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Home › NJ › Belleville › Big Smiles Learning and Care
License #07LIT0029 · Center · Child Care Center
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Provide documentation that the center has current comprehensive general liability insurance coverage.
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Data synced from New Jersey DCF, Office of Licensing on Jul 9, 2026 · Source records · Report an error
Ensure health records are maintained on file as required including Special Care Plans for 4 children.
Prepare a discipline policy that includes acceptable actions staff members may take when disciplining a child including, but not limited to, requiring children to remain silent or inactive for inappropriately long periods of time.
Provide documentation that the program supervisor meets the required qualifications as specified in the manual.
Ensure that children wash their hands with soap and running water as required including after having their diapers changed or using the toilet in Toddler rooms 1 and 2.
Provide at least four different activity areas with at least four types of supplies and equipment for children under 18 months in the Infant room.
Ensure that the emergency exit from the playground area is unobstructed.
Conduct and document at least two lockdown drills annually.
Provide documentation that the group teacher meets the required qualifications as specified in the manual.
Provide documentation that the head teacher meets the required qualifications as specified in the manual.
Ensure that the center has a table of organization that illustrates lines of authority, responsibility, and job descriptions.
Ensure that a primary caregiver is assigned to each group of four infants or six toddlers in the infant room.
Ensure staff without a cleared CHRI are not left alone to supervise children at any time.
Ensure diapering surfaces are washed and disinfected after each use in Toddler room 1.
Ensure that staff using disposable gloves for diaper changes dispose of the gloves after each use and wash their hands after each diaper change in Toddler rooms 1 and 2.
Ensure all surfaces are clean and in good repair including the hole in the wall in the bathroom in room PK 4.
Ensure that all indoor equipment is sturdy, safe, free of hazards and used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions in Toddler room 2. Secure the white bookcase and repair or replace the removable shelving.
Ensure that a minimum temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit is maintained in all areas used by the children throughout the center.
Ensure that staff wash their hands with soap and running water as required including after assisting a child with toileting and after each diaper change in Toddler rooms 1 and 2.
Complete and maintain on file, a current Staff Records Checklist designated by OOL.
Submit a Safe Building Interior Certification or other approval issued by the DOH.
Provide documentation that the director meets the required qualifications as specified in the manual.
Provide a current health certificate as required for the current food vendor.
Eliminate moisture resulting from leaks or seepage from the ceiling of the Toddler 2 Room.
Ensure that the head teacher meets the required qualifications as specified in the manual.
Ensure that the center completes and maintains on file an updated Staff Records Checklist designated by OOL. The staff files were reviewed and are complete.
Provide a current fire certificate as required.
Based on Complaint #20146, ensure that adequate staff/child ratios are maintained at all times throughout the center. 3/14/2022: (Recite) Ensure that adequate staff/child ratios are maintained at all times throughout the center. There were 5 children, ages 4-8 months old, in the Infant Room being supervised by 1 staff member when 2 staff members were actually required.
Ensure that the director designee does not have full-time classroom responsibilities during the times the director is not at the center.
Based on Complaint #20146, ensure that the center maintains daily time sheets for staff that indicate the hours the staff worked at the center. The arrival and departure times for the director are not being recorded on the center's daily time sheets.
Replace the missing ceiling light cover located in the kitchenette.
Submit or upload to NJCCIS File Cabinet an updated staff records checklist which indicates the date in which the CARI's for renewal were submitted for 4 staff members.
Repair or replace the inoperable emergency lighting above the 2 front entrance doors in the waiting area and above the Toddler 2 Classroom door.
Secure the exposed areas of mesh lining under the resilient surfacing located on the playground as it poses a potential tripping hazard for the children.
Ensure that 1 regularly scheduled staff member completes a total of 12 hours of annual training.
Ensure that the center's director, head teacher, and group teacher complete a total of 20 hours of annual training.
Hire and submit education/training experience for the Head Teacher.
RECITE: At the time of the inspection the director was not present at the center nor was the director's designee. Ensure that either the director or director's designee is present at the center at all times and that the director's designee has access to the center files.
Provide a current life/hazard use registration certificate applicable to the center's licensed capacity and ages served.
