Dover's Childrens Village Too
1298 Mckee Road, Dover, DE
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New Garden Early Care & Education Center is a licensed child care center in Dover, Delaware. It is licensed by the state, for up to 218 children, serving infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.
Delaware Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing made 34 visits in the last 3 years and cited 59 rules across 18 of them. The visit list, in the state's words, is below.
Hours
Programs
| Ages | Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age childrenFrom the state license |
|---|---|
| Child care subsidy | Accepts state child care subsidiesFrom the state license |
| Licensed capacity | 218 childrenFrom the state license |
Cost
New Garden Early Care & Education 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).
State record
34 visits with a cited rule in the last 3 years · Most recent Aug 28, 2026
59 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.
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
72U Feeding of Infants
“Ensure the water used to warm a bottle does not go over 120 degreese farenheight. The infant classroom crockpot water was over 170 F.”
Corrected during the visit
63U Administration of Medication
“Ensure that over-the-counter and prescription medications are out of reach, in their original packaging, accompanied by a completed medication administration record, the child's name on the medication, and action plans. 13 children need MARs completed for specific over-the-counter or prescription medications. One child needs an on-site action plan. One Child needs the original prescription package and stored out of reach. One child needs a name on their medication. One child needs medication in its original container.”
Correction date in the state record: May 11, 2026
61U Diapering and Soiled Clothing
“Ensure the bathroom has a diapering procedure posted, a floor-activated diaper pail with a liner within arms' reach, a changing pad, and disposable covers. The sunflower room needs the required diaper-changing items in the bathroom when the changing table is not in use.”
Correction date in the state record: May 11, 2026
56U Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments
“Ensure rest equipment is labeled. The Guppies classroom nap equipment is not labeled.”
Correction date in the state record: May 11, 2026
54U Pools and Swimming
“Ensure portable pools are not in use.”
Correction date in the state record: May 11, 2026
51U Toilet Facilities
“Ensure bathroom ventilation is free from debris and dust. Tiny Astros bathroom vent needs to be cleaned.”
Correction date in the state record: May 11, 2026
45U Hazardous Materials
“Ensure cabinets are locked, and leaners are labeled. The Explorers classroom had an unlocked cabinet, and the Tiny Astro room needed labeled cleaners.”
Correction date in the state record: May 11, 2026
43U Children's Attendance
“Ensure that when children are moving about the center, not in a group, their locations are documented with arrival and departure times. The infant classroom left two infants behind, and the rest went to the gym for music. The infants in the gym did not have their departure from the classroom or arrival at the gym documented.”
Corrected during the visit
38U Parents Right to Know
“Ensure tours and newly enrolled families sign and complete the Parent's Right to Know Log. Four children enrolled need to have the log completed.”
Correction date in the state record: May 11, 2026
36U Staff Attendance
“Ensure exact arrival and departure times are recorded for staff members. The Explorers' classroom staff member left the room and returned several minutes later. Departure and arrival back into the classroom were not documented.”
Corrected during the visit
30U Personnel Files
“Ensure staff files are complete. One staff member needed health and safety training before working with children, the staff member started on 11/5/25, and the health and safety training was not completed until 1/31/26. One staff member needs orientation. One staff member needs health and safety training. Four staff members need a job description. Three staff members need references. Two staff members need the adult abuse registry results. Three staff members need a health appraisal on OCCL's form. Two staff members need TB test results. Three staff members need the release of employment history completed. Three staff members need a second attempt for a service letter. Five staff members need initial attempts at service letters.”
Correction date in the state record: May 11, 2026
27U Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision
“Ensure ratios are maintained at all times. The Explorers classroom had one staff member alone with 16 children until the other staff member returned to the classroom.”
Correction date in the state record: Apr 15, 2026
OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)
“The Office of Child Care Licensing received a complaint on February 27, 2026, regarding not following the parent handbook policies on photographing and videography. An investigation was conducted on March 4, 2026. The complaint is substantiated for not following the parent handbook regarding photographing and videography because the handbook states permission is required for disseminating photographs or videography of a child, and the permission was not in the child s file.”
OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)
“The Office of Child Care Licensing received a complaint on September 5, 2025, regarding a lack of positive behavior supports, not having access to activity areas, improper staff-to-child ratio, and staff communication. An investigation was conducted on September 5, 2025. This complaint is substantiated regarding a lack of positive behavior supports because all children interviewed stated Staff #4 and Staff #5 were putting children in the closet and telling them a monster is going to get them. Also, Staff #1 stated she witnessed Staff #5 put a child in the closet and tell them the monster would get them. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation of not having access to activity areas because during the visit, the children were engaged with materials and staff indoors and outdoors. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation of improper staff-to-child ratio because according to attendance records for the week of September 2, 2025, and observation at the time of the visit, all classrooms were following proper staff-to-child ratio. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation of improper staff communication because no staff member interviewed stated they had communication or bullying issues with the mother and daughter staff members. An additional concern noted during the visit was the upstairs of the facility was being renovated without OCCL prior approval.”
72U Feeding of Infants
“Ensure infant meal items are labeled. Two cups and a food jar were not labeled in the Sloth classroom.”
Corrected during the visit
71U Meals and Snacks
“Ensure that meals have all required components. Breakfast was served consisting of cereal and milk only in the bowl.”
Corrected during the visit
63U Administration of Medication
“Ensure medications are returned when expired and replaced, if necessary, in their original packaging, with the pharmacy label on the prescription medication's original packaging. One child had an expired prescription and over-the-counter medicines that also needed to have their original packaging and pharmacy labels available.”
Correction date in the state record: May 9, 2025
50U Kitchen and Food Preparation
“Ensure foods are labeled with the contents of the container. The items in the pantry did not have content on the container.”
Corrected during the visit
43U Children's Attendance
“Ensure the child's exact arrival is documented. One child in Busy Bugs was not signed in.”
Corrected during the visit
40U Child Files
“Ensure that the child's files are complete. Two children need updated health appraisals, two children need updated immunization records, and three children need blood lead testing results on file.”
Correction date in the state record: May 9, 2025
36U Staff Attendance
“Ensure staff attendance at the exact arrival and departure time. Little Explorers had two staff members in the classroom, and only one was signed in.”
Corrected during the visit
30U Personnel Files
“Ensure staff files are complete. Three staff need CPR and First aid, one staff needs an annual review of safe sleep, one staff needs annual review of abuse and neglect, two staff need orientation, four staff need Heath and Safety Training for Chid Cre professionals, six staff need job descriptions, twelve staff need references, one staff needs an eleibility letter on file, two staff need health appraisals, and one staff needs a TB result on file. Fifteen staff members need initial or follow-up attempts to receive a service letter from a previous employer.”
Correction date in the state record: May 9, 2025
OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)
“On February 28, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing received a complaint regarding improper staff-to-child ratio, insufficient staff, and caring for children at the front desk. An investigation was conducted on February 28, 2025. This complaint is substantiated for improper staff-to-child ratio because according to attendance records for February 28, 2025, the Cactus classroom was over ratio with one staff alone with 14 children ages three-years-old to five-years-old from 7:10 a.m. until 7:30 a.m. when another staff member signed in. The Cactus classroom was over ratio with 23 children ages three-years-old to five-years-old from 7:37 a.m. until 7:40 a.m. with two staff. The Llama classroom was over ratio with one staff member alone with seven children ages one to two-years-old from 8:14 a.m. to 8:17 a.m. when another staff member signed in. The allegation of caring for children at the front desk is substantiated because Staff #1 stated she had a child at the front desk due to insufficient staff in the facility. The allegation of insufficient staff to operate is substantiated because there were not enough staff for the number of children in the facility to cover staff emergencies or staff needing to use the restroom. Additional concerns noted was according to attendance records for February 28, 2025, the Cactus classroom was over maximum group size with 23 children ages three-years-old to five-years-old from 7:37 a.m. until 7:40 a.m. with two staff.”
