Description:
Founded in 1988, and part of the Greater Morristown YMCA, the Richard Blake Children's Center is the premier child care facility in Morris County. We offer full day care and preschool for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years, with certified teachers in every classroom. Our NAEYC Accreditation gives you peace of mind knowing that you are choosing the right center, and the right people to care for your child. From infants to preschool, we offer quality care in a safe nurturing environment where your child can learn, grow and thrive. Our center features a large indoor gymnasium and outdoor playground, including a shaded area and a garden.
Each classroom is staffed by a certified teacher, we have assistants in every room and a low child-to-teacher ratio. Our average tenure for administrators and staff in an impressive 10.5 years! All staff are pediatric CPR and First Aid certified and required to attend at least 10 hours of workshops each year to expand their knowledge in areas like brain development, social and emotional growth, and the importance of creative play.
Enrichment Includes: Free swim lessons, music classes, dancing, sports, outdoor playground and garden
Curriculum – Our state approved ‘Early Childhood Curriculum’ is grounded in the latest research that embraces your child’s natural curiosity at every age. We also strongly believe in the overwhelming benefit of play. Play weaves together many aspects of their world and helps them digest it in their own way. It is a central activity in their lives. From infants to preschoolers, we keep the spirit of creativity and active learning alive and growing.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-06-08 | 2023-07-14 | 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: Ensure that the center completes and maintains on file a Staff Records Checklist designated by OOL. |
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| 2023-06-08 | 2023-07-14 | 3A:52-4.10(a)(1) |
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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. Ensure new staff have CARI clearances. |
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| 2023-06-08 | 2023-07-14 | 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. Ensure new staff have CHRI clearances. |
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| 2023-06-08 | 2023-07-14 | 3A:52-4.6(b)(1) |
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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. Violation Observed: Ensure that the director meets the required qualifications as specified in the manual. |
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| 2023-06-08 | 2023-07-17 | 3A:52-4.6(c)(3) |
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For early childhood programs, the following shall apply: the group teacher shall meet the requirements for experience and education Violation Observed: Ensure that the group teacher meets the required qualifications as specified in the manual. The center needs 2 group teachers. |
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| 2023-06-08 | 2023-07-17 | 3A:52-4.5(c)(2)(ii) |
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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 designee completes the Understanding Licensing training provided by OOL. |
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| 2023-06-08 | 3A:52-5.3(i)(8) | |
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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, as determined by the Office of Licensing, on a case-by-case basis, the facility operator shall submit to the Office of Licensing a Safe Building Interior Certification or other approval issued by the Department of Health that indicates that no further remediation is needed for the interior of the building in which the center is located. Violation Observed: Submit a Safe Building Interior Certification or other approval issued by the DOH. |
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| 2022-01-12 | 2022-03-08 | 3A:52-7.3(a)(2) |
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For early childhood programs, the following shall apply: for each child not enrolled in a public or private school, upon admission, the center shall maintain on file at the center a Universal Child Health Record (Department of Health Form CH-14) or its equivalent, updated annually, along with an immunization record, and a special care plan, if applicable. A 30-day grace period is permitted in N.J.A.C. 8:57-4.5(e) Violation Observed: Based on Complaint #20063, ensure that center policies regarding immunizations for children are reviewed and revised accordingly to ensure consistent compliance with NJ Department of Health immunization requirements. |
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| 2021-09-13 | 2021-11-19 | 3A:52-5.2(a)(1)(i) |
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For newly-constructed buildings, for existing buildings whose construction code group classification would change from that which it had been, or for existing buildings that require major alteration or renovation, the center shall obtain a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) issued by the municipality in which it is located, reflecting the center's compliance with the provisions of the NJUCC, and submit a copy of the CO to the Office of Licensing, for the following group classification: E (Educational) for buildings accommodating children 2 ½ years of age and older and having a total occupancy of six or more children. Violation Observed: TCO for relocation site expires 12/10/21: submit an updated TCO or final CO by 12/10/21. |
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| 2021-09-13 | 2021-11-19 | 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: Submit a copy of the center’s NJ DCF Drinking Water Testing Checklist and Statement of Assurance along with documentation that the center (supplied by a community water system) completed water testing conducted by a Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) certified lab for water testing for lead and copper from all faucets and sources used for drinking water or food preparation and at least 50% of all indoor water faucets used by the center for relocation site 25 Saddle Road. Ensure the use of bottled water at this location until test results are received and indicate results are within acceptable limits. |
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| 2021-09-13 | 2022-01-27 | 3A:52-5.3(a)(19) |
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Indoor maintenance and sanitation requirements are as follows: the center shall test for the presence of radon gas in each classroom on the lowest floor level used by children at least once every five years and shall post the test results in a prominent location in all buildings at the center, as specified in N.J.S.A. 30:5B-5.2. Violation Observed: Submit a copy of the center’s radon testing report conducted within 5 years in every room on the lowest floor used by children. |
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| 2021-09-13 | 2021-11-19 | 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: Submit a copy of the center’s NJ DCF Drinking Water Testing Checklist and Statement of Assurance along with documentation that the center (supplied by a community water system) completed water testing conducted by a Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) certified lab for water testing for lead and copper from all faucets and sources used for drinking water or food preparation and at least 50% of all indoor water faucets used by the center for relocation site 25 Saddle Road. Ensure the use of bottled water at this location until test results are received and indicate results are within acceptable limits. |
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| 2021-09-13 | 3A:52-5.3(a)(19) | |
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Indoor maintenance and sanitation requirements are as follows: the center shall test for the presence of radon gas in each classroom on the lowest floor level used by children at least once every five years and shall post the test results in a prominent location in all buildings at the center, as specified in N.J.S.A. 30:5B-5.2. Violation Observed: Submit a copy of the center’s radon testing report conducted within 5 years in every room on the lowest floor used by children. |
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| 2021-09-13 | 2021-11-19 | 3A:52-5.2(a)(1)(i) |
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For newly-constructed buildings, for existing buildings whose construction code group classification would change from that which it had been, or for existing buildings that require major alteration or renovation, the center shall obtain a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) issued by the municipality in which it is located, reflecting the center's compliance with the provisions of the NJUCC, and submit a copy of the CO to the Office of Licensing, for the following group classification: E (Educational) for buildings accommodating children 2 ½ years of age and older and having a total occupancy of six or more children. Violation Observed: TCO for relocation site expires 12/10/21: submit an updated TCO or final CO by 12/10/21. |
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| 2021-08-31 | 2022-03-21 | 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 have completed the CARI Renewal process, including out-of-state clearances when applicable: 4 clearances are outstanding.3/8/2022 One out-of-state clearance is outstanding. |
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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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