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.
3A:52-4.6(c)(1) · Corrected May 13, 2026
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. Until the results of the CARI background check for a new staff member have been received from the Department, the center shall ensure oversight of the new staff member by another staff member, and ensure that person is not left alone to supervise a child or group of children.
Ensure that CARI background checks are completed as required. Three CARI clearances needed for new staff members.
3A:52-4.10(b)(1) · Corrected May 13, 2026
the diapering surface shall be flat, smooth, clean, dry, non-absorbent, and in good repair.
Ensure that the diaper station, under and around the diaper pad, is cleaned in room 1.
3A:52-7.8(d)(1)(ii)(3) · Corrected May 13, 2026
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1When was your last playground and facility safety check, and what did it find?
2How do you log medication administration, and who verifies it?
3What records do you keep on staff training and child incidents, and how are they reviewed?
(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.
Ensure that the green and yellow chairs in room 1 with evidence of rust on the legs are removed/repaired.
3A:52-5.3(a)(1) · Corrected May 13, 2026
Indoor maintenance and sanitation requirements are as follows: all corrosive agents, insecticides, bleaches, detergents, polishes, any products under pressure in an aerosol spray can, and any toxic substance shall be stored in a locked cabinet or in an enclosure located in an area not accessible to the children.
Ensure that staff bags are inaccessible to children in rooms 1 and 3. Staff moved the bags when asked to.
3A:52-5.3(a)(10) · Corrected Apr 9, 2026
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 mechanical ventilation in the bathrooms in room 1 are free of dust.
3A:52-5.3(a)(15) · Corrected May 13, 2026
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.
Ensure that the crack on the blue boat play piece in the playground is repaired.
3A:52-5.3(p) · Corrected May 13, 2026
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. Three CHRI clearances needed for new staff members.
3A:52-4.11(a) · Corrected May 13, 2026
All areas to be disinfected shall first be washed with soap and water.
Ensure that diaper surfaces are cleaned with soap and water prior to disinfecting in room 1.
3A:52-7.7(a)(2) · Corrected May 13, 2026
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 documentation that the center has current comprehensive general liability insurance coverage.
3A:52-3.4(a) · Corrected May 13, 2026
(9) The center shall develop and follow a policy on the administration of medication and health care procedures to children, which shall include the following provisions: before administering a health care procedure associated with a child’s health condition, such as the use of a blood glucose monitor, nebulizer, or epinephrine pen, the center shall ensure that all staff members who administer the procedure are taught to do so by the child’s parent or another appropriately-trained person. There shall be at least two staff members present at the center who are trained in such health care procedures. 10. The center shall store prescribed epinephrine pens in their original boxes with the
child’s name and prescription. A special care plan or other documentation from a health care
provider shall accompany the epinephrine pen. If two epinephrine pens are required, both
shall be available. Each center under the jurisdiction of N.J.S.A. 18A:40-12.5 shall store
back-up epinephrine pens on site consistent with the requirements stated at N.J.S.A. 18A:40-
12.5.e(1).
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. Medication was previously not available to review during the first inspection as the child had not been present that day and brings the medication back and forth to school.
3A:52-7.5(b)(10) · Not corrected
(a) Topics of orientation training shall include all of the following:
1. Supervising and tracking all children, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.3(a); 2. Understanding center operations, policies and procedures, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.5(b)3; 3. Implementing group size limits and primary caregiver responsibilities, as applicable, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.4; 4. Recognizing and reporting child abuse or neglect, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.9; 5. Evacuating the center and using the fire alarms, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3(l); 6.Implementing the center’s release policy, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-6.5; 7. Implementing the center's statement of policy on the disciplining of children, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-6.6; 8. Implementing health practices, including medication administration and responding to symptoms of illness, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-7.1 through 7.11; 9. Implementing safe sleep practices to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome; 10. Preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma; 11. Recognizing and responding to injuries and emergencies, including the prevention of and response to emergencies due to food-related allergies and other allergic reactions; and 12. Including children with special needs in the center’s program.
Ensure that all staff complete orientation training within two weeks of hire and annually. Training needed for seven staff members.
3A:52-4.8(a) · Corrected May 13, 2026
For early childhood programs, the following shall apply for infants (under 18 months of age) and toddlers (18 months to 2½ years of age):a group shall consist of four infants or six toddlers to whom a primary caregiver has been assigned.