72U Feeding of Infants
“Infant feeding forms must be updated monthly. Two children's feeding forms have not been updated since October 1, 2024.”
Correction date in the state record: Jan 16, 2025
63U Administration of Medication
“Ensure medication is prescribed in its original container and labeled with directions on how to give or use it. Anything other than soap and water must be documented with parent permission on separate Medication Administration Record (MAR)s for each item. If the child no longer attends care, the items requiring a MAR are to be returned to the family. One child had albuterol, Aquaphor, and Egyptian Cream on one MAR. One child had two creams and no MAR. One child no longer attended care, and the Aquaphor was still available. Baby powder and A and D ointment are available with no MAR, and the child is in another classroom. Albuterol was in the medication box, not the original prescription box.”
Correction date in the state record: Jan 16, 2025
56U Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments
“When an infant is sleeping in a crib, remove items from the rails. The specialist observed one infant asleep with a bib on the crib rail.”
Corrected during the visit
43U Children's Attendance
“The exact departure of a child must be documented. One child in Busy Bugs Two was not signed out.”
Corrected during the visit
72U Feeding of Infants
“Ensure a crock pot's water is not more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The LS observed the crock post was not in use, the room was vacant, but a thermometer read the water temperature to over 130 degrees Fahrenheit.”
Corrected during the visit
OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)
“The Office of Child Care Licensing received a complaint on July 31, 2024, regarding unqualified staff alone with children, combining the two-year-old and three-year-old children, and punishing children for not napping. An investigation was conducted on August 12, 2024. Despite a statement from Administrator #1 that only qualified staff are alone with children, the complaint is substantiated for unqualified staff alone with children because attendance records showed unqualified staff were alone with children at various times throughout multiple days and in multiple classrooms from July 24, 2024, through July 26, 2024, and July 29, 2024, through July 31, 2024. The complaint is substantiated for combining the two-year-old and three-year-old classrooms because Child #1 was moved from the three-year-old classroom to the two-year-old classroom due to being overstimulated in the three-year-old classroom and not being potty trained. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation of punishing children for not napping because all staff interviewed stated they did not know about this happening and it was not occurring at the time of the visit. Additional concerns noted were improper staff-to-child ratio and incomplete staff and child attendance records”
OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)
“The Office of Child Care Licensing received a complaint on June 26, 2024, regarding not providing truthful information, not meeting the needs of the children by incorrectly lifting them, and accident/injury procedures. An investigation was conducted on July 3, 2024. The allegation of not meeting the needs of the child is substantiated because a staff stated she had an infant in her arms, and she pulled a one-year-old child up by the hand. The allegation of not following accident/injury procedures is substantiated because the accident report was not in the child s file or able to be located during the complaint visit. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation of not providing truthful information because the accident/injury report aligns with how the staff stated the injury occurred and the report is signed by the parent.”
OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)
“The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint on June 13, 2024, regarding improper staff communication and improper staff-to-child ratio. An investigation was conducted on June 14, 2024. The complaint for ratios is substantiated because the classroom attendance for June 11, 2024, shows during operation the Sunflower, Busy Bug, and Cuddly Cactus classrooms were out of ratio and the facility was in ratio during the complaint visit on June 14, 2024. The allegation of [name] cursing at children, staff, and parents is unsubstantiated because the two administrators that were questioned stated they and staff saw him for a few seconds when they arrived, but he was doing interviews in the morning.”
OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)
“The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint on June 3, 2024, regarding improper staff communication, not having sufficient staffing, improper staff-to-child ratio, not being respectful, not meeting the needs of the children, and not following their schedule. An investigation was conducted on June 7, 2024. The complaint is substantiated for not following their schedule because three classrooms were not following the posted schedule, and one staff stated the classroom does not have a schedule. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation of not having sufficient staffing and improper staff-to-child ratio because during the visit the licensing specialist observed enough staff in the facility to run daily functions and all classrooms were following proper staff-to-child ratio. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation of not meeting the needs of the child because the facility has conducted the ASQs, and therapists are providing services to the children. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation of not having respectful communication because the staff interviewed stated they have not heard any disrespectful communication from the accused staff.”
OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)
“The Office of Child Care Licensing received a complaint on April 24, 2024, regarding improper staff communication. An investigation was conducted on May 7, 2024. The complaint is substantiated because three staff members stated they have either been spoken to or overheard one of the owners speak to staff in a threatening tone and using curse words. Additional concerns noted were upon arrival, all staff were in classrooms, and no one was available to answer the door or provide breaks, and the administrator was in a classroom supervising children when she used her phone to call the owner.”
74U Lesson Plans
“The lesson plan must be posted and current and include a daily activity for each required goal. The Busy Bugs need social emotional areas reaccomplished. Cuddly Cactus needs weekly food/healthy habits, science, music, sensory. Sprouting Sunflower classroom needs Social Emotional and Cognitive and 2+ weekly activities. Learning Lama and Sleepy Sloths classrooms need lesson plans for April posted. Send correction to OCCL.”
Correction date in the state record: May 2, 2024
72U Feeding of Infants
“Ensure feeding forms for infants are updated monthly. Child #21 missed February. Child #22 not updated since 2-1-24. Child #23 not updated since 27-24. Child #24 not updated since 2-12-24. Update feeding forms and submit copy to OCCL.”
Correction date in the state record: May 2, 2024
66U Emergency Planning
“Ensure a monthly fire inspection is conducted and posted and a monthly fire drill is conducted and posted. Send OCCL inspections/drills for March and April. Ensure emergency water for 24 hours of use and infant supplies are on site. Send OCCL a photograph.”
Correction date in the state record: May 2, 2024
64U Child Accident and Injury
“Ensure parent notification is documented when calling as required for head injuries. Child #2 fell off a bathroom stool needing an ice pack on her head. Parent signed report but no documentation of phone call. Review regulation and provide review proof to OCCL.”
Correction date in the state record: May 2, 2024
63U Administration of Medication
“Ensure a MAR for each medication is filled out completely, given as requested, documented when given and medication is labeled w/child's name. Child #13 had no MAR for Oraje/Tylenol/Sunscreen. Child #14 had no MAR for sunscreen/bug repelant/Aveno. Child #15 had no MAR for sunscreen. Child #16 had no MAR for Aquaphor. Child #17 had accident report stating applied antiseptic ointment bu had no MAR avail. Lama room, Child #18, MAR 10-18-23 had apply 2x's a day, cream on wrong MAR, not documented as done as requested by parent. Child #19 amoxicillin on Rout. MAR 4-2-24, not documented as given. Child #20 Rout. MAR, give at diaper changes, not given, signed 1-15-24. Review regulation with staff and provide review to OCCL.”
Correction date in the state record: May 2, 2024
61U Diapering and Soiled Clothing
“Ensure a foot activated trash can is within arms reach of the changing area. Cuddly Cactus classroom has no foot activated trashcan by changing table. Sprouting Sunflower classroom needs a foot-activated trash can by changing area that is only used for diapers. The one near it had empty food containers in it. Post a diaper procedure in Sunflower classroom by the changing area. Send OCCL a photograph of corrections.”
Correction date in the state record: May 2, 2024
59U Hand Washing
“Handwashing must occur before eating. LS observed in the Lama room, Child #12 on the floor crying then sat at a table, wiping his runny nose before eating his snack with no handwashing or nose wiping. Have all staff review the regulation and provide OCCL with proof of review.”
Correction date in the state record: May 2, 2024
57U Equipment
“Ensure there are plenty of items for all children to u se, and provide experiences for social emotional, language/literacy, intellectual, and physical development. The Sprouting Sunflower classroom needs materials available in science, music, sensory, language, dramatic play, manipulatives. Also, area shelves cannot be turned around. Add materials to areas and turn around shelf. Send OCCL a video. Busy Bugs need music to be accessible to children, and manipulative shelf and items accessible to children. Send OCCL a photograph of correction.”
