Shirley's Little Friends
Wilmington, DE 19806 · infants to school-age · Home daycare: the provider shares the address with families
Little Leaders in Training Academy
- licensed capacity
- 96
- a week, county median
- $280
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About
About Little Leaders in Training Academy
Little Leaders in Training Academy is a licensed child care center in Wilmington, Delaware. It is licensed by the state, for up to 96 children, serving infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.
Delaware Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing made 6 visits in the last 3 years and cited 35 rules across 5 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
- 96 children
Hours
Hours
Hours not listed. Call (302) 472-9648 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 | 96 childrenFrom the state license |
Cost
Tuition and costs
Little Leaders in Training Academy 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 Little Leaders in Training Academy
License
- Status
- Licensed and operating
- License type
- Licensed Child Care Center
- Capacity
- 96 children
- Ages
- Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children
- License number
- #1018612
Summary
6 visits with a cited rule in the last 3 years · Most recent Oct 6, 2025
35 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 11
- Building, equipment and play areas 8
- Safety and hazards 5
- Food and nutrition 4
- Supervision and ratios 1
- Discipline and child guidance 1
- Health, medication and illness 1
- Safe sleep 1
- Staff training and qualifications 1
- Other rules 2
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 10 visits
Oct 6, 2025Inspection7 rules cited
49U Indoor Space
“Ensure the light switch in the girls' bathroom is replaced. -The light switch was broken.”
Correction date in the state record: Dec 12, 2025
43U Children's Attendance
“Enaure children are signed into the classroom upon arrival. -Corrected at the visit.”
Corrected during the visit
36U Staff Attendance
“Ensure staff are signed into the classroom upon arrival. -Corrected at visit.”
Corrected during the visit
30U Personnel Files
“Ensure staff files are complete. PD Plan for Staff #1, #3, #8, and #9. Administration of Medication for Staff #1, #2, #3, #6, #7, #10, and #12. OCCL health and safety for Staff #3 and #5. Employee declaration for Staff #5 References for Staff #5. Adult abuse for Staff #3 and #5. CPR and First Aid for Staff #2, #4, #5, #7. Date of Hire for Staff #3 and #4. Health appraisal for Staff #5. Service letters for Staff #3 and #5.”
Correction date in the state record: Dec 8, 2025
40U Child Files
“Ensure children's files are completed. Complete emergency cards for Child #2 and #5. Health Appraisal for Child #3, #6, #9, and #10. Immunizations for Child #3, #6, and #10. Blood lead screening results for Child #3, #6, #9, and #10. Parent permissions for Child #5. Developmental plans for Child #3, #6, and #8. Transportation permission for Child #5.”
Correction date in the state record: Dec 12, 2025
72U Feeding of Infants
“Ensure infant bottles are labeled.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 13, 2025
66U Emergency Planning
“Ensure monthly fire drills and fire prevention are completed. The last completed fire drill was in August. -Send October's fire drill and fire prevention log to OCCL.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 13, 2025
Apr 2, 2025Inspection9 rules cited
53U Outdoor Area
“Remove trash and hazards from the playground.”
Correction date in the state record: Apr 2, 2025
51U Toilet Facilities
“Ensure paper towels are in the boys' bathroom. -Corrected at visit”
Corrected during the visit
50U Kitchen and Food Preparation
“Ensure the refrigerator in the kitchen is below 40 degrees. Moved all food to other refrigerator. -Corrected at visit.”
Corrected during the visit
49U Indoor Space
“Ensure ceiling tiles in the two-year-old classroom are replaced and free of water damage. Ensure the baby gate is mounted to the wall.”
Correction date in the state record: Apr 11, 2025
45U Hazardous Materials
“Ensure children under the age of two do not use Styrofoam. -Corrected at visit.”
Corrected during the visit
40U Child Files
“Ensure children files are complete. Child #2 and #9 need blood lead screening results.”
Correction date in the state record: Apr 28, 2025
30U Personnel Files
“Ensure staff files are complete. Staff #2 needs health appraisal with Tb. Staff #2 thru #9 need CPR and Frist Aid.”
Correction date in the state record: Apr 25, 2025
72U Feeding of Infants
“Ensure infant bottles are labeled.”
Correction date in the state record: Apr 11, 2025
57U Equipment
“Ensure equipment is sturdy and hazard-free. Remove the play pool table out of the school-age room. -Corrected at visit.”
Corrected during the visit
Dec 9, 2024Visit1 rule cited
66U Emergency Planning
“Change batteries in the smoke detector in pre-k classroom. Smoke detector was chirping.”
