First Mountain Pre-School - West Orange NJ Regular Child Care Center

270 PLEASANT VALLEY WAY , WEST ORANGE NJ 07052
(973) 243-6768
1 Review

About the Provider

Description: First Mountain Preschool offers a literature-based learning curriculum in an environment that integrates Art, Science, Math & Music. This Language and Literature Curriculum creates project ideas developed through interactional, developmentally appropriate discussions and questions in an effort to get to know each child & discover their interests. This interactional teaching method is the basis of the Founder & Director Susan McCartney's graduate thesis research to offer emotional security and a mutual respect for the children as well as their parents.

Program and Licensing Details

  • License Number: 07FIR0008
  • Capacity: 69
  • Age Range: 0 - 13 years
  • Enrolled in Subsidized Child Care Program: Yes
  • District Office: New Jersey Dept of Children and Families - Office of Licensing
  • District Office Phone: 1-877-667-9845 (Note: This is not the facility phone number.)

Location Map

Inspection/Report History

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
2023-07-10 3A:52-4.3(a)(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.

Violation Observed: Ensure that adequate procedures for tracking children are adhered to at all times throughout the center. At the time of the inspection, staff were unaware of the number of children in their care. 8/8/2023 Staff stated there were 29 children present when there were 32 present.
2023-07-10 2023-08-08 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.

Violation Observed: Ensure that the center washes and disinfects the tables used by the children for eating before each meal.
2023-07-10 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).

Violation Observed: Ensure that the center completes an updated Staff Records Checklist designated by OOL.
2023-07-10 3A:52-4.5(c)(2)(ii)
The director or his or her designee(s) shall be on the premises at all times when the center is operating and the designee shall complete staff development in understanding licensing rules as provided by the Office.

Violation Observed: Ensure that the director and the director designee complete the Understanding Licensing training provided by OOL.
2023-07-10 2023-07-25 3A:52-5.3(n)(4)
Fire prevention requirements are as follows: all fire extinguishers shall be visually inspected once a month, and serviced and tagged at least once a year and recharged, if necessary, as specified in the NJUFC.

Violation Observed: Ensure that all fire extinguishers are serviced and tagged annually and recharged as needed.
2023-07-10 2023-07-10 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.

Violation Observed: Provide a current fire certificate as required.
2023-07-10 2023-07-25 3A:52-6.1(b)(7)(ii)
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. Centers shall develop a written policy regarding the use of television, computers, and other equipment for children over the age of two and maintain on file written plans for such use and the length of time for their use. In addition, centers shall develop a written policy for the use of such equipment as it pertains to children in care less than four hours and children in care more than four hours.

Violation Observed: Develop a written policy for the use of television, computers and other technology by children over the age of 2 years old and maintain it on file at the center.
2023-07-10 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.

Violation Observed: Replace stained ceiling tiles in room 1.
2023-07-10 3A:52-5.3(q)(3)(v)
Space and room requirements are as follows: Indoor space requirements for play rooms and sleep rooms are as follows the center shall identify all rooms of the center that have been approved by the Office of Licensing. This identification shall consist of numbers, letters, names or any other means of identification and shall be located either inside or directly outside each room.

Violation Observed: Label all rooms approved by the OOL for the children's use.
2023-07-10 2023-07-25 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.

Violation Observed: Ensure that the center has a current comprehensive general liability insurance policy and maintains the documentation on file.
2023-07-10 3A:52-5.3(l)(4)
Emergency procedure requirements are as follows: the center shall conduct two lockdown drills per year and maintain on file a record of each lockdown drill. The center shall ensure that lockdown drills are conducted during each session provided at the center.

Violation Observed: Ensure that the center conducts at least two lockdown drills per year during each session provided at the center and maintains records of the drills on file.
2023-07-10 2023-08-08 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.

Violation Observed: Provide a CHRI clearance for 1 staff member.
2023-07-10 2023-08-08 3A:52-4.5(a)(3)(i)(1)
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.

Violation Observed: Ensure that the center has a table of organization that includes job descriptions.
2023-07-10 2023-07-25 3A:52-4.5(b)(2)(ii)
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 children's daily attendance records, including the daily time of arrival and departure.

Violation Observed: Ensure children are signed in as required. At the time of the inspection, 25 children were signed in while 27 were present.
2022-05-03 2022-05-19 3A:52-4.3(c)
The following staff/child ratios shall apply, except as specified in 3A:52-4.3(d) through (f):Age Staff/Child RatioUnder 18 months - 1:418 months up to 2 ½ years - 1:62 ½ years up to 4 years - 1:104 years - 1:125 years and older - 1:15

Violation Observed: Ensure that adequate staff/child ratios are maintained at all times throughout the center. At the time of the inspection, there were 19 children on the playground with 1 staff when 2 were required.

If you are a provider and you believe any information is incorrect, please contact us. We will research your concern and make corrections accordingly.

Reviews

...
Kate 2016-09-19 00:12:35
I have used this provider for more than 6 months

The teachers are creative, fun, responsible, & encouraging. My child loves going to school at First Mountain! I know graduates who still visit regularly & talk about their fond experiences. First MountainPreschool is the only preschool for me (us)!

60 out of 128 think this review is helpful
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