Stepping Stones Child Development Centers

2025

1. Medium-Low risk10/3/2025

   N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.8(c) — Ensure that all staff complete 12 hours of staff development annually. 1 staff member missing 12 hour training log. 11/10/2025: 1 staff member missing 12 hr training log.

   Ensure that all staff complete 12 hours of staff development annually. 1 staff member missing 12 hour training log. 11/10/2025: 1 staff member missing 12 hr training log. Regulation: 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).

   Corrected 12/10/2025
2. Medium-Low risk10/3/2025

   N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.1(d) — Complete and maintain on file, a current Staff Records Checklist designated by OOL. 2 staff members missing TB results. 11/10/2025: 1 staff member missing TB results.

   Complete and maintain on file, a current Staff Records Checklist designated by OOL. 2 staff members missing TB results. 11/10/2025: 1 staff member missing TB results. Regulation: the Staff Records Checklist for the current director and all staff members currently working at the center shall be maintained on file at the center.

   Corrected 12/10/2025
3. Medium-Low risk10/3/2025

   N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.1(d) — Complete and maintain on file, a current Staff Records Checklist designated by OOL. 2 staff members missing applications.

   Complete and maintain on file, a current Staff Records Checklist designated by OOL. 2 staff members missing applications. Regulation: the Staff Records Checklist for the current director and all staff members currently working at the center shall be maintained on file at the center.

   Corrected 12/10/2025
4. Medium-Low risk10/3/2025

   N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.1(d) — Complete and maintain on file, a current Staff Records Checklist designated by OOL.

   Complete and maintain on file, a current Staff Records Checklist designated by OOL. Regulation: the Staff Records Checklist for the current director and all staff members currently working at the center shall be maintained on file at the center.

   Corrected 1/27/2026
5. High risk10/3/2025

   N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.10(a) — Ensure that CARI background checks are completed as required for the sponsor/sponsor representative and all regularly scheduled staff. 2 staff member's missing a CARI.

   Ensure that CARI background checks are completed as required for the sponsor/sponsor representative and all regularly scheduled staff. 2 staff member's missing a CARI. Regulation: 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.

   Corrected 11/10/2025
6. High risk10/3/2025

   N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.10(a) — 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. All staff need renewal CARI's.

   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. All staff need renewal CARI's. Regulation: 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.

   Corrected 11/10/2025
7. High risk10/3/2025

   N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.11(a) — Ensure that CHRI background checks are completed as required for the sponsor/sponsor representative and all regularly scheduled staff. 2 staff members missing a cleared CHRI. 11/10/2025: 1 staff member missing a CHRI.

   Ensure that CHRI background checks are completed as required for the sponsor/sponsor representative and all regularly scheduled staff. 2 staff members missing a cleared CHRI. 11/10/2025: 1 staff member missing a CHRI. Regulation: 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.

   Corrected 12/10/2025
8. High risk10/3/2025

   N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.6(d) — Provide documentation that the program supervisor meets the required qualifications as specified in the manual.

   Provide documentation that the program supervisor meets the required qualifications as specified in the manual. Regulation: For school-age child care programs the program supervisor shall meet the qualification requirements specified in one of the applicable options set forth in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.6(d) for education, training, and experience, based on the center's licensed capacity.

   Corrected 12/10/2025
9. High risk10/3/2025

   N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.8(a) — Ensure that all staff complete orientation training within two weeks of hire and annually. All staff missing orientation logs. 11/10/2025: 1 staff member missing orientation logs.

   Ensure that all staff complete orientation training within two weeks of hire and annually. All staff missing orientation logs. 11/10/2025: 1 staff member missing orientation logs. Regulation: (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.

   Corrected 12/10/2025
10. Medium risk10/3/2025

    N.J.A.C. 3A:52-2.2(e) — Post the center's license in a prominent location in each building.

    Post the center's license in a prominent location in each building. Regulation: The license shall be posted in a prominent location within the center and in each building associated with the center.

    Corrected 11/10/2025
11. High risk10/3/2025

    N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.8(d) — Ensure that all credentialed staff complete 20 hours of staff development annually. 1 staff member missing 20 hour training log.

