Rebekah Mercer
New Castle, DE 19720 · infants to school-age · Home daycare: the provider shares the address with families
Brightpath School Bell Bear
- licensed capacity
- 110
- open each week
- 5 days
- a week, county median
- $280
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About
About Brightpath School Bell Bear
Brightpath School Bell Bear is a licensed child care center in Bear, Delaware. It is licensed by the state, for up to 110 children, serving infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.
It is open Monday to Friday, 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. It describes a Play-based approach, with after-school care, before-school care, infant care and preschool. It says it provides meals.
Delaware Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing made 9 visits in the last 3 years and cited 17 rules across 7 of them. The visit list, in the state's words, is below.
InfantsBefore- and after-schoolMeals providedAccepts child care subsidyOpens before 7 AMNAEYC accredited
Ages served: infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children
6 wk
6 mo
1
2
3
4
5
6
8
10
12 yr
Ask when you call: rates, current openings and staff-to-child ratio.
- Type
- Child care center
- Ages
- Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children
- Hours today
- 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Licensed capacity
- 110 children
Hours
Hours
| MondayToday | 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM |
| Thursday | 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM |
| Friday | 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM |
| Saturday | Not listed |
| Sunday | Not listed |
Programs
Programs and care
| Ages | Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age childrenFrom the state license. It lists: Six weeks to fifth grade |
|---|---|
| Programs | After-school care, before-school care, infant care, preschool and toddler care |
| Approach | Play-based |
| Curriculum | BeeCurious curriculum |
| Enrichment | Physical Literacy Program, Dance, Fitness, and Yoga |
| Staff | Qualified Educators |
| Daily life | Meals provided; Snacks provided. Potty training: Potty training (toddler program) |
| Safety | Outdoor playground |
| Child care subsidy | Accepts state child care subsidiesFrom the state license |
| Assistance it accepts | Subsidy |
| Discounts | Military Discount |
| Transportation | Transportation (transport options serving several local schools) |
| Parent updates | Parent app (BrightPath Connect) |
| Accreditation | NAEYC accredited |
| More | Founded 2016 |
| Licensed capacity | 110 childrenFrom the state license |
Cost
Tuition and costs
Brightpath School Bell Bear has not listed its tuition. For comparison, full-time infant care at a child care center in New Castle County has a median price of $280 a week (U.S. Department of Labor, 2022).
Ask the daycare for its ratesIt has not listed its tuition. The county medians below are a starting point.
Infant
Center$280
Home daycare$182
Toddler
Center$199
Home daycare$154
Preschool
Center$210
Home daycare$155
School age
Center$106
Home daycare$86
State record
Inspection reports for Brightpath School Bell Bear
License
- Status
- Licensed and operating
- License type
- Licensed Child Care Center
- Capacity
- 110 children
- Ages
- Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children
- License number
- #1512154
Summary
9 visits with a cited rule in the last 3 years · Most recent Aug 11, 2026
17 rules cited in those visits. Delaware Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing publishes only visits where a rule was cited, so this record cannot show how often it was inspected.
- Records and paperwork 5
- Building, equipment and play areas 3
- Safety and hazards 2
- Discipline and child guidance 2
- Staff training and qualifications 1
- Transportation 1
- Other rules 3
A cited rule is what an inspector found on the day of a visit. It is not a rating of the daycare today.
Own this daycare? Add your response to the state record
See all 14 visits
- Aug 11, 2026VisitNo rules cited
May 6, 2026Inspection3 rules cited
53U Outdoor Area
“Ensure outdoor area has no hazards and fall zones have proper mulch in fall zone areas. Cover or remove black fabric because it is a tripping hazard at bottom of the swirly slide and rake or add mulch to fall zone areas; slides and climbing equipment. Send picture to OCCL by June 8, 2026.”
Correction date in the state record: May 21, 2026
40U Child Files
“Ensure Child files are complete. Health appraisals are needed for Child #1 and 11. Immunizations record is needed for Child #11. Mat permission is needed for Child #3, 17, and 18. Send documentation to OCCL by June 8, 2026.”
