Children's Circle

N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3(m)(2) — Arrange cribs, cots, and sleeping equipment to provide access to an unobstructed 3-foot wide aisle that leads to an exit. Ensure cot placement is not blocking egresses. All classrooms addressed to meet the regulation during in

Arrange cribs, cots, and sleeping equipment to provide access to an unobstructed 3-foot wide aisle that leads to an exit. Ensure cot placement is not blocking egresses. All classrooms addressed to meet the regulation during inspection. Violation abated. Regulation: Supplemental evacuation requirements are as follows: cribs, beds, playpens, and cots used for rest or sleep shall be arranged so as to provide access to a three-foot-wide aisle that leads to an unobstructed exit.

N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3(a)(1) — Ensure all surfaces are clean and in good repair including removing (or secure) area rugs that are not secured as it is a tripping hazard. Observed in room 5.

Ensure all surfaces are clean and in good repair including removing (or secure) area rugs that are not secured as it is a tripping hazard. Observed in room 5. Regulation: (a) Indoor maintenance and sanitation requirements are as follows: 1. The center shall be free of moisture resulting from water leaks or seepage. 2. Floors, carpeting, walls, window coverings, ceilings, and other surfaces shall be kept clean and in good repair. 4. Carpeting shall be securely fastened to the floor. 9. Toilets, wash basins, kitchen sinks, and other plumbing shall be maintained in good operating and sanitary condition.

N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.3(j) — Based on complaint #24768, ensure that all staff under 18 years of age are directly supervised by a cleared staff member who is 18 years of age or older. On the day of the inspections all the staff in each classroom were under the

Based on complaint #24768, ensure that all staff under 18 years of age are directly supervised by a cleared staff member who is 18 years of age or older. On the day of the inspections all the staff in each classroom were under the age of 18 years old not being supervised by a staff 18 years or older. Regulation: Staff members who are under 18 years of age shall be directly supervised by and visible to a staff member who is 18 years of age or older.

N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.3(a) — Ensure that children are directly supervised at all times in room 1. A named staff left to do a diaper change in the bathroom leaving children in the classroom unsupervised.

Ensure that children are directly supervised at all times in room 1. A named staff left to do a diaper change in the bathroom leaving children in the classroom unsupervised. Regulation: 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.

N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.3(a) — Based on complaint #24768, ensure that children are directly supervised at all times throughout the center. On the day of the inspection staff were observed more focused on their phones instead of actively supervising children.

Based on complaint #24768, ensure that children are directly supervised at all times throughout the center. On the day of the inspection staff were observed more focused on their phones instead of actively supervising children. Regulation: 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.

N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.3(c) — Ensure that adequate staff/child ratios are maintained at all times in room 2. Staff was unaware of how many children were present.

Ensure that adequate staff/child ratios are maintained at all times in room 2. Staff was unaware of how many children were present. Regulation: (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.

N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.8(a) — Ensure that all staff complete orientation training within two weeks of hire and annually.

Ensure that all staff complete orientation training within two weeks of hire and annually. 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.

N.J.A.C. 3A:52-6.1(a) — Ensure that children's activities are age appropriate staff-directed and child-selected activities in room 2 and 3. Staff were observed sitting with feet on top of the table not interacting with other children.

Ensure that children's activities are age appropriate staff-directed and child-selected activities in room 2 and 3. Staff were observed sitting with feet on top of the table not interacting with other children. Regulation: (a) The center shall develop and provide a variety of children's planned activities, geared to the ages and developmental levels of the children served, that: 1. Promote the development of language, thinking and problem-solving skills, curiosity, exploration, large and small muscles, coordination and movement skills, social competence, self-esteem, and positive self-identity; and 2. Are relevant to the cultural background of the children and foster intercultural awareness. (b) 1. Time frames for each activity are geared to the age and developmental level of each child served and are flexible enough to accommodate spontaneous occurrences or children's suggestions and inquiries; 2. Children have opportunities to choose materials freely and materials are accessible at all times except during lunch and nap time; 3. Children are presented with and encouraged to participate in a mixture of active and quiet experiences; 4. Both staff-directed and child-selected activities are provided; 5. Children are: i. Encouraged, but not required, to participate in every group activity; and ii. Provided with the time and space within the area to be apart from the group and to participate in an alternate activity if they choose to do so;

N.J.A.C. 3A:52-6.1(e) — Ensure that pacifiers, bottles, or sippy cups are removed when children are crawling or walking in room 1.

