Description: The Garden Preschool Cooperative (GPC) is a parent-run nonprofit preschool that seeks to provide high-quality progressive early childhood education in a nurturing atmosphere. Founded in 1995, the school was envisioned as an alternative to parents who sought an enhanced level of involvement in the education of their young children and who believed a cooperative community would provide an ideal setting for early childhood education. Our goal is to guide children towards becoming well- rounded individuals who are self-reliant, confident, kind and cooperative. We aim to develop intellectual skills such as problem-solving, perseverance and creative thinking. We promote good habits and attitudes so that our children continue to develop healthy relationships to others and, most importantly, develop valued senses of themselves.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-08-20 | 3A:52-4.11(a)(5) | |
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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). When a person who is not required to complete a CHRI background check is working with children at the center, the center shall ensure oversight of that person by another staff member and ensure that the person is not left alone to supervise a child or group of children. Violation Observed: Ensure all staff over 18 have CHRI clearances as required. |
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| 2021-08-20 | 2022-01-06 | 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: Submit fire drill log documenting recent monthly fire drills. |
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| 2021-08-20 | 2022-01-06 | 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: Update and maintain the staff records checklist. |
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| 2020-02-03 | 2020-08-19 | 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: Update the Staff Records Checklist. |
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| 2019-07-16 | 2020-08-19 | 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 CARIs are completed for the center's renewal. |
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| 2019-07-16 | 2020-08-19 | 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. | ||
| 2019-07-16 | 2019-09-27 | 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. | ||
| 2019-07-16 | 2019-10-28 | 3A:52-7.7(a)(1)(ii) |
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Disinfectants shall be used as follows: the center shall disinfect those items specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-7.7(a)3 with a solution that shall be a self-made solution consisting of one-quarter cup of household bleach to each gallon of water (one tablespoon per quart), which shall be prepared daily and placed in a labeled, sealed container. Violation Observed: Ensure center uses a commercial disinfectant or a bleach and water solution prepared daily. |
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| 2019-07-16 | 2019-09-27 | 3A:52-7.7(e)(1)(iii) |
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For early childhood programs, the following shall apply: in addition to the items specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-7.7(a)3, the following equipment items or surfaces shall be washed and disinfected after each use, diapering surfaces. Violation Observed: Ensure staff use a 2 step process to wash and disinfect diapering surface after each use. |
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| 2019-07-16 | 2019-09-27 | 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. | ||
| 2019-07-16 | 2020-08-19 | 3A:52-4.8(b) |
| 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). | ||
| 2019-07-16 | 2020-11-12 | 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. | ||
| 2019-07-16 | 2019-09-27 | 3A:52-5.3(a)(16)(ii) |
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Indoor maintenance and sanitation requirements are as follows: walls shall be painted or otherwise covered whenever there is evidence of heavily soiled conditions. Violation Observed: Paint or clean baseboards throughout center. |
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| 2019-07-16 | 2020-02-03 | 3A:52-4.6(b)(1) |
| The director shall meet the following qualification requirements for early childhood programs licensed to serve more than 30 children, the director shall meet the qualification requirements as specified in N.J.A.C 3A:52-4.6(b) for education and experience. | ||
| 2019-07-16 | 2020-02-03 | 3A:52-4.6(c)(1) |
| For early childhood programs, the following shall apply: for all centers, the head teacher or consulting head teacher shall meet the qualification requirements specified in one of the seven options set forth in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.6(c) for education and experience. | ||
If you are a provider and you believe any information is incorrect, please contact us. We will research your concern and make corrections accordingly.
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An excellent school, with caring teachers. We have our daughter enrolled for the 2011-2012 school year, and couldn't be having a better experience.
The teachers, Sam, Andrea, and Jasmine are wonderful; they are highly attentive, caring, and deeply care about the curriculum. All of the kids at the school adore them which is a plus!
All of the parents of the school are required to be a Parent of the Day every 3 weeks, so expect to be heavily involved in the school planning, fundraising, and curriculum also. I especially like this aspect though, because we are actively involved in our children's experience.
I thoroughly enjoy this school, as does our daughter. We would choose GPC all over again if given the option!