New Jersey childcare licensing requirements.

Ratios, group sizes, certifications, and drills for New Jersey. Per DCF Manual of Requirements for Child Care Centers (N.J.A.C. 3A:52). Bloomily tracks every one of them live, so the paperwork is ready before anyone asks.

Staff-to-child ratios in New Jersey

Age groupRatioMax group size
Infants (0-12 months)1:4Not listed
Young Toddlers (12-24 months)1:6Not listed
Older Toddlers (24-36 months)1:10Not listed
preschool_41:12Not listed
School Age (5+ years)1:15Not listed

Per DCF Manual of Requirements for Child Care Centers (N.J.A.C. 3A:52). Ratios in Bloomily are computed live from real check-ins against these limits.

Required certifications

AED Training (New Jersey)

Automated External Defibrillator training required

Renews every 24 months

Annual Training (20 hours)

New Jersey required 20 clock hours annual professional development per N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.6

Renews every 12 months

Background Check (New Jersey)

CARI (Criminal History Record Information) check and fingerprinting per N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.10

Renews every 60 months

Child Abuse Record Check (CARI)

New Jersey Child Abuse Record Information check required for all staff

Renews every 60 months

Director Credential (New Jersey)

New Jersey Child Care Administrator Credential or equivalent per N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.7

First Aid (New Jersey)

First aid certification required for all staff

Renews every 24 months

Mandated Reporter Training

California mandated reporter training for child abuse

Orientation Training (New Jersey)

New Jersey orientation training within first two weeks of employment

Pediatric CPR (New Jersey)

Infant and child CPR certification required per N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.6

Renews every 24 months

Staff Health Assessment (New Jersey)

Health assessment including TB test required within past year

Renews every 12 months

Drill requirements

DrillFrequencyRequired
firemonthlyYes
lockdownsemi_annuallyYes

New Jersey DCF Pre-Inspection Checklist

  • License displayed in prominent location
  • Capacity not exceeded
  • Operating within licensed hours
  • Written operational policies available
  • Parent handbook current and distributed
  • Indoor space meets minimum (35 sq ft per child)
  • Outdoor play area adequate (75 sq ft per child)
  • Temperature maintained (68-78°F)
  • Adequate lighting in all areas
  • Toilets clean and child-accessible
  • Handwashing facilities available
  • Drinking water readily accessible

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