Tender Care Learning Centers-Meadowlands

On 10/6/2025 at 3:10 pm, staff #1 was observed supervising a group of 10 older toddlers alone without another staff person present in the toddler 3 room for approximately 1 minute until staff #2 returned from answering the door.

In the newborn room, there were 2 infants observed sleeping in baby bouncers, which is not the safe sleep position recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

An incident at the facility on 8/11/2025 required inpatient hospitalization of child #1 to be monitored for the night. The facility did not notify the appropriate regional office by telephone within 24 hours of the child being admitted to the hospital.

An incident at the facility on 8/11/2025 required inpatient hospitalization of child #1 to be monitored for the night. The facility did not notify the appropriate regional office in writing within 72 hours of the child being admitted to the hospital.

Based on the fire drill log and a conversation with staff #1, the last fire drill conducted was dated 6/11/2025, which was more than 60 days from the date of the inspection.

Based on interviews with staff and review of video footage, it was determined that on 6/16/25, Staff #1 and Staff #2 were responsible for supervising a group of 7 older toddlers during naptime in the toddler 3 classroom. The video footage showed Staff #1 continuously looking at their cell phone while Staff #2 was sleeping on the floor. At approximately 2:58 p.m., Staff #1 left the room for approximately 4 minutes, leaving the children unsupervised with Staff #2, who had remained asleep. At 3:05 p.m., Staff #1 left the room again. At 3:07 p.m., Staff #3 entered the room and observed that Staff #2 was still sleeping and left without waking up Staff #2. At 3:08 p.m., Staff #3 returned to the room with Staff #4 and woke up Staff #2. Staff #3 and Staff #4 left the room. Staff #1 returned to the room at approximately 3:10 p.m.

Based on interviews with staff and review of video footage, it was determined that on 6/16/25, Staff #1 and Staff #2 were responsible for supervising a group of 7 older toddlers during naptime in the toddler 3 classroom. The video footage showed Staff #1 continuously looking at their cell phone while Staff #2 was sleeping on the floor. At approximately 2:58 p.m., Staff #1 left the room for approximately 4 minutes, leaving the children unsupervised with Staff #2, who had remained asleep. At 3:05 p.m., Staff #1 left the room again. At 3:07 p.m., Staff #3 entered the room and observed that Staff #2 was still sleeping and left without waking up Staff #2. At 3:08 p.m., Staff #3 returned to the room with Staff #4 and woke up Staff #2. Staff #3 and Staff #4 left the room. Staff #1 returned to the room at approximately 3:10 p.m.

During an outbreak of Hand, Foot and Mouth disease at the facility, the operator allowed children with symptoms, including visible blisters, to return to care without written notification from a physician or CRNP verifying they were no longer a threat to the health of others.

A first aid kit was accessible to children in the emergency bag in Pre-k 1. The bag was observed hanging on a low hook on the back of a toy storage shelf.

Three areas of water staining were observed in Pre-K 2 in the rear left of the room.

The handwashing sink in Toddler 1 lacked a platform or steps to allow children to easily approach the sink. Based on statements made by staff, staff currently hold the toddlers at the sink for handwashing after diapering.

In Toddler 3, multiple split seams were observed on the plastic covered mat used for diaper/pull up changes in the restroom. The inner foam filling was accessible to children.

In Toddler 2, two children were observed sleeping on mats labeled for other children based on the nap mat assignment chart posted in the room.

The file for child #2 did not contain a current health report. The most recent health report on file was dated 2/20/24.

The health assessment on file for staff #2 did not include the professional title of the signing individual.

The annual fire alarm inspection reports on file were dated more than 12 months apart. 11/02/23 and 12/18/24.

The file for staff #1, designated as a director on the staff data sheet, lacked documentation of the hours of experience required for the position. The file for staff #3, designated as an AGS on the staff data sheet, did not contain documentation of the qualifications required for the position.

The agreement for child #1 included an inaccurate date of admission. The recorded date was prior to the child's date of birth.

The files for staff #1, #2, #4, #6, #10, #11, #12, and #13 contained clearances which were not renewed within 60 months. The dates for each staff person are as follows; staff #1 FBI dated 12/19/18 was renewed 12/21/23. SP dated 12/17/18 was renewed 12/20/23. Staff #2 FBI dated 10/21/18 was renewed 12/29/23, SP dated 12/17/18 was renewed 12/20/23, CA dated 12/24/18 was renewed 12/28/23. Staff #4 SP dated 12/17/18 was renewed 12/20/23, CA dated 12/21/18 was renewed 1/03/24. Staff #6 FBI dated 12/21/18 was renewed 12/30/23, SP dated 12/17/18 was renewed 12/20/23, CA dated 12/21/18 was renewed 1/03/24. Staff #10 CA dated 12/21/18 was renewed 12/28/23, SP dated 12/17/18 was renewed 12/20/23.Staff #11 FBI dated 10/08/18 was renewed 12/28/23, SP dated 10/08/18 was renewed 12/20/23, CA dated 10/12/18 was renewed 12/28/23. Staff #12 FBI dated 6/06/18 was renewed 12/20/23, SP dated 6/04/18 was renewed 12/20/23, CA dated 6/12/23 was renewed 12/28/23. Staff #13 SP dated 12/17/18 was renewed 12/20/23, CA dated 12/24/18 was renewed 1/03/24. Current clearances are now on file for all 8 of these staff members.

Based on statements made by staff, communication with parent in an emergency would occur via the communication application Kaymbu, however the emergency plan does not include that information.