Ensure that blinds are maintained in good repair and that all blind cords are inaccessible to the children. Replace the broken blinds in the Pre-K 3 Room.
Ensure that all staff members and the sponsor representatives submit a CARI background check upon renewal.
Ensure that the center has a table of organization that illustrates lines of authority, responsibility and communication.
Ensure that the center has a current comprehensive general liability insurance policy and maintains the documentation on file.
Ensure that the center's evacuation procedures include an alternate indoor location that operates during the same operating hours as the center.
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.
Ensure that all indoor and outdoor equipment is sturdy, safe, free of hazards and used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Securely fasten the wall shelf located in the Pre-K 3 bathroom.
Ensure that each child's sippy cup is labeled with the child's name in the Pre-K 4 Room.
Remove the overgrown vegetation from the outdoor play area.
Ensure that all ceiling tiles are kept clean and in good repair. Replace the stained ceiling tile in the Toddler 2 Room.
Post the radon test results in a prominent location.
Designate a director designee for whenever the director is not present at the center. Neither the director nor the director designee were present at the center.
Maintain all mechanical ventilation in a clean and operating condition. Clean the ceiling vents in all bathrooms throughout the center.
Ensure that all illuminated exit signs and emergency lighting are operable at all times throughout the center. Repair or replace the inoperable emergency lighting located above the front emergency exit door by the Toddler 1 Classroom.
Ensure that all staff members complete 12 hours of staff development annually.
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 Mantoux test results and medical clearance for one staff member.
Ensure that each child under 12 months of age has a written feeding plan.
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.
Ensure that at least two staff members have current first aid and CPR certifications and are present at all times at the center.
Ensure that all toxic substances are inaccessible to the children, specifically, the assorted chemical cleaners being stored under the sinks in both the Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4 bathrooms.
Ensure that all toxic substances are inaccessible to the children, specifically, the assorted chemical cleaners being stored in the Pre-K 3 bathroom. While the inspector was present, the assorted chemical cleaners were relocated to an area where they were inaccessible to the children.
Ensure that all credentialed staff members complete 20 hours of staff development annually.
Ensure that all ceiling tiles are kept clean and in good repair. Replace the stained ceiling tiles located in the Toddler 2 Classroom and in the Infant Room.
Ensure that the special care plan for 1 child's emergency medication is signed by the child's parent(s) and maintained on file at the center.
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. Obtain and maintain on file at the center all documents listed on the children's records checklist, specifically, the signed enrollment applications, health care provider's information, signed proof of receipt of policies, signed authorization from the parent(s) for emergency medical treatment, and a record of the parent's statement concerning the child's health.
Provide a current health certificate as required.
Ensure that documentation or a copy of all staff development materials used and the training topics reviewed by staff members during the annual orientation training are maintained on file at 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. 1/29/2025: Complete and submit a DCF Drinking Water Testing Checklist and Statement of Assurance. A copy of the center's water testing completed by a laboratory certified by the Department of Environmental Protection was submitted and uploaded to the center's NJCCIS File Cabinet.
Ensure that each child's bottle is labeled with the child's name and date in the Toddler 1 Room.
Ensure that all staff members and the sponsor representative complete a CHRI background check as required for the center's license renewal. 1/18/2024: Ensure that 1 staff member completes a CHRI background check as required for the center's license renewal.
Ensure that the director completes the Understanding Licensing training provided by OOL.
Ensure that a Universal Health Record is completed upon enrollment and updated annually, including the immunization records and special care plans as required.
Based on Complaint #20146, ensure that the director is at the center at least 50% of the center's daily operating hours. 2/10/2022 (Recite): Based on Complaint #20174, ensure that the director is at the center at least 50% of the center's daily operating hours. 2/28/2022: (Recite) Ensure that the director is at the center at least 50% of the center's daily operating hours. 3/14/2022: (Recite) Ensure that the director is at the center at least 50% of the center's daily operating hours.
Ensure that all exits and egress areas are unobstructed and that the emergency exit doors are easily operable. All three rear emergency exit egress areas leading from the center and the emergency exit egress area leading from the outdoor play area to the public walkway are obstructed due to snow cover. Remove the accumulated snow from all four emergency exit egress areas to ensure that they are unobstructed.
