Smart Start Learning Center
350 Milford Harrington Hwy, Milford, DE
4.6· 10 reviews
Milford Early Learning Center
- licensed capacity
- 70
- a week, county median
- $182
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About
About Milford Early Learning Center
Milford Early Learning Center is a licensed child care center in Milford, Delaware. It is licensed by the state, for up to 70 children, serving infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
It describes its programs: early head start, pre-k and preschool.
Delaware Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing made 7 visits in the last 3 years and cited 16 rules across 5 of them. The visit list, in the state's words, is below.
InfantsPreschool / pre-KAccepts child care subsidy
Ages served: infants, toddlers and preschoolers
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 and preschoolers
- Hours today
- Not listed
- Licensed capacity
- 70 children
Hours
Hours
Hours not listed. Call (302) 422-6667 to confirm.
Programs
Programs and care
| Ages | Infants, toddlers and preschoolersFrom the state license |
|---|---|
| Programs | Early Head Start, pre-k and preschool |
| Child care subsidy | Accepts state child care subsidiesFrom the state license |
| Licensed capacity | 70 childrenFrom the state license |
Cost
Tuition and costs
Milford Early Learning Center has not listed its tuition. For comparison, full-time infant care at a child care center in Kent 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$156
Toddler
Center$139
Home daycare$128
Preschool
Center$145
Home daycare$129
School age
Center$111
Home daycare$64
State record
Inspection reports for Milford Early Learning Center
License
- Status
- Licensed and operating
- License type
- Licensed Child Care Center
- Capacity
- 70 children
- Ages
- Infants, toddlers and preschoolers
- License number
- #776741
Summary
7 visits with a cited rule in the last 3 years · Most recent Feb 10, 2026
16 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 6
- Health, medication and illness 4
- Discipline and child guidance 1
- Building, equipment and play areas 1
- Food and nutrition 1
- Supervision and ratios 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 11 visits
Feb 10, 2026Inspection2 rules cited
63U Administration of Medication
“Ensure to document medications on the appropriate MAR form in the infant and early two's classroom.”
Correction date in the state record: Feb 25, 2026
30U Personnel Files
“Ensure staff files are completed. Staff #1 needs one reference letter, Staff #2 needs one hour in health and safety and two reference letters. Staff #3 needs a professional plan and three hours of annual training, Staff #4 needs OCCL health and safety training, two reference letters and health appraisal.”
Correction date in the state record: Feb 26, 2026
May 7, 2025Complaint investigation1 rule cited
OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)
“The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) cannot legally disclose if a complaint was also received or investigated by any other agency. OCCL investigations of regulatory non-compliance begin when clearance from other agencies, when applicable, have been received. The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received four complaints regarding improper discipline. An investigation began on April 2, 2025, and concluded on April 16, 2025. This complaint is substantiated because Staff #2 and Staff #4 received disciplinary actions for being rough with children in their care. Additionally, video footage reviewed showed Staff #2 roughly putting a child back on his nap mat, and Staff #4 was observed pushing a child roughly away from her and placing another child roughly in a seat. During the investigation, other concerns were the center thermostat read 65 degrees, a staff member was present at the center and did not have a comprehensive background check and eligibility determined, and a child was made to rest and not given a quiet activity after 30 minutes of not sleeping.”
- Mar 18, 2025VisitNo rules cited
Feb 13, 2025Inspection7 rules cited
74U Lesson Plans
“Ensure the lesson plans in the 24 months and older classroom has the weekly components. Submit the lesson plan to OCCL.”
Correction date in the state record: Mar 19, 2025
63U Administration of Medication
“A MAR is needed for an over the counter medication in the Clubhouse classroom.”
Correction date in the state record: Mar 19, 2025
61U Diapering and Soiled Clothing
“Ensure the diaper change table is five feet from handwashing sink. In the Butterfly classroom the place the diaper changing table five feet from the handwashing sink.”
Corrected during the visit
53U Outdoor Area
“Repair the self latch on the outdoor right gate”
Correction date in the state record: Mar 19, 2025
40U Child Files
“Complete child files are needed for the following children: Child #1 and Child #6 needs days and hours of attendance, Child #16 needs an emergency card, Child #6 and Child #13 needs a health appraisal, immunization and a blood lead test result, Child #5,6,7,10,11 needs bloob lead test results, Child #9,10,13,16 needs a health apprasial, Child #2 needs parent right to know and sacreen time, CHild #6 needs permission to sleep on a nap mat, Child#16 needs a developmental plan.”
