Love Drives McKenzie Campus
Lincoln, DE 19960 · infants to school-age · Home daycare: the provider shares the address with families
Hand -N- Hand Early Learning Center
- licensed capacity
- 25
- a week, county median
- $182
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About
About Hand -N- Hand Early Learning Center
Hand -N- Hand Early Learning Center is a licensed child care center in Ellendale, Delaware. It is licensed by the state, for up to 25 children, serving infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.
Delaware Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing made 5 visits in the last 3 years and cited 20 rules across 3 of them. The visit list, in the state's words, is below.
InfantsSchool-ageAccepts child care subsidy
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, staff-to-child ratio, teacher qualifications and hours.
- Type
- Child care center
- Ages
- Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children
- Hours today
- Not listed
- Licensed capacity
- 25 children
Hours
Hours
Hours not listed. Call (302) 422-0702 to confirm.
Programs
Programs and care
| Ages | Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age childrenFrom the state license |
|---|---|
| Child care subsidy | Accepts state child care subsidiesFrom the state license |
| Licensed capacity | 25 childrenFrom the state license |
Cost
Tuition and costs
Hand -N- Hand Early Learning Center has not listed its tuition. For comparison, full-time infant care at a child care center in Sussex County has a median price of $182 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$182
Home daycare$155
Toddler
Center$139
Home daycare$131
Preschool
Center$145
Home daycare$131
School age
Center$111
Home daycare$66
State record
Inspection reports for Hand -N- Hand Early Learning Center
License
- Status
- Licensed and operating
- License type
- Licensed Child Care Center
- Capacity
- 25 children
- Ages
- Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children
- License number
- #433741
Summary
5 visits with a cited rule in the last 3 years · Most recent Oct 16, 2025
20 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 4
- Building, equipment and play areas 4
- Safety and hazards 2
- Health, medication and illness 2
- Food and nutrition 1
- Discipline and child guidance 1
- Staff training and qualifications 1
- Supervision and ratios 1
- Other rules 4
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 9 visits
Oct 16, 2025Inspection7 rules cited
9U Changes Affecting a License
“Ensure a plan review is submitted when making a change to regulated services. The outdoor play area has not been in use for weeks due to the removal of fencing and mulch. Currently, the outdoor play area is neither compliant nor usable for the children.”
Correction date in the state record: Dec 1, 2025
8U License Renewal
“Ensure a renewal application is submitted 60 days before the license expires.”
Corrected during the visit
72U Feeding of Infants
“Ensure each infant has a monthly feeding statement completed each month. Three infants need a monthly feeding statement.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 24, 2025
53U Outdoor Area
“Ensure Structures, fences, equipment, and the grounds are maintained in a clean and safe condition, ensure fencing is a minimum of four feet in height with openings no larger than 3 inches, A licensee shall ensure gates have self-closing and positive self-latching closure mechanisms.”
Correction date in the state record: Dec 10, 2025
45U Hazardous Materials
“Ensure a radon test is conducted for each classroom every five years.”
Correction date in the state record: Nov 28, 2025
30U Personnel Files
“Ensure staff files are complete. One staff member needs their DEEDS credential on file, OCCL Health and Safety Training, release of employment history, and service letter attempts.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 24, 2025
15U Governing Body
“Ensure the annual fire marshal inspection is completed. The last inspection was August 29, 2024.”
Correction date in the state record: Dec 5, 2025
- Apr 21, 2025VisitNo rules cited
Feb 13, 2025Complaint investigation1 rule cited
OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)
“On January 15, 2024, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding kitchen requirements, not receiving approval to change the facility s approved food operation, and meals and snacks. An investigation was conducted on January 22, 2025. This complaint is substantiated because the Licensing Specialist (LS) observed the kitchen was in the process of being remodeled, did not have the required equipment, and the facility did not notify OCCL of or receive approval to change the facility s approved food operation. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation that meals and snacks do not meet requirements because the menu posted reflected the required components and the menu was being followed. Additional concerns noted were the facility did not contact other state and local agencies to ensure compliance. The Child and Adult Care Food Program was not contacted for approval to cater or change meal plans. Person #1 was preparing meals at their house and did not have a food establishment permit from the Department of Public Health. During another state agency s visit, lunch was prepared from Person #1 s home, brought in at 7:30 a.m., left on a table, and was not refrigerated or temperature controlled, with the intention of serving to the children. The state agency s representative informed the facility the food could not be consumed and the facility ordered lunch for the children instead.”