Ensure that pacifiers, bottles, or sippy cups are removed when children are crawling or walking in room 1. Regulation: The center shall ensure that pacifiers are removed when the children are crawling or walking. 6.3 (a)12. The center shall ensure that these safety and sanitation practices are followed: i. Older infants shall not carry bottles, sippy cups, or regular cups with them while crawling or walking;

N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3(b)(7) — Remove seesaws from the outdoor playground.

Remove seesaws from the outdoor playground. Regulation: Outdoor maintenance and sanitation requirements are as follows: the center shall comply with the Playground Safety Subcode of the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code, as specified in N.J.A.C. 5:23-11.

N.J.A.C. 3A:52-7.10(a) — Ensure that the center notifies the local health department of any reportable diseases occurring at the center by the next working day. OOL was informed by the local health nurse that the center had an outbreak of Gastroenteritis

Ensure that the center notifies the local health department of any reportable diseases occurring at the center by the next working day. OOL was informed by the local health nurse that the center had an outbreak of Gastroenteritis. The local health nurse was informed due to a complaint made to her office. The center failed to report to the local office and the Office of Licensing. The outbreak started during the holidays and was not known until 1/2/25. Regulation: The director, sponsor, or sponsor representative, upon learning that an enrolled child or staff member at the center has been diagnosed as having contracted or is suspected of having a reportable disease, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-7.1(d), shall report this knowledge by the next working day to the local health department.

N.J.A.C. 3A:52-7.3(a)(2)(i) — Ensure that all children submit a Universal Health Record upon admission to the center unless a 30 day grace period is permitted as indicated in the manual.

Ensure that all children submit a Universal Health Record upon admission to the center unless a 30 day grace period is permitted as indicated in the manual. Regulation: 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) for children coming from other states or countries in accordance with N.J.A.C. 8:57-4.6 and 4.7.

N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.6(a) — Complete and maintain on file a Staff Records Checklist designated by OOL.

Complete and maintain on file a Staff Records Checklist designated by OOL. Regulation: The center shall maintain on file a Staff Records Checklist designated by the Office of Licensing, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.1(b), indicating that the center has obtained documentation of the applicable staff education and experience, as specified in 3A:52-4.6(b) through (d).

N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.8(c) — Ensure that all staff complete 12 hours of staff development annually.

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

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

Ensure that CARI background checks are completed as required for the sponsor/sponsor representative and all regularly scheduled staff. Renewal Cari Forms needed. 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 conset to a CARI background check, the sponsor or sponsor representative shall immediation terminate the staff member's employment at the center.

N.J.A.C. 3A:52-6.8(a)(1) — Complete and maintain on file a Children's Records Checklist designated by OOL.

Complete and maintain on file a Children's Records Checklist designated by OOL. Regulation: The center shall complete and maintain on file for each enrolled child a Children’s Records Checklist, signed by the director, sponsor, or sponsor representative and designated by the Office of Licensing, indicating that the center has obtained documentation of the child's name, address, birth date, and date of enrollment; the name(s), home and work address(es), home and work telephone number(s) and signature(s) of the parent(s); the name(s), address(es), and telephone number(s) of any person(s) authorized by the parent(s) to visit the child at the center and/or take the child from the center, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-6.5(a)1; and the name, address, and telephone number of the child's health care provider; signed authorization from the parent(s) for emergency medical treatment; the parent’s signature attesting to the receipt of the Information to Parents document, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-3.6(b); the parent’s signature attesting to the receipt of the Information to Parents document, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-3.6(b).; health information for each child, as follows: for early childhood programs, a record of the child’s health examination and immunizations, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-7.3(a); and for school-age child care programs, a record of the parent’s statement concerning the child’s health, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-7.3(b).

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

Ensure that all credentialed staff complete 20 hours of staff development annually. Regulation: In lieu of the child care staff development specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.8(b), 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.

N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3(i)(5)(i) — 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.

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. 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.