Kids Choice

2026

1. High risk3/20/2026

   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 5/1/2026
2. Medium risk3/20/2026

   N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3(q)(1) — Ensure all rooms are approved by the OOL prior to use. The library is not approved by OOL and was in use by the program.

   Ensure all rooms are approved by the OOL prior to use. The library is not approved by OOL and was in use by the program. Regulation: Space and room requirements are as follows: all space and rooms within the center to be used by children shall be inspected and approved by the Office of Licensing prior to their use. In making its determination, the Office of Licensing shall consider whether the space is too far removed, remote, or isolated from other areas of the center to be used by children. Rooms or areas of the center that are not Office of Licensing-approved for use by children shall be made inaccessible to children.

   Corrected 4/27/2026
3. High risk3/20/2026

   N.J.A.C. 3A:52-7.5(b)(10) — Ensure Benadryl is provided for 1 child.

   Ensure Benadryl is provided for 1 child. Regulation: (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).

   Corrected 4/27/2026
4. High risk3/20/2026

   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.

   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. 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 5/1/2026
5. Medium-Low risk3/20/2026

   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 5/1/2026