3A:52-5.3(b)(1) · 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.

Trim low hanging branches in outdoor play area.

Corrected Corrected by Jul 21, 2025

Category: health medication. Marked corrected in the state record.

3A:52-4.5(e)(1) · For early childhood programs the head teacher shall be scheduled to work at the center for at least 75 percent of the center's daily operating hours or at least six hours a day, whichever is less; and plan, discuss and observe the implementation of program activities by staff members for all groups of children.

Based on information, ensure that individuals who have both director and head teacher roles do not have full time classroom responsibilities and are able to meet the requirements of both roles.

Corrected Corrected by Jun 17, 2025

Marked corrected in the state record.

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 Corrected by Sep 2, 2025

Category: ratio. Marked corrected in the state record.

3A:52-7.3(a) · (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.

Provide the Universal Health Record for 1 named child annually.

Corrected Corrected by Jul 21, 2025

Category: health medication. Marked corrected in the state record.

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. (b) In addition to the reporting requirements specified in (a) above, the sponsor, sponsor representative, director, or any staff member shall advise the parent(s) of the occurrence of any unusual incident(s) that occurred at the center and that might indicate possible abuse or neglect involving the child. Such notification shall be made on the same day on which the incident occurred. Such incidents may include, but are not limited to, unusual sexual activity; violent or destructive behavior; withdrawal or passivity; or significant change(s) in the child's personality, behavior or habits. The center shall maintain on file a record of such incidents and documentation that parents have been informed of them.

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

Corrected Corrected by Jun 17, 2025

Category: recordkeeping. Marked corrected in the state record.

3A:52-4.8(a) · (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.

Based on information, ensure that all staff complete orientation training within 2 weeks of hire and annually as required.

Corrected Corrected by Jun 17, 2025

Category: supervision. Marked corrected in the state record.

3A:52-4.3(k) · (k) For early childhood programs, the following shall apply: 1. A minimum of two staff members, one of whom shall be at least 18 years of age, shall be present and involved in the care of children when: i. At least six children are present, who are below six years of age; or ii. Fewer than six children are present but applicable staff/child ratios, governing children below 18 months of age or children with special needs, require two staff members. (l) For school-age child care programs, the following shall apply: 1. A minimum of two staff members, one of whom shall be at least 18 years of age, shall be at the center and involved in the care of children when six or more children are present, except as specified in (l)2 and 3 below.

Based on information, ensure that minimum staffing requirements are met at all times throughout the center. On 1/23/25, a named staff was left alone in the center to care for 8 children. Additionally, the center does not always maintain minimum staffing requirements at the end of the day.

Corrected Corrected by Jul 21, 2025

Category: ratio. Marked corrected in the state record.

3A:52-4.3(c) · (c) The following staff/child ratios shall apply, except as specified in (d) through (f) below: 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 (d) The following staff/child ratios shall apply during rest or sleep, when the criteria listed in (d) 1, 2, and 3 below are met: Under 18 months 18 months to under 2 ½ years 2 ½ years and above 1:10 1:12 1:20 2. A sufficient number of staff members shall be in the facility and readily accessible to ensure compliance with the awake staff/child ratios specified in (c) above.

Based on information, ensure that adequate staff/child ratios are maintained at all times throughout the center. There are times in the afternoon when classroom are left out of ratio.

Corrected Corrected by Jul 21, 2025

Category: ratio. Marked corrected in the state record.

3A:52-4.3(a) · 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. 1. At least one staff member shall be physically present in the room or area in which children are napping and shall be able to summon other staff members without leaving the room or area. 3. Naptime preparations shall have been completed and all children 18 months or above are resting or sleeping, while all children under 18 months of age are sleeping.

Based on information, ensure that adequate supervision is maintained at all times throughout the center. Two named children walked away from the group unsupervised and were found on a different floor. Additionally, the children are allowed to walk into the hallways without supervision

Corrected Corrected by Jun 17, 2025

Category: supervision. Marked corrected in the state record.

3A:52-4.10(a) · As a condition of securing a new or renewal license or Certificate of Life/Safety Approval, the sponsor or sponsor representative shall provide for himself or herself, and shall obtain from all staff members who are or will be working at the center on a regularly scheduled basis, written consent for the Department to conduct a Child Abuse Record Information (CARI) background check to determine whether an incident of child abuse or neglect has been substantiated against any such person. If a staff member refused to consent to a CARI background check, the sponsor or sponsor representative shall immediately terminate the staff member's employment at the center.

Ensure that CARI background checks are completed as required for 4 named staff for the center's license renewal.

Corrected Corrected by Jul 21, 2025

Category: background checks. Marked corrected in the state record.

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 Benadryl for 1 named child as per their special care plan.

Corrected Corrected by Jul 21, 2025

Category: ratio. Marked corrected in the state record.

3A:52-5.3(i)(8) · 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. the Office of Licensing shall not issue licenses or renewals to child care centers that are co-located in a building or other structure that contains a dry cleaner or nail salon unless the applicant obtains indoor air sampling that demonstrates that there is no impact to the child care center.

Submit a Safe Building Interior Certification or other approval issued by the DOH.

Corrected Corrected by Dec 9, 2025

Category: health medication. Marked corrected in the state record.