Correction date in the state record: Apr 2, 2025
30U Personnel Files
“Ensure staff files are completed: Staff #3 needs OCCL health and safety training, two reference, letter, a job description, Staff #6 needs a reference letter, Staff #7 needs a job description, Staff #8 needs administration of medication certification, and OCCL health and safety training, Staff #10 needs CPR certification, a service letter, Staff #11 needs CPR certification and OCCL health and safety training, Staff #12 needs CPR sertification and OCCL health and safety training,”
Correction date in the state record: Apr 22, 2025
14U Notification to OCCL
“Ensure to notify OCCL when there is a change in administrator.”
Corrected during the visit
- May 20, 2024VisitNo rules cited
May 6, 2024Complaint investigation1 rule cited
OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)
“The Office of Child Care Licensing received a complaint on April 4, 2023, regarding a staff member present without a comprehensive background check. An investigation was conducted on April 4, 2024. This complaint is substantiated because Staff #2 was present in the center without a comprehensive background check and was alone with children.”
Feb 13, 2024Inspection5 rules cited
64U Child Accident and Injury
“Ensure to notify parents immediately when a child receives an injury to their face and document the time when the parent received the notification.”
Corrected during the visit
50U Kitchen and Food Preparation
“Ensure to store cleaning supplies are stored separately from food supplies. Cleaning supplies were observed in the food storage area.”
Correction date in the state record: Mar 4, 2024
40U Child Files
“Child #4 needs a blood lead screening result.”
Correction date in the state record: Feb 27, 2024
30U Personnel Files
“Ensure staff files are complete. Staff #1 needs a health appraisal with TB. Staff #2 needs CPR certification, Staff #3 needs an additional 7 hours of annual training., Staff #4 needs a job description and two reference letters, Staff #5 needs a job description and a health appraisal with TB, staff #6 needs administration of medication certification, a professional development plan, OCCL health and safety training, 10 hours of additional annual training, job description, reference letters and health appraisal with TB. Staff #7 FA certification, administration of medication certification, 9 hours of annual training, reference letter. Staff #8 needs a release of employment.”
Correction date in the state record: Feb 27, 2024
27U Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision
“Ensure to maintain staff to child ratio at all times and ensure to care for toddlers and preschool children in separate classrooms. Two year olds and three year olds were observed in the three year old classroom with a total of 17 children with two staff members. ( This was corrected when the two year olds returned to their classroom with a staff member.”
Corrected during the visit
May 5, 2023Complaint investigation1 rule cited
OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)
“The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint on April 6, 2023, regarding improper staff-to-child ratios, not following accident/injury procedures, not conducting health checks, not following infant feeding schedules, not conducting monthly evacuation drills and fire prevention inspections, and staff not being truthful. An investigation was conducted on April 18, 2023. The complaint is substantiated for improper staff-to-child ratios because one staff member was present with 20 children, ages three to five, in the Pre-K classroom. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegations that accident/injury procedures are not being followed and health checks are not being conducted because the staff interviewed denied the allegations. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation that infant feeding schedules are not being followed because the three infants enrolled had current feeding schedules and staff stated they are followed. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation that evacuation drills and fire prevention inspections are not being conducted because a monthly evacuation drill and fire prevention inspection were documented as complete for March. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation that staff are not being truthful because the staff interviewed denied the allegation. Additional concerns noted were there were not enough staff to fulfill, at a minimum, administrative, fiscal, clerical, cleaning, maintenance, food services, direct child care, and supervisory functions; a staff member s attendance was not accurately documented; and the activity schedule in the Pre-K classroom was not being followed.”
Feb 14, 2023Inspection10 rules cited
74U Lesson Plans
“Update lesson plan for each classroom”
Correction date in the state record: Mar 22, 2023
71U Meals and Snacks
“Post an updated menu”
Correction date in the state record: Mar 22, 2023
66U Emergency Planning
“Provide emergency water and food for the child care capacity”
Correction date in the state record: Mar 22, 2023
56U Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments
“Replace all rip nap mats in the center. Ensure all nap mats are labeled with the children in care name and ensure all children over one year old have top and bottom bedding.”
