New Jersey › Highland Park › Children's House Montessori School

Children's House Montessori School

Child care center · 417 Montgomery Street, Highland Park, NJ 08904 · License 12CHI0014

0Compliance score
Poor

Capacity 60. 2½ to 6

Violation history (41)

Severity	Date	Standard / narrative	Corrected
?	Tue Sep 23 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)	3A:52-4.5(b)(2) — The director shall have the authority and responsibility for the implementation of policies and procedures for the day-to-day operation of the center, including maintenance of staff attendance records indicating daily hours worked and maintenance of children's daily attendance records, including the daily time of arrival and departure. Complete and maintain daily time sheets with arrival and departure times for staff as required.	Yes
?	Tue Sep 23 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)	3A:52-4.5(b)(2) — The director shall have the authority and responsibility for the implementation of policies and procedures for the day-to-day operation of the center, including maintenance of staff attendance records indicating daily hours worked and maintenance of children's daily attendance records, including the daily time of arrival and departure. Complete and maintain daily time sheets with arrival and departure times for children as required.	Yes
?	Tue Sep 23 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)	3A:52-5.3(a)(1) — (a) Indoor maintenance and sanitation requirements are as follows: 1. The center shall be free of moisture resulting from water leaks or seepage. 2. Floors, carpeting, walls, window coverings, ceilings, and other surfaces shall be kept clean and in good repair. 4. Carpeting shall be securely fastened to the floor. 9. Toilets, wash basins, kitchen sinks, and other plumbing shall be maintained in good operating and sanitary condition. Ensure that the window ledges in the gir'ls bathroom are cleaned and maintained in sanitary condition.	Yes
?	Tue Sep 23 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)	3A:52-3.4(a) — The sponsor or sponsor representative shall secure comprehensive general liability insurance coverage for the center and shall maintain on file a copy of the insurance policy or documentation of current insurance coverage. Provide documentation that the center has current comprehensive general liability insurance coverage.	Yes
?	Tue Sep 23 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)	3A:52-5.3(a)(1) — (a) Indoor maintenance and sanitation requirements are as follows: 1. The center shall be free of moisture resulting from water leaks or seepage. 2. Floors, carpeting, walls, window coverings, ceilings, and other surfaces shall be kept clean and in good repair. 4. Carpeting shall be securely fastened to the floor. 9. Toilets, wash basins, kitchen sinks, and other plumbing shall be maintained in good operating and sanitary condition. Ensure that the walls with evidence of peeling/chipping paint in the girl's bathroom are repaired/painted.	Yes
?	Tue Sep 23 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)	3A:52-5.3(a)(1) — (a) Indoor maintenance and sanitation requirements are as follows: 1. The center shall be free of moisture resulting from water leaks or seepage. 2. Floors, carpeting, walls, window coverings, ceilings, and other surfaces shall be kept clean and in good repair. 4. Carpeting shall be securely fastened to the floor. 9. Toilets, wash basins, kitchen sinks, and other plumbing shall be maintained in good operating and sanitary condition. Ensure that the toy sink in Room C is free of rust and maintained in sanitary condition.	Yes
?	Tue Sep 23 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)	3A:52-5.3(a)(1) — (a) Indoor maintenance and sanitation requirements are as follows: 1. The center shall be free of moisture resulting from water leaks or seepage. 2. Floors, carpeting, walls, window coverings, ceilings, and other surfaces shall be kept clean and in good repair. 4. Carpeting shall be securely fastened to the floor. 9. Toilets, wash basins, kitchen sinks, and other plumbing shall be maintained in good operating and sanitary condition. Ensure that the toilet seat with evidence of chipping paint in the girls bathroom is replaced/repaired.	Yes
?	Tue Sep 23 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)	3A:52-5.2(d) — An applicant seeking the renewal of a license or of a Certificate of Life/Safety Approval to continue operating a center shall obtain and maintain on file a fire safety inspection certificate for the building based on a fire inspection conducted within the preceding 12 months. If the center prepares meals, the applicant seeking renewal shall obtain and maintain on file a satisfactory Sanitary Inspection Certificate, as specified in N.J.A.C. 8:24, indicating that the kitchen is in compliance with the applicable requirements of the State Sanitary Code, based on a sanitary inspection conducted within the preceding 12 months. Provide a current fire certificate as required.	Yes
