Little Hearts Childcare Preschool-Nursery
1169 South Dupont Highway, New Castle, DE
Red Lion Early Education Center
- licensed capacity
- 166
- a week, county median
- $280
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About
About Red Lion Early Education Center
Red Lion Early Education Center is a licensed child care center in Bear, Delaware. It is licensed by the state, for up to 166 children, serving infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
It describes a Faith-based approach, with after-school care, before-school care, full-time care and infant care.
Delaware Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing made 12 visits in the last 3 years and cited 49 rules across 9 of them. The visit list, in the state's words, is below.
InfantsBefore- and after-schoolFaith-based
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, whether it accepts child care subsidies and hours.
- Type
- Child care center
- Ages
- Infants, toddlers and preschoolers
- Hours today
- Not listed
- Licensed capacity
- 166 children
Hours
Hours
Hours not listed. Call (302) 834-5020 to confirm.
Programs
Programs and care
| Ages | Infants, toddlers and preschoolersFrom the state license |
|---|---|
| Programs | After-school care, before-school care, full-time care, infant care, part-time care, preschool, special-needs / inclusion care and toddler care |
| Approach | Faith-based (Christian) |
| Discounts | Pay-in-full discount: deduct 2.75% off tuition if Pay-In-Full by August 15 |
| More | Founded 1980 |
| Licensed capacity | 166 childrenFrom the state license |
Cost
Tuition and costs
Red Lion Early Education Center 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 Red Lion Early Education Center
License
- Status
- Licensed and operating
- License type
- Licensed Child Care Center
- Capacity
- 166 children
- Ages
- Infants, toddlers and preschoolers
- License number
- #1597566
Summary
12 visits with a cited rule in the last 3 years · Most recent Sep 9, 2026
49 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 13
- Building, equipment and play areas 7
- Health, medication and illness 5
- Food and nutrition 5
- Safety and hazards 4
- Discipline and child guidance 3
- Safe sleep 2
- Staff training and qualifications 2
- Supervision and ratios 2
- Other rules 6
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 12 visits
Sep 9, 2026Inspection5 rules cited
65U First Aid Kits
“Ensure first aid kit is complete. Eye patch was missing, Send pic of eye patch to OCCL by October 9, 2026”
61U Diapering and Soiled Clothing
“Ensure Diaper changing is located within 5 feet of a hand-washing sink. This sink must be cleaned with soap and water and disinfected before use of food preparation. Send picture of changing table within 5 feet of hand-washing sink by October 9, 2026.”
50U Kitchen and Food Preparation
“Ensure refrigerator and freezer have working thermometers. Tod B and Infant room #7 need new thermometers. Send picture of thermometers to OCCL by October 9, 2026.”
40U Child Files
“Updated health appraisal is needed for Child #1 and #2. Immunization records and blood lead results are needed for Child #3. Developmental plans are needed for Child #3, #4, #5, #8, #9. Child #9 needs 2 emergency contact people/numbers. Send documentation to OCCL by October 9, 2026.”
30U Personnel Files
“Ensure staff files are complete. Staff #1 needs 4 hours of training Staff #2 needs 1 hour in health and safety training and PD plan. Staff #3 needs 9 hour of training including 1 hour in health and safety, annual review of sleep safe and abuse & neglect. Staff #4 needs 18 training hours including 2 in health and safety, and PD plan. Staff #5 needs 18 training hours including 2 in health and safety, and PD plan. Staff #6 needs 4 references and a service letter, Staff #7 needs the OCCL 7-hour health and safety training and service letter. Staff # 8 and #9 need health appraisal. Staff #10 needs Updated CPR and first aid Staff #11 needs 2 references Send documentation to OCCL by October 9, 2026.”
Sep 26, 2025Complaint investigation1 rule cited
OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)
“The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint on September 17, 2025, regarding concerns of staff qualifications, proper background check completion, use of proper security measures, and the facility not conducting evacuation drills as required. An investigation was conducted on September 23, 2025. This complaint is substantiated for concerns of staff qualifications based on review of attendance records. Attendance records reviewed reflected one staff member with no DEEDS Early Learning qualification signed in alone with children for one hour during nap time on four different occasions. This complaint is substantiated for not having comprehensive background checks completed prior to start of employment based on staff files reviewed and a walkthrough of the facility. Staff #2 did not have a complete comprehensive background check prior to starting their employment. This complaint is substantiated for not properly conducting monthly evacuation drills based on review of monthly evacuation drill logs. Monthly drills were not being completed or documented; this was observed during an annual compliance review a week prior to this visit and cited as non-compliant at that time. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for improper security measures based on the facility visit. All adults are required to ring a buzzer to get access to the building, and if they are unknown to administrative staff their identification is checked.”
