3A:52-2.1(b) · 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 Application and Attestation for the center's license renewal.

Corrected Corrected by Jul 17, 2025

Category: ratio. Marked corrected in the state record.

3A:52-7.5(b) · 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: Administration and control of prescription and non-prescription medicines and health care procedures (a) The center shall inform each child’s parent upon enrollment of its policy on administering medication and health care procedures to children, including the provisions specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-7.5(b) to (d). The policy shall indicate: 1. Whether the center will administer non-prescription medication or a non-prescribed health care procedure to a child; 2. Whether the center will administer prescription medication or a prescribed health care procedure to a child with a short-term illness; and 3. That the center will provide reasonable accommodations for the administration of medication or health care procedures to a child with special needs, if failure to administer the medication or health care procedure would jeopardize the health of the child or prevent the child from attending the center. 1. Medication and health care procedures shall be administered only after receipt of written approval from the child's parent(s). 2. The center shall: i. Designate those staff members who are trained as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.8(a)8 and authorized to administer medication or health care procedures to, or to supervise self-administration of medication or health care procedures by, those children whose parents authorize it; and ii. Ensure that each staff member designated to administer medication and health care procedures is informed of each child's medication and health care needs. 3. All medication and health care equipment shall be kept either in a locked cabinet or in an area that is inaccessible to the children. i. All medication shall be kept in its original container. ii. Medication shall be refrigerated if so indicated on the label. iii. Unused or expired medication and health care equipment shall be returned to the child’s parent or disposed of safely in a child-resistant waste receptacle when no longer being administered. 4. All prescription medication for a child shall be: i. Prescribed in the name of and specifically for the child; and ii. Stored in its prescription container, which has been labeled with the child's name, the name and expiration date of the medication, the date it was prescribed or updated and directions for its administration. 5. The center shall limit the dispensing of non-prescription over-the-counter medication to the following types of medicines, which shall be dispensed in accordance with the recommended dosage for the age and weight of the child, as indicated on the label: i. Antihistamines; ii. Cough suppressants'. Decongestants; iv. Non-aspirin fever reducers and pain relievers; and v. Topical preparations, such as sunscreen and diaper rash preparations. 6. The center may permit the dispensing of non-prescription medication other than those listed in (b)5 above, or according to instructions other than those indicated on the label, if the child's health care provider authorizes it in writing. 8. If a child has a chronic health condition requiring the administration of prescription or non-prescription medication or health care procedures on a long-term basis, the center shall obtain from the child’s parent a written statement from a health care provider, indicating: i. The name of the child; ii. The name of the medication or procedure; iii The condition or indications for administration of the medication or procedure; iv. The instructions for administration of the medication or procedure; and v. The name and telephone number of the health care provider. 11. The center shall inform the child’s parent immediately if a child exhibits any adverse effect of a medication or health care procedure. (c) For early childhood programs, the following shall apply: 1. The center shall ensure that all medication and health care procedures are administered by designated staff. (d) For school-age child care programs, the following shall apply: 1. Before the center administers or permits a child to self-administer medication or health care procedures, the center shall: i. Obtain written authorization for self-administration from the child's parent, if applicable; and ii. Ensure that the medication or health care procedure is administered by or under the supervision of authorized staff.

Ensure an epi pen for 1 child is current and not expired.

Corrected Corrected by Aug 11, 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 the sponsor/sponsor representative and all regularly scheduled staff for the center's license renewal. 8/11/2025: Two clearances remain outstanding.

Corrected Corrected by Sep 12, 2025

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

3A:52-5.3(b)(1) · Outdoor maintenance and sanitation requirements are as follows: 1. The building, land, walkways, and outdoor play area shall be free from hazards to the health, safety or well-being of the children. 2. The outdoor play area shall be graded or provided with drains to dispose of surface water.

Ensure all outdoor hazards are removed from the outdoor play area by ensuring the outside of the exit door leading into the play area is rust free.

Corrected Corrected by Sep 12, 2025

Category: health medication. 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. 10/15/2025: Center was notified of elevated level.

Corrected Corrected by Oct 28, 2025

Category: ratio. Marked corrected in the state record.

3A:52-5.6(d)(2)(ii) · Toilet facility requirements are as follows: for existing centers that have an additional toilet facility that has not been counted in determining the maximum number of children who can be served per session and for centers to be located in newly constructed buildings, the center shall ensure that this designated toilet facility is identified by a sign located on the exterior of its door, indicating that this toilet facility is for the exclusive use of staff members and other adults.

Designate and label the bathroom that is for staff/child use.

Corrected Corrected by Sep 12, 2025

Category: ratio. Marked corrected in the state record.

3A:52-5.2(a)(8) · The center shall obtain a Life Hazard Use Registration certificate applicable to the center’s licensed capacity and ages served pursuant to the Uniform Fire Safety Act, N.J.S.A. 52:27D-192 et seq. The center shall post this document in a prominent location within the center.

Provide a current life/hazard use registration certificate applicable to the center's licensed capacity and ages served.

