New Jersey Daycare Self-Inspection Checklist (Printable)

Recent and pending changes (2023–2026)

Center rules readopted until 2030 N.J.A.C. 3A:52 (56 N.J.R. 139) Centers DCF readopted the Manual of Requirements for Child Care Centers effective December 20, 2023, with a new expiration date of December 20, 2030.
Family child care registration rules readopted until 2031 N.J.A.C. 3A:54 (56 N.J.R. 259) Family child care DCF readopted the Manual of Requirements for Family Child Care Registration effective January 19, 2024, with a new expiration date of January 19, 2031.
Building a new center: confirm with OOL whether 35 or 42 sq ft per child applies N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3 (proposed, 57 N.J.R. 1407) Centers

Who needs a license, and who registers

License posted where parents can see it; capacity and ages match the license N.J.A.C. 3A:52-1.2; 3A:52-2.1(a) Centers
Programs exempt from licensing N.J.A.C. 3A:52-1.3 Centers Exempt: programs run by a public school board; kindergartens, pre-K and child care that are an integral part of a private K-6 school; religious instruction (for children under 6, no more than two hours a day) and care…
Renewal application in at least 45 days before the license expires N.J.A.C. 3A:52-2.1(b)-(c); 3A:52-2.2 Centers
Building approvals before licensing N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.2 Centers A center needs a municipal Certificate of Occupancy in use group I-4 (any child under 2½), E (2½ and older) or A-3 (school-age only), a fire safety inspection certificate from within the last 12 months, a posted Life…
No more than 5 children at one time (up to 8 only with your own children under 6) N.J.A.C. 3A:54-1.2; 3A:54-5.1; 3A:54-6.1 Family child care
Certificate of Registration posted while children are in care N.J.A.C. 3A:54-4.1; 3A:54-4.2; 3A:54-5.2 to 5.7 Family child care
Certificate of Life/Safety Approval N.J.A.C. 3A:52-1.1(c); 3A:52-2.8 Centers Seasonal or short-term programs running eight weeks or less, and church aid-society centers that were operating by May 16, 1984, get a Certificate of Life/Safety Approval instead of a license ($110).

Staff-to-child ratios

Under 18 mo 1:4 · 18 mo-2½ 1:6 · 2½-4 1:10 · 4 yrs 1:12 · 5+ 1:15 N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.3(c) Centers
How to count staff, including mixed ages N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.3(g)-(i) Centers Apply the ratio to the children in attendance in each room, or each divided area of a large room, and add the rooms up.
Ratios at nap time N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.3(d) Centers During rest or sleep: under 18 months 1:10, 18 months to under 2½ 1:12, 2½ and older 1:20, but only if a staff member is in the nap room and can call for help without leaving, enough staff are in the building to meet…
Centers serving many children with special needs N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.3(e) Centers Where 50 percent or more of the children have special needs from a cognitive, socio-emotional or physical disability: under 2½ 1:3, 2½ and older who can't walk 1:3, 2½ and older who can walk 1:5.
Two staff (one 18+) whenever 6 or more children under 6 are present N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.3(b), (j)-(l) Centers
Alone: max 3 under age 1, or 4 under age 2 (max 2 under 1) N.J.A.C. 3A:54-6.2 Family child care

Group size

Infants and toddlers: primary caregiver groups N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.4(a) Centers Each infant (under 18 months) and toddler (18 months to 2½) group has an assigned primary caregiver: four infants or six toddlers per caregiver, who handles feeding, diapering, toilet training and telling parents about…
Groups: no more than 20 children 2½+ (30 school-age) N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.4(b)-(c) Centers

