Home NJ Toms River The Peppermint Tree Child Development Center

The Peppermint Tree Child Development Center

1571 Partridge Street, Toms River NJ 08753 · License #15PEP0001 · Child Care Center

Pending
4-Star programLast inspected Nov 25, 2025
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Contact

Director
Valerie Frost-Lewis
Address
1571 Partridge Street, Toms River NJ 08753 · Directions

Hours

Mon07:00 AM–06:00 PM
Tue07:00 AM–06:00 PM
Wed07:00 AM–06:00 PM
Thu07:00 AM–06:00 PM
Fri07:00 AM–06:00 PM
SatClosed
SunClosed

Care & schedule

When they operate

Schedule type not published.

Ages served

Ages not published.

  • 4-Star quality rating
  • Accepts child care subsidy (CCDF)
6
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
2
Inspections, past 3 yrs
Monitoring & assessments

How this facility compares

Violations per inspection, 3-yr
This facility
3.0
New Jersey average
9.1

Inspection history & violations

Source: New Jersey DCF, Office of Licensing
Nov 25, 2025 — Monitoring
4 violations cited · view state record
4 violations
  • Violation

    3A:52-7.5(b)(10) · (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).

    Provide an updated prescription for 1 expired epi-pen.

    Corrected by Feb 4, 2026

    View state record

  • Violation

    3A:52-5.3(p) · 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.

    Provide protective coverings for the Lally Columns in the outdoor play area.

    Corrected by Feb 4, 2026

    View state record

  • 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.

    Maintain all mechanical ventilation in a clean and operating condition in Room #A.

    Corrected by Feb 4, 2026

    View state record

  • Violation

    3A:52-5.3(a)(1) · (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 the bathroom in Room #C.

    Corrected by Feb 4, 2026

    View state record

Dec 2, 2024 — Monitoring
2 violations cited · view state record
2 violations
  • Violation

    3A:52-5.3(a)(2) · 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.

    Ensure all surfaces remain in good repair. Repair the caulking on the sink in the bathroom near Room #4.

    Corrected by Jan 22, 2025

    View state record

  • Violation

    3A:52-5.3(a)(9) · Indoor maintenance and sanitation requirements are as follows: toilets, wash basins, kitchen sinks, and other plumbing shall be maintained in good operating and sanitary condition.

    Ensure that the toilet in the bathroom near Room #4 is in sanitary condition.

    Corrected by Jan 22, 2025

    View state record

May 24, 2023 — Monitoring
6 violations cited · view state record
6 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).

    Based on information, retrain all staff on the center's discipline policy.

    Corrected by Jun 20, 2023

    View state record

  • Violation

    3A:52-4.8(a)(2) · Topics of orientation training shall include understanding center operations, policies and procedures, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.5(b)3.

    Based on information, retrain all staff from an outside source on recognizing and reporting possible incidents of child abuse and neglect.

    Corrected by Jun 20, 2023

    View state record

  • Violation

    3A:52-4.9(a) · The sponsor, sponsor representative, director, or any staff member shall verbally notify the State Central Registry Hotline (1-877 NJ ABUSE/1-877-652-2873) immediately whenever there is reasonable cause to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect by a staff member, or any other adult, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 9:6-8.9, 8.10, 8.13 and 8.14.

    Based on information, ensure that adequate procedures for incidents are adhered to at all times throughout the center, including recognizing and reporting possible incidents of child abuse and neglect.

    Corrected by Jun 28, 2023

    View state record

  • Violation

    3A:52-6.6(a)(1) · The methods of guidance and discipline used shall: be positive.

    Based on information, ensure that staff utilize positive methods of guidance and discipline. A named staff utilized physical means to gain compliance which does not follow the Center's Discipline Policy for Positive Guidance and Discipline.

    Corrected by Jun 28, 2023

    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.

    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 17, 2023

    View state record

  • Violation

    3A:52-4.8(a)(3) · Topics of orientation training shall include implementing group size limits and primary caregiver responsibilities, as applicable, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.4.

    Ensure that all staff complete orientation training within two weeks of hire and annually, including implementing group size limits and primary caregiver responsibilities.

    Corrected by Jul 10, 2023

    View state record

Apr 7, 2022 — Monitoring
No violations cited · view state record
Clean
Apr 13, 2021 — Renewal
1 violation cited · view state record
1 violation
  • Violation

    3A:52-4.3(a)(1) · The center shall develop and implement an Office of Licensing-approved method to keep track of the location and ensure the safety of all children at all times when under the center’s supervision, including the transfer of supervision from and to parents during arrival and departure and the utilization of off-site locations, including playgrounds and field trips.

    Ensure that staff area aware of the correct number of children in their care at all times.

    Corrected by May 13, 2021

    View state record

Questions to ask on your tour

Generated from this facility's specific inspection record

  1. 1The Nov 25, 2025 inspection noted: “Provide an updated prescription for 1 expired epi-pen.” — what has changed since then?
  2. 2The Dec 2, 2024 inspection noted: “Ensure all surfaces remain in good repair. Repair the caulking on the sink in the bathroom near Room #4.” — what has changed since then?
  3. 3The May 24, 2023 inspection noted: “Based on information, retrain all staff on the center's discipline policy.” — what has changed since then?

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