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New JerseyJersey City › Totz Play N Learn

Totz Play N Learn

Child care center · 231 Hutton Street, Jersey City, NJ 07307 · License 160600084

0Compliance score
Poor

Capacity 24. 2½ to 13 Grow NJ Kids: Level 1

Violation history (33)

SeverityDateStandard / narrativeCorrected
?Tue Aug 19 2025 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. 10/06/2025 Complete and submit a DCF Drinking Water Testing Checklist and Statement of Assurance.
Yes
?Tue Aug 19 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) 3A:52-5.3(l) — (l) Emergency procedure requirements are as follows: 1. The center shall prepare written emergency procedures delineating: i. The location of the first aid kit and any additional first aid supplies; ii. The name, address and telephone number of the physician retained by the center or of the health facility to be used in emergencies; iii. An alternate indoor location that operates during the same operating hours as the center. The center shall: (1) Select an alternate indoor location within safe walking distance; or (2) Develop a written procedure for obtaining emergency transportation to the alternate location; iv. The hospital or clinic to which injured or ill children will be taken; v. The telephone numbers for obtaining police, fire, ambulance and poison control services, including the National Poison Emergency Hotline at (800) 222-1222; vi. The location of written authorization from parent(s) for emergency medical care for each child; vii. A diagram showing how the center is to be evacuated in case of emergency from each classroom and the outdoor play area; viii. The location of fire alarms and fire extinguishers; and ix. Procedures for ensuring children’s safety and communicating with parents in the event of evacuation, lockdown, natural or civil disaster, and other emergencies. The procedures shall indicate: (1) The plan for informing parents of their children’s whereabouts; and (2) The local law enforcement agency or emergency management office that has been notified of the center’s identifying information, as specified in (l)3 below. 2. The emergency procedures shall be readily accessible in a designated location within the center. 3. The center shall ensure that the appropriate local law enforcement agency or emergency management office is notified of: i. The center’s name and location; ii. The number, ages, and special needs of children enrolled; iii. The number of staff; iv. The need for emergency transportation; v. The location to which children will be evacuated; vi. The plan for a lockdown; and vii. The plan for reuniting children with their parents.
Select an alternate off site evacuation location within walking distance or develop a written procedure for obtaining an emergency transportation to the alternate location.
Yes
?Tue Aug 19 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) 3A:52-4.8(d) — 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; special needs programming and program development; social-emotional and behavioral development for young children; legal issues, including ADA guidelines and leadership and advocacy.
Ensure that all credentialed staff complete 20 hours of staff development annually.
Yes
?Tue Aug 19 2025 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. 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 12 hours of staff development annually.
Yes
?Tue Aug 19 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) 3A:52-4.5(a)(3) — The sponsor or sponsor representative shall designate individuals with the authority and responsibility to develop and implement written policies and procedures for the operation of the center, including a table of organization that illustrates lines of authority, responsibility and communication; and job descriptions, titles and qualifications for all center staff.
Update the table of organization to include current members of staff.
Yes
?Tue Aug 19 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 within two weeks of hire and annually. 8/28/25 Two members of staff are missing orientation training.
Yes
?Tue Aug 19 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 for the sponsor/sponsor representative and all regularly scheduled staff for the center's license renewal dated 11/21/2025.
Yes
?Tue Aug 19 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) 3A:52-4.10(a) — As a condition of securing a new or renewal license or Certificate of Life/Safety Approval, the sponsor or sponsor representative shall provide for himself or herself, and shall obtain from all staff members who are or will be working at the center on a regularly scheduled basis, written consent for the Department to conduct a Child Abuse Record Information (CARI) background check to determine whether an incident of child abuse or neglect has been substantiated against any such person. If a staff member refused to consent to a CARI background check, the sponsor or sponsor representative shall immediately terminate the staff member's employment at the center.
Ensure that CARI background checks are completed as required for the sponsor/sponsor representative and all regularly scheduled staff for the center's license renewal dated 11/21/2025.
Yes
?Tue Aug 19 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.
Maintain on file a criminal disclosure statement for each member of staff.
Yes
?Tue Aug 19 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.
Maintain on file a record of staff receipt of the center's policies and Information to Parents document.
Yes
?Tue Aug 19 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.
Maintain on file a signed application for each member of staff.
Yes
?Tue Aug 19 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.
Obtain and maintain on file physical and Mantoux test result for each member of staff.
Yes
?Tue Aug 19 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.
Obtain and maintain on file two references for each member of staff.
Yes
?Tue Aug 19 2025 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. The first aid and CPR training shall include a hands-on training component in addition to any online training coursework.
