An applicant seeking the renewal of a license or of a Certificate of Life/Safety Approval to continue operating a center shall obtain and maintain on file a fire safety inspection certificate for the building based on a fire inspection conducted within the preceding 12 months. If the center prepares meals, the applicant seeking renewal shall obtain and maintain on file a satisfactory Sanitary Inspection Certificate, as specified in N.J.A.C. 8:24, indicating that the kitchen is in compliance with the applicable requirements of the State Sanitary Code, based on a sanitary inspection conducted within the preceding 12 months.

Provide a current fire certificate as required.

3A:52-5.2(d) · Corrected Jun 11, 2025

(a) The center shall take immediate necessary action to protect the child from further harm and shall immediately notify the child's parent(s) when one of the following occurs while the child is in the center’s care: 1. A child is bitten and the skin is broken; 2. A child sustains a head or facial injury, including when a child bumps his or her head; 3. A child falls from a height greater than the height of the child; or 4. An injury requiring professional medical care occurs.

Ensure that parents are notified immediately when: a child sustains a head or facial injury, including when a child bumps his or her head.

3A:52-7.6(a) · Corrected Jun 11, 2025

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.

The methods of guidance and discipline used shall: be positive.

Based on report, ensure that staff utilize positive methods of guidance and discipline.

3A:52-6.6(a)(1) · Corrected May 1, 2024

All centers shall comply with the following requirements, the center shall ensure that these safety and sanitation practices are followed: sippy cups shall be labeled with the child’s name.

Ensure that each child's sippy cup is labeled with the child's name.

3A:52-6.3(a)(12)(ii) · Corrected Jun 4, 2024

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.

3A:52-4.6(a) · Corrected May 16, 2024

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: 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 that medication, accompanied by a special care plan and medication.

For early childhood programs all staff that work with children under 2 1/2 years of age shall have training specific to this age group, which may include, but is not limited to, the New Jersey Infant/Toddler Credential administered through Professional Impact NJ, the Infant-Toddler Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential, or other trainings specifically related to the care of infants and toddlers. Each employee shall initiate this training within 90 days and complete it within one year.

Ensure that all staff working with children under 2.5 years of age have training specific to this age group initiated within 90 days of hire and completed within one year.

3A:52-4.5(e)(8) · Corrected Sep 14, 2023

A person applying for an initial license or renewal license to operate a center or relocation of a center shall submit a completed application to the Office of Licensing at least 45 days prior to the anticipated opening of the center or to the expiration of its existing regular license.

Complete and submit a DCF Renewal Attestation and all required documents.

3A:52-2.1(b) · Corrected Jun 20, 2023

The center shall distribute a copy of the Information to Parents document to each child’s parent(s) upon enrollment and to every person upon becoming a staff member and secure and maintain on file a record of each parent’s and staff member’s signature attesting to receipt of the document. The center shall maintain on file a copy of the Information to Parents document.

Ensure that the center maintains and distributes to all families and staff a copy of the Information to Parents document and maintains on file signatures of all staff and families attesting to the receipt of the policy.

3A:52-3.6(b)(1) · Corrected Jul 20, 2023

The sponsor or sponsor representative, and each staff member shall complete a signed consent form provided by the Department that indicates the identifying information necessary to conduct a CARI background check, including the person’s name, address, date of birth, sex, race, and Social Security number. Pursuant to the Federal Privacy Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-579), the Department shall advise each such person that the disclosure of his or her Social Security number is voluntary, and that the Social Security number will only be used for the purpose of conducting a CARI background check.

Ensure that CARI background checks are completed as required for all staff within two weeks of hire.

3A:52-4.10(a)(1) · Corrected Jul 27, 2022

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 Jul 27, 2022

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).

Ensure that all staff complete orientation training.

3A:52-4.8(b) · Corrected Aug 10, 2022

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).

The children shall be supervised directly by a staff member at all times, including during outdoor activities, rest and sleep, and walking through hallways. Toileting procedures shall be supervised by a staff member as appropriate for the ages and developmental needs of the children.

Ensure that the children are supervised at all times wherein a named child walked out of Room 6, downstairs to the office area unsupervised.

3A:52-4.3(a) · Corrected Jul 30, 2021

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).

Update the staff records checklist with the current staff members.

3A:52-4.6(a) · Corrected Sep 13, 2021

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 of the center's current liability insurance.

3A:52-3.4(a) · Corrected Jul 30, 2021

Fire prevention requirements are as follows: the center shall conduct fire drills at least once a month, as specified in the NJUFC. The center shall ensure that fire drills are conducted during each session provided at the center and that one fire drill per year is conducted during nap time, if applicable.

Provide the fire drill log for the center.

3A:52-5.3(n)(1) · Corrected Jul 30, 2021

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 the bottles are dated in Room 1.

3A:52-6.3(b)(3)(iv)(1) · Corrected Jan 7, 2020

For early childhood programs, the following shall apply: in addition to the items specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-7.7(a)3, the following equipment items or surfaces shall be washed and disinfected after each use, toys mouthed by infants and toddlers before being given to another child.

Wash and disinfect the mouthed toys after each use in Rooms 1 and 2.

3A:52-7.7(e)(1)(iv) · Corrected Jan 7, 2020

For early childhood programs, the following shall apply: diapering requirements for centers serving children who are not toilet trained are as follows, diapering area and surface requirements are as follows, the diapering area shall be within 15 feet of a sink that is not used for food preparation.

Ensure that the sink in Room 2 is not used for both hand washing and food prep.

3A:52-7.8(d)(1)(ii)(2) · Corrected Jan 7, 2020

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).

Ensure that the staff have orientation training annually and within two week of hire for new staff.

3A:52-4.8(b) · Corrected Feb 7, 2020

For early childhood programs, the following shall apply, outdoor space requirements for children over the age of 10 months are as follows: outdoor areas located near or adjacent to hazardous areas determined by the Office of Licensing to be unsafe (including, but not limited to, streets, roads, driveways, parking lots, railroad tracks, swimming pools, rivers, streams, steep grades, cliffs, open pits, high voltage boosters, or propane gas tanks) shall be fenced or otherwise protected by a natural or man-made barrier or enclosure.

3A:52-5.4(a)(7)(iii) · Corrected Jun 10, 2019