including the staff's CARI and CHRI background checks. 8.7.23. Provide 7 outstanding CARI clearances.

    Corrected by Dec 26, 2023

    View state record

  • Violation

    3A:52-4.8(c) · The center shall ensure that all staff members who work at the center complete 12 hours of continuing staff development each year.

    Ensure that all staff complete 12 hours of staff development annually.

    Corrected by Aug 7, 2023

    View state record

  • Violation

    3A:52-4.8(d)(1) · In lieu of the child care staff development specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.8(b), the director, head teacher(s), group teacher(s), and program supervisor(s) shall each complete 20 hours of staff development each year. Recommended topics of training for these staff include educational and physical activity.

    Ensure that all credentialed staff complete 20 hours of staff development annually.

    Corrected by Aug 7, 2023

    View state record

Jul 8, 2022 — Renewal
5 violations cited · view state record
5 violations
  • Violation

    3A:52-4.8(a)(1) · Topics of orientation training shall include supervising and tracking all children, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.3(a).

    Ensure that all staff complete orientation training within two weeks of hire and annually..

    Corrected by Jan 19, 2023

    View state record

  • Violation

    3A:52-4.8(c) · The center shall ensure that all staff members who work at the center complete 12 hours of continuing staff development each year.

    Ensure that all staff complete 12 hours of staff development annually.

    Corrected by Jan 19, 2023

    View state record

  • Violation

    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 all staff submit a CARI background check upon renewal.

    Corrected by Aug 25, 2022

    View state record

  • Violation

    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 all staff, the sponsor and/or the sponsor representative complete a CHRI background check for the center's renewal.

    Corrected by Aug 25, 2022

    View state record

  • Violation

    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 Aug 25, 2022

    View state record

Dec 15, 2021 — Monitoring
1 violation cited · view state record
1 violation
  • Violation

    3A:52-5.3(o)(1) · First aid requirements are as follows: at least two staff members who have current certified basic knowledge of first aid principles and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), as defined by a recognized health organization (such as the American Red Cross), shall be in the center at all times when enrolled children are present.

    Ensure that at least two staff have current first aid and CPR certifications and are present at all times at the center.

    Corrected by Jan 18, 2022

    View state record

Aug 5, 2019 — Renewal
3 violations cited · view state record
3 violations
  • Violation

    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.

    Submit a current water test of the site.

    Corrected by Oct 18, 2019

    View state record

  • Violation

    3A:52-3.4(a) · The sponsor or sponsor representative shall secure comprehensive general liability insurance coverage for the center and shall maintain on file a copy of the insurance policy or documentation of current insurance coverage.

    Provide a current plan.

    Corrected by Oct 18, 2019

    View state record

  • Violation

    3A:52-4.1(d)(1) · The staff records specified in 3A:52-4.1(a) through (c) shall be maintained on file as follows: the Staff Records Checklist for the current director and all staff members currently working at the center shall be maintained on file at the center.

    Ensure that staff background checks are maintained at the site at all times.

    Corrected by Nov 12, 2019

    View state record

Questions to ask on your tour

Generated from this facility's specific inspection record

  1. 1The May 29, 2025 inspection noted: “Ensure that CARI background checks are completed as required for the sponsor/sponsor representative and all regularly scheduled staff for the center's license r…” — what has changed since then?
  2. 2The Aug 5, 2024 inspection noted: “Ensure that all staff complete orientation training within two weeks of hire and annually, and that documentation is maintained on file at the center and includ…” — what has changed since then?
  3. 3The Jul 19, 2023 inspection noted: “Ensure that all staff have completed training pertaining to the center's policies and procedures for tracking children and are aware of the number of children i…” — what has changed since then?

Data synced from New Jersey DCF, Office of Licensing · Source records · Report an error