Ensure that a primary caregiver is assigned to each group of four infants or six toddlers in room 1.
3A:52-4.4(a)(2) · Corrected May 13, 2026
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 in room 1 wash their hands with soap and running water immediately after having their diaper changed.
3A:52-7.8(a)(1) · Corrected May 13, 2026
Handwashing requirements are as follows: staff members shall wash their hands with soap and running water immediately before preparing or serving food; after toileting; after assisting a child in toileting; after caring for a child who appears to be sick; after coming in contact with an animal's body secretions; and after coming into contact with blood, fecal matter, urine, vomit, nasal secretions, or other body fluids or secretions. 7.8(d)3- Staff members hands are washed after changing each diaper.
Ensure that staff in room 1 wash their hands with soap and running water immediately after changing a child's diaper.
(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.
Aug 20, 2024Renewal7 violationsCitedDetailsHide
The center shall be permitted to obtain a valid fire safety inspection certificate issued by the municipality in which it is located, based on a fire inspection conducted within the preceding 12 months, and submit a copy of the certificate to the Office of Licensing in lieu of a CO or CCO, if the center serves only children 2 ½ years of age or older and is located in a public school building that is used as a public school.
Provide a current fire certificate as required.
3A:52-5.2(a)(5) · Corrected Dec 1, 2022
Indoor maintenance and sanitation requirements are as follows: all televisions and computers shall be secured on a stable surface and shelving shall be secured and not be overloaded.
Ensure that all televisions, computers, and shelving are secured to a stable surface. Secure 2nd cubby in green room (2nd floor.)
3A:52-5.3(a)(17) · Corrected Jul 13, 2022
Indoor maintenance and sanitation requirements are as follows: the center shall test for the presence of radon gas in each classroom on the lowest floor level used by children at least once every five years and shall post the test results in a prominent location in all buildings at the center, as specified in N.J.S.A. 30:5B-5.2.
Complete radon testing in every room on the lowest floor used by children and post the results in a prominent location.
3A:52-5.3(a)(19) · Corrected Dec 1, 2022
For early childhood programs, the following shall apply, feeding requirements for centers serving children less than 18 months of age are as follows: for bottles, each child's bottle(s) shall be labeled with the child's name and dated.
Ensure that each child's bottle is labeled with the child's name and date.
Feb 22, 2021Monitoring2 violationsCitedDetailsHide
Heating requirements are as follows: the center shall not use portable liquid fuel-burning or wood-burning heating appliances or electric space heaters.
Ensure space heaters are not used anywhere in the center including in the office. The center removed the space heater.
3A:52-5.3(d)(3) · Corrected Feb 22, 2021
The center shall be permitted to obtain a valid fire safety inspection certificate issued by the municipality in which it is located, based on a fire inspection conducted within the preceding 12 months, and submit a copy of the certificate to the Office of Licensing in lieu of a CO or CCO, if the center serves only children 2 ½ years of age or older and is located in a public school building that is used as a public school.
Ensure all emergency exits, steps from the second floor and the gates in the path out of the play area are cleared of snow and open completely. The center took immediate action and removed the snow from the exits, steps and the gates.
Orientation training as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.8(a) may be included for six of the required hours of staff development specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.8(c) and (d).
Provide orientation to new staff members.
3A:52-4.8(b) · Corrected Jul 8, 2019
Indoor maintenance and sanitation requirements are as follows: ventilation outlets shall be clean and free from obstructions, and filters shall be replaced when saturated.
Sand /paint and clean radiators in upstairs bathrooms.
3A:52-5.3(a)(15) · Corrected Jul 8, 2019
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.
Clean and maintain microwave oven in upstairs classroom.
Clean and maintain door moldings outside of upstairs bathrooms.
3A:52-5.3(a)(2) · Corrected Jul 8, 2019
For early childhood programs, the following shall apply, feeding requirements for centers serving children less than 18 months of age are as follows: for bottles, each child's bottle(s) shall be labeled with the child's name and dated.
3A:52-6.3(b)(3)(iv)(1) · Corrected Jul 8, 2019
The center shall develop and follow a written policy on the use of social media including, but not limited to the use of social networking sites and other websites.