Sep 18, 2025Inspection11 rules cited
8U License Renewal
“Ensure the application is completed and submitted.”
Correction date in the state record: Sep 22, 2025
72U Feeding of Infants
“Ensure infant feeding schedules are completed and updated monthly.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 1, 2025
66U Emergency Planning
“Ensure monthly fire drills are conducted. Send September's fire drill log to OCCL.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 1, 2025
61U Diapering and Soiled Clothing
“Ensure a foot-activated trash can is in the diaper changing area. -No foot-activated trash can in the two's diaper area.- Corrected at visit.”
Corrected during the visit
49U Indoor Space
“Ensure all surfaces are cleanable and in good repair. -Window sill in toddler B's classroom needs to be cleanable.”
Correction date in the state record: Sep 22, 2025
40U Child Files
“Ensure children's files are complete. Health appraisal for Child #2, #4, and #5. Immunizations for Child #2. Blood Lead screening results for Child #2, #4, and #5. Developmental plans for Child #1 to Child #15.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 27, 2025
38U Parents Right to Know
“Ensure the parent's right-to-know log is current and complete.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 9, 2025
36U Staff Attendance
“Ensure staff members are signing into the classroom upon arrival. Two staff members were not signed in the two-year-old classroom. -Corrected at visit.”
Correction date in the state record: Nov 14, 2025
30U Personnel Files
“Ensure staff files are complete. Send OCCL the missing items. Orientation for Staff #2, #3, #4, #5, #10, and #11. OCCL Health and Safety training for Staff #3, #4, and #11. References for Staff #2, #3, and #12. Adult abuse check for Staff #2, #3, #5, and #11. Review of abuse and neglect for Staff #6. Review of sleep safety for Staff #6. Adult health appraisal with TB for Staff #10. Service letters for Staff #10 and #11. Release of Employment for Staff #11.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 9, 2025
20U Positive Behavior Management
“Ensure the positive behavior policy is posted. -Corrected at visit.”
Corrected during the visit
16U Insurance Coverage
“Ensure insurance documentation is current. -Send updated insurance to OCCL.”
Correction date in the state record: Sep 22, 2025
May 30, 2025Complaint investigation1 rule cited
OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)
“On May 16, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received two complaints regarding concerns of lack of supervision and Administrator #1 not being present 50% of the hours of operation. An investigation was conducted on May 22, 2025. This complaint is substantiated for Administrator #1 not being present 50 % of the hours of operations based on the interview with Administrator #1, who stated they do not track their hours when present at the facility. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for concerns of lack of supervision based on staff interviews and classroom observations. All staff interviewed stated classrooms are with staff-to-child ratios at all times and children are supervised at all times.”
- May 28, 2025VisitNo rules cited
- May 19, 2025VisitNo rules cited
May 6, 2025Complaint investigation1 rule cited
OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)
“On April 24, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding lack of supervision. An investigation was conducted on April 28, 2025. This complaint is substantiated for lack of supervision because Child #1 left the room without adult accompaniment or supervision, and Staff #1 was unaware Child #1 had left the room. Administrator #1 stated Child #1 was able to leave the classroom undetected and reached the front door. The child was returned to the classroom a few minutes later by Staff #2. New safety protocols were implemented and documented by Administrator #1 and provided to LS #1.”
Apr 21, 2025Complaint investigation1 rule cited
OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)
“On March 26, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding improper staff-to-child ratios and exceeding maximum group size. An investigation was conducted on April 3, 2025. This complaint is substantiated for improper staff-to-child ratios because attendance records indicated that during the week of March 24, 2025, through March 28, 2025, and the week of March 31, 2025, to April 2, 2025, the aftercare preschool rooms had between 11 and 19 children present, and there were no staff attendance records available. A weekly staffing schedule showed seven staff, and that schedule indicated there were not always sufficient staff available to maintain staff-to-child ratios with the number of children signed in. An additional concern noted was only one of seven staff members listed as working at the aftercare program has a comprehensive background check or a DEEDS Early Learning qualification. Two of these seven staff are minors, and the other four staff listed should not be present with children without the comprehensive background check. Another concern was only one of these staff members also had a personnel file available at the center. An additional concern noted during this visit was the lack of an organized system of business management, as Administrator #1, the named contact for the licensed program, was unaware of staff names, enrollment information. This was discussed at the visit.”