Oct 3, 2024Inspection12 rules cited
73U Program Goals and Planning
“Lesson plans must have areas of physical, social-emotional, language and literacy, and cognitive development and be developmentally appropriate for the children enrolled. No classroom had social emotional everyday and was missing one or more or the healthy habits, science, music, or sensory components.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 17, 2024
61U Diapering and Soiled Clothing
“A diaper-changing area with a non-porous surface and disposable covers must be used for each diaper change. The toddler classroom changing pad has holes and during an observed diaper change a disposable cover was not used.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 10, 2024
58U Sanitation
“Toilet seats, potty chairs, and diaper changing areas are to be washed with soap and water and then disinfected as required. LS observed the staff member spray an unknown substance on a diaper chaining area after a use but other item was utilized leaving speculation of sanitizing and disinfection of the surface. Fecal matter and urine on the boys toilet ing seats provides conclusion that no sanitizing or disinfecting has occurred. Bottles of sanitizing and disinfecting solution bottles are to be labeled with contents and out of reach of children and available at all times. No classroom bottles were labeled. The boys and girls bathroom have no access to the disinfecting or sanitizing bottles to use when required.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 17, 2024
53U Outdoor Area
“Openings in the fences should be no larger than 3-1 2 inches. The right gate needs a new chain link fence the openings are over 3-1/2 inches. gates have self-closing and positive self-latching closure mechanisms. Gates should have operational self-closing and positive self-latching closure mechanisms. The left gate no longer set closed self latches when opened at a minimum of 18 inches.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 25, 2024
51U Toilet Facilities
“A licensee shall ensure toilet rooms are kept in a sanitary condition and cleaned daily or more frequently if needed. The boys restroom toilet seat and toddler potty seat need to be cleaned after each use. Both have fecal matter on them the potty seat has urine around the cushion.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 17, 2024
49U Indoor Space
“Keep all areas, furnishings, and equipment of the center in a clean, hazard-free, and safe condition. Floors, walls, counter surfaces, toilets, and surfaces or finishes must be cleanable and in good repair. The boys bathroom baseboards need repair or replace due to water damage. The boys bathroom sink base needs to be repaired or replaced due to water damage. The baseboards near the boys bathroom by the door to outside need repair or replace due to water damage. The Preschool classroom carpets need to be vacuumed. The School age classroom lat surfaces need to wipped off. The toddler classroom cabinet was not locked providing access to plastic bags and chemicals. The preschool closet was not leached providing access to chemicals. The School age classroom had chemicals accessible under the sink. The boys bathroom had access to chemicals and trash under the sink.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 17, 2024
45U Hazardous Materials
“Materials required for routine cleaning and maintenance must be stored out of children s reach and used in a safe manner. Containers of poisonous, toxic, or hazardous materials are: Stored in a locked storage space accessible only to staff. Labeled with the contents. Cleaning spray containers were accessible in all classroom in cabins not locked. The boys bathroom had a chemical accessible in a cabinet not locked. no bottle with sanitizer or disinfection that was accessible to a child was labeled.”
Corrected during the visit
40U Child Files
“Ensure child files are up to date. One child needs an updated health appraisal and immunization record.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 17, 2024
38U Parents Right to Know
“Ensure when individuals who arrive to tour or enroll at the facility are completing out Parent's Right to Know Log before touring or enrolling.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 17, 2024
35U First Aid and CPR Training
“Ensure staff have the hand on skill demonstration in addition to the CPR training. Staff #1 needs the CPR hands on skill demonstration.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 17, 2024
27U Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision
“Ensure toddlers and preschool children are cared for in separate areas after the first 90 minutes. A three-year-old child is enrolled in the one-through-two-year-old classroom.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 17, 2024
15U Governing Body
“Ensure enough staff are on the premises to assist with daily running of the facility. There were no staff to allow the LS into the facility. There were not enough staff to assist if there was an emergency, bathroom breaks, or if staff had to call out.”
Corrected during the visit
- Nov 7, 2023VisitNo rules cited
Oct 16, 2023Inspection2 rules cited
49U Indoor Space
“Ensure all areas are in good repair. The preschool, school age, and toddler areas need the air vents repaired or replaced. The walls in the preschool classroom need the peeling paint repaired. All the baseboards in the classrooms need to be repainted.”
Correction date in the state record: Nov 2, 2023
30U Personnel Files
“Ensure staff files are complete. Two staff need professional development plans completed. Two staff need Heath and Safety for Child Care Professionals training, One staff need orientation, employment history form, and a job description.”
Correction date in the state record: Nov 16, 2023
Oct 4, 2022Inspection2 rules cited
72U Feeding of Infants
“Ensure bottles are labeled with name, time, and date prepared. This was discussed and corrected at the visit.”
Corrected during the visit
40U Child Files
“Ensure child files are complete. Two children need lead test results.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 13, 2022
Dec 14, 2021Visit1 rule cited
56U Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments
“Three children in the preschool room needed a sheet to meet the required minimum of 2 sheets for napping. This was corrected when 3 sheets were brought to the room and provided to the children.”
