DCF Manual of Requirements for Child Care Centers (N.J.A.C. 3A:52) Compliant

New Jersey ChildcareLicensing Requirements

Stay compliant with New Jersey DCF Manual of Requirements for Child Care Centers (N.J.A.C. 3A:52) regulations. Bloomily helps New Jersey childcare centers manage staff ratios, certifications, and emergency drills — all in one platform.

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Staff-to-Child Ratios

Required ratios for New Jersey licensed childcare facilities

Age GroupStaff : ChildrenMax Group Size
Infants (0-12 months)
Infants birth to 18 months
1:48 children
toddler
Toddlers 18-30 months
1:612 children
twos
2.5-3 year olds
1:816 children
threes
3-year-olds
1:1020 children
fours
4-year-olds
1:1224 children
fives
5-year-olds
1:1530 children
School Age (5+ years)
School-age 6+ years
1:1530 children

Bloomily automatically monitors staff-to-child ratios in real-time and alerts you when you're approaching limits.

Required Certifications

Certifications required for New Jersey childcare staff

AED Training (New Jersey)

Automated External Defibrillator training required

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Annual Training (20 hours)

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

Renew annuallyDocument required

Background Check (New Jersey)

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

Renew every 5 yearsDocument required

Child Abuse Record Check (CARI)

New Jersey Child Abuse Record Information check required for all staff

Renew every 5 yearsDocument required

Director Credential (New Jersey)

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

Document required

First Aid (New Jersey)

First aid certification required for all staff

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Mandated Reporter Training

California mandated reporter training for child abuse

Document required

Orientation Training (New Jersey)

New Jersey orientation training within first two weeks of employment

Document required

Pediatric CPR (New Jersey)

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

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Staff Health Assessment (New Jersey)

Health assessment including TB test required within past year

Renew annuallyDocument required

Bloomily tracks certification expiration dates and sends automated renewal reminders before they lapse.

Emergency Drill Requirements

Required safety drills for New Jersey childcare facilities

Required Drills

Fire Drill

Monthly

Monthly fire drills required, documented with date, time, and number of children

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3

Lockdown/Security

Monthly

Lockdown/security drills monthly

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3

Evacuation

Twice per year

Full evacuation to alternate location twice per year

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3

Severe Weather

Monthly

Severe weather drills monthly during severe weather season

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3

Bloomily automatically schedules drills and tracks completion to ensure you never miss a requirement.

Pre-Inspection Checklist

50 items based on New Jersey DCF Manual of Requirements for Child Care Centers (N.J.A.C. 3A:52) requirements

Licensing(5)Physical Environment(10)Health Practices(7)Safety Practices(10)Staff Requirements(10)Child Records(6)Supervision(2)

License displayed in prominent location

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-3.1

Licensing

Capacity not exceeded

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-3.1

Licensing

Operating within licensed hours

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-3.1

Licensing

Written operational policies available

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-3.1

Licensing

Parent handbook current and distributed

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-3.1

Licensing

Indoor space meets minimum (35 sq ft per child)

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.2

Physical Environment

Outdoor play area adequate (75 sq ft per child)

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.4

Physical Environment

Temperature maintained (68-78°F)

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.2

Physical Environment

Adequate lighting in all areas

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.2

Physical Environment

Toilets clean and child-accessible

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.2

Physical Environment

Handwashing facilities available

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.2

Physical Environment

Drinking water readily accessible

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.2

Physical Environment

Sleeping/napping equipment appropriate

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.2

Physical Environment

Outdoor equipment safe and maintained

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.4

Physical Environment

Fall zones with resilient surfacing

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.4

Physical Environment

Daily health observation performed

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-7.1

Health Practices

Handwashing procedures followed

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-7.1

Health Practices

Diapering area sanitized properly

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-7.1

Health Practices

Medications stored locked and inaccessible

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-7.5

Health Practices

First aid supplies stocked and accessible

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-7.1

Health Practices

Illness exclusion policy enforced

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-7.2

Health Practices

Safe sleep practices followed (infants)

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-7.1

Health Practices

Fire extinguishers inspected annually

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3

Safety Practices

Smoke detectors working

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3

Safety Practices

Emergency exits marked and unobstructed

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3

Safety Practices

Fire drills conducted monthly

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3

Safety Practices

Severe weather drills monthly (Apr-Oct)

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3

Safety Practices

Lockdown drills monthly

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3

Safety Practices

Evacuation drill semi-annually

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3

Safety Practices

Drill records documented properly

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3

Safety Practices

Emergency plan posted

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3

Safety Practices

Hazardous materials stored safely

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.2

Safety Practices

CHRI background check current for all staff

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.10

Staff Requirements

CARI child abuse check completed

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.10

Staff Requirements

Director meets qualification requirements

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.7

Staff Requirements

CPR certification current

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.6

Staff Requirements

First Aid certification current

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.6

Staff Requirements

Staff-to-child ratios maintained

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.5

Staff Requirements

Annual training completed (20 hours)

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.6

Staff Requirements

Orientation within first two weeks

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.6

Staff Requirements

Health assessment with TB test on file

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.10

Staff Requirements

AED training current

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.6

Staff Requirements

Enrollment forms complete

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.3

Child Records

Emergency contact information current

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.3

Child Records

Immunization records on file (NJIIS)

Ref: N.J.A.C. 8:57-4

Child Records

UCHR health record within 30 days

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.3

Child Records

Pickup authorization documented

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.3

Child Records

Allergy/special needs documented (IHCP)

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.3

Child Records

Children supervised at all times

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.5

Supervision

Sign-in/out procedures followed

Ref: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.3

Supervision

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Bloomily keeps your checklist updated, tracks staff certifications, and alerts you before items expire.

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Nearby State Requirements

DelawareNew YorkPennsylvania

Requirements vary by state. Click to view specific licensing requirements.

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Real-time staff-to-child ratio monitoring
Automated certification expiration alerts
Pre-inspection checklist management
Emergency drill scheduling and tracking
Digital parent communication
Mobile check-in/check-out kiosks
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