Correction date in the state record: May 21, 2026
30U Personnel Files
“Ensure staff files are compete. Training Hours needed Staff #1 (7 hours), Staff #6 (7 hours), Staff #8, ( 7 hours), Staff #9 (1 hour), Staff #10 (7 hours), And Staff #11 (7 hours). Orientation is needed for Staff #2, #9, and #11 7-hour OCCL health and Safety Training is need for Staff # 2, 4, 9, and 11. Application/Resume or data sheet is needed for Staff #1, 2, and 9. Reference and service letters are needed for Staff #1, 2, 3, 9, and 11. 4 references and service letter or proof of two attempts to obtain service letter. Service letter is needed for staff #4. Health appraisal w/TB is needed for Staff #2, 3, 4, 5, 9 and 11. Release of employment is needed for Staff #2, 3, 4, 5, 9 and 11. Send documentation to OCCL by June 8, 2026.”
Correction date in the state record: May 29, 2026
Jul 14, 2025Complaint investigation1 rule cited
OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)
“On June 20, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding a lack of supervision and failure to follow policies for accepting and handling complaints from parents or guardians. Based on staff interviews and documentation, this complaint is substantiated for lack of supervision. On June 17, 2025, the center placed Staff #2 on administrative leave after being made aware of the concern and terminated their employment on June 24, 2025. Based on staff interviews and documentation, there is no evidence to substantiate for failure to follow policies for accepting and handling complaints from parents or guardians. The center documented concerns, informed the regional director, created a performance plan, shared incident reports upon parents' request, and terminated the staff member s employment after an internal investigation.”
May 8, 2025Inspection5 rules cited
49U Indoor Space
“Ensure sheets are not touching. Sheets were on cots while cots were stacked, and the sheets were touching. Discuss with staff to stop this practice and send the date of the discussion to OCCL by June 9, 2025. Ensure water temperature is set at 120 degrees. The hall bathroom sink was reading at 130 degrees. Send a picture of the water heater set to 120 degrees. Send a picture by June 9, 2025.”
Correction date in the state record: May 9, 2025
45U Hazardous Materials
“Ensure radon is tested every 5 years. Send the updated radon report by June 9, 2025.”
Correction date in the state record: May 19, 2025
40U Child Files
“Ensure child files are complete. Child #6 needs Transportation and medication permission. Send documentation to OCCL by June 9, 2025.”
Correction date in the state record: May 8, 2025
32U Orientation
“Ensure all staff, substitutes, and volunteers complete the 7-hour health and safety training before working with children. Staff #1 needs to complete the 7-hour health and safety training. Send documentation to OCCL by June 9, 20205.”
Correction date in the state record: May 30, 2025
30U Personnel Files
“Ensure staff files are complete. Staff #9 two service letters. Staff #6 need First Aid and CPR. Send documentation to OCCL by June 9, 2025.”
Correction date in the state record: May 29, 2025
Jan 27, 2025Inspection1 rule cited
20U Positive Behavior Management
“Ensure all staff uses prevention strategies and appropriate redirection. The administrator reported that Staff #1 pushed two children. Staff #1 was removed from the building on 12/16, under investigation until 1/2/25, where she was then formally terminated”
Correction date in the state record: Jan 2, 2025
- Jan 13, 2025VisitNo rules cited
Aug 5, 2024Complaint investigation1 rule cited
OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)
“On July 24, 2024, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding lack of supervision. The center had self-reported this incident to OCCL on July 19, 2024. An investigation was conducted on July 26, 2024. Based on staff interviews and documents reviewed, this complaint is substantiated for lack of supervision because the staff stated Child #1 left the classroom unseen and went out the front door with Adult #1.”
May 6, 2024Inspection5 rules cited
76U Activity Schedule
“Ensure schedules are posted in every classroom. By June 6, send a picture of the parent board with the activity schedule.”
Correction date in the state record: May 17, 2024
67U Transportation
“Ensure Bus fire extinguisher needs inspected (*date on tag 9/2022)”
Correction date in the state record: May 17, 2024
66U Emergency Planning
“Ensure classrooms have evacuation routes posted. By June 6, 2024, send a picture of the parent board from each room.”
Correction date in the state record: May 17, 2024
49U Indoor Space
“Ensure floors, walls, counter surfaces, and toilets are clean and in good repair. By June 6, 2024, send a picture of the ABC carpet in the Explorer II classroom after it has been cleaned.”
