Home › NJ › Newark › NCC Harmony House Early Learning Center
NCC Harmony House Early Learning Center
278 South Orange Avenue, Newark NJ 07103 · License #07NCC0002 · Child Care Center
Contact
- Director
- Maurice Okoroji
- Phone
- (973) 242-3115
- Website
- newcommunity.org
- Address
- 278 South Orange Avenue, Newark NJ 07103 · Directions
Hours
Care & schedule
When they operate
Schedule type not published.
Ages served
Ages not published.
- 2-Star quality rating
- Accepts child care subsidy (CCDF)
How this facility compares
Violations per inspection, 3-yrInspection history & violations
Source: New Jersey DCF, Office of Licensing- Violation
Maintain on file a record of staff receipt of the center's social media policy. Missing for 2 staff.
Corrected by May 19, 2026
- Violation
Ensure permission slips are maintained on file for walking trips. Missing for 2 named children.
Corrected by May 19, 2026
- Violation
Maintain on file a record of staff receipt of the center's release policy. Missing for 2 staff.
Corrected by May 19, 2026
- Violation
Maintain on file a record of staff receipt of the center's discipline policy. Missing for 1 staff.
Corrected by May 19, 2026
- Violation
Ensure that all credentialed staff members complete 20 hours of staff development annually.
Corrected by Nov 14, 2025
- Violation
Ensure that all staff members complete 12 hours of staff development annually.
Corrected by Jul 25, 2025
- Violation
Ensure that 3 newly hired staff members complete orientation training within two weeks of hire and annually, including training on supervising and tracking children.
Corrected by Jul 25, 2025
- Violation
Ensure that the center completes and maintains on file a Staff Records Checklist designated by OOL. Obtain and maintain on file at the center all documents listed on the staff records checklist, specifically, the signed employment applications, criminal disclosure statements, signed proof of receipt of policies, Mantoux test results, and medical clearances for 3 newly hired staff members.
Corrected by Aug 1, 2025
- Violation
Ensure that at least two staff have current first aid and CPR certifications and are present at all times at the center.
Corrected by Jul 25, 2025
- Violation
Ensure Epi-pens are stored in their original boxes with the child's name and prescription, accompanied by a special care plan that includes procedures for contacting parents and emergency medical services, and both epi-pens are present when two are required. One child was missing their second epi pen.
Corrected by Oct 10, 2025
- Violation
Ensure that all outdoor climbing equipment is sturdy, safe, free of hazards and used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
Corrected by Oct 10, 2025
- Violation
Provide a current fire certificate as required. 3/18/2024: Provide a current fire certificate as required.
Corrected by May 16, 2024
- Violation
Ensure that the center completes and maintains on file a Staff Records Checklist designated by OOL. 2/16/2023: Obtain and maintain on file at the center all documents listed on the staff records checklist, specifically, the Mantoux test results for 1 staff member and the medical clearances for 2 staff members. 3/6/2023: Ensure that the center completes and maintains on file a revised Staff Records Checklist designated by OOL. Obtain and maintain on file at the center all documents listed on the staff records checklist, specifically, the Mantoux test results and the medical clearance for one staff member and the signed employment application, criminal disclosure statement, and proof of receipt of policies for another staff member. 4/25/2023: Ensure that the center completes and maintains on file a revised Staff Records Checklist designated by OOL. All staff files were reviewed and are complete.
Corrected by Jun 1, 2023
- Violation
Ensure that all staff members and the sponsor representative submit a CARI background check upon renewal. 4/25/2023: Ensure that 1 staff member and the sponsor representative submit a CARI background check upon renewal. 9/12/2023: Ensure that the sponsor representative submits a CARI background check upon renewal.
Corrected by Jul 10, 2024
- 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 Jul 13, 2023
- Violation
Ensure that all credentialed staff complete 20 hours of staff development annually.
Corrected by Jul 13, 2023
- Violation
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.
Clean the ceiling vents in both the Room 2 and Room 3 bathrooms.
Corrected by Apr 25, 2023
- Violation
Provide a current health certificate as required.
Corrected by Apr 25, 2023
- Violation
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 Jul 10, 2024
- Violation
Complete radon testing in every room on the lowest floor used by children and post the results in a prominent location.
Corrected by Apr 25, 2023
- Violation
Replace the cracked window located in Room 1.
Corrected by Sep 12, 2023
- Violation
Label all rooms approved by the OOL for the children's use.
Corrected by Sep 12, 2023
- Violation
Ensure that the center conducts at least two lockdown drills per year during each session provided at the center and maintains records of the drills on file.
Corrected by Sep 12, 2023
- Violation
Ensure that the center completes and maintains on file a children's records checklist, including signed authorization from the parent for emergency medical treatment.
Corrected by Sep 12, 2023
- Violation
Ensure that 1 staff member and the sponsor representative complete a new CHRI background check as required for the center's license renewal. 7/26/2023: Ensure that 1 staff member completes a new CHRI background check as required for the center's license renewal. The sponsor representative's new CHRI clearance was submitted and uploaded to NJCCIS File Cabinet.
Corrected by Sep 12, 2023
- Violation
Ensure that the new sponsor representative completes a CHRI background check as required.