?	Tue Sep 23 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)	3A:52-5.3(a)(1) — (a) Indoor maintenance and sanitation requirements are as follows: 1. The center shall be free of moisture resulting from water leaks or seepage. 2. Floors, carpeting, walls, window coverings, ceilings, and other surfaces shall be kept clean and in good repair. 4. Carpeting shall be securely fastened to the floor. 9. Toilets, wash basins, kitchen sinks, and other plumbing shall be maintained in good operating and sanitary condition. Ensure that the stained ceiling tiles in the playroom are replaced.	Yes
?	Tue Sep 23 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)	3A:52-5.3(a)(1) — (a) Indoor maintenance and sanitation requirements are as follows: 1. The center shall be free of moisture resulting from water leaks or seepage. 2. Floors, carpeting, walls, window coverings, ceilings, and other surfaces shall be kept clean and in good repair. 4. Carpeting shall be securely fastened to the floor. 9. Toilets, wash basins, kitchen sinks, and other plumbing shall be maintained in good operating and sanitary condition. Ensure that the radiator in Room C is free of rust and maintained in sanitary condition.	Yes
?	Tue Sep 23 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)	3A:52-5.3(a)(1) — (a) Indoor maintenance and sanitation requirements are as follows: 1. The center shall be free of moisture resulting from water leaks or seepage. 2. Floors, carpeting, walls, window coverings, ceilings, and other surfaces shall be kept clean and in good repair. 4. Carpeting shall be securely fastened to the floor. 9. Toilets, wash basins, kitchen sinks, and other plumbing shall be maintained in good operating and sanitary condition. Ensure that the metal supplies cart in the girl's bathroom is free of rust and maintained in sanitary condition.	Yes
?	Tue Sep 23 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)	3A:52-5.3(b)(1) — Outdoor maintenance and sanitation requirements are as follows: 1. The building, land, walkways, and outdoor play area shall be free from hazards to the health, safety or well-being of the children. 2. The outdoor play area shall be graded or provided with drains to dispose of surface water. Ensure that the metal hooks and the sharp metal pieces sticking out of the wooden structures against the building in the outdoor playground are removed.	Yes
?	Tue Sep 23 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)	3A:52-5.3(n)(1) — Fire prevention requirements are as follows: the center shall conduct fire drills at least once a month, as specified in the NJUFC. The center shall ensure that fire drills are conducted during each session provided at the center and that one fire drill per year is conducted during nap time, if applicable. The center shall ensure that all children present are evacuated from the building within three minutes during each fire drill. Ensure fire drills are conducted at least once per month, that one fire drill per year is conducted during nap time, and maintain on file record of the drills. The last fire drill documented was in June 2025.	Yes
?	Tue Sep 23 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)	3A:52-4.1(d) — the Staff Records Checklist for the current director and all staff members currently working at the center shall be maintained on file at the center. Ensure that the Staff Records Checklist is updated to include all current staff and applicable dates.	Yes
?	Tue Sep 23 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)	3A:52-4.11(a) — As a condition of securing a license or Certificate of Life/Safety Approval, the sponsor or sponsor representative shall ensure that a Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) fingerprint background check is completed for himself or herself, and for all staff members at least 18 years of age who are or will be working at the center on a regularly- scheduled basis, to determine whether any such person has been convicted of a crime, as specified in P.L. 2000, c. 77 (N.J.S.A. 30:5B-6.10 to 6.17). If a staff member refuses to consent to a CHRI background check, the sponsor or sponsor representative shall immediately terminate the staff member’s employment at the center. Ensure that CHRI background checks are completed as required. One CHRI clearance is needed.	Yes
?	Tue Sep 23 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)	3A:52-4.8(a) — (a) Topics of orientation training shall include all of the following: 1. Supervising and tracking all children, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.3(a); 2. Understanding center operations, policies and procedures, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.5(b)3; 3. Implementing group size limits and primary caregiver responsibilities, as applicable, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.4; 4. Recognizing and reporting child abuse or neglect, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.9; 5. Evacuating the center and using the fire alarms, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3(l); 6.Implementing the center’s release policy, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-6.5; 7. Implementing