Correction date in the state record: May 2, 2024
56U Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments
“Ensure when nap equipment is not in use, the stacked cots that have top/bottom and covers, do not touch the cot above underside. The Lama and Sunflower classroom cots were stacked with top covers touching the underside of the above cot. Send OCCL a photograph of no top/bottom covers on stored cots and the method of storing top and bottom sheets separate from another childs.”
Correction date in the state record: May 2, 2024
50U Kitchen and Food Preparation
“Ensure refrigerators have a working thermometer that reads 40 degrees. Add a thermometer to Sloth refrigerator photograph to OCCL reading 40 degrees. Ensure items stored in pantry and refrigerator are labeled and dated. Pantry crackers, Goldfish, animal crackers are in Ziplock bags, not dated or labeled. Milk in kitchen fridge is dated 4-11-24, dispose of milk. Send OCCL statement of disposal, and date and label applesauce(2) and peaches(4). Send photograph to OCCL.”
Correction date in the state record: May 2, 2024
49U Indoor Space
“Ensure any items for cleaning and disinfecting do not change the smell of the air. Plug-ins are not allowed. Plug-in air fresheners were in every classroom (not Little Explorers) and laundry room. Lemon scented Lysol aerosol was found in Fox, Sloth, and Sunflower classrooms. All items were removed and a conversation with staff was had. Labeled Sloth cubbies. Ensure personal belongings are labeled and stored. LS observed 2 lambs and 2 stingrays on top of the cubbies that were not labled and stored in a pile. Send photograph of labeled items stored separate or a statement of the items being removed from the facility.”
Correction date in the state record: May 2, 2024
45U Hazardous Materials
“Ensure exposure to hazardous materials is not allowed. LS observed a cabinet was unlocked in the Lama room, leaving access to zip lock bags. The closet was accessible to the children in the Lamas and Sunflower classrooms. The closet had a chemical mop. Ensure to limit all access. Conversation was had.”
Corrected during the visit
43U Children's Attendance
“Ensure a child's exact arrival and departure are documented. Busy Bugs had 16 children present and 15 signed in. This was corrected when Child #11 was signed in.”
Corrected during the visit
40U Child Files
“Ensure children's files are complete. Child #1 needs developmental plan. Child #2 needs developmental plan. Child #3 needs developmental plan. Child #6 needs developmental plan/transportation permission. Child #7 needs date of enrollment. Child #8 needs date of enrollment/health appraisal/immunizations/blood lead screening results. Child #9 needs date of enrollment/developmental plan. Child #10 needs date of enrollment/developmental plan.”
Correction date in the state record: Jun 21, 2024
36U Staff Attendance
“Ensure staff document arrival and departure times are exact. LS observed at 9:07 Staff #1 entered the room and Staff #11 left. Neither staff recorded arrival or Staff #11 did not record departure.”
Corrected during the visit
30U Personnel Files
“Ensure staff files are complete. Staff #1 needs CPR/FA, Orientation/references. Staff #2 needs OCCL H&S training. Staff #3 needs annual safe sleep / annual abuse & neglect. Staff #4 needs current PD plan. Staff #5 needs CPR/FA, Med Admin, PD plan, OCCL H&S training, references, eligibility. Staff #6 needs orientation/OCCL H&S /references. Staff #7 needs CPR/FA, PD plan, job description, references, eligibility. Staff #8 needs PD plan. Staff #9 needs CPR/FA. Staff #10 needs annual safe sleep. Staff #11 needs references/Health appraisal w/TB. Staff #12 needs orientation/OCCL H&S training/ service letters. Staff#13 needs CPR/FA, OCCL H&S training, references. Staff #14 needs orientation/adult abuse/release of employment/service letters. Staff #15 needs complete file.”