Ensure that CARI background checks are completed as required for all staff members within two weeks of hire. 4/5/2022: Submit or upload to NJCCIS File Cabinet the CARI clearances for both sponsor representatives.
Submit or upload to NJCCIS File Cabinet the center’s table of organization indicating lines of authority, responsibility and job descriptions of current staff and submit required documentation for any credentialed staff on the table of organization that have not been approved in NJCCIS.
Ensure that the director completes the Understanding Licensing training provided by OOL within 90 days of hire.
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.
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). 4/5/2022: A current staff records checklist was submitted and uploaded to the NJCCIS File Cabinet. Ensure that 7 staff members complete and submit their Mantoux Test Results. Ensure that 6 staff members complete and submit their record of a medical exam. Ensure that 1 staff member completes and submits their receipt of center policies sign-off form.
Per the Updated COVID-19 Standards - Child Care Centers, submit or upload to NJCCIS File Cabinet the center's written COVID-19 Screening Policy. 4/5/2022: Based on the Updated COVID-19 Standards for Child Care Centers dated March 4, 2022, this violation is no longer applicable.
Submit or upload to NJCCIS File Cabinet the center’s current comprehensive general liability insurance policy.
Ensure that all illuminated exit signs and emergency lighting are operable at all times throughout the center. Repair or replace the inoperable emergency lighting above the emergency exit door in the Toddler 2 Classroom.
Ensure that adequate staff/child ratios are maintained at all times throughout the center. There were 5 children, ages 7-12 months old, in the Infant Room being supervised by 1 staff member when 2 staff members were actually required.
Submit a Safe Building Interior Certification or other approval issued by the DOH.
Based on Complaint #21412, ensure that parents are notified immediately when a child is bitten and the skin is broken. Submit a signed Memorandum of Understanding acknowledging that, going forward, parents will be notified immediately when a child is bitten and the skin is broken. 11/12/2022: The violation has been abated as it is not applicable to Complaint #21412.
Based on Complaint #21412, ensure that parents are notified immediately when a child sustains a head or facial injury, including when a child bumps his or her head. Submit a signed Memorandum of Understanding acknowledging that, going forward, parents will be notified immediately when a child sustains a head or facial injury, including when a child bumps his or her head.
Based on Complaint #21412, retrain all staff members on instances of when the immediate notification of an injury to a child's parent(s) is required, specifically, when a child has been bitten and the skin is broken, as well as, when a child sustains a head or facial injury.
Based on Complaint #20146, ensure that the center maintains daily time sheets for the children that indicate the children's arrival and departure times. The departure times for children are not being recorded on the center's daily time sheets.
Based on Complaint #20174, ensure that the director designee is on site at all times when the director is absent.
Per the Updated COVID-19 Standards - Child Care Centers, ensure that information collected during the entry screening process is recorded on OOL’s Daily Log of Entry Health Screenings and Attendance Form and that staff, children, and visitors are denied entrance into the facility, as required. The COVID-19 screening questions are not being asked of anyone prior to entering the center and, consequently, the responses are not being recorded on the OOL’s Daily Log of Entry Health Screenings and Attendance Form.
Submit or upload to NJCCIS File Cabinet a copy of the center’s fire drill log for a period of at least 90 days.
Ensure that the director designee completes the Understanding Licensing training provided by OOL.
Submit or upload to NJCCIS File Cabinet a copy of the center’s current Fire Safety Inspection Certificate.
Submit or upload to NJCCIS File Cabinet the CHRI clearances for all newly hired staff members. 4/5/2022: Submit or upload to NJCCIS File Cabinet the CHRI clearances for 2 staff members.
Provide and maintain the resilient surfacing and use zones under all play equipment as required. The mesh fabric underneath the resilient surfacing on the outdoor play area is visible and presents a potential tripping hazard for the children. 3/14/2022: Provide and maintain the resilient surfacing and use zones under all play equipment as required. The mesh fabric underneath the resilient surfacing on the outdoor play area is visible and presents a potential tripping hazard for the children.
Ensure that the director meets the required qualifications as specified in the manual. Submit or upload to NJCCIS File Cabinet the education credentials for the new center director.
