In New Jersey, all child care centers that serve 6 or more children must be licensed by the NJ Department of Children and Families (DCF). Understanding how NJ daycare licensing works — and how to verify a center’s license — is one of the most important steps a parent can take when choosing child care. Here’s what you need to know.
Who Licenses Daycare Centers in NJ?
The NJ Department of Children and Families (DCF), through its Office of Licensing, is responsible for licensing and monitoring all child care centers in New Jersey. This includes:
- Full-day child care centers
- Part-time and drop-in child care centers
- Before and after school programs
- Head Start programs
- School-age child care programs
Home-based family child care (6 or fewer children in a private home) is regulated separately, also by DCF’s Office of Licensing, but under different standards.
Little Einstein’s Academy is a fully licensed NJ child care center at both our Edison and Roselle locations.
What Does NJ Licensing Require?
To receive and maintain a NJ child care license, a center must comply with all requirements in the NJ Manual of Requirements for Child Care Centers (N.J.A.C. 3A:52). Key areas include:
Staff Qualifications and Background Checks
- All staff must complete criminal background checks (NJ CARI) and federal fingerprint checks
- Child abuse registry checks required for all employees
- Lead teachers must hold appropriate educational credentials (varies by age group)
- New staff must complete orientation training within 30 days
Child-to-Staff Ratios
NJ sets maximum ratios that licensed centers must maintain:
| Age Group | Max Children Per Staff Member |
|---|---|
| Infants (under 18 months) | 4:1 |
| Toddlers (18 months – 2.5 years) | 6:1 |
| Preschool (2.5 – 6 years) | 10:1 |
| School Age (6–13 years) | 15:1 |
These ratios are minimums — quality centers often maintain lower ratios. Always ask about actual ratios during your tour.
Health and Safety
- Annual fire safety inspections
- Annual health department inspections
- Safe sleep practices for infants (written policy required)
- CPR and first aid certification for all staff
- Written emergency procedures
- Proper storage of medications and toxic materials
Physical Environment
- Minimum indoor space requirements (35 sq ft per child)
- Outdoor play space requirements
- Proper fencing, equipment, and safety surfacing
- Adequate sanitation facilities
- Ventilation, lighting, and temperature standards
Program Requirements
- Age-appropriate activities and materials
- Written daily schedule
- Parent communication policies
- Meal and nutrition standards (if food is served)
How to Check If a Daycare Is Licensed in NJ
You can verify any NJ daycare center’s license status for free:
- Go to childcarenj.gov — the official NJ DCF child care search
- Search by city, zip code, or center name
- View the center’s license status, capacity, and any violations
You can also call the NJ DCF Office of Licensing directly at 1-877-667-9845.
When you visit a center, ask to see the current license. Licensed centers are required to display their license prominently. The license will show:
- Center name and address
- License number
- Expiration date
- Licensed capacity (maximum number of children allowed)
What Are Licensing Violations?
During annual inspections, NJ DCF inspectors note any areas where a center is not meeting requirements. These are called deficiencies. There are two levels:
- Type A Deficiencies: Conditions that pose an immediate threat to children’s health or safety. Centers must correct these immediately.
- Type B Deficiencies: Less serious issues that must be corrected within a specified timeframe.
You can view a center’s inspection history and deficiency records on childcarenj.gov. One or two minor Type B deficiencies in a given year are not unusual and don’t necessarily indicate a poor-quality center — but patterns of repeated violations, or any Type A violations, are red flags.
Questions to ask:
- Has the center had any Type A deficiencies in the past 2 years?
- What was the most recent inspection result?
- How did the center respond to any deficiencies noted?
Is “Licensed” the Same as “High Quality”?
Licensing sets a floor — a minimum standard that all centers must meet. It does not guarantee high quality. Some indicators of quality above and beyond basic licensing include:
- NAEYC Accreditation — voluntary, rigorous quality standard for early childhood programs
- Grow NJ Kids rating — NJ’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) that rates centers on a 1–4 scale
- Teacher turnover rate (lower is better)
- Lead teacher education level (degree vs. CDA credential)
- Parent satisfaction and reviews
- Communication practices and family engagement
When you tour a center, ask whether they participate in Grow NJ Kids and what their current rating is.
Home Daycare vs. Licensed Child Care Center: What’s the Difference?
Home-based family daycare in NJ is legal for up to 6 children in a private home. These homes must also be licensed by NJ DCF — but they operate under different, and generally less stringent, requirements than child care centers.