Correction date in the state record: Jan 24, 2025
- Nov 25, 2024VisitNo rules cited
Oct 7, 2024Inspection17 rules cited
27U Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision
“Ensure maximum group size and ratios are met at all times. At the time of visit, the 2-year-old classroom had 13 children with 3 staff members, including 1-year-olds. (CAV)”
Corrected during the visit
16U Insurance Coverage
“Ensure liability insurance is submitted.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 11, 2024
8U License Renewal
“Ensure application is submitted 60-days prior to expiration. Send application to OCCL.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 11, 2024
77U Infant and Toddler Care
“Ensure daily logs with sleep checks are completed for each child.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 31, 2024
74U Lesson Plans
“Ensure lesson plans are current and posted (CAV)”
Corrected during the visit
61U Diapering and Soiled Clothing
“Ensure the non-absorbent mat is clean and cleanable and diaper procedures are posted. Diaper changing mat in boys' bathroom is torn.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 25, 2024
57U Equipment
“Ensure there is enough equipment for all children enrolled in the two-year-old classroom.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 31, 2024
56U Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments
“Ensure safe sleep practices are used at all times. A child was observed wearing a bib while asleep.”
Corrected during the visit
53U Outdoor Area
“Ensure toys are hazard-free on the playground. Remove all broken toys and trash from the playground.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 31, 2024
50U Kitchen and Food Preparation
“Ensure all food is not spoiled, labeled with contents, and expiration dates. Remove all expired food from shelves and fridges. Send picture of cleaned refrigerators.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 25, 2024
49U Indoor Space
“Ensure facility is free of bug infestation. Clean insect devices in kitchen and near guinea pigs' cage.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 25, 2024
45U Hazardous Materials
“Ensure cleaners are labeled in preschool (CAV)”
Corrected during the visit
43U Children's Attendance
“Ensure all attendance records are accurate in all classrooms. Send one week of attendance for 2-year old and 3-year-old classrooms to OCCL.”
Correction date in the state record: Nov 1, 2024
40U Child Files
“Please ensure children's files are complete. Send the following documents to OCCL: Date of enrollment and days/hours of attendance: Child # 1 & # 9 Current Health Appraisal: Child # 8 & # 9 Developmental Plans: Child # 1, # 6, & #10 Infant Feeding Statement: Child # 10 Emergency Card Info, Immunizations, Parents Right to Know, Screen Time Permission, Transportation, and Medical Permission: Child #9”
Correction date in the state record: Nov 1, 2024
36U Staff Attendance
“Ensure staff members are accurately signing in and out of attendance. Send one week of staff attendance to OCCL.”
Correction date in the state record: Nov 1, 2024
30U Personnel Files
“Ensure staff files are complete. Send documentation of the following to OCCL: PD Plan: Staff #1-#9 Orientation: Staff #2 & # 3 OCCL Health and Safety: Staff # 4 Job Description: Staff # 3 References: Staff # 4 Employee Declaration/ Drug Alcohol Statement: Staff # 3 & #4 Adult Abuse Registry: Staff # 4 Health Appraisal with TB: Staff #3 & # 4 TB test only: Staff #2 Two Service Letters: Staff # 2, # 3, & # 4 CPR/FA: Staff # 2 Administrator of Medication: Staff # 4 Date of Hire: Staff #2, #3, & # 4”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 31, 2024
28U General Qualifications
“Ensure staff members have been determined eligible by Criminal History prior to working at the facility or being present at the facility. (CAV)”
Corrected during the visit
Aug 26, 2024Complaint investigation1 rule cited
OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)
“On August 8, 2024, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding concerns of unqualified staff working alone with children, improper staff-to-child ratios, use of improper discipline, no attendance being recorded, and no accident/injury reports being completed. An investigation was conducted beginning August 14, 2024, and concluding August 20, 2024. This complaint is substantiated for unqualified staff members working alone with children because a staff member was changing diapers in a separate area without being determined eligible and without a DEEDS Early Learning Certificate. This complaint is substantiated for improper staff-to-child ratios and exceeding maximum group size based on observation at the August 8, 2024, site visit. The toddler classroom was observed with 13 children present with the youngest child being under the age of one. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for use of improper discipline by staff based on interviews conducted. Five out of six staff members interviewed, including administration, stated they had not witnessed any improper discipline. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for no attendance being recorded because attendance records were viewed at the time of this visit. However, the attendance records for two classrooms were not accurate due to not having exact times of arrival of the children and children not being signed into the facility. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for no accident/injury reports being completed based on observations of accident /injury reports for multiple children. An additional concern noted at the visit was safe sleep violations because two infants were observed sleeping on their stomachs and not being able to roll on their own, and bottom covers were not tight-fitting to the mattress. An additional concern noted at the visit was the kitchen area being unsanitary with no counter space available to prepare food and spoiled food s itting on the counter. An additional concern noted at the visit was indoor safety hazards, including a safety gate not being secured to the wall correctly with nails sticking out the wall, a broken cubby in front of the preschool classroom, and missing and water damaged ceiling tiles. An additional concern noted was the posted lesson plans in two classrooms were not current. An additional concern observed at the follow-up visit was plug-in air fresheners in multiple locations of the facility.”