Correction date in the state record: Jun 21, 2024
28U General Qualifications
“Ensure a staff member is eligible before the start of employment or a comprehensive background check and letter of eligibility is on file. On 4/2/24 admin was made aware staff were no longer provisionally eligible or eligible and to not be at the licensed address. LS observed attendance showing staff#5 & staff#7 were onsite after the 4/2/24 notification. This was corrected with a conversation for Staff #7 who is out sick to not return until eligible and Staff #5 was sent home until eligible.”
Corrected during the visit
27U Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision
“Ensure supervision of children is done by qualified and eligible. Staff #5 has been alone with children and not determined eligible. Admin was notified on 4/2 to not have staff on stie until eligible. Send OCCL eligibility when obtained.”
Correction date in the state record: May 3, 2024
26U Staffing
“Ensure a staff member who is qualified as at least an early childhood teacher is present and designated as responsible for the center when the early childhood administrator is not present. There was not documentation in the staff files showing a qualified staff member was trained in the day-to-day operations. Please send documentation to OCCL when corrected.”
Correction date in the state record: May 2, 2024
21U Food Service Policy
“Ensure food items are stored to prevent spoilage. LS observed the Sprouting Sunflowers,, Little Explorers, Busy Bugs, Cuddly Cactus, Learning Lamas classroom had lunch boxes without ice packs in a bin that were not taken from the classrooms until 10:06 am. Provide OCCL a plan written to ensure the lunch boxes are refrigerated in a timely manner. Ensure meal bins with milk are properly stored so milk will not spoil. LS observed breakfast ended at 9am and milk still in classrooms until 10am. Provide a schedule to have milk picked up to OCCL.”
Correction date in the state record: May 2, 2024
OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)
“On February 21, 2024, OCCL received a complaint regarding improper staff-child-ratio. An investigation was conducted on February 26, 2024. The complaint is substantiated because attendance records showed several classrooms were not following proper staff-to-child ratio or maximum group sizes. There were several additional concerns noted. An aide was alone with 12 children for an hour on February 12, 2024. A staff was signed in on the attendance records on February 21, 2024, but she was not fingerprinted for the center. Staff #1 was observed sitting on a shelf eating fast food but when the licensing specialist entered the classroom, Staff #1 then got down and began assisting children with handwashing. Staff #1 did not know the name of one of the children in the classroom; therefore, the child was not signed in and did not have a labeled cubby. Also, staff and child attendance were incomplete on several days.”
OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)
“The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint on December 27, 2023, regarding unqualified staff alone with children, improper diaper changing procedures, and lack of positive behavior supports. An investigation was conducted on January 8, 2024. The complaint is substantiated for unqualified staff alone with children because interviewed staff and attendance records confirm aides and interns were alone when they cannot be on several instances. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation of improper diaper changing procedures because all staff interviewed stated they check diapers at least hourly and change them then or at least every two hours. There is no evidence to substantiate the complaint for lack of positive behavior supports because Staff #2 denied mistreating any child. Also, the staff that works in the classroom with Staff #2 denied ever observing Staff #2 mistreat any child. Additional concerns noted were improper staff-to-child ratio, exceeding maximum group size, and staff and child attendance records were incomplete.”
OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)
“The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint on December 27, 2023, regarding unqualified staff alone with children, improper diaper changing procedures, and lack of positive behavior supports. An investigation was conducted on January 8, 2024. The complaint is substantiated for unqualified staff alone with children because interviewed staff and attendance records confirm aides and interns were alone when they cannot be on several instances. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation of improper diaper changing procedures because all staff interviewed stated they check diapers at least hourly and change them then or at least every two hours. There is no evidence to substantiate the complaint for lack of positive behavior supports because Staff #2 denied mistreating any child. Also, the staff that works in the classroom with Staff #2 denied ever observing Staff #2 mistreat any child. Additional concerns noted were improper staff-to-child ratio, exceeding maximum group size, and staff and child attendance records were incomplete.”
48U Heating and Cooling
“Ensure the minimum room temperature is 68 degrees. Discussed putting the heat on a timer to ensure all rooms are up to temperature by the time the center opens. Submit verification of plan to maintain temperature.”