the center's statement of policy on the disciplining of children, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-6.6; 8. Implementing health practices, including medication administration and responding to symptoms of illness, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-7.1 through 7.11; 9. Implementing safe sleep practices to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome; 10. Preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma; 11. Recognizing and responding to injuries and emergencies, including the prevention of and response to emergencies due to food-related allergies and other allergic reactions; and 12. Including children with special needs in the center’s program. Ensure that all staff complete orientation training. Orientation training is needed for one staff member.	Yes
?	Tue Sep 23 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)	3A:52-4.10(b)(1) — Within two weeks after a new staff member begins working at the center, the sponsor or sponsor representative shall submit to the Department a completed CARI consent form for the new staff member. Until the results of the CARI background check for a new staff member have been received from the Department, the center shall ensure oversight of the new staff member by another staff member, and ensure that person is not left alone to supervise a child or group of children. Ensure that CARI background checks are completed as required. One CARI clearance is needed.	Yes
?	Tue Apr 23 2024 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)	3A:52-4.8(d)(1) — In lieu of the child care staff development specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.8(b), the director, head teacher(s), group teacher(s), and program supervisor(s) shall each complete 20 hours of staff development each year. Recommended topics of training for these staff include educational and physical activity. Ensure that all credentialed staff complete 20 hours of staff development annually.	Yes
?	Tue Apr 23 2024 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)	3A:52-6.5(b) — The center shall distribute a copy of the release policy to the parent of each enrolled child and each staff member and secure and maintain on file a record of each parent’s and staff member’s signature attesting to receipt of the policy. Ensure that the center maintains and distributes to all families and staff the center's policy on the release of children and will maintain on file signatures from all parents and staff attesting to the receipt of the policy.	Yes
?	Tue Apr 23 2024 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)	3A:52-4.8(c) — The center shall ensure that all staff members who work at the center complete 12 hours of continuing staff development each year. Ensure that all staff complete 12 hours of staff development annually.	Yes
?	Tue Apr 23 2024 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)	3A:52-2.1(b) — A person applying for an initial license or renewal license to operate a center or relocation of a center shall submit a completed application to the Office of Licensing at least 45 days prior to the anticipated opening of the center or to the expiration of its existing regular license. Complete and submit a DCF Renewal Attestation and all required documents.	Yes
?	Tue Apr 23 2024 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)	3A:52-4.10(b)(1) — When the center applies for a new or renewal license or Certificate of Life/Safety Approval, the sponsor or sponsor representative shall submit to the Department the completed CARI consent forms for all staff members who are or will be working at the center on a regularly scheduled basis. Within two weeks after a new staff member begins working at the center, the sponsor or sponsor representative shall submit to the Department a completed CARI consent form for the new staff member. Ensure that all staff submit a CARI background check upon renewal.	Yes
?	Tue Apr 23 2024 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)	3A:52-5.3(o)(1) — First aid requirements are as follows: at least two staff members who have current certified basic knowledge of first aid principles and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), as defined by a recognized health organization (such as the American Red Cross), shall be in the center at all times when enrolled children are present. Ensure that at least two staff have current first aid and CPR certifications and are present at all times at the center.	Yes
?	Tue Apr 23 2024 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)	3A:52-5.3(h)(2) — Lead paint precautions are as follows: the center shall comply with the lead paint inspection requirements specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3(h)3, unless the center Submit a lead paint risk assessment as required.	Yes