Based on statements made by staff, communication with parents in an emergency would occur via the communication application Kaymbu, however the letter for parents explaining the emergency procedures does not include that information.

One electrical outlet on a power strip lacked a protective cover. The power strip was located on top of a mini refrigerator in Toddler Room 1 and was accessible to children 5 years of age or younger.

A loose knob was observed on a play kitchen set in PS1. The knob was no longer attached to the screw intended to hold it in place. The knob came off when opening the door leaving a protruding screw exposed. Multiple broken plastic cups were observed in a sand table in the outdoor play space.

Mats #4, 5, and 6, which based on a posted nap mat chart were assigned to children in care, were observed to have spilt seams resulting in the inner foam pad being exposed and accessible to children.

Two cribs in use by infants in the Newborn room lacked 2 feet of space on 3 sides. Cribs which were not in use were observed blocking 1-2 sides of each crib.

The refrigerator in Toddler 1 lacked a thermometer.

The file for child #7, a young toddler, contained consecutive health reports dated more than 6 months apart. The most recent health report on file is now current.

The file for child #2 contained consecutive health reports dated more than 12 moths apart. The most recent health report on file is now current.

Approximately 0.5 to 1 inch of standing water was observed in a lidded sand table located in the outdoor play space while children were present.

Staff #11 did not renew mandated reporter training 60 months. This is evidenced by the documented mandated reporter trainings on file being dated 10/11/18 and 12/29/23. Current training is now on file.

The files for staff #2, #3, #5, #6, #8, #10, #11, #12, and #13 contained consecutive annual evaluations dated more than 12 months apart. Current evaluations are now on file.

The files for children #1-#9 lacked documentation of sharing a service report with the parents in over 6 months.

The agreement for child #10 did not specify the child's arrival and departure times.

Staff #9 did not complete Pediatric CPR and First Aid training from an approved instructor within 90 days of hire. The file for staff #9 now contains documentation of completing an approved course from an approved instructor.

The file for staff #7 contained documentation of 10 hours of annual training completed on time between 12/2022 and 12/2023. The file also contained 2 additional hours of training completed late.

Staff file #1 contained a certificate of completion of pediatric first aid and pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation dated 9/7/23 which was more than 90 days after hire date. (See LIS CODE SHEET)

The file for staff #1 contained clearances which were not updated within 60 months. The documented dates were as follows; state police previously obtained 1/23/18 and renewed on 2/06/23, child abuse previously obtained 1/30/18 and renewed on 2/13/23, FBI previously obtained 1/26/18 and renewed on 2/10/23. Current clearances are now on file for staff #1.

Emergency telephone numbers were not posted near the phone in PS1.

Heavily soiled toilet bases were observed in the restrooms of the Pre-K room, PS1, and PS2.

Tears and holes were observed on a nylon fabric crawl through tunnel observed in the school age room.

An infant was observed in a crib which lacked the required 2 feet of space on 3 sides. The crib was positioned with the head against a wall with 2 other cribs positioned flush against each side.

The files for children #6 and #7 contained health reports which were not updated by 1/06/22, the date the regulation was reinstated. The file for child #9 contained a health report which was not updated within 12 months. Current health reports are now on file for all 3 children.

The file for child #7, enrolled since 1/13/20, contained an immunization record which lacked documentation of receiving the influenza vaccine prior to 2/28/23. A written exemption was not on file. The file now contains current and complete immunization documentation.

The files for staff #2, #3, and #4 contained health assessments which were not updated within 24 months. Current health assessments are now on file for all 3 staff.

The annual fire alarm inspection/test reports were dated more than 12 months apart. The previous report was dated 4/13/21. The current report was dated 8/30/22.

The agreements for children #1, #5, and #8 did not specify the child's arrival and departure times.

The agreements for children #5 and #7 did not specify the date of the child's admission.

The emergency contact information for child #8 did not include the name, address and telephone number of the child's physician or source of medical care.

The emergency contact information for child #5 did not include the health insurance coverage and policy number.

The emergency contact information for children #5 and #7 did not include complete addresses for the individuals designated by the parent to whom the child may be released.

The medical emergency transportation plan was not posted in PS1.

The files for children #2, #3, #4, #6, #7, #8. and #9 contained emergency contact information and agreements which were not updated by 1/06/22, when the regulation was reinstated, or within 6 months of the previous update. Current documents are now on file for each child.

The file for staff #1 contained nine hours of training completed on time between 12/19/21 and 12/19/22. Three additional hours were completed late. The file now contains the required 12 hour of annual training.

The door on the left bathroom in the preschool 2 room has a shipped by the door handle, exposing some splinters and creating a rough edge accessible to children.

There was peelings paint along the edge of the wall under the window on the left side of the room.

There were 3 cracked bins In the pre-k room, and another cracked bin in the toddler 4 room. There was pink toy car with a rough edge on the right window of the toy in the preschool 2 room. There was a broken magnet tile in the school age room. There was a rug that was not in good repair in the Toddler 1 room, the rug was ripped on the border. There was a rough edge exposed on the bottom of the fence in the preschool playground.

The thermometer in the newborn room refrigerator was not working.

The file for staff #1 contained a current health assessment dated 12/17/2020. The staff person left on 10/12/20 and returned on 6/2/21. It was not obtained within 24 months of the previous assessment dated 9/18/2018. The file for staff #2 contained a current health assessment dated 3/1/20. It was not obtained within 24 months of the previous assessment dated 3/22/17.

The files for child # 1and 3 lacked the work address and telephone number of the enrolling parent on the emergency contact form.

The file for child #2 lacked the parent consent for transportation, walking excursions, swimming and wading.