Submit or upload to NJCCIS File Cabinet the center’s illness log for a period of at least 30 days.
Submit or upload to NJCCIS File Cabinet a copy of the center’s lead paint inspection report or current lead paint risk assessment.
Submit or upload to NJCCIS File Cabinet a copy of the center’s NJ DCF Drinking Water Checklist and Statement of Assurance along with documentation that the center (supplied by a community water system) completed water testing conducted by a Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) certified lab for water testing for lead and copper from all faucets and sources used for drinking water or food preparation and at least 50% of all indoor water faucets used by the center. 9/14/2021: Submit or upload to NJCCIS File Cabinet a copy of the center’s NJ DCF Drinking Water Checklist. The center's NJ DCF Drinking Water Statement of Assurance along with documentation that the center completed water testing were submitted and have been uploaded to the center's NJCCIS File Cabinet.
RECITE: Secure the exposed areas of mesh lining under the resilient surfacing located on the playground as it poses a potential tripping hazard for the children.
Identify the source of the leak in the toddler 2 children's bathroom and take necessary action to repair the leak.
Based on Complaint #19539, submit or upload to NJCCIS File Cabinet a Memorandum of Understanding which states that the center shall immediately notify a child's parent(s) when a child is bitten and the skin is broken.
Based on Complaint #19539, retrain all staff members on incident reporting and documentation and of instances of when the immediate notification of a child’s injury to a parent is required.
Develop and implement a method to keep track of all children and ensure that staff members are aware of the number of children in their care at all times. A staff member in the Toddler 2 classroom was unaware of the number of children in their care.
Arrange the cribs to provide access to an unobstructed 3-foot wide aisle.
Remove the overgrown vegetation from the emergency exit egress for the outdoor play area.
Ensure that the emergency exit egress for the outdoor play area is unobstructed and that access to a three-foot-wide aisle is provided. There are storage items and supplies from a neighboring business obstructing access from the emergency exit egress to the public walkway.
Replace the missing fluorescent tubes to the ceiling light fixture located in the kitchenette.
Repair or replace the inoperable ceiling lights located in the second floor emergency egress stairwell.
Replace the bowing and stained ceiling tile located in the toddler 2 bathroom.
Submit or upload to NJCCIS File Cabinet a Memorandum of Understanding reaffirming the center's adherence to the requirement that the director or the director's designee shall be on premises at all times when the center is operating and that the designee shall not have full-time classroom responsibilities during the times when the director is not present at the center.
The renewal CARI clearances for 4 staff members are currently pending.
Submit or upload to NJCCIS File Cabinet the CHRI clearance for 1 staff member.
Submit or upload to NJCCIS File Cabinet a copy of the center’s Radon Testing Report, conducted within 5 years in every room on the lowest floor used by children.
RECITE: There is 1 CHRI clearance currently pending for 1 newly hired staff member. 7/11/19: There are 6 CHRI clearances currently pending.
Based on a complaint, retrain all staff members on supervision. 7/11/19: Based on information, retrain all staff members on the center's supervision policy.
Based on a complaint, retrain all staff members on staff/child ratios. 7/11/19: Based on information, retrain all staff members on maintaining adequate staff/child ratios.
Cease the use of blankets in sleeping equipment for children under 12 months of age in the Infant Room.
Provide education/training experience for the Group Teacher.
Operate within each room’s capacity and comply with written conditions on the license. There were 32 children ages 2.5-4 years old on the second floor when, as is specified on the written conditions of the license, the center is only permitted to have a total of 28 children occupy the second floor at any given time.
RECITE: Designate someone in the center to carry out the director’s responsibilities when the director is absent, and ensure that the director’s designee is on site at all times and does not have full-time classroom responsibilities when the director is not present.
RECITE: Operate within each room's capacity and comply with written conditions on the license. There were 30 children, ages 2.5-4 years old, on the second floor when, as is specified on the license, the center is only permitted to have a total of 28 children occupy the second floor at any given time.
RECITE: Ensure that the director’s designee completes staff development in Understanding Licensing Regulations within 90 days of hire.
