Inquisitive Minds STEAM Academy - Somerset NJ Regular Child Care Center

1489 Hamilton Street , Somerset NJ 08873
(732) 873-2729

About the Provider

Description: Inquisitive Minds STEAM Academy is a Regular Child Care Center in Somerset NJ, with a maximum capacity of 42 children. This child care center helps with children in the age range of 0 - 13 years. The provider also participates in a subsidized child care program.

Program and Licensing Details

  • License Number: 180300113
  • Capacity: 42
  • Age Range: 0 - 13 years
  • Enrolled in Subsidized Child Care Program: Yes
  • Current License Expiration Date: Jul 13, 2024
  • 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
2023-06-07 2023-06-26 3A:52-4.10(b)(2)
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.

Violation Observed: Ensure that all staff who do not have a completed CARI background check are directly supervised by another staff member in room 1. A new staff member was alone during nap time without a completed CARI.
2023-06-07 3A:52-4.11(b)(2)
When the center applies for a new license or Certificate of Life/Safety Approval, the sponsor or sponsor representative shall ensure that each staff member at least 18 years of age who is or will be working at the center on a regularly scheduled basis completes the CHRI fingerprinting process specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.11(a). Until the center receives the results of the CHRI background check for a new staff member from the Department of Human Services, the center shall ensure oversight of that person by another staff member and ensure that the person is not alone to supervise a child or group of children.

Violation Observed: Ensure that all staff who do not have a completed CHRI background check are directly supervised by another staff member in room 1. A new staff member was alone without a completed CHRI clearance.
2023-06-07 2023-06-26 3A:52-4.3(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.

Violation Observed: Ensure that adequate supervision is maintained at all times throughout the center. A staff member left room 3 to answer the door to permit the inspector to enter the center leaving 7 children alone.
2023-05-18 2023-06-26 3A:52-4.10(b)(2)
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.

Violation Observed: Ensure that all staff who do not have a completed CARI background check are directly supervised by another staff member in room 1. A staff member was alone without a completed CARI clearance.
2023-05-18 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: Ensure that all staff complete a CHRI background check as required in room 1.
2023-05-18 3A:52-4.11(b)(2)
When the center applies for a new license or Certificate of Life/Safety Approval, the sponsor or sponsor representative shall ensure that each staff member at least 18 years of age who is or will be working at the center on a regularly scheduled basis completes the CHRI fingerprinting process specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.11(a). Until the center receives the results of the CHRI background check for a new staff member from the Department of Human Services, the center shall ensure oversight of that person by another staff member and ensure that the person is not alone to supervise a child or group of children.

Violation Observed: Ensure that all staff who do not have a completed CHRI background check are directly supervised by another staff member in room 1. A staff member was alone without a completed CHRI clearance.
2023-05-18 2023-06-26 3A:52-4.10(a)(1)
The sponsor or sponsor representative, and each staff member shall complete a signed consent form provided by the Department that indicates the identifying information necessary to conduct a CARI background check, including the person’s name, address, date of birth, sex, race, and Social Security number. Pursuant to the Federal Privacy Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-579), the Department shall advise each such person that the disclosure of his or her Social Security number is voluntary, and that the Social Security number will only be used for the purpose of conducting a CARI background check.

Violation Observed: Ensure that CARI background checks are completed as required for all staff within two weeks of hire in room 1.
2023-04-20 2023-05-18 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 in room 2. There were 2 children of the ages of 2-2.2 years and 9 children ages 3-3.9 years with 1 staff member. This ratios combined is 1.23 which requires 2 staff.
2023-02-21 2023-04-20 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: Based on complaint 21819, ensure that the center washes and disinfects the highchairs and highchair trays used by the children for eating before each meal.
2023-02-21 2023-03-06 3A:52-4.3(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.

Violation Observed: Ensure that adequate supervision is maintained at all times in the multipurpose room. A staff member left 3 children alone to take a backpack to the hallway.
2023-02-21 2023-03-06 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 in room 2. A staff member left 1 teacher with 10 children when 2 teachers are required.
2023-02-21 2023-05-18 3A:52-6.3(b)(3)(vi)
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).

Violation Observed: Ensure that age and developmentally appropriate seating is provided for all children who no longer need to be held for feeding. There were 2 children sitting in highchairs who do not have safety belts in the multipurpose room.
2023-02-21 2023-04-20 3A:52-6.4(i)
Children shall not use pacifiers with straps or other types of attachment devices.

Violation Observed: Cease the use of pacifier straps or other types of attachment devices in the multipurpose room.
2023-02-21 2023-04-20 3A:52-6.4(b)(1)(ii)
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.

Violation Observed: Ensure that all sleeping equipment is free of soft bedding when occupied by a sleeping child in the multipurpose room.
2023-02-21 2023-03-06 3A:52-6.4(g)(1)
When sheets, blankets and other coverings are not stored with sleeping equipment, each of these items shall be labeled for each child.

Violation Observed: Ensure that each child's crib is labeled with the child's name in the multipurpose room.

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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Providers in ZIP Code 08873