Description: Cranbury Presbyterian Nursery School nurtures the inquisitive minds of young children, so we believe that an early introduction to agriculture-awareness is essential to nurture a lifelong love of nature and our environment. Four years ago, our preschool installed a 12' X 12' teaching garden on the school's grounds. Each year from April to November we have enjoyed exploring the teaching garden and have used it to teach so many agricultural concepts.
Our students enjoy each aspect of caring for the garden, more than planting seeds and picking tomatoes. In April, we begin by learning how to prepare the garden for growing. We enjoy pulling weeds from the roots, compare deep and shallow root systems, and learn that some smell like onions! We learn why weeding the garden makes our plants stronger. We learn that some vegetables grow above the ground and some grow below, that plants grow to different heights, and that some produce blossoms which turn into vegetables! Some grow quickly, and for others, we seem to wait forever.
While we are preparing and weeding our garden we enjoy collecting bugs and worms for inspection, identification, and discussion and then release them back into the garden. We have a worm farm in our classroom and we watch the worms dig, since the worm farm has plastic sides so we can see the worms 'underground'. We learn that worms are useful to our garden, aerate the soil, and leave essential nutrients behind for our plants to enjoy.
The children plant seeds and watch them grow in plastic cups so we can examine root systems. Crops include lettuce, spinach, broccoli, strawberries, tomatoes, zucchini, beans, chives, pumpkins, cucumbers, and more have grown in our garden. We journal our experiences, measure, compare/contrast young seedlings, and learn how we can help these plants produce delicious vegetables. We experiment by sprouting bean seeds in water, sand, rocks, and paper towels and learn what environment yields the best seedlings and why. We even have the children help build an irrigation system since we don't have a water source near the garden!
As we pick and taste our crops, we teach that part of growing is trying new tastes/textures. The children learn about the food pyramid and that part of a healthy diet includes foods from many food groups. We talk about our favorites from each group and learn that these foods originate on farms! We enjoy setting up a pretend farm stand in our classroom, 'selling' produce, learning money value, adding, budgeting, and introducing new vegetables to the children. We are fortunate to have a teacher's assistant whose family has been farming in Cranbury since 1926. She is always happy to answer questions about farm life, equipment, crops, and running a farm stand.
Von Thun's field trip offers our children consistent agriculture teaching about nurturing plants and flowers, having a plan for the farm, selling the produce and plants, caring for the animals, nature facts in the barn, and more. We have especially enjoyed the 'burger' and 'pizza' gardens. The children tie in what they have learned in class to real-life farming which deepens their learning. We know this is true because of the relevant questions and comments they share while on the trip and back in class. We value our farming community and are proud to have the opportunity to teach the children agriculture at Cranbury Presbyterian Nursery School.
As evidenced in the essay we learn a lot at CPNS but in the most developmentally appropriate ways for preschoolers.
Where possible, ChildcareCenter provides inspection reports as a service to families. This information is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed. We encourage families to contact the daycare provider directly with any questions or concerns, as the provider may have already addressed some or all issues. Reports can also be verified with your local daycare licensing office.
| Date Cited | Date Abated | Regulation Number |
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| 2023-04-11 | 3A:52-4.10(b)(1) | |
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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. Violation Observed: Ensure that all staff submit a CARI background check upon renewal.6/20/2023 - Provide 3 missing renewal CARI checks. |
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| 2023-04-11 | 3A:52-4.11(a)(1) | |
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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. Violation Observed: Ensure that all staff, the sponsor and/or the sponsor representative complete a CHRI background check as required for the center's license renewal. |
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| 2023-04-11 | 2023-05-16 | 3A:52-5.3(o)(1) |
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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. Violation Observed: Ensure that at least two staff have current first aid and CPR certifications and are present at all times at the center. |
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| 2023-04-11 | 2023-05-16 | 3A:52-5.2(a)(8) |
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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. Violation Observed: Provide a current life/hazard use registration certificate applicable to the center's licensed capacity and ages served. |
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| 2023-04-11 | 2023-05-16 | 3A:52-5.3(n)(1) |
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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. Violation Observed: Ensure that the center conducts fire drills at least once per month during each session provided at the center, including one fire drill annually that is conducted during nap time. |
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| 2023-04-11 | 2023-05-16 | 3A:52-5.3(c)(1) |
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Lighting requirements are as follows: all fluorescent tubes and incandescent light bulbs shall have protective covers or shields. Violation Observed: Ensure that all fluorescent tubes and incandescent light bulbs have protective coverings in bathroom in room 19/20. |
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| 2023-04-11 | 2023-05-16 | 3A:52-5.3(c)(2) |
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Lighting requirements are as follows: during program activities, at least 20 foot-candles of natural or artificial light shall be provided in all rooms used by the children. This illumination shall be measured three feet above the floor at the farthest point from the light source. Violation Observed: Replace inoperable light fixture in room 12. |
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| 2023-04-11 | 3A:52-5.3(a)(14) | |
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Indoor maintenance and sanitation requirements are as follows: all balconies, rooftops, verandas, and all floor levels used by children that are above the first floor and subject the children to an open drop or atrium shall be protected by barriers consisting of safety glass, Plexiglas, or any other materials approved by the Office of Licensing. Such barriers shall extend at least five feet above the floor level. Violation Observed: Ensure that all balconies, rooftops, verandas and all floor levels used by children above the first floor that subject the children to an open drop have five foot barriers as required. |
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| 2023-04-11 | 2023-05-16 | 3A:52-5.3(a)(5)(ii) |
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Indoor maintenance and sanitation requirements are as follows: garbage receptacles shall be covered in a secure manner. Violation Observed: Ensure that garbage receptacles are maintained as required, including being covered securely throughout the center. |
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| 2023-04-11 | 2023-05-16 | 3A:52-2.1(b) |
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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. Violation Observed: Complete and submit a DCF Renewal Attestation and all required documents. |
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| 2023-04-11 | 3A:52-5.3(i)(5)(i) | |
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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. Violation Observed: 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. |
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| 2023-04-11 | 2023-06-20 | 3A:52-5.3(h)(2)(ii) |
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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 submits documentation to the Office of Licensing of a previous lead paint inspection conducted by a Lead Inspector/Risk Assessor, who is certified and employed as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3(h)3, indicating the center is free of lead-based paint hazards. Violation Observed: Submit a lead paint risk assessment as required. |
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| 2022-04-12 | 2022-04-14 | 3A:52-5.2(a)(8) |
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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. Violation Observed: Provide a current life/hazard use registration certificate applicable to the center's licensed capacity and ages served. |
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| 2021-04-01 | 2021-05-12 | 3A:52-4.11(a)(1) |
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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. Violation Observed: Submit one missing CHRI background check. |
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| 2021-04-01 | 2021-05-12 | 3A:52-4.6(a) |
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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). Violation Observed: Submit a current Staff Records Checklist. |
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