Staff qualifications

Required positions and time on site N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.2; 3A:52-4.5(c), (e) Centers Every center has a sponsor (or sponsor representative), a director and qualified teaching staff set by capacity: for example, one head teacher at 31-60 children and one head teacher plus one group teacher at 61-120; a…
Director N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.6(b) Centers For early childhood programs licensed for more than 30 children: a master's degree in a field related to children or business, or a bachelor's degree plus one year of managerial or supervisory experience.
Head teacher and group teacher N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.6(c) Centers Head teacher: one of seven options, such as a bachelor's degree in education or a child-related field (or a P-3 or elementary teaching certificate) plus six early childhood credits and two years of experience, a master…
School-age program supervisor N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.6(d) Centers · School-age programs Requirements scale with capacity, from a high school diploma or GED plus 6 hours of child care training and two years of school-age experience (6-15 children) to a degree or certification plus program management…
Family home provider and helpers N.J.A.C. 3A:54-1.2; 3A:54-5.1; 3A:54-6.19(d)-(g) Family child care The provider is at least 18, lives in the home and must be scheduled to care for the children at least 75 percent of operating hours (50 percent when sharing with an alternate provider).

Background checks

CARI consent sent within 2 weeks of every hire; new hire never alone until cleared N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.10 Centers
Fingerprinting done within 2 weeks for every staff member 18+ N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.11 Centers
Disclosures and references N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.1(b); 3A:52-3.2(a)6 Centers Before hiring, the center completes DCF's Staff Records Checklist for each person: contact details, education and experience, a disclosure of any convictions, CARI and CHRI results, TB test and physical, signed receipt…
CARI consent for everyone 14+ living or working in the home N.J.A.C. 3A:54-5.2(a)10; 3A:54-5.3 Family child care
Comprehensive checks for subsidy providers Child Care Subsidy Program (N.J. Department of Human Services) Centers · Family child care The Department of Health's NJCCIS page states that providers receiving Child Care Subsidy Program funding must complete five checks on all current and prospective staff: an FBI fingerprint check, the National Sex…

Training

Orientation signed off for every hire; annual retraining signed N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.7; 3A:52-4.8(a) Centers
12 hours per year for all staff; 20 for director and teachers N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.8(b)-(g) Centers
Infant and toddler training N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.5(e)8 Centers Everyone who works with children under 2½ needs training specific to that age group, such as the NJ Infant/Toddler Credential or an Infant-Toddler CDA, started within 90 days of hire and completed within one year.
Two first aid/CPR-certified staff in the building at all times N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3(o) Centers
CPR and first aid current; 20 in-service hours per 3-year registration N.J.A.C. 3A:54-4.1(c)8; 3A:54-4.2; 3A:54-5.7(e) Family child care

Supervision, illness, injuries and reporting

Tracking every child N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.3(a) Centers The center develops and uses an Office of Licensing-approved method to keep track of where every child is at all times, including handoffs to and from parents at arrival and departure and trips to playgrounds and field…
Sending sick children home N.J.A.C. 3A:52-7.1; 3A:52-7.9 Centers A center for well children does not admit, and separates until pickup, a child with severe pain, acute diarrhea, two or more vomiting episodes in 24 hours, a temperature of 101.5°F oral or 100.5°F axillary with behavior…
Head bumps and broken-skin bites: call the parent right away N.J.A.C. 3A:52-7.6 Centers
ER, urgent care or 911 for a child: call OOL by next working day N.J.A.C. 3A:52-7.10; 3A:52-3.2(a) Centers
Reporting suspected abuse N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.9; 3A:54-5.10(a) Centers · Family child care Anyone at a center or home who has reasonable cause to believe a child has been abused or neglected calls the State Central Registry at 1-877-NJ ABUSE (1-877-652-2873) immediately.
Family homes: injuries and reporting N.J.A.C. 3A:54-6.10; 3A:54-5.10(b) Family child care Notify parents immediately if an injury needs professional medical attention, otherwise by the end of the day.

