Fire prevention requirements are as follows: all fire extinguishers shall be visually inspected once a month, and serviced and tagged at least once a year and recharged, if necessary, as specified in the NJUFC.

Ensure that all fire extinguishers are serviced and tagged annually and recharged if necessary.

3A:52-5.3(n)(4) · Corrected Mar 13, 2026

The center shall ensure that all staff members who work at the center complete 12 hours of continuing staff development each year. 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 12 hours of staff development annually.

3A:52-4.8(c) · Corrected Mar 13, 2026

(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 annually.

3A:52-4.8(a) · Corrected Mar 13, 2026

When the center applies for a new license or Certificate of Life/Safety Approval, the sponsor or sponsor representative shall ensure that each staff member at least 18 years of age who is or will be working at the center on a regularly scheduled basis completes the CHRI fingerprinting process specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.11(a). Within two weeks after a new staff member begins working at the center, the sponsor or sponsor representative shall ensure that the new staff member completes the CHRI fingerprinting process specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.11(a). Until the center receives the results of the CHRI background check for a new staff member, the center shall ensure oversight of that person by another staff member and ensure that the person is not alone to supervise a child or group of children.

Ensure that CHRI background checks are completed as required for 2 staff members.

3A:52-4.11(b) · Corrected Mar 23, 2026

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 Mar 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 Mar 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 wash their hands with soap and running water as required including immediately before intake of food.

3A:52-7.8(a)(1) · Corrected Mar 13, 2026

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.

3A:52-4.10(a) · Corrected Sep 12, 2025

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.

3A:52-5.3(b)(1) · Corrected Sep 12, 2025

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.

3A:52-5.6(d)(2)(ii) · Corrected Sep 12, 2025

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.

3A:52-5.2(a)(8) · Corrected Oct 28, 2025

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.

3A:52-5.3(i)(5)(ii) · Corrected Oct 28, 2025

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.

3A:52-5.3(i)(5)(i) · Corrected Oct 28, 2025

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.

3A:52-5.3(a)(9) · Corrected Sep 30, 2022

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.

3A:52-4.5(a)(3)(i)(2) · Corrected Sep 30, 2022

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.

3A:52-2.1(b) · Corrected Sep 30, 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 Sep 30, 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 for the center's license renewal.

3A:52-4.11(a)(1) · Corrected Sep 30, 2022

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

3A:52-4.8(a)(6) · Corrected Aug 26, 2019

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.

3A:52-4.8(a)(7) · Corrected Aug 26, 2019

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.

3A:52-4.8(a)(8) · Corrected Aug 26, 2019

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)

3A:52-7.3(a)(2) · Corrected Aug 26, 2019

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

3A:52-4.8(a)(4) · Corrected Aug 26, 2019

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.

3A:52-2.1(b) · Corrected May 15, 2019

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.

3A:52-4.8(a)(11) · Corrected Aug 26, 2019

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.

3A:52-7.5(b)(10) · Corrected Aug 26, 2019