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Childcare Provider — CC
Total cost: $60-$75 (family home); center fees vary by capacity
Governing Authority
New Jersey Department of Children and Families — Office of Licensing
Official website →Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
Yes
License Required
18 hours
Pre-Service Training
1:4
Infant Ratio
Required
Fingerprinting
Biennial (2 years)
Renewal Period
$60-$75 (family home); center fees vary by capacity
Initial Fees
New Jersey offers Family Child Care Home, Child Care Center. Family home: Up to 5 children. Center-based: 6 or more children. Your facility must meet state health, safety, and zoning standards before applying.
New Jersey requires staff-to-child ratios of infants 1:4, toddlers 1:4, preschoolers 1:10. Staff must be at least 18 years. Director qualifications: 21+ years old; CDA or college degree in ECE or related field; 2 years experience
All staff must pass state criminal, federal criminal, child abuse registry, sex offender registry background checks. Fingerprinting is required. New Jersey requires comprehensive background checks for all childcare providers, staff, and household members (for home-based care). This includes state and federal criminal history checks via fingerprinting, child abuse and neglect registry checks, and sex offender registry checks. Results must be obtained before unsupervised contact with children.
Complete 18 hours pre-service training hours. 12 hours of annual continuing education required. CPR and First Aid certification required. Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification required prior to or within 90 days of employment; must be maintained current CDA or college degree in ECE for directors; staff need DCF-approved training
Submit your completed application to the New Jersey Department of Children and Families — Office of Licensing. Total initial licensing fees: $60-$75 (family home); center fees vary by capacity. Include all required documentation, training certificates, and background check results.
A pre-licensing inspection of your facility is required before approval. Unannounced inspections may occur after licensing. Pre-licensing inspection; periodic unannounced visits; complaint investigations
Renew your license biennial (2 years). Complete 12 hours of continuing education. Renewal inspections are required.
Family Home License
$0 (registration free)
New Jersey family child care home initial license fee
Center License
$100-$400
New Jersey child care center initial license fee (varies by capacity)
Background Check
$60-$75
Per-person fingerprinting and background check fee
Renewal Fee
$0-$200
New Jersey license renewal fee range (varies by license type and capacity)
Total varies significantly by license type, capacity, and number of staff requiring background checks
New Jersey childcare license types and capacity limits
VerifiedLicense Types
Family Home Capacity
Up to 5 children
Center-Based Capacity
6 or more children
Exemptions from Licensing
Care for 5 or fewer unrelated children (registered vs. licensed); relative care
All states require licensing for childcare centers and most require licensing or registration for family childcare homes above certain capacity thresholds. Exemptions typically apply to relatives, small-scale care arrangements, and certain religious programs. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.
Not sure if you need a childcare license? Check whether your state requires one.
Pre-service, annual training, and certifications
VerifiedPre-Service Training
18 hours
Annual Training Hours
12 hours
CPR / First Aid
Required
Health & Safety Training
Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification required prior to or within 90 days of employment; must be maintained current
CDA / Education Requirements
CDA or college degree in ECE for directors; staff need DCF-approved training
Training requirements vary by state and license type. Pre-service training must typically be completed before a provider begins caring for children. Annual training (continuing education) must be maintained throughout licensure. CPR and First Aid certification (pediatric) is universally required. The Child Development Associate (CDA) credential is nationally recognized and accepted in all states.
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Required background checks for childcare providers and staff
VerifiedState Criminal Check
Required
Federal Criminal Check (FBI)
Required
Fingerprinting
Required
Child Abuse Registry
Required
Sex Offender Registry
Required
Details
New Jersey requires comprehensive background checks for all childcare providers, staff, and household members (for home-based care). This includes state and federal criminal history checks via fingerprinting, child abuse and neglect registry checks, and sex offender registry checks. Results must be obtained before unsupervised contact with children.
The Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Act requires all states to conduct comprehensive background checks on childcare providers. This includes FBI fingerprint checks, state criminal history checks, national and state sex offender registry checks, and child abuse and neglect registry checks. Background checks must be completed before a provider has unsupervised access to children.
Required staff-to-child ratios by age group
Verified1:4
Infant (0-12 mo)
1:4
Toddler (12-24 mo)
1:10
Preschool (3-5 yr)
1:15
School-Age (6+ yr)
Minimum Staff Age
18 years
Director Qualifications
21+ years old; CDA or college degree in ECE or related field; 2 years experience
Staff-to-child ratios represent the maximum number of children that can be supervised by one qualified adult. Lower ratios (e.g., 1:3) indicate more intensive supervision. Ratios are typically stricter for younger children. These ratios apply to child care centers; family child care homes may have different overall capacity limits.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Family Home License Fee New Jersey family child care home initial license fee | $0 (registration free) |
Center License Fee New Jersey child care center initial license fee (varies by capacity) | $100-$400 |
Background Check Fee Per-person fingerprinting and background check fee | $60-$75 |
Total Initial Fees Total varies significantly by license type, capacity, and number of staff requiring background checks | $60-$75 (family home); center fees vary by capacity |
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Renewal Requirements & Continuing Education
VerifiedBiennial (2 years)
Renewal Period
12 hours
Annual CE Hours
Required
Inspection at Renewal
Renewal Fee
$0-$200
New Jersey license renewal fee range (varies by license type and capacity)
Childcare licenses must be renewed on the schedule set by your state. Renewal typically requires completion of continuing education hours, updated background checks for new staff, maintained CPR/First Aid certifications, and passing a renewal inspection. Failure to renew on time may result in license lapse and inability to operate legally.
New Jersey has separate systems for family child care (registered through the Family Child Care Registration Office) and centers (licensed through the Office of Licensing). The state's Grow NJ Kids is the QRIS program.
All childcare providers in New Jersey must comply with state licensing requirements administered by New Jersey Department of Children and Families — Office of Licensing.
All states participate in the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), a federal block grant that helps low-income families access childcare.
NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) accreditation is voluntary and recognized nationally as a mark of high quality.
The Child Development Associate (CDA) credential is nationally recognized and accepted in all states for qualified childcare positions.
New Jersey requires 18 hours of pre-service training before providers can begin caring for children.
Background checks including child abuse registry checks, sex offender registry checks, and criminal history checks are required for all childcare staff.
Childcare requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey (you) | $85–$350 | 6–16 wks | |
| Connecticut | $125–$375 | 6–16 wks | → |
| Delaware | $135–$415 | 6–16 wks | → |
| New York | $50–$375 | 6–16 wks | → |
| Pennsylvania | $72–$345 | 6–16 wks | → |
See how New Jersey compares: Childcare License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Compare childcare requirements across all states →
Childcare licensing requirements nationwide →
Not sure childcare is right for you? Find careers that match your situation →
How does New Jersey compare to other states for childcare? See the full comparison →
Calculate the return on investment for your childcare license →
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in New Jersey.
Childcare Schools in New Jersey
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Training materials and study guides for childcare licensing and CDA credential preparation.
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Childcare Provider requirements in New Jersey verified against New Jersey Department of Children and Families — Office of Licensing, March 2026.
Accessed 2025-01-15
Accessed 2026-03-21
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New Jersey requires 18 hours of initial training and maintains staff-to-child ratios of 1:4 for infants. Fingerprinting and comprehensive background checks are required for all providers. Licensing is managed through the New Jersey Department of Children and Families — Office of Licensing.
Requirements vary by license type and facility size. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.