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Search for Licensed Child Care Centers in New Jersey 

In New Jersey, child care centers serving six or more children under the age of 13 must be licensed by DCF. A center becomes licensed after meeting all applicable conditions in the Manual of Requirements for Child Care Centers. Centers are licensed for a three-year period. A copy of the centers’ license must be displayed in a prominent location at the center.

When parents register a child at a center, they must receive this Information to Parents document highlighting key information that must be made available, upon request, to parents about the center, including inspection and violation reports and a summary of any complaint made against the center. Centers are obligated to provide parents such information if requested. 

OOL conducts renewal inspections every three years, annual monitoring inspections and conducts investigations when allegations are made about possible noncompliance with licensing requirements. Inspection reports are available at the center for parents to review and online by clicking HERE.

Parents are encouraged to discuss with the center any questions or concerns they might have. Parents may also file or make a complaint with the OOL by calling 1-877-667-9845.  Complaints may be made anonymously.  If there is a licensing complaint investigation, parents may review the OOL Complaint Investigation Summary Report. The Complaint Investigation Summary Reports are available online by clicking HERE.

Call the Child Abuse Hotline at 1-877 NJ ABUSE (1-877-652-2873) to report possible child abuse or neglect.