Building, furniture and hazards

TVs, computers and shelving secured; chemicals locked; blind cords out of reach N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3(a) Centers
Lighting, heat, outlets and hot water N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3(c)-(e); 3A:52-5.4(a) Centers At least 20 foot-candles of light in children's rooms, a minimum of 68°F, guarded radiators and fans, and no space heaters.
Indoor space N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3(q) Centers At least 35 square feet of usable activity space per child for centers that began operating on or after July 1, 1989 and serve 16 or more children, or 30 square feet for older or smaller centers, not counting hallways,…
Radon, lead, water and site history N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3(a)19-20, (h)-(j) Centers Test for radon on the lowest floor every five years and post the results.
Playgrounds, outdoor space and pools N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3(b), (k), (p); 3A:52-5.4(a)7 Centers Playgrounds, including community playgrounds the center uses, must meet the Playground Safety Subcode (N.J.A.C. 5:23-11).
Chests, bookshelves and TVs secured against tipping; weapons locked N.J.A.C. 3A:54-6.3(a)7; 3A:54-6.5 Family child care
Family homes: outdoor play and water N.J.A.C. 3A:54-6.6 Family child care Have a safe outdoor play area at or within walking distance of the home.

Emergency preparedness and drills

Two lockdown drills a year, recorded N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3(l) Centers
Monthly fire drill, one at nap time; out in 3 minutes N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3(m)-(n) Centers
Monthly evacuation drills; 2 shelter-in-place and 2 lockdown drills a year N.J.A.C. 3A:54-6.4 Family child care

Medication

Written parent permission and a dose log for every medication N.J.A.C. 3A:52-7.5 Centers
Family homes N.J.A.C. 3A:54-4.8(c)2; 3A:54-6.9 Family child care Providers tell parents and the sponsoring organization whether they give medication and follow the sponsoring organization's procedures if they do.

Health records and immunizations

CH-14 health record and immunizations on file, updated yearly N.J.A.C. 3A:52-7.3 Centers
Staff TB test and physical N.J.A.C. 3A:52-7.4 Centers Staff with child contact for at least 20 percent of weekly hours take a Mantoux TB skin test before or on starting (chest x-ray if previously positive) and give a health care provider's statement of good health based on…
Family homes N.J.A.C. 3A:54-6.8 Family child care Each child has a health exam within six months before or one month after admission (2½ and younger), or within a year before or one month after (older), then once a year, with an up-to-date immunization record that…

Food and nutrition

No sugary drinks; water available all day N.J.A.C. 3A:52-6.3(a) Centers
Infant feeding N.J.A.C. 3A:52-6.3(b)3 Centers Each infant has a written feeding plan made with the parent.
Meal times N.J.A.C. 3A:52-6.3(b)4 Centers Serve lunch to children present from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. who are in care at least five hours and haven't eaten, and dinner to those present from 5 to 7 p.m. who stay past 7.
Family homes N.J.A.C. 3A:54-6.14; 3A:54-6.15 Family child care Serve breakfast to children present 7-10 a.m. who haven't eaten, lunch 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and dinner 5-7 p.m. for children in care five hours or more, and a snack after three hours or after school.

Rest and safe sleep

Infants on their backs; no swaddling; nothing soft in the crib N.J.A.C. 3A:52-6.4(a) Centers · Family child care
Cribs and bedding N.J.A.C. 3A:52-6.4(b), (h)-(i) Centers · Family child care Each child 12 months and younger has a crib meeting the federal standards (16 CFR 1219 and 1220), a playpen or approved equipment with a firm, tight-fitting mattress and sheet, and no pillows, bumper pads or soft…
Family homes and overnight care N.J.A.C. 3A:54-6.13; 3A:54-6.22 Family child care Registered homes must meet the center rule's rest and sleep requirements, including the crib standards.