Ensure that at least two staff members who have current pediatric first aid and CPR certifications are present at the center at all times and that the training includes a hands-on component in addition to any online training. 8/28/25 One first aid and CPR certificate is outstanding.
Yes
?Tue Aug 19 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) 3A:52-5.3(a)(19) — the center shall test for the presence of radon gas in each classroom on the lowest floor level used by children at least once every five years and shall post the test results in a prominent location in all buildings at the center, as specified in N.J.S.A. 30:5B-5.2.
Test for the presence of radon gas as required.
Yes
?Tue Aug 19 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) 3A:52-5.2(a)(8) — The center shall obtain a Life Hazard Use Registration certificate applicable to the center’s licensed capacity and ages served pursuant to the Uniform Fire Safety Act, N.J.S.A. 52:27D-192 et seq. The center shall post this document in a prominent location within the center.
Provide a current life/hazard use registration certificate applicable to the center's licensed capacity and ages served.
Yes
?Tue Aug 19 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 Aug 19 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) 3A:52-7.5(b) — The center shall develop and follow a policy on the administration of medication and health care procedures to children, which shall include the following provisions: Administration and control of prescription and non-prescription medicines and health care procedures (a) The center shall inform each child’s parent upon enrollment of its policy on administering medication and health care procedures to children, including the provisions specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-7.5(b) to (d). The policy shall indicate: 1. Whether the center will administer non-prescription medication or a non-prescribed health care procedure to a child; 2. Whether the center will administer prescription medication or a prescribed health care procedure to a child with a short-term illness; and 3. That the center will provide reasonable accommodations for the administration of medication or health care procedures to a child with special needs, if failure to administer the medication or health care procedure would jeopardize the health of the child or prevent the child from attending the center. 1. Medication and health care procedures shall be administered only after receipt of written approval from the child's parent(s). 2. The center shall: i. Designate those staff members who are trained as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.8(a)8 and authorized to administer medication or health care procedures to, or to supervise self-administration of medication or health care procedures by, those children whose parents authorize it; and ii. Ensure that each staff member designated to administer medication and health care procedures is informed of each child's medication and health care needs. 3. All medication and health care equipment shall be kept either in a locked cabinet or in an area that is inaccessible to the children. i. All medication shall be kept in its original container. ii. Medication shall be refrigerated if so indicated on the label. iii. Unused or expired medication and health care equipment shall be returned to the child’s parent or disposed of safely in a child-resistant waste receptacle when no longer being administered. 4. All prescription medication for a child shall be: i. Prescribed in the name of and specifically for the child; and ii. Stored in its prescription container, which has been labeled with the child's name, the name and expiration date of the medication, the date it was prescribed or updated and directions for its administration. 5. The center shall limit the dispensing of non-prescription over-the-counter medication to the following types of medicines, which shall be dispensed in accordance with the recommended dosage for the age and weight of the child, as indicated on the label: i. Antihistamines; ii. Cough suppressants'. Decongestants; iv. Non-aspirin fever reducers and pain relievers; and v. Topical preparations, such as sunscreen and diaper rash preparations. 6. The center may permit the dispensing of non-prescription medication other than those listed in (b)5 above, or according to instructions other than those indicated on the label, if the child's health care provider authorizes it in writing. 8. If a child has a chronic health condition requiring the administration of prescription or non-prescription medication or health care procedures on a long-term basis, the center shall obtain from the child’s parent a written statement from a health care provider, indicating: i. The name of the child; ii. The name of the medication or procedure; iii The condition or indications for administration of the medication or procedure; iv. The instructions for administration of the medication or procedure; and v. The name and telephone number of the health care provider. 11. The center shall inform the child’s parent immediately if a child exhibits any adverse effect of a medication or health care procedure. (c) For early childhood programs, the following shall apply: 1. The center shall ensure that all medication and health care procedures are administered by designated staff. (d) For school-age child care programs, the following shall apply: 1. Before the center administers or permits a child to self-administer medication or health care procedures, the center shall: i. Obtain written authorization for self-administration from the child's parent, if applicable; and ii. Ensure that the medication or health care procedure is administered by or under the supervision of authorized staff.
Obtain and maintain on file, parental authorization to administer Epi-pens to a named child.
Yes
?Thu Jul 27 2023 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) 3A:52-5.3(a)(2) — Indoor maintenance and sanitation requirements are as follows: floors, carpeting, walls, window coverings, ceilings, and other surfaces shall be kept clean and in good repair.
Ensure that all ceiling tiles are kept clean and in good repair. Replace the stained ceiling tiles between the two restrooms.
Yes
