New Jersey State Requirements

Qualifications: Group Teacher: Associate degree in early childhood education or child development; or 15 college credits including at least 6 in early childhood education or child development with the remainder from education, psychology, health care, nursing or other fields related to child growth and development; or credential as a CDA.

Provider/Child Ratio:

Age Range Ratios for Center-based Care in New Jersey State
0 - 18 months (1:4) 20 max
18 months (1:7) 20 max
27 months 3 years (1:10) 20 max
4 years (1:12) 20 max
5 years (1:15) 20 max
6 years and schoolage (1:18) 30 max
Age Range Ratios for Family Child Care in New Jersey State
Infants (1:3)
Preschool and older (1:5) 3 additional children are allowed if they reside in the home or are the assistant's or substitute's children

Important Contact Information:
Child Care Licensing Agency
(Refers family child care calls to counties)
New Jersey Department of Human Services
P.O. Box 707
Trenton, NJ 08625-0707
Phone: (609) 987-2022 (North); (609) 987-2016 (South)
Toll Free: (877) 667-9845
Fax: (609) 987-2086

Child Care Subsidy Agency
New Jersey Department of Human Services
Division of Family Development
6 Quakerbridge Plaza
P.O. Box 716
Trenton, NJ 08625-0716
Phone: (609) 588-2163
Toll Free: (800) 332-9227
Fax: (609) 588-3051

Head Start - State Collaboration Office
NJ Department of Human Services
222 South Warren St
PO Box 700
Trenton, NJ, 08625-0700
Phone: (609) 984-5321
Fax: (609) 292-1903

Child Care Food Program Agency
Bureau of Food and Nutrition Services
State Department of Agriculture
Post Office Box 334
Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0334
Phone: (609) 984-0692
Fax: (609) 984-0878

State Child Care Resource & Referral Contact
New Jersey Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies
P.O. Box 55816
Trenton, NJ 08638-6816
Phone: (609) 989-7770 ext. 138
Fax: (609) 989-8060

Office of Child Support Enforcement
Office of Child Support, Department of Human Services
P.O.Box 716
Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0716
Phone: (609) 588-2915
Fax: (609) 588-2354