Correction date in the state record: Mar 22, 2023
53U Outdoor Area
“Provide fall zone for the merry go around on the outdoor playground. Send picture”
Correction date in the state record: Mar 22, 2023
49U Indoor Space
“Clean the carpet in the EHS 1 classroom and ensure children's belonging are not touching in the PreK classroom”
Correction date in the state record: Mar 22, 2023
43U Children's Attendance
“Ensure to document the exact arrival of each child in care. The toddler classroom was on the playground with 10 children, however nine children was observed on the attendance record. ( This was corrected when staff added to tenth child to the attendance record)”
Corrected during the visit
40U Child Files
“Complete child files are needed for the following children: Child #1 needs immunization and an updated infant feeding schedule Child #2 needs a health appraisal and blood lead test Child #3 and CHild #4 needs a blood lead test Child #8, Child #9, Child # 11 and Child #12 needs a health appraisal Child #4, 9 10 needs a sign parent right to know and screen time permissions Child #9 and CHild #11 needs an emergency transportation permission Child #2,5,6,7,8,9 ,10, 11 and 12 needs a developmental plan”
Correction date in the state record: Mar 30, 2023
30U Personnel Files
“Complete files are needed for the following staff members: Staff #1 needs CPR/FA certification, professional development, annual abuse and neglect, annual safe sleep and OCCL health and safety. Staff #2 needs professional development, annual abuse and neglect, annual safe sleep and OCCL health and safety Staff #3 needs CPR/FA certification, professional development, annual abuse and neglect, annual safe sleep and OCCL health and safety Staff #4 needs CPR/FA certification, professional development, annual abuse and neglect, annual safe sleep and OCCL health and safety Staff #5 needs CPR/FA certification, professional development, annual abuse and neglect, annual safe sleep and OCCL health and safety Staff #6 needs a complete file Staff #7 needs CPR/FA certification and two reference letters Staff #8 needs professional development, annual abuse and neglect, annual safe sleep and OCCL health and safety Staff #9 needs a complete file Staff # 10 needs needs professional development, annual abuse and neglect, annual safe sleep and OCCL health and safety Staff #11 needs a complete file”
Correction date in the state record: Mar 30, 2023
24U Staff Qualifications
“ECA for the center needs 15 hours of training in infant and toddler. Submit training to DEEDS.”
Correction date in the state record: Mar 6, 2023
- Feb 10, 2023VisitNo rules cited
Show 1 earlier visit
Feb 23, 2022Inspection3 rules cited
61U Diapering and Soiled Clothing
“Ensure the changing table in the two-year-old classroom is no more than five feet from the handwashing sink. (This was corrected when staff moved the changing table five feet to the handwashing sink.)”
Corrected during the visit
40U Child Files
“Complete child files are needed for two children. Health appraisals are needed for Child #1 and Child #5 .”
Correction date in the state record: Mar 9, 2022
30U Personnel Files
“A complete is needed for Staff #1. An adult abuse check is needed for Staff 1.”
Corrected during the visit
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FAQ
Questions about Milford Early Learning Center
Is Milford Early Learning Center licensed?
Yes. Delaware Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing lists it as licensed and operating.
When was Milford Early Learning Center last inspected?
Delaware Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing lists the most recent visit on February 10, 2026, with 2 rules cited. It lists 7 visits in the last 3 years.
Has Milford Early Learning Center had rules cited by the state?
Yes. Inspectors cited 16 rules across 5 of 7 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 Milford Early Learning Center care for?
70, the licensed capacity on the state record. It is licensed to serve infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
Does Milford Early Learning Center accept child care subsidies?
Yes. The state record says it accepts child care subsidies.
What are Milford Early Learning Center's hours?
Its hours are not listed. Call (302) 422-6667 to confirm.
How much does Milford Early Learning Center cost?
It has not listed its tuition. Call (302) 422-6667 to ask.
What is Milford Early Learning Center's phone number?
(302) 422-6667.
Where is Milford Early Learning Center?
901 North Dupont Highway, Milford, DE 19963. The nearest other daycare we list is Children & Families First Head Start Milford, 0.4 miles away.