New Jersey Administrative Code
Title 3A - CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Chapter 52 - MANUAL OF REQUIREMENTS FOR CHILD CARE CENTERS
Subchapter 4 - STAFF REQUIREMENTS
Section 3A:52-4.3 - Staff/child ratios and supervision

Universal Citation: NJ Admin Code 3A:52-4.3

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 18, September 16, 2024

(a) The children shall be supervised directly by a staff member at all times, including during outdoor activities, rest and sleep, and walking through hallways. Toileting procedures shall be supervised by a staff member as appropriate for the ages and developmental needs of the children.

1. The center shall develop and implement an Office of Licensing-approved method to keep track of the location and ensure the safety of all children at all times when under the center's supervision, including the transfer of supervision from and to parents during arrival and departure and the utilization of off-site locations, including playgrounds and field trips.

2. The center shall ensure that all staff members are trained in the method of keeping track of children and know how many children are in their care at all times.

(b) There shall be a minimum of two staff members accompanying children on any field trip, outing, or special event involving children away from the center, even when the appropriate staff/child ratios allow fewer than two staff members.

(c) The following staff/child ratios shall apply, except as specified in (d) through (f) below:

Age Staff/Child Ratio
Under 18 months 1:4
18 months up to 2 1/2 years 1:6
2 1/2 years up to 4 years 1:10
4 years 1:12
5 years and older 1:15

(d) The following staff/child ratios shall apply during rest or sleep, when the criteria listed in (d)1, 2 and 3 below are met:

Age Staff/Child Ratio
Under 18 months 1:10
18 months to under 2 1/2 years 1:12
2 1/2 years and above 1:20
1. At least one staff member shall be physically present in the room or area in which children are napping and shall be able to summon other staff members without leaving the room or area.

2. A sufficient number of staff members shall be in the facility and readily accessible to ensure compliance with the awake staff/child ratios specified in (c) above.

3. Naptime preparations shall have been completed and all children 18 months or above are resting or sleeping, while all children under 18 months of age are sleeping.

(e) The following staff/child ratios shall apply for centers serving children, 50 percent or more of whom have special needs, as a result of a cognitive, socio-emotional or physical disability or disorder:

Age Staff/Child Ratio
Under 21/2 years 1:3
21/2 years of age and over 1:3
(non-ambulatory)
21/2 years of age and over 1:5
(ambulatory)

(f) Centers serving children who are sick shall comply with the variation on staff/child ratios for sick children, as specified in 3A:52-8.3(c).

(g) In computing the required number of staff, the center shall apply the applicable staff/child ratios, as specified in (c) through (f) above, to the actual number of children in attendance at the center. The total number of staff members required for a center shall be the sum total of staff members required per room or area within a large room that has been divided by partitions, furniture or other barrier. The number of staff members per room or area within a large divided room shall be computed by dividing the number of children in attendance per room or area within a large divided room at any given time by the staff/child ratio required for the age of the children served. When this resulting figure is any fraction above a whole number, an additional staff member shall be required.

(h) When children of mixed ages requiring different staff/child ratios are in one room or area within a large divided room, the center shall compute the staff/child ratios applicable for each group separately to the nearest tenth decimal. If the resulting cumulative figure for all age groups is any fraction above a whole number, an additional staff member shall be required.

(i) For purposes of determining whether a required staff/child ratio is met, only those staff members who are involved in the direct care and supervision of children shall be counted.

(j) Staff members who are under 18 years of age shall be directly supervised by and visible to a staff member who is 18 years of age or older.

(k) For early childhood programs, the following shall apply:

1. A minimum of two staff members, one of whom shall be at least 18 years of age, shall be present and involved in the care of children when:
i. At least six children are present, who are below six years of age; or

ii. Fewer than six children are present but applicable staff/child ratios, governing children below 18 months of age or children with special needs, require two staff members.

2. The following minimum ages of staff members shall apply for purposes of computing the staff/child ratio:
i. Only staff members who are at least 14 years of age shall be counted for the staff/child ratio; and

ii. Staff members below 16 years of age shall only be utilized when school is not in session, or, if school is in session, only if they are participating in a school/work program.

(l) For school-age child care programs, the following shall apply:

1. A minimum of two staff members, one of whom shall be at least 18 years of age, shall be at the center and involved in the care of children when six or more children are present, except as specified in (l)2 and 3 below.

2. A minimum of one staff member, who shall be at least 18 years of age, shall be at the center and involved in the care of children when all the provisions in (l)2i through iv below are met:
i. Children attend for no more than one and one half hours;

ii. No more than five children present are below six years of age;

iii. No more than 12 children are present; and

iv. An additional adult has agreed to be available and immediately accessible in an emergency.

3. A minimum of one staff member, who shall be at least 18 years of age, shall escort up to 12 children on any walk including walks to and from their school and the center.

4. Only staff members who are at least 16 years of age shall be counted for the staff/child ratio.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. New Jersey may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.