Summary information on some of the regulations
(The information below is provided as a convenience to
interested parties, it is highly recommended that the actual regulations be
viewed, as the information contained below is a non-expert summary. Links
to the current regulations are provided)
General Information
This document summarizes some of the elements in a Child Care environment
which have been identified as key to meeting a child's developmental needs. What
cannot be set out in regulations is the manner in which a caregiver interacts
with a child. This element must be observed and judged carefully by a
parent. To help parents carefully review child care options please review
our detailed child care
questionnaire.
NOTE: Unless specially stated, the regulations summarized here relate to
children under 6 (i.e. children in early education programs not school age
programs). New Jersey Child Care Regulations address both early education
and school age programs in the same regulation, often with slightly different
requirements..
Child
Care Staff Ratios and
Group SizeThe number of caregiving staff to the number of
children is critical to the quality of care and interaction your child will
receive. The overall size of the group also has a significant impact on
the quality of interaction. Larger groups generate more noise, tension and
related stresses. Child Care
Space RequirementsThe amount of physical space for each child
to play impacts a child's ability to have sufficient room to explore and to play
without feeling over crowded. There needs to be adequate space indoors and
out. Child
Care Staff Education RequirementsNumerous studies have shown
that better trained staff provide higher quality care.
If the group is of mixed ages, the ratio for each age group is computed
seperately to the nearest tenth decimal and the resulting cumulative
staffing figure is used to determine the number of staff.
A group is defined as the number a. the of children who may be assigned to a
specific area within a large room or within a room. b. the number of children engated together in a
particular activity at a given time. c. for children under the age of 2 1/2 a specific
primary care giver must be assigned.
- If more than one (1) group is in a large room, the room must be
divided by visable barriers having a height avove the eye level of the
children using the area.
- Group size, for children over 2 1/2 may be exceeded during meals,
naps, outdoor activities or during special events, etc.
If facility opened prior to 1/1/1989, then 30 square feet of
usable floor space per child.
If facility opened after 1/1/1989, then 35 square feet of
usable floor space per child.
Outdoor Child Care Space:
If a child is over 10 months and in attendance 3 plus hours
large motor space must be available.
Outdoor space may be adjacent to center or near center.
If Outdoor space is not available, indoor space may be used
If a child is at the center for 4 or more hours a day they
must have outdoor time, unless outdoor time presents a health or safety
issue. If less than 4 hours per day, outdoor time must be provided 1
time a week, unless outdoor time presents a health or safety issue.
There must be at least 150 square feet of outdoor space,
which can be used for upto 5 children, at a time. Each additional
child using the outdoor space, must have 30 square feet.
Director: There are seven options for qualification, ranging from a
Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development/Psychology,
Business Development or any other 'related' field and NO Experience
requirement to a GED and 2 years experience in a managerial or
supervisory position / 2 years experience in a group program for children.
Head Teacher: There are six options for qualification, ranging from a
Master's Degree in Education and six early childhood education and/or child
development credits plus one year full time experience in a program for
children under six years of age to a Teaching Certificate and six early
childhood education and/or child development credits plus one year full time
experience in a program for children under six years of age.
Group Teacher: Requires one year of teaching experience in a group
program for children under the age of six and one of educational options.
The educational options range from a Associates degree in Early Childhood
Education or Child Development to a Certified Child Care Professional
Certificate.
Staff working at least 20% of the center's weekly operating hours need at
least 8 hours of continuing education per year. Training must be in
all three of the following areas: Child Growth and Development; Positive
guidance and discipline and Health and Safety Procedures.
Directors, Head Teachers and Program Supervisors require an additional 4
hours of continuing education per year in one of the following area:
Curriculum planning and development; Availability of Community Services,
Personnel responsibilities and procedures or Other Bureau Approved Areas..