    Ensure that all credentialed staff complete 20 hours of staff development annually. 1 staff member missing 20 hour training log. Regulation: The director, head teacher(s), group teacher(s), and program supervisor(s) shall each complete 20 hours of staff development each year. Recommended topics of training for these staff include educational and physical activity; special needs programming and program development; social-emotional and behavioral development for young children; legal issues, including ADA guidelines and leadership and advocacy.

    Corrected 11/10/2025
12. High risk10/3/2025

    N.J.A.C. 3A:52-6.5(a) — Maintain at the center and distribute to all families, a written policy on the release of children that includes all required components.

    Maintain at the center and distribute to all families, a written policy on the release of children that includes all required components. Regulation: (a) The center shall maintain on file and follow a written policy on the release of children, which shall include: 1. The provision that each child may be released only to the child's parent(s) or person(s) authorized by the parent(s), as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-6.8(a)3, to take the child from the center and to assume responsibility for the child in an emergency if the parent(s) cannot be reached; 61 2. The provision that, if a particular non-custodial parent has been denied access, or granted limited access, to the child by a court order, the center shall secure documentation to this effect, maintain a copy on file, and comply with the terms of the court order; 3. Written procedures to be followed by staff member(s) if the parent(s) or person(s) authorized by the parent(s), as specified in (a)1 above, fails to pick up a child at the time of the center's daily closing. The procedures shall require that: i. The child is supervised at all times; ii. Staff members attempt to contact the parent(s) or person(s) authorized by the parents; and iii. An hour or more after closing time, and provided that other arrangements for releasing the child to his or her parent(s) or authorized person(s) have failed and the staff member(s) cannot continue to supervise the child at the center, the staff member shall call the Department's State Central Registry Hotline (1-877 NJ ABUSE/1-877-652-2873) to seek assistance in caring for the child until the parent(s) or person(s) authorized by the child's parent(s) is able to pick up the child; and 4. Written procedures to be followed by a staff member(s) if the parent(s) or person(s) authorized by the parent(s), as specified in (a)1 above, appear to be physically or emotionally impaired to the extent that, in the judgment of the director or staff member, the child would be placed at risk of

    Corrected 11/10/2025
13. Medium-High risk10/3/2025

    N.J.A.C. 3A:52-7.11(a) — Develop and follow a written communicable disease policy with all required components.

    Develop and follow a written communicable disease policy with all required components. Regulation: (a) Each center shall develop a written policy on the management of communicable diseases. This policy shall include the following: 1. The list of illnesses and symptoms of illness for which a child will be separated from the group and possibly sent home, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-7.1(c); 2. The list of diseases for which a child will not be readmitted to the center unless accompanied by a statement from the child's health care provider, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-7.1(d); and 78 3. Assurance that during any outbreak of an excludable disease at the center, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-7.1(d), each parent whose child may have been exposed to the disease shall receive a written notice of the outbreak.

    Corrected 11/10/2025
14. Medium-Low risk10/3/2025

    N.J.A.C. 3A:52-3.4(a) — Provide documentation that the center has current comprehensive general liability insurance coverage.

    Provide documentation that the center has current comprehensive general liability insurance coverage. Regulation: 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.

    Corrected 11/10/2025
15. Medium-Low risk10/3/2025

    N.J.A.C. 3A:52-7.11(b) — Maintain on file a record of staff receipt of the communicable disease policy.

    Maintain on file a record of staff receipt of the communicable disease policy. Regulation: The center shall distribute a copy of the communicable disease policy to the parent of each enrolled child and secure and maintain on file a record of each parent’s signature attesting to receipt of the policy.

    Corrected 12/10/2025
16. Medium-Low risk10/3/2025

    N.J.A.C. 3A:52-6.8(l) — Maintain on file a record of staff receipt of the center's social media/ technology policy.

    Maintain on file a record of staff receipt of the center's social media/ technology policy. Regulation: 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 11/10/2025
17. Medium-Low risk10/3/2025

    N.J.A.C. 3A:52-6.5(b) — Maintain on file a record of staff receipt of the center's release policy. 2 staff members missing signatures.

    Maintain on file a record of staff receipt of the center's release policy. 2 staff members missing signatures. Regulation: The center shall distribute a copy of the release policy to the parent of each enrolled child and each staff member and secure and maintain on file a record of each parent’s and staff member’s signature attesting to receipt of the policy.