Mar 20, 2025Complaint investigation1 rule cited
OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)
“On March 6, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding concerns of unsafe, hazardous indoor space, unclean bathrooms, violations of the Department of Labor meal break requirements, improper staff-to-child ratios, improper outdoor fencing, not having a space for ill children, and broken heating and air conditioning in the building. An investigation was conducted on March 10, 2025. This complaint is substantiated for indoor space hazards because there were uncovered outlets in classrooms and broken and/or missing child locks on cabinets, causing potential access to hazardous materials. These two non-compliances were cited on the full-compliance review conducted on the same day, so are not cited within this report to avoid duplication. This complaint is substantiated for improper staff-to-child ratios because three classrooms operating during this visit did not have any staff members present with DEEDS Early Learning qualifications. Three additional classrooms only had one staff member present with a DEEDS Early Learning qualification. Due to this, there is an additional concern noted regarding insufficient staff being available within the facility to operate in compliance when breaks or other coverage is needed. There is no evidence to substantiate the complaint for other indoor space concerns, including black mold, presence of rodents, roof leaks, exposed wires, unclean bathrooms, broken blinds, or unsafe play sets because none of these were observed during a walkthrough of the eleven classrooms. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for concerns of a broken air-conditioning/heating system because Administrator #1 stated the facility had a brief issue with the air conditioning last summer, but it was remedied quickly. Temperatures in all classrooms were within an acceptable range at the visit. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for violation of Department of Labor meal break requirements because s taff members interviewed stated they do get meal breaks, which were also marked on the observed attendance records. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for improper fencing because the outdoor fence is four feet in height as required.”
Mar 10, 2025Inspection15 rules cited
74U Lesson Plans
“Ensure all lesson plans contain all required elements. Add social-emotional for room #7, a complete lesson plan for room #8, and healthy habits for room #9.”
Correction date in the state record: Apr 17, 2025
72U Feeding of Infants
“All children must be held or placed in a feeding chair when drinking bottles. This was corrected during the visit.”
Corrected during the visit
66U Emergency Planning
“Conduct and record monthly fire drills (This was corrected during the visit.) Ensure at all times the availability of an adequate amount of emergency food and water for all children and staff for 24 hours. (second citation)”
Correction date in the state record: Apr 4, 2025
57U Equipment
“Ensure an adequate supply of materials in the toddler 1 room. (second citation) Send photo to OCCL.”
Correction date in the state record: Apr 4, 2025
56U Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments
“Label all sleep mats in room #3.”
Correction date in the state record: Apr 11, 2025
53U Outdoor Area
“Remove all trampolines from indoor and outdoor spaces.”
Correction date in the state record: Apr 4, 2025
51U Toilet Facilities
“Repair ventilation fan cover in bathroom in room #11.”
Correction date in the state record: Mar 27, 2025
49U Indoor Space
“Ensure all outlets are covered at all times. (room 4 and power strip in the infant room.) Remove all air fresheners/sprays/plug-ins from the center. (second citation)”
Correction date in the state record: Apr 4, 2025
45U Hazardous Materials
“Ensure all cabinets containing chemicals are locked or emptied of hazardous materials. (room #3)”
Correction date in the state record: Apr 4, 2025
43U Children's Attendance
“Ensure all children are signed in and out with each arrival and departure. Send one week's attendance to OCCL.”
Correction date in the state record: Apr 3, 2025
40U Child Files
“Submit the following to complete children's files: date of enrollment for 4 children; hours of attendance for 6 children, health appraisals with immunizations for 6 children, blood lead test results for 7 children, transportation permission for 2 children, medication permission for 1 child, developmental plans for all 12 children.”
Correction date in the state record: May 20, 2025
36U Staff Attendance
“Ensure all staff are signed in and out with each arrival and departure. Send one week's attendance to OCCL.”
Correction date in the state record: Apr 4, 2025
30U Personnel Files
“Submit the following to complete staff files: OCCL 7 hour H&S training for 7 staff members; Service letters for 6 staff members; health appraisal w/ TB for 2 staff members; a health appraisal only for 1 staff member; CPR/FA certification for 2 staff members; date of hire for 1 staff member.”
Correction date in the state record: May 20, 2025
28U General Qualifications
“Documentation of eligibility is needed for one staff member.”
