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 Group	Staff : Children	Max Group Size	Regulation
Infants (0-12 months) Under 18 months	1:4	—	N.J. Admin. Code § 3A:52-4.3(c) (Manual of Requirements for Child Care Centers)
Young Toddlers (12-24 months) 18 months up to 2½ years	1:6	—	N.J. Admin. Code § 3A:52-4.3(c) (Manual of Requirements for Child Care Centers)
Older Toddlers (24-36 months) 2½ years up to 4 years	1:10	—	N.J. Admin. Code § 3A:52-4.3(c) (Manual of Requirements for Child Care Centers)
preschool_4 4 years (48–59 months)	1:12	—	N.J. Admin. Code § 3A:52-4.3(c) (Manual of Requirements for Child Care Centers)
School Age (5+ years) 5 years and older; upper bound 156 months (13y) per convention	1:15	—	N.J. Admin. Code § 3A:52-4.3(c) (Manual of Requirements for Child Care Centers)

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

At least once a month per NJUFC; one drill per year during nap time; all children must evacuate within 3 minutes; conducted each shift if multiple sessions

Ref: N.J. Admin. Code § 3A:52-5.3 (Physical plant requirements for all centers)

Lockdown/Security

Twice per year

Two lockdown drills per year; conducted during each session if multiple shifts; records must be maintained

Ref: N.J. Admin. Code § 3A:52-5.3 (Physical plant requirements for all centers)

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

New Jersey Pre-Inspection Checklist

Based on DCF Manual of Requirements for Child Care Centers (N.J.A.C. 3A:52) requirements • 50 items • Generated from bloomily.app

Center Name: _________________________________ Date: _____________

Licensing

License displayed in prominent location

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

Capacity not exceeded

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

Operating within licensed hours

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

Written operational policies available

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

Parent handbook current and distributed

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

Physical Environment

Indoor space meets minimum (35 sq ft per child)

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

Outdoor play area adequate (75 sq ft per child)

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

Temperature maintained (68-78°F)

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

Adequate lighting in all areas

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

Toilets clean and child-accessible

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

Handwashing facilities available

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

Drinking water readily accessible

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

Sleeping/napping equipment appropriate

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

Outdoor equipment safe and maintained

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

Fall zones with resilient surfacing

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

Health Practices

Daily health observation performed

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

Handwashing procedures followed

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

Diapering area sanitized properly

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

Medications stored locked and inaccessible

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

First aid supplies stocked and accessible

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

Illness exclusion policy enforced

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

Safe sleep practices followed (infants)

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

Safety Practices

Fire extinguishers inspected annually

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

Smoke detectors working

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

Emergency exits marked and unobstructed

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

Fire drills conducted monthly

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

Severe weather drills monthly (Apr-Oct)

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

Lockdown drills monthly

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

Evacuation drill semi-annually

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

Drill records documented properly

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

Emergency plan posted

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

Hazardous materials stored safely

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

Staff Requirements

CHRI background check current for all staff

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

CARI child abuse check completed

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

Director meets qualification requirements

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

CPR certification current

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

First Aid certification current

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

Staff-to-child ratios maintained

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

Annual training completed (20 hours)

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

Orientation within first two weeks

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

Health assessment with TB test on file

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

AED training current

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

Child Records

Enrollment forms complete

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

Emergency contact information current

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

Immunization records on file (NJIIS)

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

UCHR health record within 30 days

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

Pickup authorization documented

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

Allergy/special needs documented (IHCP)

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

Supervision

Children supervised at all times

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

Sign-in/out procedures followed

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

This checklist is provided for reference only. Always verify requirements with your state licensing agency.

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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Nearby State Requirements

Delaware New York Pennsylvania

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

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