Oct 18, 2023Inspection15 rules cited
74U Lesson Plans
“Ensure lesson plans are completed with all opportunities for toddler classroom.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 24, 2023
72U Feeding of Infants
“Ensure all infant feeding bottles are labeled.”
Correction date in the state record: Nov 2, 2023
65U First Aid Kits
“Ensure the first aid kit is complete. Frist aid kit is missing a pen and note pad and tweezers.”
Correction date in the state record: Nov 2, 2023
61U Diapering and Soiled Clothing
“Ensure diaper changing procedures are hung up. No diaper changing procedure hanging up in boys' bathroom.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 25, 2023
56U Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments
“Ensure parent permission is on file when using swaddler infant room. Ensure cribs are on the lowest setting.”
Correction date in the state record: Nov 17, 2023
53U Outdoor Area
“Ensure trash and broken toys are removed from playground.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 25, 2023
50U Kitchen and Food Preparation
“Ensure food is not stored on the floor.”
Corrected during the visit
49U Indoor Space
“Ensure all areas are cleanable and clean. Vent in walkway by three year old room needs to be cleaned. Wall in two-year-old room needs to be smoothed and painted. Ensure all outlets are covered.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 25, 2023
43U Children's Attendance
“Ensure children are being signed in and out at arrival and departure.”
Corrected during the visit
40U Child Files
“Ensure child files are complete. Hours and days of attendance for Child #2,#3, #4, and #9. Date of enrollment for Child #4, #8, #9 Emergency Card for Child #4, #8, #9 Health appraisal for Child #2 and #3 Immunizations for Child #3 Screen Time permission for Child #4, #8, #9 Parents right to know for Child #4, #8, #9. Development plan for #1, #3, #5 Transportation for Child #4 Infant feeding for Child #4 and #9”
Correction date in the state record: Nov 20, 2023
36U Staff Attendance
“Ensure staff attendance includes exact arrival and departure times. At the time of the visit, two staff members did not sign into the two-year-old room. One staff member did not sign out of the classroom.”
Corrected during the visit
30U Personnel Files
“Ensure staff files are complete. Staff#1 needs CPR and Frist, job description, 4 references, adult health appraisal with TB. Staff #2 needs review of annual sleep safe and child abuse and neglect. Staff #3 needs a completed file. No file was reviewed. Staff #4 needs CPR and First Aid, PD plan, 2 references, health appraisal with TB, release of employment, and service letter. Staff #5 needs annual review of sleep safe and child abuse and neglect. Staff # 6 needs training hours and review of sleep safe and child abuse and neglect. Staff #7 needs PD Plan. Staff #8 needs orientation, OCCL health and safety training, application, job description, references, adult abuse check, release of employment, and service letters.”
Correction date in the state record: Nov 21, 2023
27U Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision
“Ensure classroom maintain maximum group size. At the time of the visit the two-year-old room was observed with 14 children.”
Corrected during the visit
20U Positive Behavior Management
“Ensure a positive behavior policy is posted.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 25, 2023
16U Insurance Coverage
“Ensure liability insurance is current.”
Correction date in the state record: Nov 2, 2023
Apr 12, 2023Inspection8 rules cited
73U Program Goals and Planning
“Lesson plans must be completed and dated. Send a week of lesson plans to OCCL.”
Correction date in the state record: May 16, 2023
53U Outdoor Area
“Ensure playground is hazard free. One broken storage bin needs to be removed.”
Correction date in the state record: May 16, 2023
51U Toilet Facilities
“Ensure all bathrooms are cleaned. Clean the girls' bathroom in the hallway.”