    Corrected 12/10/2025
18. Medium-High risk10/3/2025

    N.J.A.C. 3A:52-7.9(a)(1) — Maintain an illness log on file at the center that includes: the child's name; symptoms of illness; actions taken by the center; and dates of exclusion and return.

    Maintain an illness log on file at the center that includes: the child's name; symptoms of illness; actions taken by the center; and dates of exclusion and return. Regulation: The center shall maintain on file a log of the initial illnesses, symptoms of illness, or diseases that are exhibited by each child while in the center’s care, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-7.1(c) and (d). This illness log shall include: the child's name; the date and time the illness, symptoms of illness or diseases were observed at the center; a description of the symptoms of illness manifested by the child; the action taken by the center to assist: the child who is demonstrating symptoms of illness; and the director in determining if exclusion of the child from the center is necessary; any significant change in the child's symptoms of illness; the date, if applicable, that: the child was removed from the center; the child returned to the center with a note from a health care provider attesting to the child's admissibility to the center and recovery from a reportable disease, as specified in N.J.A.C. 8:57; the child returned to the center with a parent’s note attesting that six days have elapsed since the onset of chicken pox, or that all chicken pox sores have dried and crusted; or the child returned to the center symptom-free.

    Corrected 12/10/2025
19. Medium-Low risk10/3/2025

    N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.1(d) — Complete and maintain on file, a current Staff Records Checklist designated by OOL. 3 staff members missing medical clearances. 11/10/2025: 1 staff member missing medical clearance.

    Complete and maintain on file, a current Staff Records Checklist designated by OOL. 3 staff members missing medical clearances. 11/10/2025: 1 staff member missing medical clearance. Regulation: the Staff Records Checklist for the current director and all staff members currently working at the center shall be maintained on file at the center.

    Corrected 12/10/2025
20. Medium-Low risk10/3/2025

    N.J.A.C. 3A:52-3.6(b) — Maintain at the center and distribute to all families and staff, a copy of the Information to Parents document designated by the OOL; maintain on file a record of staff receipt of the policy. 2 staff members missing signatures.

    Maintain at the center and distribute to all families and staff, a copy of the Information to Parents document designated by the OOL; maintain on file a record of staff receipt of the policy. 2 staff members missing signatures. Regulation: 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.

    Corrected 12/10/2025
21. High risk10/3/2025

    N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3(i)(5)(i) — Submit a copy of the public school's drinking water test results.

    Submit a copy of the public school's drinking water test results. Regulation: 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 11/10/2025
22. High risk10/3/2025

    N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.3(a)(1) — Ensure that children are adequately tracked at all times and staff are aware of the number of children in their care. At the time of the inspection, 1 named staff said there were 16 children present in her care, when there were

    Ensure that children are adequately tracked at all times and staff are aware of the number of children in their care. At the time of the inspection, 1 named staff said there were 16 children present in her care, when there were only 15 children in her care. Regulation: 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.

    Corrected 11/10/2025
23. High risk10/3/2025

    N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.5(a)(3) — Ensure that the center has a table of organization that illustrates lines of authority, responsibility, and job descriptions.

    Ensure that the center has a table of organization that illustrates lines of authority, responsibility, and job descriptions. Regulation: 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 a table of organization that illustrates lines of authority, responsibility and communication; and job descriptions, titles and qualifications for all center staff.

    Corrected 11/10/2025
24. Medium-High risk10/3/2025

    N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3(l)(4) — Conduct and document at least two lockdown drills annually.

    Conduct and document at least two lockdown drills annually. Regulation: Emergency procedure requirements are as follows: the center shall conduct two lockdown drills per year and maintain on file a record of each lockdown drill. The center shall ensure that lockdown drills are conducted during each session provided at the center.

    Corrected 11/10/2025
25. Medium-High risk10/3/2025

    N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3(n)(1) — Ensure fire drills are conducted during each session provided at the center, one fire drill per year is conducted during nap time, if applicable, and all children are evacuated from the building within three minutes during each

    Ensure fire drills are conducted during each session provided at the center, one fire drill per year is conducted during nap time, if applicable, and all children are evacuated from the building within three minutes during each fire drill. Regulation: 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. The center shall ensure that all children present are evacuated from the building within three minutes during each fire drill.

    Corrected 11/10/2025