The Academy for Children
MOUNTAIN LAKES, NJ·Licensed Child Care CenterLicensed
Contact information
Address215 Boulevard, Mountain Lakes, NJ, 07046
CountyMorris
Phone973-263-1818
Operating details
Capacity46
Compliance snapshot
Last inspection: 7/10/2026 · Counts cover the full published inspection history; search results show the past 2 years.
- High12
- Medium-High7
- Medium3
- Medium-Low3
- Low0
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Location
Using Address for Location
Exact coordinates aren't available, but you can view this location at:
215 Boulevard, Mountain Lakes, NJ, 07046, MOUNTAIN LAKES, NJ 07046
Questions to ask on a tour
Chosen for this facility's inspection history and profile — bring them along on your visit.
- This facility has staffing or training findings on its state record - ask about background checks, required training completion, and staff turnover
- Ask how they keep enrollment, immunization, and emergency-contact records current - their state findings include documentation lapses
- Ask about teacher-to-child ratios and how supervision is maintained through the day
- Ask about their illness policy and which symptoms require a child to stay home
Violation summary
Last 2 years · Last inspection: 7/10/2026
- High5
- Medium-High2
- Medium2
- Medium-Low1
- Low0
2026
- Medium-Low risk7/10/2026
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. 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).
Not corrected - High risk7/10/2026
N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.8(d) — 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: 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.
Not corrected - High risk7/10/2026
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 that all exits and egress areas are unobstructed and that the emergency exit doors are easily opera
Arrange cribs, cots, and sleeping equipment to provide access to an unobstructed 3-foot wide aisle that leads to an exit. Ensure that all exits and egress areas are unobstructed and that the emergency exit doors are easily operable 7/10/26-At the time of the inspection, toys and classroom items were blocking the exit door in Room C. 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.
Corrected 7/10/2026 - Medium risk7/10/2026
N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3(c)(1) — Provide adequate lighting as required. Ensure all fluorescent tubes and incandescent light bulbs have protective covers or shields. Replace missing light covers in boy's bathroom on 2nd floor. Provide proof that the center light
Provide adequate lighting as required. Ensure all fluorescent tubes and incandescent light bulbs have protective covers or shields. Replace missing light covers in boy's bathroom on 2nd floor. Provide proof that the center light fixture's bulb is shatterproof. Regulation: Lighting requirements are as follows: all fluorescent tubes and incandescent light bulbs shall have protective covers or shields. During program activities, at least 20 foot-candles of natural or artificial light shall be provided in all rooms used by the children. This illumination shall be measured three feet above the floor at the farthest point from the light source. Parking areas, pedestrian walkways, or other exterior portions of the premises subject to use by center occupants at night shall be illuminated to provide safe entrance to and egress from the center.
Not corrected
2025
- High risk7/11/2025
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. The center has 3 pending 2025 Renewal CARI's pending.
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. The center has 3 pending 2025 Renewal CARI's pending. 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 7/16/2025 - Medium-High risk7/11/2025
N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3(i)(8) — Submit a Safe Building Interior Certification or other approval issued by the DOH. DOH certificate expired 5/27/25.
Submit a Safe Building Interior Certification or other approval issued by the DOH. DOH certificate expired 5/27/25. Regulation: at the time of the initial application, any renewal application, relocation of an existing licensed center, and, as determined by the Office of Licensing, on a case-by-case basis, the facility operator shall submit to the Office of Licensing a Safe Building Interior Certification or other approval issued by the Department of Health that indicates that no further remediation is needed for the interior of the building in which the center is located. the Office of Licensing shall not issue licenses or renewals to child care centers that are co-located in a building or other structure that contains a dry cleaner or nail salon unless the applicant obtains indoor air sampling that demonstrates that there is no impact to the child care center.
Corrected 8/21/2025 - Medium-High risk7/11/2025
N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3(h)(2) — Submit a lead paint risk assessment as required. Ensure lead hazards indicated by a lead paint risk assessment are remediated by a certified lead abatement contractor in accordance with recommendations of the local department o
Submit a lead paint risk assessment as required. Ensure lead hazards indicated by a lead paint risk assessment are remediated by a certified lead abatement contractor in accordance with recommendations of the local department of health for enclosure, removal, or other appropriate action to abate lead hazards. Ensure parents are notified and results are submitted to the OOL. Lead test: 3/3/25. Regulation: Lead paint precautions are as follows: the center shall comply with the lead paint inspection requirements specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3(h)3, unless the center: is located in a building constructed after 1978; submits documentation to the Office of Licensing of a previous lead paint inspection conducted by a Lead Inspector/Risk Assessor, who is certified and employed as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3(h)3, indicating the center is free of lead-based paint hazards; or submits documentation to the Office of Licensing and the local department of health of; a lead paint inspection and risk assessment conducted by a Lead Inspector/Risk Assessor, who is certified and employed as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3(h)3, within the previous 12 months indicating the presence of lead; and a lead paint risk management plan currently in progress at the center.
Corrected 7/11/2025 - Medium risk7/11/2025
N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3(a)(19) — Test for the presence of radon gas as required. Radon test 8/3/21.
Test for the presence of radon gas as required. Radon test 8/3/21. Regulation: 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.
Corrected 7/11/2025 - High risk7/11/2025
N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3(i)(5)(ii) — Comply with the requirements of the manual if the center's water testing results reveal elevated levels of lead or copper. The center shall submit a current water report along with water assurance form and checklist.
Comply with the requirements of the manual if the center's water testing results reveal elevated levels of lead or copper. The center shall submit a current water report along with water assurance form and checklist. Regulation: 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.
Corrected 8/12/2025 - High risk7/11/2025
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. Submit a copy o
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. 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 8/12/2025
Showing the 25 most recent of 39 records on file; the full history loads with the interactive view.
Safety & Compliance Analysis
This daycare has multiple recorded violations. Review the details to make an informed decision.
(Past 6 Months)
Parent Recommendations
Based on the violation data, here are some recommendations:
- Review the detailed violations listed above.
- Ask the daycare about their response to these violations.
- Look at the correction status to see how quickly issues were addressed.
- Schedule a visit during regular hours to observe daily operations.
Note: This analysis is based on publicly available violation data and is intended as a tool to help parents make informed decisions. Always visit a daycare in person and ask specific questions about areas of concern.
Estimated monthly cost
$999/month
This is a modeled estimate — based on location, ages served, and program data — not the provider's actual tuition. Real prices vary by age group and services. Contact the daycare for current rates, fees, and availability.
Typical prices in New Jersey run about $1,247/month for infant care at a center (federal median) — see daycare costs in New Jersey by age group.
About this daycare
- Location: MOUNTAIN LAKES, Morris County
- Capacity: 46
- Type: Licensed Child Care Center
What parents actually pay
No parent-reported prices yet. If your child attends here, you can be the first to add one.
Parent Reviews
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