Providers must maintain compliance with the Manual of Requirements for Family Child Care.  They should regularly familiarize themselves with the Manual, as it includes all regulations and provisions pertaining to New Jersey’s family child care statutes (N.J.A.C 3A:54).  A copy can be found at www.nj.gov/dcf/providers/licensing/laws/FCCmanual.pdf.

You must be State-registered in order to care for children who receive a subsidy from either the State of New Jersey or Mercer County.  In addition, State-registered family child care providers can get referrals from their local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency, which in Mercer County is Child Care Connection.  Registered providers can also participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

Since the State of New Jersey and the County of Mercer both offer eligible families a child care subsidy, a 1099 form documenting payments to the provider on the parent’s behalf is mailed to providers who have received reimbursement through a subsidy program.  Child care providers are selected by the parent and, should a parent switch care, the subsidy payment would switch to the new child care provider.

No.  All providers are self-employed small business owners.  Although State-registered family child care providers must adhere to all regulations found in Chapter 54, Manual of Requirements for Family Child Care Registration, they operate as a sole proprietorship or can register with the State of New Jersey as an LLC or S-Corporation. As a small business owner, providers set their own fees, hours of operation, and schedule.  Providers interview and select their customers and staff.  Sole proprietors are required to file a Schedule C with their annual tax return and report earnings and losses.

Yes.  In order to receive a Certificate of Registration, the applicant’s home must be inspected and evaluated for compliance with all applicable requirements of the Manual of Requirements. Once registered, providers will be subject to unannounced monitoring inspections to ensure compliance.

A provider cannot work more than 16 hours straight. A provider can choose to have an alternate but would need to be present at least 50 percent of the time. All overnight care needs to have an approved staff person present and awake during the entire shift.

All State-registered family child care providers must have a substitute. Providers can choose to have an assistant and, based on the age of the children in care, may be required to have one.

No more than five enrolled children at a time are permitted.  There can be three additional children that belong to the provider and/or staff, but the parents must be present when they are in care.

No. Care needs to be done in the home in which you are residing.