The Neighborhood Center, Inc. - Camden NJ Regular Child Care Center

278 KAIGHNS AVE , CAMDEN NJ 08103
(856) 365-5295

About the Provider

Description: Year-round child care facility serving children 2 months – five years old (Monday – Friday 7:30 am – 6:00 pm). It is our aim to provide a safe, nurturing and healthy environment for children to engage in developmentally appropriate activities while still having fun.

Head Teacher Dorothy Scott not only teaches our children amazing things, she also worked closely with the childcare staff to train them in the latest developments in early childhood education. Using Creative Curriculum, one of the 5 curriculums recommended by the NJ Department of Education, every teacher now writes and implements weekly lesson plans that are designed specifically for their age group. Three in-service days were added to the school calendar and the teaching staff has participated in more than 12 hours of continuing education designed to expand their knowledge of best practices in early childhood education.

The education team also expanded opportunities for volunteers to interact with the children, including teen interns, community groups and youth mission teams from all over the nation.
In another move toward greater professionalism, a system of formal observation and assessment was enacted and was met with rave reviews from our families. One parent in particular shared how she was “amazed” to hear about all the things her child could do, and was looking forward to going home and trying out some new activities with her. For this child, our program helped her mother see her child as the capable and unique individual she is!

A new classroom for 2 year olds was started which allows us to offer smaller age ranges in each classroom to better meet the needs of each individual child. All of the classrooms received a “facelift” with a deep cleaning, new materials, and a new layout designed to ensure children are engaged in play in developmentally appropriate learning centers.

Program and Licensing Details

  • License Number: 04NEI0001
  • Capacity: 128
  • Age Range: 0 - 13 years
  • State Rating: 2
  • Enrolled in Subsidized Child Care Program: Yes
  • Current License Expiration Date: Sep 10, 2025
  • 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.)
  • Licensor: Stephanie Sergeant (smaldonado.rosario@gmail.com)

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
2022-08-30 2022-08-30 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: Based on information, ensure that adequate supervision is maintained at all times throughout the center. A named staff brought the named child to another classroom and the named was seated outside of the classroom on the other side of the child gate.
2022-08-30 2022-08-30 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: Based on information, ensure that adequate staff/child ratios at all times throughout the center.
2022-08-30 2022-10-12 3A:52-4.9(a)
The sponsor, sponsor representative, director, or any staff member shall verbally notify the State Central Registry Hotline (1-877 NJ ABUSE/1-877-652-2873) immediately whenever there is reasonable cause to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect by a staff member, or any other adult, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 9:6-8.9, 8.10, 8.13 and 8.14.

Violation Observed: Based on information, provide a Corrective Action Plan to DCF as required.
2022-08-30 2022-10-12 3A:52-4.8(a)(1)
Topics of orientation training shall include supervising and tracking all children, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.3(a).

Violation Observed: Based on information, retrain all staff on 1. The center's supervision policy and 2. Maintaining adequate staff/child ratios.
2022-08-30 2022-10-12 3A:52-5.3(l)(1)(vii)
Emergency procedure requirements are as follows: the center shall prepare written emergency procedures delineating a diagram showing how the center is to be evacuated in case of emergency from each classroom and the outdoor play area.

Violation Observed: Post a diagram showing how the center is to be evacuated from each classroom and the outdoor play area in room 1.
2022-08-30 2022-10-12 3A:52-5.3(a)(9)
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.

Violation Observed: Ensure that main the sink is maintained in operating and sanitary condition in the basement in room 1B.
2022-08-30 2022-10-12 3A:52-5.3(a)(16)
Indoor maintenance and sanitation requirements are as follows: walls shall be painted or otherwise covered whenever there is evidence of

Violation Observed: Repair and/or paint the exit door in room 2.
2022-08-30 2022-11-29 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.

Violation Observed: Complete and submit a DCF Drinking Water Testing Checklist and Statement of Assurance and a copy of the center's water testing completed by a laboratory certified by the Department of Environmental Protection.
2022-08-30 2022-11-29 3A:52-5.3(h)(2)
Lead paint precautions are as follows: the center shall comply with the lead paint inspection requirements specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-5.3(h)3, unless the center

Violation Observed: Submit a lead paint risk assessment as required.
2022-08-30 2022-11-29 3A:52-9.6(a)(2)
Each center or person providing transportation services, as specified in N.J.A.C. 3A:52-9.1(a), shall maintain on file at the center a copy of the insurance policy or documentation of current insurance coverage.

Violation Observed: Maintain transportation records on file at the center, including a copy of the insurance policy.
2022-08-30 2022-11-29 3A:52-9.5(i)
The center shall conduct two emergency evacuation drills each year for passengers who ride the Type I or Type II School Bus.

Violation Observed: Ensure that the driver of the school bus conducts two emergency evacuation drills annually.
2022-08-30 2022-11-29 3A:52-4.10(b)(1)
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 submit a CARI background check upon renewal for 2 staff.
2022-08-30 2022-11-29 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, the sponsor and/or the sponsor representative complete a CHRI background check as required for the center's license renewal for 2 staff.
2021-08-10 2022-07-07 3A:52-4.5(a)(3)(i)(1)
The sponsor or sponsor representative shall designate individuals with the authority and responsibility to develop and implement written policies and procedures for the operation of the center, including a table of organization that illustrates lines of authority, responsibility and communication.

Violation Observed: Provide documentation of the table of organization.
2021-08-10 2022-07-28 3A:52-4.6(a)
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: Complete and maintain on file the staff records checklist.

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 08103