Correction date in the state record: Apr 3, 2025
24U Staff Qualifications
“DEEDs certifications are needed for 15 staff members. A licensee shall ensure sufficient qualified staff are hired and retained to meet the requirements of the regulations. During this visit, three classrooms had no staff present with DEEDS Early Learning qualifications, and three additional rooms had only one qualified staff member present. Submit a plan indicating a schedule ensuring all classrooms have at least one qualified person in each room. Submit a plan indicating how the remaining staff members will acquire a DEEDs certificate. Plans are due to OCCL by April 4, 2025.”
Correction date in the state record: May 20, 2025
Show 2 earlier visits
- Mar 3, 2025VisitNo rules cited
Jan 21, 2025Inspection13 rules cited
74U Lesson Plans
“Provide documentation of posted weekly lesson plans containing all elements for all classrooms. Send one week's worth to OCCL.”
Correction date in the state record: Mar 10, 2025
72U Feeding of Infants
“Ensure all infants have signed monthly infant feeding schedules.”
Correction date in the state record: Mar 10, 2025
66U Emergency Planning
“Provide documetation of an adquate supply of emergency food and water for a 24 hour period for all staff and children.”
Correction date in the state record: May 30, 2025
61U Diapering and Soiled Clothing
“Send documentation of posted diaper changing procedures and use of disposable paper in all diapering classrooms; ensure children and staff and washing hands after each diaper change/bathroom use.”
Correction date in the state record: Mar 10, 2025
58U Sanitation
“Send documentation of soap and water bottles for Toddler B classroom.”
Correction date in the state record: Mar 10, 2025
57U Equipment
“Ensure each classroom has accessible and sufficient amounts of materials. Send photos to OCCL.”
Correction date in the state record: Mar 10, 2025
56U Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments
“Provide documentation of rest equipment labeled and not touching.”
Correction date in the state record: Mar 10, 2025
50U Kitchen and Food Preparation
“Ensure the presence of a thermometer in the infant room freezer and refrigerator and the readings are 0 and 41 degrees F, respectively.”
Correction date in the state record: Mar 10, 2025
49U Indoor Space
“Remove all air fresheners and similar products from all classrooms; ensure each classroom has a covered trash can.”
Correction date in the state record: Mar 10, 2025
40U Child Files
“Submit the following to complete children's files: health appraisals w/immunizations for 2 children; blood lead screening results for 2 children.”
Correction date in the state record: Mar 10, 2025
30U Personnel Files
“Submit documentation of the following to complete staff files: Orientation for 12 staff members; OCCL Health & safety training for 10 staff; application for 11 staff; job descriptions for 12 staff; references for 21 staff; declaration/drug & alcohol statements for 11 staff; adult abuse check for 12 staff; health appraisals w/TB for 22 staff; fingerprint receipts for 9 staff; eligibility for 12 staff; release of employment for 15 staff; service letters for 12 staff; CPR/FA certification for 4 staff.”
Correction date in the state record: Mar 10, 2025
27U Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision
“Ensure the presence of qualified staff in each classroom. Provide documentation of DEEDs certificates or change the staffing patterns.”
Correction date in the state record: Mar 10, 2025
26U Staffing
“Provide documentation of the administrator's presence in the center for a minimum of 50% of the hours of operation.”
Correction date in the state record: Mar 10, 2025
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FAQ
Questions about Red Lion Early Education Center
Is Red Lion Early Education Center licensed?
Yes. Delaware Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing lists it as licensed and operating.
When was Red Lion Early Education Center last inspected?
Delaware Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing lists the most recent visit on September 9, 2026, with 5 rules cited. It lists 12 visits in the last 3 years.
Has Red Lion Early Education Center had rules cited by the state?
Yes. Inspectors cited 49 rules across 9 of 12 visits in the last 3 years; 39 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 Red Lion Early Education Center care for?
166, the licensed capacity on the state record. It is licensed to serve infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
What are Red Lion Early Education Center's hours?
Its hours are not listed. Call (302) 834-5020 to confirm.
How much does Red Lion Early Education Center cost?
It has not listed its tuition. Call (302) 834-5020 to ask.
What is Red Lion Early Education Center's phone number?
(302) 834-5020.
Where is Red Lion Early Education Center?
1390 Red Lion Rd, Bear, DE 19701. The nearest other daycare we list is Little Hearts Childcare Preschool-Nursery, 0.7 miles away.