3A:52-6.8(k)(1) · Corrected Jul 8, 2019
Matawan · NJ · License #170100017
PendingCenter
Ensure health records are maintained on file as required including update special care plan for 1 child.
3A:52-7.3(a) · Corrected Apr 10, 2025
Outdoor maintenance and sanitation requirements are as follows:
The building, land, walkways, and outdoor play area shall be free from hazards to the health, safety or well-being of the children.
Repair missing wood fence pieces on large playground.
3A:52-5.3(b)(1) · Corrected Apr 4, 2025
(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.
Ensure all surfaces are clean and in good repair including clean and maintain soiled puzzle rug in infant room.
3A:52-5.3(a)(1) · Corrected Apr 4, 2025
For early childhood programs, the following shall apply, all electrical outlets that are accessible to the children shall have protective covers.
Provide protective coverings for all electrical outlets accessible to the children in infant area.
3A:52-5.4(a)(1) · Corrected Mar 4, 2025
Walls shall be painted or otherwise covered whenever there is evidence of: i. Excessive peeling or chipped paint; or ii. Heavily soiled conditions.
Repair chipped paint surfaces in upstairs classrooms and stairway hall on doorways and radiators.
3A:52-5.3(a)(16) · Corrected Apr 4, 2025
Indoor maintenance and sanitation requirements are as follows: all corrosive agents, insecticides, bleaches, detergents, polishes, any products under pressure in an aerosol spray can, and any toxic substance shall be stored in a locked cabinet or in an enclosure located in an area not accessible to the children.
Ensure that all toxic substances are inaccessible to the children. Remove bleach from unlocked sink cabinet in upstairs bath.
Environmental condition precautions are as follows: at the time of the initial application, any renewal application, relocation of an existing licensed center, and, as determined by the Office of Licensing, on a case-by-case basis, the facility operator shall submit to the Office of Licensing a Safe Building Interior Certification or other approval issued by the Department of Health that indicates that no further remediation is needed for the interior of the building in which the center is located.
Submit a Safe Building Interior Certification or other approval issued by the DOH.
3A:52-5.3(i)(8) · Corrected Aug 15, 2024
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.
3A:52-5.3(i)(5)(i) · Corrected Dec 1, 2022
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 as required.
Ensure that all staff, the sponsor and/or the sponsor representative complete a CHRI background check as required for the center's license renewal.
For early childhood programs, the following shall apply: 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)
Provide Universal Health record for all children enrolled. It was observed that 12 students did not have this in documentation.
3A:52-7.3(a)(2) · Corrected Jul 8, 2019
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.
Paperwork not seen.
3A:52-3.4(a) · Corrected Jul 8, 2019
Indoor maintenance and sanitation requirements are as follows: walls shall be painted or otherwise covered whenever there is evidence of heavily soiled conditions.
Sand and paint chipped windowsills facing front of classroom 2.
3A:52-5.3(a)(16)(ii) · Corrected Sep 3, 2019
Emergency procedure requirements are as follows: the center shall conduct two lockdown drills per year and maintain on file a record of each lockdown drill. The center shall ensure that lockdown drills are conducted during each session provided at the center.
3A:52-5.3(l)(4) · Corrected Sep 23, 2019
The following staff/child ratios shall apply, except as specified in 3A:52-4.3(d) through (f):
Age Staff/Child Ratio
Under 18 months - 1:4
18 months up to 2 ½ years - 1:6
2 ½ years up to 4 years - 1:10
4 years - 1:12
5 years and older - 1:15
Ensure proper ratios are maintained throughout the center at all times.
3A:52-4.3(c) · Corrected Sep 23, 2019
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. Until the results of the CARI background check for a new staff member have been received from the Department, the center shall ensure oversight of the new staff member by another staff member, and ensure that person is not left alone to supervise a child or group of children.
Renewal Cari's pending.
3A:52-4.10(b)(2) · Corrected Jul 8, 2019
The center shall be permitted to obtain a valid fire safety inspection certificate issued by the municipality in which it is located, based on a fire inspection conducted within the preceding 12 months, and submit a copy of the certificate to the Office of Licensing in lieu of a CO or CCO, if the center serves only children 2 ½ years of age or older and is located in a public school building that is used as a public school.