Child Care Center
✓ Licensed
Garden Friends
Old Bridge, NJ
· Middlesex County
3018 BORDENTOWN AVE,
Old Bridge, NJ 08859
Quick Facts
Capacity
107 children
Age Range
0 - 13 years
Subsidized Program
Participates
State Rating
1
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Contact Information
📞 (732) 721-2620
Licensed Child Care Center
Active License
License Number
12GAR0001
License Issued
Apr 15, 2026
Active Through
Apr 15, 2029
Issued By
New Jersey Department of Children & Families
District Office
New Jersey Dept of Children and Families - Office of Licensing
Reviews
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About the Provider
Early childhood is a time for nurturing and growing and at Garden Friends; we aim to fulfill all your child's needs. We believe that children are unique and beautiful in their own special way. In order to care for your precious seeds, we offer activities that will enhance their learning while offering care that only a parent can value. Through our constant encouragement, we build your child's self-esteem and with positive reinforcement, we will help your child develop their motor and verbal skills. Our main focus is making friends! Friendships show us how to share, love, and care for one another and through our daily socialization, friends begin to care for friends.
Hours of Operation
- Monday07:00 AM - 06:00 PM
- Tuesday07:00 AM - 06:00 PM
- Wednesday07:00 AM - 06:00 PM
- Thursday07:00 AM - 06:00 PM
- Friday07:00 AM - 06:00 PM
- Saturday Closed
- Sunday Closed
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. Reports can also be verified with your local daycare licensing office.
| Inspection Date | Type | Reinspection / Rule | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-09-10 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2026-08-25 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2026-07-24 | Monitoring | No | Center Inspection |
| 2026-04-09 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2026-03-26 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2026-03-09 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2026-01-15 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2025-12-01 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2025-10-07 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2025-09-22 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2025-08-11 | Complaint | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2025-07-24 | Renewal | No | Center Inspection |
| 2025-02-11 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2025-01-30 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2025-01-07 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2024-10-18 | Monitoring | No | Center Inspection |
| 2024-08-27 | Other | No | Center Inspection |
| 2024-06-05 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2024-04-28 | Phone Call | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2024-03-27 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2024-02-29 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2024-02-20 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2024-01-30 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2024-01-30 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2023-12-12 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2023-12-08 | Monitoring | No | Center Inspection |
| 2023-10-23 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2023-08-30 | Phone Call | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2023-07-26 | Phone Call | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2023-07-26 | Phone Call | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2023-06-15 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2023-05-02 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2023-03-15 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2023-02-09 | Phone Call | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2023-01-11 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2023-01-11 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2022-12-19 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2022-12-19 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2022-12-19 | Violation | 3A:52-6.4(b)(1)(ii) | Cease use of blankets for children under 12 months. - The center shall provide sleeping equipment for children 12 months of age and younger, the center shall provide for each child a crib, that complies with the Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) Federal Safety Standards for Full- Size and Non-Full-Size Baby Cribs; 16 CFR 1219 and 1220, which is incorporated herein by reference, and can be obtained through the CPSC's website at https://www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety- Education-Centers/cribs , playpen, or other Office of Licensing-approved sleeping equipment that meets the following requirement that sleeping equipment shall be free of pillows and soft bedding, including, but not limited to bumper pads, when occupied by a sleeping child. |
| 2022-12-19 | Violation | 3A:52-4.8(a)(9) | Retrain all staff on safe sleep practices to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. - Topics of orientation training shall include implementing safe sleep practices to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. |
| 2022-10-31 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2022-09-19 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2022-08-10 | Renewal | No | Center Inspection |
| 2022-08-10 | Renewal | No | Center Inspection |