Correction date in the state record: Nov 27, 2023
27U Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision
“Ensure staff-to-child ratio and maximum group size are maintained at all times. According to attendance records submitted as a corrective action, the center is over maximum group in the morning from about 8:00 am to 8:30 am. During the visit, there were seven one-year-olds with one staff member. This was corrected during the visit. According to today's attendance, there were eighteen children present in the Cuddly Cactus room from about 8:08 to 8:23 before separating into classrooms. Discussed this room needs to split once there are more than sixteen children. Submit attendance records for all rooms from 11/27 to 12/1 by 12/4.”
Correction date in the state record: Dec 4, 2023
OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)
“The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint on October 23, 2023, regarding lack of supervision, accident/injury procedures, and not keeping the center hazard free. An investigation was conducted on October 26, 2023. This complaint is substantiated for not keeping the center hazard free because a metal outside door was hot enough to burn a child s hand. This complaint is also substantiated for not following accident and injury requirements because the incident report was written five days after the incident occurred. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for lack of supervision because based on evidence and staff interviews, children were being appropriately supervised at the time of the incident. Other concerns noted were maximum group was not being followed, and child and staff attendance records were missing sign out times.”
OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)
“The Office of Child Care Licensing received a complaint on October 4, 2023, regarding improper discipline, not following the termination policy, an administrator not being present at least fifty percent of the operating hours, diapering procedures, administration of medication procedures, infant feeding procedures, and infant daily logs not being completed. An investigation was conducted on October 6, 2023. The complaint is substantiated for diapering procedures because Staff #2 and Staff #3 stated diapers are checked every two hours, instead of the required every one hour, and changed as needed. The allegation of improper administration of medication procedures is substantiated because the medication administration record (MAR) for Child #1 s Vaseline was not on the correct MAR form, and the MAR was not properly filled out. An additional MAR was provided for Motrin and indicated Motrin was given but the MAR was not signed by the parent or completely filled out. The allegation of infant daily logs not being completed is substantiated because the infant daily logs for Child #1 were missing 30-minute sleep checks, did not include daily activities, and meals received by Child #1 were not documented for the food type or the amount consumed. The allegation of improper infant feeding procedures is substantiated because Child #1 was given a bottle with juice in it. Staff #2 and Staff #3 stated if juice comes in a bottle, then the child is provided the juice in the bottle. The facility requires all infant bottles to be pre-made and this is included in the infant enrollment packet. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation of improper discipline because staff denied harming an infant, staff stated they have no reason to discipline an infant, and a photograph of the marble sized bruise does not provide enough evidence for when and where the mark happened. The staff stated the issues of physical injury would be brought up after Child #1 was no longer in care of the facility for over 30 minutes. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation of not following their termination policy because the facility s parent handbook states respect and dignity is expected towards staff and aggressive or hostile behavior will not be tolerated and cause for dismissal of care. All staff interviewed stated Guardian #1 was loud and rude. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation of the administrator not being present at least fifty percent of the hours of operation because [name] is the owner of the facility, not the administrator. The designated administrator is present daily. A concern noted was the facility does not have a designated qualified staff member to function in the absence of the administrator for the day-to-day operations.”