Corrected during the visit
Oct 4, 2021Inspection11 rules cited
74U Lesson Plans
“Ensure lesson plans are hung up weekly. The preschool room did not have a lesson plan written or hung up for this week.”
Correction date in the state record: Nov 16, 2021
66U Emergency Planning
“Ensure fire drills are conducted and documented monthly. Do 2 fire drills this month to make up for not having one in September.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 18, 2021
55U Riding Toys
“Ensure riding toys are in good condition, no sharp edges, and intact for safe use. This was corrected when toys with sharp edges and broken were removed from the playgrounds.”
Corrected during the visit
53U Outdoor Area
“Ensure fence gaps are no more than 3-1/2 inches. Repair fence, and ensure the self closing and locking mechanism is operational and children can be secured in the playground.”
Correction date in the state record: Nov 2, 2021
50U Kitchen and Food Preparation
“Ensure freezer in infant room has a working thermometer.”
Corrected during the visit
49U Indoor Space
“fix, repair, or replace blue bathroom cabinet door for the sink. Fix, repair, or replace purple bathroom tile that is cracked, missing large piece.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 25, 2021
40U Child Files
“Ensure child file are complete. Child 3 needs date of enrollment, days attending care, and hours attending care, emergency card info, health appraisal, immunizations, and transportation permission. Child 9 needs immunizations updated.”
Correction date in the state record: Nov 16, 2021
38U Parents Right to Know
“Ensure Parents Right to Know Log is completed.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 25, 2021
30U Personnel Files
“Ensure staff files are complete. Staff #1 needs job description, 2 references, health appraisal, and Tb test, and release of employment history, with 2 attempts documented if no service letter is obtained 2 more reference letters will be needed. Staff #2 needs a professional development plan, annual review of abuse and neglect, release of employment history with 2 documented attempts, if no service letter is obtained 2 more reference letters will be needed. Staff #3 needs professional development plan, annual review of safe sleep, annual review of abuse and neglect reporting procedures. Staff #4 needs Job description, references, declaration, drug and alcohol statement, health appraisal and TB test, release of employment history and 2 attempts to gain a service letter if no service letters are gained 4 reference letters will be needed. Staff #5 needs orientation. Staff #7 needs 2 references health appraisal and TB test, release of employment history, with 2 attempts of gaining a service letter if no service letter is obtained an additional 2 references will be needed. Staff #8 needs orientation, job description, deceleration, drug and alcohol statement, 2 reference letters, adult abuse registry check, health appraisal and TB test, release of employment check, 2 attempts to gain a service letter from each listed employer, if no service letter is gained 2 other reference letters are needed. Staff #9 needs professional development plan, annual review of abuse and neglect reporting procedures, declaration, drug and alcohol abuse statement. Staff #10 need annual review of safe sleep practices, annual review of abuse and neglect reporting procedures. Staff #11 needs release of employment history, 2 attempts of a service letter documented if one is not gained 2 more references will be needed.”
Correction date in the state record: Nov 16, 2021
27U Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision
“Ensure staff to child ratios are maintained at all time with qualified staff. Upon arrival staff #11 was alone iwth 7 children n the play ground the youngest was 2 years oldand the oldest was 5 years old. This was corrected when staff #9 took staff #11's position on the playground.”
Corrected during the visit
18U General Human Resources and Personnel Policies
“Ensure staff handbook is complete and in positive behavior management and and child abuse and neglect reporting.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 4, 2021
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FAQ
Questions about Hand -N- Hand Early Learning Center
Is Hand -N- Hand Early Learning Center licensed?
Yes. Delaware Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing lists it as licensed and operating.
When was Hand -N- Hand Early Learning Center last inspected?
Delaware Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing lists the most recent visit on October 16, 2025, with 7 rules cited. It lists 5 visits in the last 3 years.
Has Hand -N- Hand Early Learning Center had rules cited by the state?
Yes. Inspectors cited 20 rules across 3 of 5 visits in the last 3 years; 19 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 Hand -N- Hand Early Learning Center care for?
25, the licensed capacity on the state record. It is licensed to serve infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.
Does Hand -N- Hand Early Learning Center accept child care subsidies?
Yes. The state record says it accepts child care subsidies.
What are Hand -N- Hand Early Learning Center's hours?
Its hours are not listed. Call (302) 422-0702 to confirm.
How much does Hand -N- Hand Early Learning Center cost?
It has not listed its tuition. Call (302) 422-0702 to ask.
What is Hand -N- Hand Early Learning Center's phone number?
(302) 422-0702.
Where is Hand -N- Hand Early Learning Center?
13724 South Old State Road, Ellendale, DE 19941. The nearest other daycare we list is First Steps Preschool, 3.2 miles away.