?Thu Jul 27 2023 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) 3A:52-5.3(a)(19) — Indoor maintenance and sanitation requirements are as follows: the center shall test for the presence of radon gas in each classroom on the lowest floor level used by children at least once every five years and shall post the test results in a prominent location in all buildings at the center, as specified in N.J.S.A. 30:5B-5.2.
Complete radon testing in every room on the lowest floor used by children and post the results in a prominent location.
Yes
?Thu Jul 27 2023 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) 3A:52-7.7(a)(3)(iv) — The schedule for disinfecting shall be as follows: tables used by the children for eating shall be washed and disinfected before each meal.
Ensure that in the process of washing and disinfecting tables, a sole washcloth is not used on multiple tables.
Yes
?Thu Jul 27 2023 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) 3A:52-4.10(a)(1) — The sponsor or sponsor representative, and each staff member shall complete a signed consent form provided by the Department that indicates the identifying information necessary to conduct a CARI background check, including the person’s name, address, date of birth, sex, race, and Social Security number. Pursuant to the Federal Privacy Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-579), the Department shall advise each such person that the disclosure of his or her Social Security number is voluntary, and that the Social Security number will only be used for the purpose of conducting a CARI background check.
Ensure that CARI background checks are completed as required for all staff within two weeks of hire. One member of staff is missing CARI background check.
Yes
?Thu Jul 27 2023 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) 3A:52-4.5(b)(2)(i) — 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.
Ensure that all members of staff sign in and out on a daily basis. Two members of staff were missing arrival times.
Yes
?Thu Jul 27 2023 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) 3A:52-5.2(a)(5) — The center shall be permitted to obtain a valid fire safety inspection certificate issued by the municipality in which it is located, based on a fire inspection conducted within the preceding 12 months, and submit a copy of the certificate to the Office of Licensing in lieu of a CO or CCO, if the center serves only children 2 ½ years of age or older and is located in a public school building that is used as a public school.
Provide a current fire certificate as required.
Yes
?Mon Sep 19 2022 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) 3A:52-5.3(a)(2) — Indoor maintenance and sanitation requirements are as follows: floors, carpeting, walls, window coverings, ceilings, and other surfaces shall be kept clean and in good repair.
Ensure that all ceiling tiles are kept clean and in good repair, including in the children's bathroom.
Yes
?Mon Sep 19 2022 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
?Mon Sep 19 2022 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) 3A:52-6.1(b)(7) — The staff member(s) specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.5 who are responsible for developing and overseeing the implementation of the center's daily activities shall ensure that the use of a television, computers, and other video equipment shall be limited to educational and instructional use, shall be age and developmentally appropriate, and shall not be used as a substitute for planned activities or for passive viewing.
Ensure that the use of television, computers, and other video equipment is for educational and instructional use, is age and developmentally appropriate, is not used as a substitute for planned activities, and is not used for passive viewing. Ensure center follows their TV/computer policy including the timeframes for use.
Yes
?Mon Sep 19 2022 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) 3A:52-5.3(a)(9) — Indoor maintenance and sanitation requirements are as follows: toilets, wash basins, kitchen sinks, and other plumbing shall be maintained in good operating and sanitary condition.
Ensure that toilets, wash basins, kitchen sinks and other plumbing are maintained in operating and sanitary condition. Repair or replace rusted ring that attaches the pipe to the wall in the children's bathroom.
Yes
?Thu Jul 08 2021 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.
Submit updated fire drill log demonstrating at least one fire drill per month.
Yes
?Mon Oct 07 2019 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) 3A:52-6.3(a)(12)(ii) — All centers shall comply with the following requirements, the center shall ensure that these safety and sanitation practices are followed: sippy cups shall be labeled with the child’s name.
Ensure sippy cups are labeled as required.
Yes
?Mon Oct 07 2019 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.
There are 2 renewal CARIs still pending.
Yes
?Mon Oct 07 2019 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) 3A:52-5.2(b) — An applicant seeking a license or a Certificate of Life/Safety Approval to operate a center shall comply with all applicable provisions of the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code, as specified in N.J.A.C. 5:70 and hereinafter referred to as the NJUFC. The center shall obtain the building's fire safety inspection certificate issued by the municipality in which it is located, based on a fire inspection conducted within the preceding 12 months, reflecting the center's compliance with all applicable provisions of the NJUFC. The center shall maintain on file the building's fire safety inspection certificate.
Ensure Supervisory alerts on the fire panel are cleared.
Yes
?Mon Oct 07 2019 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) 3A:52-7.3(a)(2) — For early childhood programs, the following shall apply: for each child not enrolled in a public or private school, upon admission, the center shall maintain on file at the center a Universal Child Health Record (Department of Health Form CH-14) or its equivalent, updated annually, along with an immunization record, and a special care plan, if applicable. A 30-day grace period is permitted in N.J.A.C. 8:57-4.5(e)
Ensure all universal health forms are updated annually.
Yes

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

Inspections (19)

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

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