Key differences:
| Licensed Center | Home Daycare | |
|---|---|---|
| Max children | Varies (set by license) | Up to 6 |
| Staff requirements | Multiple staff, lead teacher credentials | Provider only |
| Background checks | All staff | Provider + household members |
| Inspections | Annual | Annual |
| Backup care if provider is ill | Available | Often none |
For working families, a licensed child care center typically offers more consistency, structure, and regulatory oversight than a home-based arrangement.
Little Einstein’s Academy — Fully Licensed in Edison & Roselle, NJ
Little Einstein’s Academy holds full NJ DCF licenses at both our Edison NJ and Roselle NJ locations. We welcome parents to view our license, ask about our inspection history, and meet our staff.
Edison Location
334 Plainfield Ave, Edison, NJ 08817
Phone: 732-985-4700
Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:00am–6:00pm
Ages: 6 weeks – 13 years
From Metuchen: ~8 min east on Middlesex Ave to Plainfield Ave
From South Plainfield: ~10 min via Stelton Rd north to Plainfield Ave east
From Highland Park: ~10 min via Raritan Ave west over bridge
Roselle Location
528–530 E 2nd Ave, Roselle, NJ 07203
Phone: 908-241-6200
Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:00am–6:00pm
Ages: 6 weeks – 13 years
From Roselle Park: ~4 min via W Webster Ave east
From Linden: ~8 min via St Georges Ave north to E 2nd Ave
From Clark: ~9 min via Raritan Rd east to St Georges Ave north
schedule a tour to visit either location, see our classrooms, and speak with our director about licensing, ratios, and curriculum.
NJ childcare subsidy and Licensed Centers
To qualify for the NJ childcare subsidy (DFD voucher), your child must be enrolled in a licensed child care program. Unlicensed care does not qualify. If you’re a working parent or student who may qualify for financial assistance, a licensed center like Little Einstein’s Academy is essential.
Learn more about NJ childcare subsidy options for Edison and Roselle families. get rates and ask about subsidy acceptance when you enroll.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all daycares in NJ need to be licensed?
Any child care center serving 6 or more children for more than 15 hours per week must be licensed by NJ DCF. Centers serving 5 or fewer children may be exempt, but families should confirm the arrangement meets local ordinances. Always verify licensing before enrolling your child.
How do I look up a daycare license in NJ?
Visit childcarenj.gov and search by location or name. You can view license status, capacity, and inspection history. You can also call NJ DCF’s Office of Licensing at 1-877-667-9845.
What happens if a daycare in NJ has its license revoked?
If a center’s license is revoked, it must stop operating immediately. Parents are notified and must find alternative care. License revocations are rare but are publicly listed on the DCF website. This is another reason to check a center’s licensing history before enrolling.
How often are NJ daycare centers inspected?
Licensed centers are typically inspected at least once annually by NJ DCF. They may also receive unannounced visits if a complaint is filed. Fire safety and health inspections are conducted separately by local authorities.
What is the teacher-to-child ratio at licensed NJ daycares?
NJ requires a minimum of 1 teacher per 4 infants, 1 per 6 toddlers, 1 per 10 preschoolers, and 1 per 15 school-age children. Quality centers often maintain lower ratios than the legal minimum.
What is Grow NJ Kids?
Grow NJ Kids is the state’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). Centers can voluntarily participate and earn ratings from 1 to 4 based on quality indicators beyond basic licensing — including curriculum, staff qualifications, and family engagement. A higher Grow NJ Kids rating indicates a higher-quality program.
Can I use NJ childcare assistance at any licensed center?
Generally yes — the NJ childcare subsidy (DFD voucher) can be used at licensed child care centers that participate in the program. contact us to confirm we accept your subsidy and to check current availability.
Is Little Einstein’s Academy licensed?
Yes. Little Einstein’s Academy is fully licensed by the NJ Department of Children and Families at both our Edison and Roselle locations. We welcome parents to view our license and inspection records. Schedule a tour at either location.
Next Steps for NJ Parents
Choosing a licensed child care center is the first step. The next step is finding one that’s the right fit for your family.
Little Einstein’s Academy
Edison: 334 Plainfield Ave, Edison NJ 08817 | 732-985-4700
Roselle: 528–530 E 2nd Ave, Roselle NJ 07203 | 908-241-6200
check availability and enroll your child at Little Einstein’s Academy today. We serve families across Edison, Roselle, Metuchen, Woodbridge, Linden, Rahway, Elizabeth, and the surrounding NJ communities.