?	Tue Apr 23 2024 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)	3A:52-5.3(i)(5)(i) — Environmental condition precautions are as follows: at the time of the initial application, any renewal application, relocation of an existing licensed center and, in the discretion of the Office of Licensing, any other time, the applicant or facility operator shall certify in writing that the center provides a potable water supply provided by a public community water system. If the facility is supplied by a public community water system, the applicant or facility operator shall provide documentation of water testing conducted by a laboratory certified by the Department of Environmental Protection for water testing for lead and copper from all faucets and other sources used for drinking water or food preparation and at least 50 percent of all indoor water faucets utilized by the center. Complete and submit a DCF Drinking Water Testing Checklist and Statement of Assurance and a copy of the center's water testing completed by a laboratory certified by the Department of Environmental Protection.	Yes
?	Tue Feb 21 2023 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)	3A:52-4.8(d)(1) — In lieu of the child care staff development specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.8(b), the director, head teacher(s), group teacher(s), and program supervisor(s) shall each complete 20 hours of staff development each year. Recommended topics of training for these staff include educational and physical activity. Ensure that all credentialed staff complete 20 hours of staff development annually.	Yes
?	Tue Feb 21 2023 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)	3A:52-6.5(b) — The center shall distribute a copy of the release policy to the parent of each enrolled child and each staff member and secure and maintain on file a record of each parent’s and staff member’s signature attesting to receipt of the policy. Ensure that the center maintains and distributes to all families and staff the center's policy on the release of children and will maintain on file signatures from all parents and staff attesting to the receipt of the policy.	Yes
?	Tue Feb 21 2023 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)	3A:52-7.11(b) — The center shall distribute a copy of the communicable disease policy to the parent of each enrolled child and secure and maintain on file a record of each parent’s signature attesting to receipt of the policy. Ensure that the center maintains and distributes to all families the center's communicable disease policy and maintains on file the signatures of the parents attesting to their receipt of the policy.	Yes
?	Tue Feb 21 2023 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)	3A:52-6.8(l) — The center shall distribute a copy of the social media policy to the parent of each enrolled child and to each staff member and secure and maintain on file a record of each parent’s signature and each staff member’s signature attesting to the receipt of the policy. Develop and distribute to all families and staff a social media policy and maintain on file signatures from all families and staff attesting to the receipt of the policy.	Yes
?	Tue Feb 21 2023 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)	3A:52-6.8(j)(3) — The center shall develop and follow a written policy on the expulsion of children from enrollment at the center. The center shall distribute a copy of the expulsion policy to the parent of each enrolled child and secure and maintain on file a record of each parent’s signature attesting to receipt of the policy. Develop and maintain on file an expulsion policy and maintain on file signatures from all families attesting to the receipt of the policy.	Yes
?	Tue Feb 21 2023 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)	3A:52-6.8(a)(1) — The center shall complete and maintain on file for each enrolled child a Children’s Records Checklist, signed by the director, sponsor, or sponsor representative and designated by the Office of Licensing, indicating that the center has obtained documentation of the child's name, address, birth date, and date of enrollment. Ensure that the center completes and maintains on file a children's records checklist, including the child's name, address, birth date and date of enrollment.	Yes
?	Tue Feb 21 2023 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)	3A:52-4.8(c) — The center shall ensure that all staff members who work at the center complete 12 hours of continuing staff development each year. Ensure that all staff complete 12 hours of staff development annually.	Yes
?	Tue Feb 21 2023 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)	3A:52-4.8(b) — Orientation training as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.8(a) may be included for six of the required hours of staff development specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.8(c) and (d). Ensure that all staff complete orientation training which may be included for six of the required annual training hours.	Yes
?	Tue Feb 21 2023 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)	3A:52-4.6(a) — The center shall maintain on file a Staff Records Checklist designated by the Office of Licensing, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.1(b), indicating that the center has obtained documentation of the applicable staff education and experience, as specified in 3A:52-4.6(b) through (d). Ensure that the center completes and maintains on file a Staff Records Checklist designated by OOL.	Yes