| 2022-08-10 | Violation | 3A:52-5.3(q)(1)(ii) | Maintain space requirements for all rooms approved by OOL for children's use. - Space and room requirements are as follows: all space and rooms within the center to be used by children shall be inspected and approved by the Office of Licensing prior to their use. In making its determination, the Office of Licensing shall consider whether the space is too far removed, remote, or isolated from other areas of the center to be used by children. rooms or areas of the center that are not Office of Licensing-approved for use by children shall be made inaccessible to children. |
| 2022-08-10 | Violation | 3A:52-6.2(a)(1) | Ensure that the center has an adequate supply of materials to meet the daily activity needs of the children in Room 9. - The center shall provide a supply of age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate program equipment including play equipment, child-size furniture and supplies that are sufficient to meet the daily activity needs of the children and the program. |
| 2022-08-10 | Violation | 3A:52-6.3(b)(3)(vi) | Ensure children are strapped in to high chairs at all times in Room 4. - For early childhood programs, the following shall apply, feeding requirements for centers serving children less than 18 months of age are as follows: a child who, because of age or developmental readiness, no longer needs to be held for feeding shall be provided with an infant seat, high chair with safety strap, or other age-appropriate seating apparatus, which meets the standards of a recognized safety organization (such as the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, the American Society for Testing and Materials, or the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission). |
| 2022-08-10 | Violation | 3A:52-6.3(a)(12)(ii) | Ensure that each child's sippy cup is labeled with the child's name in Room 3. - 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. |
| 2022-08-10 | Violation | 3A:52-6.3(b)(3)(i) | Ensure that each child under 12 months of age has a written feeding plan. - For early childhood programs, the following shall apply, feeding requirements for centers serving children less than 18 months of age are as follows: the center shall develop mutually with each child's parent(s) and follow a feeding plan regarding the feeding schedule, specific formula, breastfeeding arrangements and accommodations, and/or expressed breast milk, nutritional needs, and introduction of new food for each child. |
| 2022-08-10 | Violation | 3A:52-6.4(b)(1)(ii) | Cease use of blankets for children under 12 months. - The center shall provide sleeping equipment for children 12 months of age and younger, the center shall provide for each child a crib, that complies with the Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) Federal Safety Standards for Full- Size and Non-Full-Size Baby Cribs; 16 CFR 1219 and 1220, which is incorporated herein by reference, and can be obtained through the CPSC's website at https://www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety- Education-Centers/cribs , playpen, or other Office of Licensing-approved sleeping equipment that meets the following requirement that sleeping equipment shall be free of pillows and soft bedding, including, but not limited to bumper pads, when occupied by a sleeping child. |
| 2022-08-10 | Violation | 3A:52-6.4(b)(1) | Repair and/or replace sleeping equipment that is in disrepair in Room 6. - The center shall provide sleeping equipment for children 12 months of age and younger, the center shall provide for each child a crib, that complies with the Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) Federal Safety Standards for Full- Size and Non-Full-Size Baby Cribs; 16 CFR 1219 and 1220, which is incorporated herein by reference, and can be obtained through the CPSC's website at https://www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety- Education-Centers/cribs , playpen, or other Office of Licensing-approved sleeping equipment that meets the following requirement that |
| 2022-08-10 | Violation | 3A:52-7.7(a)(3)(iv) | Ensure that the center washes and disinfects the tables used by the children for eating before each meal throughout the center. - The schedule for disinfecting shall be as follows: tables used by the children for eating shall be washed and disinfected before each meal. |
| 2022-08-10 | Violation | 3A:52-7.8(d)(1)(ii)(3) | Ensure that diapering surfaces are in good repair in Room 1. - For early childhood programs, the following shall apply: diapering requirements for centers serving children who are not toilet trained are as follows, diapering area and surface requirements are as follows, the diapering surface shall be flat, smooth, clean, dry, non-absorbent, and in good repair. |
| 2022-08-10 | Violation | 3A:52-4.6(a) | Ensure that the center completes and maintains on file a Staff Records Checklist designated by OOL. - 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). |
| 2022-08-10 | Violation | 3A:52-4.8(c) | Ensure that all staff complete 12 hours of staff development annually. - The center shall ensure that all staff members who work at the center complete 12 hours of continuing staff development each year. |
| 2022-08-10 | Violation | 3A:52-4.8(d)(1) | Ensure that all credentialed staff complete 20 hours of staff development annually. - 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. |
| 2022-08-10 | Violation | 3A:52-5.3(o)(1) | Ensure that at least two staff have current first aid and CPR certifications and are present at all times at the center. - 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. |
| 2022-08-10 | Violation | 3A:52-6.8(a)(1) | Ensure that the center completes and maintains on file a children's records checklist. - 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. |
| 2022-08-10 | Violation | 3A:52-3.6(b)(1) | 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. - 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. |
