Child Care Center Licensing

PA FOR CHILD CARE CENTER LICENSING REQUIREMENTS IN NEW JERSEY.

In order for a child day care center to become fully licensed in the State of New Jersey by the Department of Children and Families (DCF), a Preliminary Assessment (PA), conducted in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:26E and all applicable guidance must be prepared/reviewed by a Licensed Site Remediation Professional (LSRP). The Preliminary Assessment includes a site inspection and a thorough review of available historic documentation and former uses of the site in order to identify any potential areas of environmental concern that may be present. All areas of concern are evaluated to determine if further remediation is required, including but not limited to sampling of the playground area cover if soil, mulch or other impervious material. The goal of the remediation is confirm that there is no potential contamination at the child care center that may adversely affect the property and the health and welfare of the children. Upon determination by the LSRP that no further remediation is required, a Response Action Outcome (RAO) will be issued.

Brilliant Environmental Services, LLC (Brilliant) LSRPs and professional staff have conducted over 500 PA inspections for child care facilities, resulting in no further remediation and the issuance of Response Action Outcome (RAO), as well participated on several panels and guidance committees to prepare the most effective, cost efficient and safe approach to compliance.

Certain child care centers and educational facilities are required to obtain a Safe Building Interior Certification (SBIC) from the NJ Department of Health (DOH). The following criteria is used to determine if a SBIC will be required:

• The center or educational facility is in a building constructed prior to 1979.
• The prior or current use of the building and/or property was/is used for industrial, storage, or other high hazard purpose. This includes being used as a nail salon, a dry cleaner or a gas station. These categories may be classified as Groups B, S, F and H as defined by the Uniform Construction Code (UCC).
• The location is on a contaminated site or on a property where contamination is suspected.
• The center or educational facility is referred to the Department of Health (DOH) by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Department of Children and Family (DCF), Department of Education, or local construction official (LCO), due to a prior use of the building or property which is of concern.
• The center or educational facility is co-located in a building with a dry cleaner and/or nail salon.
• In some circumstances, educational facilities will require an IEHA to be done. This may be done when renovations, remodeling, additions, conversions, or demolitions are taking place. Educational facilities include any K-12 public, private or charter school.