?	Tue Feb 21 2023 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)	3A:52-4.11(a)(1) — As a condition of securing a license or Certificate of Life/Safety Approval, the sponsor or sponsor representative shall ensure that a Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) fingerprint background check is completed for himself or herself, and for all staff members at least 18 years of age who are or will be working at the center on a regularly- scheduled basis, to determine whether any such person has been convicted of a crime, as specified in P.L. 2000, c. 77 (N.J.S.A. 30:5B-6.10 to 6.17). The sponsor or sponsor representative and each staff member shall complete the electronic fingerprinting process through the vendor authorized by the State to conduct CHRI background checks through the Division of State Police in the Department of Law and Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Ensure that all staff, the sponsor and/or the sponsor representative complete a CHRI background check as required.	Yes
?	Tue Feb 21 2023 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)	3A:52-3.6(b)(1) — The center shall distribute a copy of the Information to Parents document to each child’s parent(s) upon enrollment and to every person upon becoming a staff member and secure and maintain on file a record of each parent’s and staff member’s signature attesting to receipt of the document. The center shall maintain on file a copy of the Information to Parents document. Ensure that the center maintains and distributes to all families and staff a copy of the Information to Parents document and maintains on file signatures of all staff and families attesting to the receipt of the policy.	Yes
?	Fri Apr 09 2021 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)	3A:52-4.8(g)(1) — The center shall maintain on file documentation of the date, time, topic, presenter, and attendance for all staff development and orientation completed by center staff members. For staff development provided by the center, the center shall maintain on file documentation or a copy of all staff development materials used. Email or upload to NJCCIS file cabinet the new hire's orientation training documentation.	Yes
?	Fri Apr 09 2021 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)	3A:52-5.3(o)(1) — First aid requirements are as follows: at least two staff members who have current certified basic knowledge of first aid principles and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), as defined by a recognized health organization (such as the American Red Cross), shall be in the center at all times when enrolled children are present. Email or upload to NJCCIS file cabinet at least 2 staff members current first aid/CPR cards.	Yes
?	Fri Apr 09 2021 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)	3A:52-5.3(i)(5)(i) — Environmental condition precautions are as follows: at the time of the initial application, any renewal application, relocation of an existing licensed center and, in the discretion of the Office of Licensing, any other time, the applicant or facility operator shall certify in writing that the center provides a potable water supply provided by a public community water system. If the facility is supplied by a public community water system, the applicant or facility operator shall provide documentation of water testing conducted by a laboratory certified by the Department of Environmental Protection for water testing for lead and copper from all faucets and other sources used for drinking water or food preparation and at least 50 percent of all indoor water faucets utilized by the center. Email or upload to NJCISS file cabinet the center's water test results.	Yes
?	Fri Apr 09 2021 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)	3A:52-5.3(h)(2) — Lead paint precautions are as follows: the center shall comply with the lead paint inspection requirements specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3(h)3, unless the center Email or upload to NJCCIS file cabinet a copy of the center's lead paint risk assessment report.	Yes
?	Fri Apr 09 2021 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)	3A:52-4.10(b)(1) — When the center applies for a new or renewal license or Certificate of Life/Safety Approval, the sponsor or sponsor representative shall submit to the Department the completed CARI consent forms for all staff members who are or will be working at the center on a regularly scheduled basis. Within two weeks after a new staff member begins working at the center, the sponsor or sponsor representative shall submit to the Department a completed CARI consent form for the new staff member. Email or upload to NJCCIS file cabinet the CARI renewal for all staff.	Yes

Severity 5 = most serious. Source: official state record.

Inspections (17)

17 inspection record(s) on file from NJ-DCF.

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