| 2022-08-10 | Violation | 3A:52-7.11(a)(1) | Ensure that the center maintains and distributes to all families the center's communicable disease policy and maintains on file signatures of all families attesting to the receipt of the policy. - Each center shall develop a written policy on the management of communicable diseases. This policy shall include the following: the list of illnesses and symptoms of illness for which a child will be separated from the group and possibly sent home, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-7.1©. |
| 2022-08-10 | Violation | 3A:52-6.5(a)(1) | Ensure that the center maintains and distributes to all families and staff the center's policy on the release of children and maintains on file signatures of all staff and families attesting to the receipt of the policy. - The center shall maintain on file and follow a written policy on the release of children, which shall include the provision that each child may be released only to the child's parent(s) or person(s) authorized by the parent(s), as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-6.8(a)3, to take the child from the center and to assume responsibility for the child in an emergency if the parent(s) cannot be reached. |
| 2022-08-10 | Violation | 3A:52-6.8(j)(3) | Develop and maintain on file an expulsion policy and maintain on file signatures from all families attesting to the receipt of the policy. - 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. |
| 2022-08-10 | Violation | 3A:52-6.8(l) | 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. - 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. |
| 2022-08-10 | Violation | 3A:52-5.3(n)(1) | 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. - 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. |
| 2022-08-10 | Violation | 3A:52-5.3(a)(2) | Secure ceiling tiles throughout the center. - 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. |
| 2022-08-10 | Violation | 3A:52-5.3(a)(9) | Ensure that toilet in male bathroom on first floor is maintained in operating condition. - 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. |
| 2022-08-10 | Violation | 3A:52-5.3(a)(18) | Ensure that microwave is secured in Room 7. - Indoor maintenance and sanitation requirements are as follows: ensure that microwave ovens, toaster ovens, and other portable devices used to heat or prepare food are out of children's reach, secured on a stable surface, and not in use when children are in the area in order to ensure the safety of children. |
| 2022-08-10 | Violation | 3A:52-5.3(a)(6) | Ensure that all food waste receptacle in Room 7 is maintained in a sanitary condition. - Indoor maintenance and sanitation requirements are as follows: food waste receptacles shall be lined and maintained in clean and sanitary condition. |
| 2022-08-10 | Violation | 3A:52-5.3(c)(1) | Ensure light bulbs have protective covering in Big Friends bathroom. - Lighting requirements are as follows: all fluorescent tubes and incandescent light bulbs shall have protective covers or shields. |
| 2022-08-10 | Violation | 3A:52-5.3(a)(15) | Clean vents throughout the center. - Indoor maintenance and sanitation requirements are as follows: ventilation outlets shall be clean and free from obstructions, and filters shall be replaced when saturated. |
| 2022-08-10 | Violation | 3A:52-5.3(a)(16) | Sand and paint cabinet in Room 5. - Indoor maintenance and sanitation requirements are as follows: walls shall be painted or otherwise covered whenever there is evidence of |
| 2022-08-10 | Violation | 3A:52-5.3(p) | Repair ripped rockers in Room 1. - Play equipment, materials, and furniture for indoor and outdoor use shall be of sturdy and safe construction, non-toxic, free of hazards, and used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. The center may not use play equipment intended for outdoor use indoors. |
| 2022-08-10 | Violation | 3A:52-5.3(b)(2) | Ensure that the outdoor play area is free from stagnant water. - Outdoor maintenance and sanitation requirements are as follows: the outdoor play area shall be graded or provided with drains to dispose of surface water. |
| 2022-08-10 | Violation | 3A:52-5.3(b)(7) | Provide and maintain the resilient surfacing and use zones under all play equipment as required. - Outdoor maintenance and sanitation requirements are as follows: the center shall comply with the Playground Safety Subcode of the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code, as specified in N.J.A.C. 5:23-11. |
| 2022-08-10 | Violation | 3A:52-4.10(b)(2) | Ensure that sponsor representative submits a CARI background check upon renewal. - 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. 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. |
| 2022-08-10 | Violation | 3A:52-4.10(b)(1) | Ensure that all staff submit a CARI background check upon renewal. - 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. |
| 2020-09-30 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2020-08-25 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2020-07-21 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2020-05-20 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2020-03-20 | Phone Call | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2020-02-19 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2020-01-13 | Re-Inspection | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2019-11-04 | Renewal | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2019-09-20 | Renewal | Yes | Center Inspection |
| 2019-06-10 | Yes | Center Inspection | |
| 2019-05-06 | Monitoring | No | Center Inspection |
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