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Child Care Center ✓ Licensed

Carla's Kids

Clifton, NJ · Passaic County
★ ★ ★ ½ ☆ 3.5 (11 reviews)
101 Central Ave 2nd Floor, Clifton, NJ 07011
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Quick Facts

Capacity
89 children
Age Range
0 - 13 years
Subsidized Program
Participates
State Rating
3

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Contact Information

📞 (973) 546-2929
101 Central Ave 2nd Floor
Clifton, NJ 07011
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✓ Licensed Child Care Center
Active License
License Number
16CAR0001
License Issued
Feb 21, 2025
Active Through
Feb 21, 2028
Issued By
New Jersey Department of Children & Families
District Office
New Jersey Dept of Children and Families - Office of Licensing

Reviews

3.5
★ ★ ★ ½ ☆
11 reviews
5★
6
4★
1
3★
0
2★
0
1★
4
Current employee
2018-04-02 23:02:49
★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
I am an employee

These reviews are hilarious. You have no idea what goes on til you're a current employee at this childcare facility. The current reviews are made up. Some are the director's own friends. You can't go by a review til you actually visit the place or work there like I do. The childcare center can be a better place if you start off with change. You can start off from the office to the classrooms to the playground.

130 out of 258 think this review is helpful Was this helpful?  Yes  No
Hattie Cleaves
2018-03-12 20:50:58
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I have used this provider for more than 6 months

I am presently a parent at this facility and if you are looking for supervision and education then this is the place. The children engage in a lot of free play but they provide lessons too. So far, I’m happy.

125 out of 240 think this review is helpful Was this helpful?  Yes  No
Hattie Cleaves
2018-03-12 14:38:08
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I have used this provider for more than 6 months

I am presently a parent at this facility and if you are looking for supervision and education then this is the place. The children engage in a lot of free play but they provide lessons too. So far, I’m happy.

145 out of 254 think this review is helpful Was this helpful?  Yes  No
Trice
2018-03-11 17:06:08
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I have used this provider for more than 6 months

I am presently a parent at this facility and if you are looking for great supervision as well as education, then this is the place to be. I heard about the program from a previous employee. Clearly, the negative reviews are from angry old employees. The director has shared that the entire staff is new and well trained because they are from other learning facilities. My friend was a employee there a few years ago who ended up leaving because of her co-workers. She tried to carry out the duties and tasks expected of her but she didn't have much help. She complained about the other workers following one main person. She met with the director and expressed her concerns. The director was very understanding. They remained on good terms and she will be running one of the programs in May. I am very happy with the staff who is present now and pleased with the director following up to make sure I am happy with the service!!

123 out of 258 think this review is helpful Was this helpful?  Yes  No
J. Woods
2018-03-11 14:08:41
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I have used this provider for more than 6 months

Carla's Kids is a refreshing place to have your kids grow and be educated. The attention to to detail is impressive and its very clean. Its good to have a place where your children can grow up!

108 out of 226 think this review is helpful Was this helpful?  Yes  No
Robin Smith
2018-03-10 23:13:44
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I have used this provider for more than 6 months

Carla’s Kids is the best nursery/ child care center and school in the Tri state area. She’s been in the business since she was a teen being mentored by her dad. Both Carla and her family are vested in the children with over 45 years of experience. I know this because my 18 year old daughter started her academic career at her dad’s (Carlton Thompson of Paterson Day Care 100) day care center. My daughter later attended Carla’s kids day camp as a pre-teen and teen and went on to volunteer for her as well. Carla has been a constant figure and positive role model in my daughter’s life. The kids are everything to her. THIS IS NOT JUST A BUSINESS FOR HER! She lives for the kids. This year my daughter has been accepted to countless top notch universities and I’ll be the first to say Miss. Carla and her family played a role in that. If you’re looking for a place to just drop your kids off this is not the child care center for you. Carla’s Kids is a temporary home away from home for the kids that you can feel great about surrendering your kids while you complete your daily tasks.

125 out of 233 think this review is helpful Was this helpful?  Yes  No
Nice
2018-03-10 15:04:48
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
I have used this provider for more than 6 months

My experience with Carla's Kids has been good.The center is always clean the staff is very attentive,all of my concerns and needs are met.Ms.Carla is very accommodating,I will refer anyone to Carla's Kids Child Care Center.

