How to Start a Daycare in New Jersey (2026)

Last updated: February 25, 2026

Opening a daycare in New Jersey requires a license from the Department of Children and Families (DCF) Office of Licensing (OOL) before you admit a single child. Any program caring for six or more children under age 13 must be licensed – no exceptions. The licensing process involves extensive background checks, facility inspections, staff ratio compliance, and fire safety clearances. Family child care (five or fewer children in a private residence) is subject to voluntary registration rather than mandatory licensing. This guide explains every requirement for launching a licensed child care center in New Jersey in 2026.

Daycare Requirements in New Jersey at a Glance

Requirement	Agency	Cost	Timeline
LLC Formation	NJ DORES	$125	~3 business days
Child Care Center License	DCF Office of Licensing (OOL)	Varies by capacity	3-6+ months
Background Checks (all staff 18+)	DCF / State Police	Varies; fingerprinting required	2-6 weeks per person
Fire Safety Inspection	Local Fire Marshal	Free or nominal fee	Required before opening
Health/Sanitation Inspection	Local Board of Health	Free or nominal fee	Required before opening
NJ-REG / Tax Registration	NJ Division of Revenue	Free	Within 60 days of formation
Workers’ Compensation Insurance	Licensed NJ carrier	Varies	Before hiring staff

How to Start a Daycare in New Jersey (Step by Step)

Step 1: Form Your Business Entity

File a Certificate of Formation with NJ DORES ($125 online). File the NJ-REG form within 60 days to establish payroll tax accounts. Child care center income is not generally subject to sales tax, but payroll obligations (UI, TDI, FLI, workers’ comp) apply from your first hire.

Step 2: Secure and Prepare Your Facility

Your facility must meet specific physical standards set by the DCF Office of Licensing. Key physical requirements include:

Indoor space: Minimum 35 square feet per child in activity areas
Outdoor play area: Required; minimum 75 square feet per child in the outdoor area when in use
Bathroom facilities: Required ratio of toilets and sinks per number of children
Separate sleeping areas for infants and toddlers
Smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, and exit signage

Step 3: Contact DCF Office of Licensing

Contact the DCF Office of Licensing at 1-877-667-9845 or visit nj.gov/dcf/about/divisions/ol/ to begin the application process. OOL recommends scheduling a pre-application conference before submitting your application. The application packet includes detailed requirements for your facility, staff, policies, and operational procedures.

Step 4: Complete Background Checks for All Staff

New Jersey requires comprehensive background investigations for all child care staff and anyone with unsupervised access to children – including volunteers, bus drivers, kitchen workers, janitors, and administrative staff age 18 and older. Background checks include:

New Jersey criminal history check
FBI fingerprint-based federal criminal history check
Child Abuse Registry (CARI) check
Sex offender registry check
Reference checks

Step 5: Pass Fire Safety and Health Inspections

Before opening, your facility must pass:

Fire safety inspection by the local fire marshal – verifying fire suppression equipment, evacuation plans, smoke/CO detectors, and exit signage
Health and sanitation inspection by the local board of health – verifying food handling, diaper changing areas, restroom cleanliness, and lead/asbestos compliance
Building and zoning clearances from your municipality confirming the space is approved for child care use

Step 6: Meet Staffing and Training Requirements

Staff-to-child ratios required by NJ DCF:

Infants (under 18 months): 1 staff per 4 children
Toddlers (18-30 months): 1 staff per 6 children
Preschool (2.5-4 years): 1 staff per 10 children
Pre-K / school age (4-6 years): 1 staff per 15 children

Directors must meet education and experience requirements set by DCF. All staff must complete mandatory initial training hours and ongoing annual professional development training.

Step 7: Receive License and Open

After passing all inspections and submitting all documentation, DCF OOL will issue your child care center license. Licenses are valid for 3 years. DCF conducts annual unannounced inspections to verify ongoing compliance. Maintain copies of all licenses, background check clearances, staff certifications, and inspection reports on-site.

Cost to Start a Daycare in New Jersey

Item	Cost	Notes
LLC Formation + Annual Report	$125 + $75/year	One-time + annual
DCF Child Care Center License Fee	Varies by capacity	Contact OOL at 1-877-667-9845 for current fee schedule
Background Checks (per staff member)	$50-$100+ per person	Fingerprinting + state/federal checks required for all staff 18+
Fire and Health Inspections	Free or nominal	Varies by municipality
Facility Build-Out or Renovation	$10,000-$100,000+	Major variable; must meet all OOL physical space requirements
Equipment and Furnishings	$5,000-$30,000	Cribs, mats, play equipment, furniture, educational materials
General Liability Insurance	$1,500-$4,000/year	Specialized child care liability coverage recommended
Workers’ Comp Insurance	Varies by payroll	Required for all employees

Estimated total startup cost: $30,000-$150,000+ depending on facility size, location, and condition

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who needs a daycare license in New Jersey?

Any person or organization caring for six or more children under age 13 who are not related to the provider must obtain a license from the DCF Office of Licensing. Programs caring for five or fewer children in a private home may voluntarily register through Child Care Resource and Referral agencies but are not required to be licensed.

How long does it take to get a daycare license in New Jersey?

The licensing process typically takes 3-6 months or longer, depending on how quickly you complete facility preparations, background checks for all staff, and inspections. Start contacting DCF OOL at 1-877-667-9845 well before your planned opening date – ideally 6-12 months in advance.

What background checks are required for daycare staff in New Jersey?

All staff age 18 and older who work at or have access to children in a NJ licensed child care center must undergo NJ criminal history, FBI fingerprint, Child Abuse Registry (CARI), and sex offender registry checks. This applies to all employees – including volunteers, kitchen staff, janitors, bus drivers, and administrative employees.

What are the staff-to-child ratio requirements in New Jersey daycares?

New Jersey requires: 1:4 for infants (under 18 months); 1:6 for toddlers (18-30 months); 1:10 for preschool age (2.5-4 years); and 1:15 for pre-K and school-age children. These ratios must be maintained at all times during operating hours.

How often does DCF inspect licensed daycares in New Jersey?

DCF licenses child care centers for 3-year periods and conducts annual unannounced inspections at every licensed facility to verify ongoing compliance with health, safety, and program standards.

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About the Author

Robert Smith has run a licensed private investigation firm for 8 years from the Florida-Georgia state line - where he learned firsthand how wildly business licensing rules differ between states just miles apart. He personally researched requirements across all 50 states and D.C., reviewing hundreds of government sources over hundreds of hours to build guides he wished existed when he started. Not a lawyer or accountant - just a business owner who has done the research so you don't have to.

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