New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 3A - CHILDREN AND FAMILIES › Chapter 52 - MANUAL OF REQUIREMENTS FOR CHILD CARE CENTERS › Subchapter 5 - PHYSICAL FACILITY REQUIREMENTS › Section 3A:52-5.4 - Additional physical plant requirements for early childhood programs

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(a) For early childhood
				programs, the following shall apply:
1. All
				electrical outlets that are accessible to the children shall have protective
				covers.
2. All lally columns in areas
				used by the children shall have protective padding placed around them from the floor
				to a height of at least 48 inches.
3.
				Crawl spaces, attic spaces, and all doors and windows used for natural ventilation
				shall be provided with insect screening.
4. A supply of hot tap water not exceeding 110
				degrees Fahrenheit and cold running water shall be provided.
5. Toilet and sink facility requirements are as
				follows:
i. The minimum number of toilets and sinks
				required in the center shall be determined as specified in the Plumbing Subcode of
				the NJUCC.
ii. At least one toilet
				facility and sink shall be located on each floor level used by children in centers
				that began operating after March 21, 2005.
iii. For each classroom used by children under 2
				1/2 years of age, a minimum of one sink shall be located in the classroom for
				newly-constructed centers and expansions.
6. Kitchen facility requirements are as follows:
i. The kitchen facility or food preparation area
				shall be separated from other areas of the center by a door, gate, screen, or other
				barrier to prevent accidental access by children.
ii. The kitchen may be used for children's program
				cooking activities only when it is not being used for preparation of meals for
				consumption by enrolled children.
7. Outdoor space requirements for children over
				the age of 10 months are as follows:
i. For
				children in attendance for three or more consecutive hours, existing center(s) shall
				provide a minimum of 150 square feet of net outdoor space. When more than five
				children are using such a space at one time, there shall be 30 square feet of net
				outdoor space for each additional child in addition to the required minimum of 150
				square feet. New and relocating centers licensed on or after September 1, 2013,
				shall provide a minimum of 350 square feet of net outdoor space. When more than 10
				children are using such a space at one time, there shall be an additional 35 square
				feet of net outdoor space for each additional child in addition to the required
				minimum of 350 square feet.
ii. The
				outdoor area for new and relocating centers licensed on or after September 1, 2013,
				shall be in close proximity and safe walking route of the center and available for
				use by the children.
iii. Outdoor areas
				located near or adjacent to hazardous areas determined by the Office of Licensing to
				be unsafe (including, but not limited to, streets, roads, driveways, parking lots,
				railroad tracks, swimming pools, rivers, streams, steep grades, cliffs, open pits,
				high voltage boosters, or propane gas tanks) shall be fenced or otherwise protected
				by a natural or man-made barrier or enclosure.
iv. The center shall not be required to meet the
				outdoor space requirement in (a)7i above, if the center can establish, to the
				satisfaction of the Office of Licensing, that:
(1)
				Compliance with the requirement is impossible at the proposed center site or an
				alternative site, expected to serve the same geographic location;
(2) There is a compelling need, as determined by
				the OOL on a case-by-case basis, for additional child care services in the local
				area; and
(3) There is a designated
				indoor active play area not used toward the center's licensed capacity that provides
				35 square feet per child for at least 25 percent of the licensed capacity of the
				facility with a minimum of 350 square feet;
v. Centers serving only sick children shall comply
				with the variation provisions for outdoor space, as specified in
				3A:52-8.4(f)1.