Corrected by Jul 10, 2024
- Violation
Ensure that the director designee completes the Understanding Licensing training provided by OOL.
Corrected by Nov 4, 2024
- Violation
Ensure that the center completes and maintains on file a Staff Records Checklist designated by OOL. Obtain and maintain on file at the center all documents listed on the staff records checklist, specifically, the signed employment applications, criminal disclosure statements, signed proof of receipt of policies, Mantoux test results, and medical clearances for 3 newly hired staff members.
Corrected by Feb 24, 2025
- Violation
Ensure that the head teacher meets the required qualifications as specified in the manual.
Corrected by Aug 28, 2024
- Violation
3A:52-4.6(c)(3) · For early childhood programs, the following shall apply: the group teacher shall meet the requirements for experience and education
Ensure that the group teacher meets the required qualifications as specified in the manual.
Corrected by Jul 10, 2024
- 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 3 newly hired staff members complete orientation training within two weeks of hire and annually, including training on supervising and tracking children.
Corrected by Feb 24, 2025
- Violation
Provide a current health certificate as required.
Corrected by Nov 5, 2024
- Violation
Provide a current life/hazard use registration certificate applicable to the center's licensed capacity and ages served.
Corrected by Jul 18, 2024
- Violation
Ensure that all credentialed staff members complete 20 hours of staff development annually.
Corrected by Feb 24, 2025
- Violation
Ensure that the director completes the Understanding Licensing training provided by OOL within 90 days of hire.
Corrected by Nov 4, 2024
- 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 members complete 12 hours of staff development annually.
Corrected by Feb 24, 2025
- Violation
Ensure that each child under 12 months of age has a written feeding plan.
Corrected by Jul 9, 2024
- Violation
Ensure that at least two staff have current first aid and CPR certifications and are present at all times at the center.
Corrected by Feb 24, 2025
- Violation
Ensure that the center completes and maintains on file a children's records checklist, including the child's name, address, birth date and date of enrollment.
Corrected by Jul 9, 2024
- Violation
Ensure that the center has a current comprehensive general liability insurance policy and maintains the documentation on file.
Corrected by Nov 5, 2024
- Violation
Ensure that all ceiling tiles are kept clean and in good repair. Replace the stained ceiling tiles in the staff bathroom.
Corrected by Jul 9, 2024
- Violation
Ensure that the center conducts at least one additional lockdown drill for the year during each session provided at the center and maintains records of the drills on file.
Corrected by Jul 9, 2024
- Violation
Ensure that at least two staff have current first aid and CPR certifications and are present at all times at the center.
Corrected by Jun 24, 2022
- Violation
Ensure that the center completes and maintains on file a children's records checklist, including the child's name, address, birth date and date of enrollment, etc.
Corrected by Jun 24, 2022
- Violation
Complete radon testing in every room on the lowest floor used by children and post the results in a prominent location.
Corrected by Jun 24, 2022
- Violation
Ensure that all fire extinguishers are serviced and tagged annually and recharged as needed.
Corrected by Jun 24, 2022
- Violation
Ensure that the center's fire protective systems are operative at all times. The center's fire panel displayed a "TROUBLE" reading. While the inspector was present, the center verified with their monitoring service that they were still being monitored despite the "TROUBLE" reading displayed on their fire panel.
Corrected by May 31, 2022
- Violation
Ensure that the center completes and maintains on file a Staff Records Checklist designated by OOL. 2/16/2023: Obtain and maintain on file at the center all documents listed on the staff records checklist, specifically, the Mantoux test results for 1 staff member and the medical clearances for 2 staff members. 3/6/2023: Obtain and maintain on file at the center all documents listed on the staff records checklist, specifically, the Mantoux test results and the medical clearance for 1 staff member.
Corrected by Mar 6, 2023
- Violation
Ensure that adequate staff/child ratios are maintained at all times throughout the center. There were 5 children, ages 10-18 months old, in Classroom 1 being supervised by 1 staff member when 2 staff members were actually required.
Corrected by Jun 24, 2022
- Violation
Ensure that CARI background checks are completed as required for the sponsor representative, as well as, for all staff members within two weeks of hire.
Corrected by Feb 16, 2023
- Violation
Ensure that all staff members and the sponsor representative complete a CHRI background check as required. 2/16/2023: Ensure that 1 staff member completes a CHRI background check as required.
Corrected by Mar 6, 2023
- Violation
Ensure that adequate staff/child ratios are maintained at all times throughout the center. There were 5 children, ages 0-18 months, in Classroom 1 being supervised by 1 staff member when 2 staff members were actually required.
Corrected by Mar 6, 2023
- Violation
Submit or upload to NJCCIS File Cabinet the current CARI clearances for all staff members and the sponsor representative. 8/26/2021: Submit or upload to NJCCIS File Cabinet the current CARI clearance for the sponsor representative.
Corrected by Oct 5, 2021
- Violation
Submit or upload to NJCCIS File Cabinet the current CHRI clearances for all staff members and the sponsor representative. 8/26/2021: Submit or upload to NJCCIS File Cabinet the current CHRI clearance for the sponsor representative.