76U Activity Schedule
“Ensure a daily schedule is posted one classroom needs to post a schedule.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 31, 2023
74U Lesson Plans
“Ensure physical or gross motor activities are included on lesson plans the little explorer s classroom Lesson plan did not include a physical area. Ensure weekly opportunities in food or healthy habits are being offered. The little explorers classroom did not include this on their lesson plan. Ensure all classrooms have a completed lesson plan and post it in a visible area lesson plans must include areas of physical social emotional, language and literacy, and cognitive development and must include weekly opportunities for food or healthy habits, science, music, and sensory.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 31, 2023
72U Feeding of Infants
“Ensure proper infant feeding procedures are being followed in the fox classroom food was observed mixed in bottles, bottles were not labeled with a child name, and crock pots for bottled feeding warming we're at 160 degrees and 190 degrees. The fox and sloth classrooms feeding schedules were not complete or up to date. A written record of each infant s food intake must be shared with the parent or guardian daily. Juice may not be fed to infants”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 31, 2023
66U Emergency Planning
“Ensure the monthly safety and fire inspection checklist and fire drill evacuation logs are completed. The last completes log was July 2023.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 31, 2023
63U Administration of Medication
“Ensure the medication administration records are correctly filled out for each medication received. A license shall ensure the parent or guardian provides the required information for administering medication. Keep a written record of medication administered to a child including time and by whom. Two MARs were missing required items. This was corrected at the visit when the specialist provided technical assistance on both medication administration records and how to use them. The staff agreed to comply in the future.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 31, 2023
57U Equipment
“Ensure the busy bug classroom has music equipment available.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 31, 2023
53U Outdoor Area
“Ensure the gate in the outdoor play area is self-closing.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 31, 2023
50U Kitchen and Food Preparation
“Ensure there is a working thermometer in the refrigerator and freezer in the fox classroom.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 31, 2023
49U Indoor Space
“Ensure classrooms that perform diapering duties have a separate trash can used only for soiled diapers is this can must be foot activated within arm s reach.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 31, 2023
40U Child Files
“Ensure child files are complete. Nine children need date of enrolment, five children need hours attending care, one child needs days attending care, two children need a health appraisal on file, three children need a blood lead screening test result on file, six children need a development plan, and two children need transportation permission.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 31, 2023
30U Personnel Files
“Ensure staff files are complete one staff member needs annual review of abuse and neglect, two staff members need health and safety training for childcare professionals, four staff members need reference letters, and four staff members need an attempt for service letters from prior employment and possible follow-up attempt for service letters if needed.”
Correction date in the state record: Jan 25, 2024
40U Child Files
“Ensure child files are complete. Two children need health appraisals. Two child need immunization records. Four children need blood lead screening results. One child needs mat permission.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 9, 2023
30U Personnel Files
“Ensure staff files are complete. One staff member needs first aid certification. Two staff members need orientation. One staff member needs OCCL's Health and Safety Training for Child Care Professionals. Three staff members need a job description. Twelve staff members need two references. Three staff members need employee declaration. Two staff members need drug/alcohol statement. Two staff members need eligibility letters from the Criminal History Unit. One staff member needs an adult abuse registry check. One staff member needs an adult health appraisal. Four staff members need an adult health appraisal with TB results. One staff member needs release of employment history. Twelve staff members need service letters.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 9, 2023
26U Staffing
“Complete the teacher trained in day to day operations orientation record for the staff member in charge during the administrator's absence.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 9, 2023
Reviews
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1298 Mckee Road, Dover, DE
Dover, DE 19904 · infants to school-age · Home daycare: the provider shares the address with families
717 Hatchery Road, Dover, DE
96 Salt Creek Dr, Dover, DE
100 Campus Drive, Dover, DE
Dover, DE 19904 · infants to school-age · Home daycare: the provider shares the address with families
Dover, DE 19904 · infants to school-age · Home daycare: the provider shares the address with families
Dover, DE 19904 · infants to school-age · Home daycare: the provider shares the address with families
Dover, DE 19904 · infants to school-age · Home daycare: the provider shares the address with families
FAQ
Yes. Delaware Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing lists it as licensed and operating.
Delaware Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing lists the most recent visit on August 28, 2026. It lists 34 visits in the last 3 years.
Yes. Inspectors cited 59 rules across 19 of 34 visits in the last 3 years; 47 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.
218, the licensed capacity on the state record. It is licensed to serve infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.
Yes. The state record says it accepts child care subsidies.
Its hours are not listed. Call (302) 730-8585 to confirm.
It has not listed its tuition. Call (302) 730-8585 to ask.
(302) 730-8585.
4557 N Dupont Hwy, Dover, DE 19901. The nearest other daycare we list is Pediatric Health Choice at the Children's Secret Garden, 0.1 miles away.