Discipline

Discipline policy posted and signed by every staff member N.J.A.C. 3A:52-6.6; 3A:52-6.7 Centers
Family homes N.J.A.C. 3A:54-6.20 Family child care Positive methods agreed with parents. Prohibited: humiliating or frightening treatment, loud or abusive language, remarks about the child's family, spanking or any physical pain, denying food, sleep or the toilet, force…

Records, parent information and policies

Children's Records Checklist complete for every child N.J.A.C. 3A:52-6.8(a); 3A:52-3.3 Centers
Information to Parents document N.J.A.C. 3A:52-3.6 Centers Give every parent and staff member DCF's Information to Parents document and keep their signed receipts.
Parent involvement and required policies N.J.A.C. 3A:52-6.8(h)-(m) Centers Early childhood centers offer an enrollment conference, parent-staff conferences twice a year, and either a board, advisory committee, annual meeting or open house.
Family homes N.J.A.C. 3A:54-5.11; 3A:54-6.21 Family child care Keep a record for each child with parent and emergency contacts, health care provider, allergies, emergency medical consent, enrollment dates, health and immunization records, consents for transportation, water play and…

Attendance, sign-in/out and release of children

Arrival and departure times recorded for every child, every day N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.5(b)2 Centers
Children released only to authorized adults; court orders on file N.J.A.C. 3A:52-6.5 Centers
Family homes N.J.A.C. 3A:54-5.11(f); 3A:54-6.19(j)-(l) Family child care Keep daily attendance records with the hours each child attends, including arrival and departure times.

Transportation and field trips

Vehicles and drivers N.J.A.C. 3A:52-9.3; 3A:52-9.4 Centers Centers transport children in a Type I or Type II school bus or Type S school vehicle with MVC school plates and inspections, driven by someone with a Class B or C CDL with passenger endorsement.
Walk the vehicle after every run: no child left behind N.J.A.C. 3A:52-9.5; 3A:52-9.8 Centers
Parent permission and records N.J.A.C. 3A:52-6.8(d)-(f); 3A:52-9.7 Centers Get written parent authorization before transporting a child, and tell parents ahead of any trip how children will travel and who will drive, with signed permission for each trip, a signed posted notice or a signed…
Family homes N.J.A.C. 3A:54-6.7 Family child care When driving children, follow the car seat and seat belt laws and have a valid license, inspection and insurance.

Inspections, complaints and enforcement

Unannounced inspections and complaint investigations N.J.A.C. 3A:52-1.1(b); 3A:52-2.6 Centers OOL may inspect the whole facility and all records without prior notice or an escort during operating hours, and may ask fire, health and building officials to inspect.
Public records N.J.A.C. 3A:52-2.7; 3A:52-3.6(a)6 Centers OOL's licensing files are public records under the Open Public Records Act, except restricted information.
Denial, suspension, revocation and non-renewal N.J.A.C. 3A:52-2.4 Centers OOL may deny, suspend, revoke or refuse to renew a license for good cause, including rule violations, fraud, refusing an inspection or records, conduct that endangers children, missing background checks, refusing to…
Family homes: monitoring and complaints N.J.A.C. 3A:54-1.1; 3A:54-4.6; 3A:54-4.7 Family child care The sponsoring organization visits each registered home at least once every two years, monitors at least 20 percent of its homes at random each year, inspects before each renewal, and investigates complaints (other than…

Contesting an action and appeals

Adverse notice: request a hearing before the action takes effect N.J.A.C. 3A:52-2.5 Centers
Appeals for registered family homes N.J.A.C. 3A:54-5.8 Family child care Notice of a denial, suspension, revocation or non-renewal comes by hand or certified mail.

New Jersey daycare self-inspection checklist

Recent and pending changes (2023–2026)

Who needs a license, and who registers

Staff-to-child ratios

Group size

Staff qualifications

Background checks

Training

Supervision, illness, injuries and reporting

Building, furniture and hazards

Emergency preparedness and drills

Medication

Health records and immunizations

Food and nutrition

Rest and safe sleep

Discipline

Records, parent information and policies

Attendance, sign-in/out and release of children

Transportation and field trips

Inspections, complaints and enforcement

Contesting an action and appeals

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