Correction date in the state record: May 17, 2024
40U Child Files
“Ensure child files are complete. Child #4 needs a complete MAR Medication Administration Record Child #5 needs a signed Parent right to know information statement”
Correction date in the state record: May 17, 2024
Apr 26, 2024Complaint investigation1 rule cited
OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)
“On April 16, 2024, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding the improper release of children. An investigation was conducted on April 23, 2024. Based on staff interviews and files reviewed, this complaint is substantiated for the improper release of children because staff stated they had released a child without verifying the identification of the person who was picking up the child. Non-Compliance cited Reg#23 Center Parent or Guardian Handbook. Ensure staff members are only releasing children to people who are approved by their parent or guardian. This includes checking identification and following a procedure when an unapproved person attempts to pick up a child. All staff are required to be re-trained on DELACARE Regulations regarding release of children.”
May 9, 2023Inspection2 rules cited
40U Child Files
“Blood lead screening results are needed for Child #10.”
Correction date in the state record: May 9, 2023
30U Personnel Files
“All staff files must be complete. -Staff #1 needs an adult health appraisal and TB results. -Staff #2 needs to complete the seven-hour Health and Safety Training for Early Childhood Professionals.”
Correction date in the state record: May 15, 2023
Show 4 earlier visits
Nov 21, 2022Complaint investigation1 rule cited
OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)
“On October 31, 2022, The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding allegations a staff member engaged in an argument including a physical altercation with a parent at the facility. An investigation was conducted on November 3, 2022. This complaint is substantiated for disrespectful communication and being physically aggressive while children were in care.”
Nov 17, 2022Complaint investigation1 rule cited
OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)
“On October 27, 2022, The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding incorrect staff-to-child ratios, mold present at the center, and staff not modeling respectful communication. An investigation began on October 31, 2022, and concluded on November 3, 2022. This complaint is substantiated for not maintaining the staff-to-child ratio because staff stated they were over ratio by four children for 50 minutes on a previous day. This complaint is substantiated for lack of sanitation because of the mold observed by this specialist in several locations in the center. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for disrespectful communication because the staff interviewed stated they have not observed any staff being disrespectful.”
Nov 7, 2022Inspection7 rules cited
74U Lesson Plans
“All lesson plans need the required items. -Room 113 needs an identifiable food/healthy habits activity. -Room 108 needs current lesson plans with all required activities listed.”
Correction date in the state record: Dec 7, 2022
72U Feeding of Infants
“All bottles must be labeled. -Three bottles in the infant refrigerator need labels.”
Correction date in the state record: Dec 7, 2022
65U First Aid Kits
“-The farthest bus needs an instant cold pack in the first aid kit. -The nearest bus needs an eye pad or patch, an instant cold pack, and roll gauze.”
Correction date in the state record: Nov 17, 2022
49U Indoor Space
“Cover the trash can in room 115.”
Correction date in the state record: Nov 17, 2022
45U Hazardous Materials
“A soap and water bottle is needed in room 106.”
Correction date in the state record: Dec 7, 2022
40U Child Files
“All child files must be complete. -Child #4 needs documentation of blood lead screening -Child #9 needs a current health appraisal, with immunization records.”
Correction date in the state record: Nov 17, 2022
30U Personnel Files
“All staff files must be complete. -Staff #1 needs the orientation record. -Staff #2 need a current professional development plan.”
Correction date in the state record: Dec 7, 2022
- Oct 6, 2022VisitNo rules cited
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FAQ
Questions about Brightpath School Bell Bear
Is Brightpath School Bell Bear licensed?
Yes. Delaware Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing lists it as licensed and operating.
When was Brightpath School Bell Bear last inspected?
Delaware Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing lists the most recent visit on August 11, 2026. It lists 9 visits in the last 3 years.
Has Brightpath School Bell Bear had rules cited by the state?
Yes. Inspectors cited 17 rules across 7 of 9 visits in the last 3 years; 14 show a correction in the state record. A cited rule is what an inspector found on the day of a visit. It is not a rating of the daycare today.
How many children can Brightpath School Bell Bear care for?
110, the licensed capacity on the state record. It is licensed to serve infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.
Does Brightpath School Bell Bear accept child care subsidies?
Yes. The state record says it accepts child care subsidies.
What are Brightpath School Bell Bear's hours?
Monday to Friday, 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Holiday hours can differ.
How much does Brightpath School Bell Bear cost?
It has not listed its tuition. Call (302) 327-0686 to ask.
What is Brightpath School Bell Bear's phone number?
(302) 327-0686.
Where is Brightpath School Bell Bear?
345 School Bell Road, Bear, DE 19701. The nearest other daycare we list is Kidz Ink IV Academy of Early Learning, under 0.1 miles away.