The information provided on this page is a basic outline of New Jersey Child Care requirements that pertain to the design and construction of Child Care Facilities in the State of New Jersey. This information is a brief synopsis and does not include all of the detailed requirements needed to satisfy the governing authorities for Child Care Licensing, Building Code, Fire Code, Accessibility, or local Zoning. These guidelines are for general information and planning purposes. Contact the governing authority directly or engage a Licensed Architect to complete a full analysis of your school location.
NEW JERSEY Child Care Licensing Requirements
Child Care license obtained from:
New Jersey Department of Human Services
P.O. Box 707, Trenton, NJ 08625-0707
https://www.nj.gov/dcf/providers/licensing/laws/CCCmanual.pdf
North: (609) 987-2022 South: (609) 987-2016
License renewal: A 6 months temporary license issued first, Regular license renewal required once every 3 years.
Indoor Space Requirements: 30 sf per child
|
|
<18 Mos. |
18 Mos.-2 1/2 Years |
2 1/2- 4 Years |
4Years |
5 +Years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Required Teacher: Child Ratio |
1:4 |
1:6 |
1:10 |
1:12 |
1:15
|
|
|
Required Max. Group Size |
None |
None |
None |
None |
None | |
|
Recommended Classroom Capacity |
8 |
12 |
20 |
24 |
30 | |
|
Recommended Staff per Classroom |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
|
Recommended Min. Classroom Area |
240 sf. |
360 sf. |
600 sf. |
720 sf. |
900 sf. | |
Outdoor Space Requirements: 35 sf per child
- The outdoor area for new and relocating centers licensed on or after September 1, 2013, must be in close proximity and safe walking route of the child care and available for use by the children.
- Outdoor space requires 350 square feet per child.
- Outdoor areas located near to hazardous areas (determined by the Office of Licensing) must have fences or have some type of barrier surrounding the areas.
- The child care is not required to meet outdoor area requirements if the child care can establish that there is a designated indoor play area that provides 35 sf per child.
Building Code Requirements
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
CHILD FIXTURES |
ADULT FIXTURES |
DRINKING FOUNTAINS |
MOP SINK |
BATH TUB/ SHOWER |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
1: 15 |
1:50 |
1:100 |
1 |
1 |
Fire Code Requirements
|
110 |
Each child care must have a supply of hot tap water not exceeding 110 degrees Fahrenheit and cold running water. |
13 |
A “child” means anyone under 13 years old. |
24 |
Child care’s operating during the normal waking hours can not care for the child on a regular basis for more than 12 hours or 24 hours. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Did you know . . .
 |
When one or more children are being transported, there must be one adult in addition to the driver who remains in the vehicle when it is in motion. |  |
Children must be accepted and discharged from the curbside of the vehicle. |  |
There must be an additional minimum of 50 square of net indoor floor space for each child or individual to help prevent contact with children that might seem ill. |
|---|
Research completed by Calbert Design Group, LLC. Updated 2019