RECITE: Operate within the center’s licensed capacity and within each room’s capacity. Comply with written conditions on the license. There were 31 children, ranging in ages from 2.5-5 years old, occupying the second floor when only 28 children are permitted to occupy the second floor at any given time.
Ensure that all Pack N' Plays used for rest or sleep located in the Infant Room are arranged so as to provide a three-foot-wide aisle that leads to an unobstructed exit.
Provide daily attendance records including the arrival and departure times for the center director and the director's designee.
Ensure that 3 newly hired staff members complete a total of 12 hours of annual training. 7/11/19: Ensure that all regularly scheduled staff members complete a total of 12 hours of annual training.
Ensure that the center's director, director's designee, head teacher, and group teacher complete a total of 20 hours of annual training.
Based on a complaint, retrain all staff members on the center's TV/computer/video policy.
Ensure that the director's designee completes staff development in Understanding Licensing Regulations within 90 days of hire.
Based on a complaint, ensure that children are directly supervised by a staff member at all times throughout the center. 4/18/19: Ensure that children are directly supervised by a staff member at all times throughout the center. A staff member in the Pre-K-3 Room was observed leaving seventeen 2 1/2 to 4 year old children unattended as she escorted 1 child to the bathroom during nap time.
Maintain required staff to meet ratios in the Toddler 2 Room. There were fourteen 1.5 to 2 year old children being supervised by 1 staff member during nap time when 2 were actually required.
Obtain and maintain on file at the center the signatures of all staff members attesting to their completion of the required annual orientation training.
Based on information, ensure that adequate supervision is maintained at all times throughout the center. A named staff failed to adequately supervise a named child and the named child placed discarded food from the garbage can into his mouth unnoticed.
RECITE: Designate someone in the center to carry out the director’s responsibilities when the director is absent, and ensure that the director’s designee is on site at all times and does not have full time classroom responsibilities when the director is not present.
RECITE: Based on a complaint, maintain required staff to meet ratios in the Infant Room, the Toddler 2 Room, and the Pre-K-4 Room at all times. 3/28/19: Based on a complaint, maintain required staff to meet ratios in the Infant Room, the Toddler 1 Room, the Toddler 2 Room, and the Pre-K-4 Room at all times. 5/24/19: Maintain required staff to meet ratios in the Infant Room at all times. There were seven 6 to 11 month old children being supervised by 1 staff member when 2 were actually required. 7/11/19: Based on information, ensure that adequate staff/child ratios are maintained at all times throughout the center.
Provide 1 evacuation crib for every group of 4 or less non-ambulatory children currently enrolled at the center. Ensure that the evacuation crib complies with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Federal Safety Standards.
RECITE: Ensure that the director's designee does not have full time classroom responsibilities when the director is not present. Ensure that the director’s designee has access to the center’s records and files when the director is not present. Submit to the Office of Licensing a written Memorandum of Understanding which communicates that, going forward, the director's designee will not have full-time classroom responsibilities when the director is not present and that the director's designee will have access to the center’s records and files when the director is not present. 2/20/2020: Submit to the Office of Licensing a written Memorandum of Understanding which communicates that, going forward, the director's designee will not have full-time classroom responsibilities when the director is not present and that the director's designee will have access to the center’s records and files when the director is not present.
RECITE: Maintain required staff to meet ratios. There were 14 four year old children in the Pre-K-4 Room being supervised by 1 staff member when 2 staff members were actually required. 1/21/2020: Maintain required staff to meet ratios. There were 6 children, ages 8-12 months old, in the Infant Room being supervised by 1 staff member when 2 staff members were actually required. There were 17 children, ages 3.5-4 years, in the Pre-K-4 Room being supervised by 1 staff member when 2 staff members were actually required.
Obtain and maintain on file at the center all documents listed on the staff records checklist, specifically, the Mantoux test results, medical clearances, signed employment applications and criminal disclosure statements for 4 newly hired staff members. 7/11/19: 1.) Obtain and maintain on file at the center all documents listed on the staff records checklist, specifically, the Mantoux test results, medical clearances, signed employment applications and criminal disclosure statements for all staff members. 2.) Update the staff records checklist to include all of the center's current staff members.
There are 10 CARI clearances currently pending. 7/30/19: There are 8 CARI clearances currently pending.