125 out of 243 think this review is helpful Was this helpful?  Yes  No
Gflores
2017-05-23 12:01:11
★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
I have toured this provider's facility, but have not used its services

Horrible experience when I went to ask for information, the teachers seem very unprofessional all I could hear through out the hallways were the teachers yelling at the kids. I observed that in each room the teachers were all doing the same using flashcards and saying letters their curriculum should be different due to the different ages. Would never take my child back to that ghetto unprofessional place.

118 out of 226 think this review is helpful Was this helpful?  Yes  No
no good
2017-01-02 13:52:10
★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

let me start off by saying this place is ridiculous the staff doesn't get appreciated,no one gets out on time,no over time pay,no holiday pay.ms Carla talks to her employees like dirt,everyone that applies and starts work doesn't last no more then three months or less.they are always short on staff not enough staff to be with the kids she wants you to do projects but with no materials..smh to that place!!!!

110 out of 225 think this review is helpful Was this helpful?  Yes  No
MARVEALE C WILLIAMS
2016-11-07 18:18:39
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I have used this provider for more than 6 months

If there were a thousand stars I would select every last one.

Carla's Kidz is a childcare that I have come to love so much when dealing with finding quality care for my children. Carla and her family (employees) have become an important part of my children's' lives as well as my own. I am so happy that I ultimately chose this daycare as our primary childcare provider outside of the home. My older son has grown as a boy so much at this place with all the help and encouragement that Carla's Kidz give to ensuring the best possible development for a child at their respective age. My son is constantly being exposed with Spanish to continuous promote our ultimate goal of him growing up learning a second (or third if you count the amount of sign language he already knows).

Carla Thompson is not just a daycare provider that we trust, but a family that we can call our friends. I love the outing she takes the kids on every week to keep the kids not only entertained but educated as well. Things like going to the park or taking weekly library trips for reading time and/or arts and crafts.

I fully endorse Carla's Kidz as a healthy choice for a childcare provider as well as for your own child's development.

115 out of 236 think this review is helpful Was this helpful?  Yes  No
Stay away!!!!
2016-08-02 14:58:38
★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Where to start...let's begin with the director...you can never please this woman. You can dedicate hours on end to this center and be treated like a maid. She thinks she is smarter than everyone, yet can't hold a professional converstation especially not with her employees. She owns the daycare yet is never around. Doesn't even know all the kids in the building or the parents. She makes her administrative assistant do all her dirty work while she locks herself in her office when she is around. She loves to turn the staff against each other and play mind games because she is so paranoid she only wants her employees to answer to her and not actually like or get to know each other. The staff unfortunately plays into her games and it causes nothing but animosity in the building. These are the people and the attitudes that surround yourself children so be very careful about leaving your child in her care. She runs her daycare like a prison and children including infants have to abide by HER schedule. They have to eat, sleep, go to the bathroom during her set times. Children especially infants should be free to eat whenever hungry and sleep if tired. She is understaffed most of the time leaving teachers scrambling when kids have to use the bathroom. You can tell there is a problem when the staff is constantly changing leaving kids having to get used to new teachers at least a couple times a year. No holiday pay, no overtime pay, no raises, being threatened when you take a day off will do that to you. And these unhappy employees are the ones caring for your children. A good price isn't everything. Think very carefully before you enroll your children in this daycare.

133 out of 253 think this review is helpful Was this helpful?  Yes  No

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About the Provider

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Carla's Kids is a Child Care Center in Clifton NJ, with a maximum capacity of 89 children. This child care center helps with children in the age range of 0 - 13 years. It is open Monday - Friday, 06:30 AM - 06:00 PM. The provider also participates in a subsidized child care program.

Hours of Operation

  • Monday06:30 AM - 06:00 PM
  • Tuesday06:30 AM - 06:00 PM
  • Wednesday06:30 AM - 06:00 PM
  • Thursday06:30 AM - 06:00 PM
  • Friday06:30 AM - 06:00 PM
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed

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. Reports can also be verified with your local daycare licensing office.

