How to become a Childcare Provider

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Child Care Professionals: How to become a Childcare Provider

Opening A Child Care Center in NJ

Child care centers that care for six or more children must be licensed by the State of New Jersey. If you are interested in opening or expanding a child care center in New Jersey, please follow these basic steps:

Contact the Department of Children and Families Office of Licensing, toll-free at 1-877-667-9845 or click here to visit their website to receive additional information and to obtain a Manual of Requirements for Child Care Centers.
Check with the local government zoning and planning board to learn about zoning and planning requirements in the town you wish to locate the center.
Call your local CCR&R for technical assistance in the areas of environment, curriculum, staff development and training. Your local CCR&R provides a wide variety of educational programs for individuals working in child care centers. Workshops and courses enable child care center staff to obtain 8 hours of training required by the Office of Licensing.

Becoming a Family Child Care Provider

Individuals who want to obtain state registration to provide family child care services must complete an application package (includes the Provider Application, Criminal Conviction Disclosure(s), Provider Health Examination Form, two references, and the Child Abuse Record Information (CARI) Consent Forms), have a home inspection, pay a $25 registration fee, and attend an eight-hour pre-service training. Additional information on how to become a registered family child care provider and application packages can be obtained through your local child care resource and referral agency.

As of January 31, 2010, certification in both CPR and first aid is required prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Registration. Once a provider becomes registered, she/he must maintain current CPR and first aid certification, as long as the provider maintains her/his certificate. Visit the website of your local child care resource and referral agency to find out about upcoming health and safety workshops as well as a complete listing of other relevant topics.

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