Description: By definition, formal education involves institutionalized teaching and learning in relation to a curriculum through systematic instruction, teaching and training by teachers.
At Greatstart Early Learning, we go beyond this accurate but bland definition of education, as our students thrive in an exciting and stimulating learning environment. We started in 2004 as a modest preschool in the South Plainfield-Edison-Piscataway, New Jersey area and called ourselves Stepping Stones Learning Center. We are the best reviewed preschool in the areas where we have a location and that is mainly attributed to how we take care and nurture not just the children that are entrusted to us, but also their families. It is something we're passionate about and why we've been 100% referred.
To distinguish our own better way of early education, we have adopted our new name to represent the great foundations we teach your children to allow them to grow and develop into well educated and responsible global citizens. The name maybe different, but we are the same bunch of people you've trusted and loved and we will continue to provide the highest care and education. No matter where you enroll your child in our various locations, you are guaranteed the same education and care standards. That is our commitment to you.
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 |
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| 2022-10-18 | 2022-10-18 | 3A:52-4.5(b)(2)(i) |
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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 staff attendance records indicating daily hours worked. Violation Observed: Based on complaint #21346: Ensure that the center maintains daily time sheets for staff that indicate the hours the staff worked at the center. The center is to ensure that adequate staff and children sign in/out can be reviewed upon request from DCF. |
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| 2022-10-18 | 2022-10-18 | 3A:52-4.3(c) |
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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: Based on complaint #21346: Ensure that adequate staff/child ratios are maintained at all times throughout the center. |
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| 2022-03-11 | 2022-04-11 | 3A:52-4.5(a)(3)(v) |
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The sponsor or sponsor representative shall designate individuals with the authority and responsibility to ensure the establishment of a staff member substitute system. Violation Observed: Ensure that the center establishes a staff substitute system. |
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| 2022-03-11 | 2022-04-11 | 3A:52-4.3(c) |
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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, 15 children ages 3-4 years of age with 1 teacher were on the playground when 2 were needed. The director designee left the playground to go back into the center leaving another teacher out of ratio. |
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| 2022-02-03 | 2022-10-18 | 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 that all staff and sponsor representative have a cleared Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) fingerprint background check completed after 1/1/21 as required. |
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| 2021-12-03 | 2022-02-03 | 3A:52-4.3(c) |
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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 room 3 had 12 children with 1 teacher when 2 were needed. 1 teacher left the room to answer the door leaving another teacher out of ratio. |
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| 2021-12-03 | 2022-02-03 | 3A:52-6.4(g)(2) |
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When sheets, blankets and other coverings are not stored with sleeping equipment, each of these items shall be stored separately for each child. Violation Observed: Ensure that each child's bedding is stored separately refers to room 3 and 6. |
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| 2021-12-03 | 2022-02-03 | 3A:52-4.5(c)(2)(i) |
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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 not have full-time classroom responsibilities during the times when the director is not present at the center. Violation Observed: Designate a director designee for whenever the director is not present at the center and ensure that the director designee does not have full-time classroom responsibilities during the times the director is not at the center. |
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| 2021-12-03 | 2022-03-11 | 3A:52-5.3(a)(18) |
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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. Violation Observed: Ensure that microwave ovens are secured out of the reach of children and are not used when children are in the area throughout the center. |
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| 2021-12-03 | 2022-02-03 | 3A:52-5.3(q)(3)(v) |
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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: Ensure that room 5 is not used as a storage area. |
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| 2021-12-03 | 2022-02-03 | 3A:52-2.1(b) |
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A person applying for an initial license or renewal license to operate a center or relocation of a center shall submit a completed application to the Office of Licensing at least 45 days prior to the anticipated opening of the center or to the expiration of its existing regular license. Violation Observed: Complete and submit a DCF Renewal Attestation and all required documents. |
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| 2021-12-03 | 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: Complete and submit a DCF Drinking Water Testing Statement of Assurance and a copy of the center's water testing completed by a laboratory certified by the Department of Environmental Protection along with the centers 3 pages of water assurance and checklist. |
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| 2021-12-03 | 2023-01-19 | 3A:52-7.7(c)(1)(iii) |
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Pets shall be permitted in a center only under the following circumstances: pets kept by or loacted in the center, regardless of ownership, shall be vaccinated, if applicable, as prescribed by law or local ordinance. The record of the vaccinations shall be maintained on file, along with the name and address of the licensed veterinarian providing care for the pet(s). Violation Observed: Ensure that the center maintains the required documentation for pets kept at the center, including applicable vaccinations. |
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| 2021-12-03 | 2022-05-17 | 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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| 2021-12-03 | 2023-02-03 | 3A:52-5.3(r) |
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The center shall take any steps required by the Office of Licensing to correct conditions in the building or center that may endanger the health, safety, and well-being of the children served. Violation Observed: Per the NJ Department of Health COVID-19 Public Health Recommendations pursuant to Executive Order No. 149, ensure that all health and safety guidelines are adhered to as required. The center needs to ensure that all children over the age of 2 are encouraged to wear a face mask. At the time of the inspection multiple children over the age of 2 years of age were not wearing a face mask. Technical assistance was given and the center is to submit a plan of action. |
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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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