Corrected Corrected by Oct 28, 2025

Category: ratio. Marked corrected in the state record.

3A:52-5.3(i)(5)(ii) · If the results reveal elevated levels of lead or copper as defined by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Safe Drinking Water, which pose risk of harm to children, the center shall: immediately discontinue use of all drinking water sources in the building; provide bottled water for drinking; provide bottled water for food preparation with approval from the local health official; and notify parents of the children in attendance at the center.

Comply with the requirements of the manual if the center's water testing results reveal elevated levels of lead or copper.

Corrected Corrected by Oct 28, 2025

Category: ratio. Marked corrected in the state record.

3A:52-3.4(a) · 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.

Ensure that the center has a current comprehensive general liability insurance policy and maintains the documentation on file.

Corrected Corrected by Sep 30, 2022

Category: recordkeeping. 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.

Corrected Corrected by Sep 30, 2022

Category: ratio. Marked corrected in the state record.

3A:52-5.3(q)(3)(v) · Space and room requirements are as follows: Indoor space requirements for play rooms and sleep rooms are as follows the center shall identify all rooms of the center that have been approved by the Office of Licensing. This identification shall consist of numbers, letters, names or any other means of identification and shall be located either inside or directly outside each room.

Ensure that all rooms approved for use by the children are labeled according to posted floor plan.

Corrected Corrected by Sep 30, 2022

Category: physical safety. Marked corrected in the state record.

3A:52-5.3(a)(19) · 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.

Corrected Corrected by Sep 30, 2022

Category: physical safety. Marked corrected in the state record.

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 toilet plumbing and bathroom sinks are maintained in sanitary condition and are free of rust and corrosion.

Corrected Corrected by Sep 30, 2022

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

3A:52-2.1(b) · 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 Application and Attestation and all required documents.

Corrected Corrected by Sep 30, 2022

Category: ratio. Marked corrected in the state record.

3A:52-4.11(a)(1) · 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 for the center's license renewal.

Corrected Corrected by Sep 30, 2022

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

3A:52-4.5(a)(3)(i)(2) · The sponsor or sponsor representative shall designate individuals with the authority and responsibility to develop and implement written policies and procedures for the operation of the center, including job descriptions, titles and qualifications for all center staff.

Provide job descriptions, titles and qualifications for all center staff.

Corrected Corrected by Sep 30, 2022

Category: ratio. Marked corrected in the state record.

3A:52-2.1(b) · 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.

Corrected Corrected by May 15, 2019

Category: ratio. Marked corrected in the state record.

3A:52-4.8(a)(9) · Topics of orientation training shall include implementing safe sleep practices to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

Corrected Corrected by Aug 26, 2019

Category: recordkeeping. Marked corrected in the state record.

3A:52-6.8(l) · The center shall distribute a copy of the social media policy to the parent of each enrolled child and to each staff member and secure and maintain on file a record of each parent’s signature and each staff member’s signature attesting to the receipt of the policy.

Corrected Corrected by May 15, 2019

Category: recordkeeping. 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.

Corrected Corrected by Aug 26, 2019

Category: ratio. Marked corrected in the state record.

3A:52-4.8(a)(11) · Topics of orientation training shall include recognizing and responding to injuries and emergencies, including the prevention of and response to emergencies due to food-related allergies and other allergic reactions.

Corrected Corrected by Aug 26, 2019

Category: nutrition. Marked corrected in the state record.

3A:52-4.8(a)(12) · Topics of orientation training shall include including children with special needs in the center’s program.

Corrected Corrected by Aug 26, 2019

Category: recordkeeping. Marked corrected in the state record.

3A:52-4.8(a)(4) · Topics of orientation training shall include recognizing and reporting child abuse or neglect, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.9.

Corrected Corrected by Aug 26, 2019

Category: recordkeeping. Marked corrected in the state record.

3A:52-4.8(a)(5) · Topics of orientation training shall include evacuating the center and using the fire alarms, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3(l).

Corrected Corrected by Aug 26, 2019

Category: recordkeeping. Marked corrected in the state record.

3A:52-4.8(a)(6) · Topics of orientation training shall include implementing the center’s release policy, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-6.5.

Corrected Corrected by Aug 26, 2019

Category: recordkeeping. Marked corrected in the state record.

3A:52-4.8(a)(7) · Topics of orientation training shall include implementing the center's statement of policy on the disciplining of children, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-6.6.

Corrected Corrected by Aug 26, 2019

Category: recordkeeping. Marked corrected in the state record.

3A:52-4.8(a)(8) · Topics of orientation training shall include 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.

Corrected Corrected by Aug 26, 2019

Category: ratio. Marked corrected in the state record.

3A:52-7.3(a)(2) · 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)

Corrected Corrected by Aug 26, 2019

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

3A:52-7.5(b)(10) · 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 epi-pens and special health care plans are maintained at the center for a named child.

Corrected Corrected by Aug 26, 2019

Category: ratio. Marked corrected in the state record.