Inspection Date Type Reinspection / Rule Details
2026-09-08 Agency Meeting Yes Center Inspection
2026-08-13 Email Yes Center Inspection
2026-06-25 Re-Inspection Yes Center Inspection
2026-05-28 Re-Inspection Yes Center Inspection
2026-04-28 Monitoring Yes Center Inspection
2026-03-25 Email Yes Center Inspection
2026-02-05 Email Yes Center Inspection
2025-12-30 Email Yes Center Inspection
2025-11-20 Email Yes Center Inspection
2025-10-22 Re-Inspection Yes Center Inspection
2025-09-10 Monitoring No Center Inspection
2025-01-17 Email Yes Center Inspection
2025-01-16 Phone Call Yes Center Inspection
2024-12-19 Email Yes Center Inspection
2024-10-21 Email Yes Center Inspection
2024-08-08 Email Yes Center Inspection
2024-06-13 Email Yes Center Inspection
2024-05-29 Re-Inspection Yes Center Inspection
2024-05-10 Re-Inspection Yes Center Inspection
2024-04-02 Re-Inspection Yes Center Inspection
2024-02-20 Re-Inspection Yes Center Inspection
2024-01-17 Re-Inspection Yes Center Inspection
2023-11-22 Re-Inspection Yes Center Inspection
2023-10-20 Renewal Yes Center Inspection
2023-10-02 Monitoring No Center Inspection
2023-01-20 Re-Inspection Yes Center Inspection
2022-12-15 Complaint Yes Center Inspection
2022-11-28 Re-Inspection Yes Center Inspection
2022-11-14 Re-Inspection Yes Center Inspection
2022-11-14 Re-Inspection Yes Center Inspection
2022-10-13 Re-Inspection Yes Center Inspection
2022-09-27 Re-Inspection Yes Center Inspection
2022-09-27 Re-Inspection Yes Center Inspection
2022-09-27 Violation 3A:52-4.3(c) Ensure that adequate staff/child ratios are maintained at all times throughout the center. There were 6 children ages 7-12 months with 1 staff when 2 staff is required. - 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
2022-08-25 Re-Inspection Yes Center Inspection
2022-08-09 Re-Inspection Yes Center Inspection
2022-08-09 Re-Inspection Yes Center Inspection
2022-07-05 Re-Inspection Yes Center Inspection
2022-06-03 Re-Inspection Yes Center Inspection
2022-05-03 Re-Inspection Yes Center Inspection
2022-04-20 Email Yes Center Inspection
2022-04-19 Re-Inspection Yes Center Inspection
2022-04-19 Re-Inspection Yes Center Inspection
2022-04-19 Violation 3A:52-4.10(b)(2) Ensure that all therapist who do not have a completed CARI background check, CHRI background check, and orientation are directly supervised by another staff member. At the time of the inspection, a therapist was working with a child in room 3A. - 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.
2022-04-19 Violation 3A:52-5.3(q)(2)(ii) Ensure that the center complies with the licensed capacity of the classrooms at all times throughout the center. Classroom 1 has a room capacity of 20 children and at the time of the inspection, 20 children were present until a therapy session was over and than classroom 1 had 21 children. - Space and room requirements are as follows: at no time shall a center allow more children in attendance than the licensed room capacity.
2022-04-19 Violation 3A:52-4.11(a)(1) Obtain a CHRI clearance for 1 staff. - 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.
2022-04-19 Violation 3A:52-3.4(a) Ensure that the center has a current comprehensive general liability insurance policy and maintains the documentation on file. - 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.
2022-04-19 Violation 3A:52-5.3(i)(8) Submit a Safe Building Interior Certification or other approval issued by the DOH. - 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.
2022-04-04 Complaint No Center Inspection
2022-04-04 Complaint No Center Inspection
2021-11-15 Email Yes Center Inspection
2021-11-05 Re-Inspection Yes Center Inspection
2021-10-22 Complaint No Center Inspection
2021-04-06 Email Yes Center Inspection
2021-03-31 Email Yes Center Inspection
2021-03-30 Email Yes Center Inspection
2021-03-30 Renewal No Center Inspection
2019-06-18 Email Yes Center Inspection
2019-05-29 Email Yes Center Inspection
2019-05-06 Monitoring No Center Inspection

If you are a provider and believe any information is incorrect, please contact us. We will research your concern and make corrections accordingly.

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