Corrected by Oct 5, 2021
- Violation
Submit or upload to NJCCIS File Cabinet the center’s staff records checklist. Ensure Orientation training includes all required components and the date for completion of Orientation Training is documented; staff 18 years of age and older that do not have a cleared CHRI have an appointment date documented; and that all staff, including the sponsor/sponsor representative submitted a CARI for Renewal and indicate the date cleared (or date submitted if not yet cleared).
Corrected by Aug 26, 2021
- Violation
Submit or upload to NJCCIS File Cabinet a copy of the center’s current Fire Safety Inspection Certificate.
Corrected by May 31, 2022
- Violation
Submit or upload to NJCCIS File Cabinet a copy of the center’s current Life Hazard Use Certificate of Registration applicable to the center’s licensed capacity and ages served.
Corrected by Aug 26, 2021
- Violation
Submit or upload to NJCCIS File Cabinet a copy of the center’s fire drill log for a period of at least 90 days
Corrected by May 31, 2022
- Violation
Submit or upload to NJCCIS File Cabinet a Safe Building Interior Certification or other approval issued by the DOH for centers: a) co-located with a dry cleaner or nail salon; b) with one of the prior uses: F, H, S, B (dry cleaner, nail salon), A (funeral home) or M (gas station); c) located in a building built in 1978 or earlier; or d) located near a known hazardous area. 5/31/2022: The violation was abated due to it incorrectly being cited.
Corrected by May 31, 2022
- Violation
Repair or replace the broken toilet tank cover located in the bathroom of the Toddler Room.
Corrected by May 31, 2022
- Violation
Submit or upload to NJCCIS File Cabinet the center’s illness log for a period of at least 30 days.
Corrected by May 31, 2022
- Violation
Per the Updated COVID-19 Standards - Child Care Centers, submit or upload to NJCCIS File Cabinet the center's written Screening Policy.
Corrected by Aug 26, 2021
- Violation
Replace the missing door panel to the fire extinguisher cabinet located in the Infant Room.
Corrected by May 31, 2022
- Violation
Submit or upload to NJCCIS File Cabinet documentation indicating that at least 2 staff members present at the center have current basic knowledge of first aid principles and CPR.
Corrected by Aug 26, 2021
- Violation
Submit or upload to NJCCIS File Cabinet the center’s current comprehensive general liability insurance policy.
Corrected by May 31, 2022
- Violation
Replace the area rug in disrepair in Room 5 or repair the torn areas of the area rug.
Corrected by Sep 8, 2020
- Violation
Ensure that the staff-made disinfectant solution of 1 tablespoon of bleach per quart of water is prepared daily in Room 2.
Corrected by Sep 8, 2020
- Violation
Ensure that each child's bottle is labeled with their name and the date in Room 1.
Corrected by Sep 8, 2020
- Violation
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.
Ensure that the mechanical ventilation located in the Room 2 bathroom and in the staff bathroom are operational.
Corrected by Sep 8, 2020
- Violation
Repair or replace the inoperable ceiling lights located in Room 1 and Room 4.
Corrected by Sep 8, 2020
- Violation
Complete and submit to the Office of Licensing the results of the drinking water testing for lead and copper, as well as, the DCF Drinking Water Testing Statement of Assurance and the DCF Drinking Water Testing Checklist which are to be signed by the center’s sponsor representative.
Corrected by Feb 16, 2021
- Violation
Conduct and document at least 1 more lockdown drill as 2 lockdown drills are required annually.
Corrected by Sep 8, 2020
- Violation
Repair or replace the inoperable emergency lighting located above the entryway.
Corrected by Feb 22, 2021
- Violation
Complete and submit to the Office of Licensing a DCF Renewal Attestation Form and all required documents.
Corrected by May 13, 2020
- Violation
The renewal CARI clearances for all staff members are currently pending.
Corrected by Feb 22, 2021
- Violation
Provide documentation indicating that OOL will be notified within the required timeframes of all reportable injuries and illnesses.
Corrected by Dec 12, 2019
- Violation
Although the center's fire panel presently displays a normal reading there is a consistent beeping sound currently emanating throughout the center. Take the necessary actions to identify it's source and eliminate the beeping sounds.
Corrected by Jun 6, 2019
- Violation
Provide documentation indicating that OOL will be notified within the required timeframes of all reportable injuries and illnesses.
Corrected by Jun 6, 2019
- Violation
Place protective padding around the lally column located in Classroom 3 to a minimum height of 48 inches from the floor.
Corrected by Nov 15, 2019
Questions to ask on your tour
Generated from this facility's specific inspection record
- 1The Apr 14, 2026 inspection noted: “Maintain on file a record of staff receipt of the center's social media policy. Missing for 2 staff.” — what has changed since then?
- 2The Feb 24, 2025 inspection noted: “Ensure that all credentialed staff members complete 20 hours of staff development annually.” — what has changed since then?
- 3The Mar 6, 2023 inspection noted: “Provide a current fire certificate as required. 3/18/2024: Provide a current fire certificate as required.” — what has changed since then?
Data synced from New Jersey DCF, Office of Licensing · Source records · Report an error