Correction date in the state record: May 16, 2023
49U Indoor Space
“Ensure all indoor areas are safe and set up for care. All surfaces must be cleanable: New gates must be painted, and walls needed to be painted in three-year-old room and one-year-old room. Replace missing ceiling tiles. Outlet covers are needed in the infant room and one-year-old room. Clean floors in the two-year-old room. Fix the broken handle on the kitchen set in the four-year-old room.”
Correction date in the state record: May 16, 2023
43U Children's Attendance
“Ensure all attendance records have arrival and departure times for all children present in the room.”
Correction date in the state record: May 16, 2023
40U Child Files
“Ensure all children's files are completed. Date of enrollment for Child #1 and 3. Hours and Times attending for Child # 2,5,6, and 7. Health Appraisal with immunizations for Child #6. Parent right to know and screen time permission for Child #4. Updated monthly feeding schedule for Child # 2 and 8.”
Correction date in the state record: May 16, 2023
30U Personnel Files
“Ensure all staff files are completed. Training hours for staff #1, 3, and 4. Health and Safety for Staff #1, 3, and 4. Orientation for Staff #1. Review of Abuse and Neglect for Staff # 1, 2, and 3. Job Description for Staff # 1 and 2. References for Staff #1. Health Appraisal with TB for Staff #1, 2, and 3. CPR and Frist Aid for Staff # 1 and 2. Administration of Medication for Staff # 3.”
Correction date in the state record: Jun 1, 2023
27U Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision
“Ensure all child-to-staff ratios are met throughout the day. -During the visit, 9 children were present with 2 teachers. the youngest child was an infant. - During the visit, a school-age child walked themself back to the playground.”
Corrected during the visit
Feb 28, 2023Inspection6 rules cited
74U Lesson Plans
“Ensure all Lesson plans are updated and have weekly food/ healthy habits. -All Lesson plans had no dates (no open room).”
Correction date in the state record: Mar 16, 2023
53U Outdoor Area
“Repair of Remove sandbox on the playground.”
Correction date in the state record: Mar 16, 2023
51U Toilet Facilities
“Ensure there is a covered trash can in school-age room-Corrected at visit. Clean school-age bathroom toilet and floor.”
Corrected during the visit
50U Kitchen and Food Preparation
“Ensure all food is labeled with contents and expiration date.”
Correction date in the state record: Mar 16, 2023
40U Child Files
“Ensure child files are complete. Days and hours of enrollment for Child # 2,3,6,7,8,9 Date of enrollment for child #7 Complete emergency card information for Child #6, 7,10. Health appraisal with immunizations for child #2,3,4,6,7 Parent right to right for Child #9. Developmental plans for child # 2,4,7,8 Infant feeding schedule for child #7.”
Correction date in the state record: Mar 16, 2023
38U Parents Right to Know
“Ensure Parent's right-to-know log is completed.”
Correction date in the state record: Apr 12, 2023
Feb 27, 2023Inspection2 rules cited
49U Indoor Space
“Enusre all walls are repaired and cleanable. Three-year-old room wall needs to be painted and cleanable. Wall in hallway between girls' and boy's bathroom needs to be repaired and painted.”
Correction date in the state record: Mar 16, 2023
30U Personnel Files
“Ensure staff files are complete. A PD plan is needed for all staff members. An annual review of abuse/neglect, sleep safe, an orientation, a health appraisal with TB, a release of employment history, and service letters is needed for staff #1.”
Correction date in the state record: Mar 16, 2023
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FAQ
Questions about Little Leaders in Training Academy
Is Little Leaders in Training Academy licensed?
Yes. Delaware Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing lists it as licensed and operating.
When was Little Leaders in Training Academy last inspected?
Delaware Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing lists the most recent visit on October 6, 2025, with 7 rules cited. It lists 6 visits in the last 3 years.
Has Little Leaders in Training Academy had rules cited by the state?
Yes. Inspectors cited 35 rules across 5 of 6 visits in the last 3 years; 34 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 Little Leaders in Training Academy care for?
96, the licensed capacity on the state record. It is licensed to serve infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.
Does Little Leaders in Training Academy accept child care subsidies?
Yes. The state record says it accepts child care subsidies.
What are Little Leaders in Training Academy's hours?
Its hours are not listed. Call (302) 472-9648 to confirm.
How much does Little Leaders in Training Academy cost?
It has not listed its tuition. Call (302) 472-9648 to ask.
What is Little Leaders in Training Academy's phone number?
(302) 472-9648.
Where is Little Leaders in Training Academy?
800 W 4th St, Wilmington, DE 19801. The nearest other daycare we list is A Leap of Faith CDC, Inc. - Adams 4, under 0.1 miles away.