Mariah Warrington
Harrington, DE 19952 · infants to school-age · Home daycare: the provider shares the address with families
Shell's Early Learning Center-Harrington
- licensed capacity
- 78
- open each week
- 5 days
- a week, county median
- $182
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About
About Shell's Early Learning Center-Harrington
Shell's Early Learning Center-Harrington is a licensed child care center in Harrington, Delaware. It is licensed by the state, for up to 78 children, serving infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.
It is open Monday to Friday, 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
Delaware Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing made 10 visits in the last 3 years and cited 19 rules across 7 of them. The visit list, in the state's words, is below.
InfantsSchool-ageAccepts child care subsidyOpens before 7 AM
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 and teacher qualifications.
- Type
- Child care center
- Ages
- Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children
- Hours today
- 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM
- Licensed capacity
- 78 children
Hours
Hours
| MondayToday | 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM |
| Thursday | 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM |
| Friday | 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM |
| Saturday | Not listed |
| Sunday | Not listed |
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 | 78 childrenFrom the state license |
Cost
Tuition and costs
Shell's Early Learning Center-Harrington 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 Shell's Early Learning Center-Harrington
License
- Status
- Licensed and operating
- License type
- Licensed Child Care Center
- Capacity
- 78 children
- Ages
- Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children
- License number
- #421520
- Also at this site
- Facility #1700704: Child care center
Summary
10 visits with a cited rule in the last 3 years · Most recent Jun 2, 2026
19 rules cited in those visits. Delaware Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing publishes only visits where a rule was cited, so this record cannot show how often it was inspected.
- Records and paperwork 4
- Building, equipment and play areas 3
- Safe sleep 2
- Staff training and qualifications 2
- Supervision and ratios 2
- Safety and hazards 1
- Health, medication and illness 1
- Other rules 4
A cited rule is what an inspector found on the day of a visit. It is not a rating of the daycare today.
Own this daycare? Add your response to the state record
See all 11 visits
Jun 2, 2026Complaint investigationFacility #4215201 rule cited
OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)
“On May 8, 2026, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding accident/injury procedures, possible lack of supervision, not providing the owner s contact information with requested, staff communication, and the administrator not functioning in the role because Staff #1 is not the administrator. An investigation was conducted on May 13, 2026. The complaint is substantiated for accident/injury procedures and the administrator not functioning in the role because staff interviews revealed Child #4 s parents were not immediately notified when they received a head injury and that Staff #1 is the acting administrator and assists Administrator #1 in the administrator role. Staff #1 does not have a DEEDS Early Learning early childhood administrator certificate. There is no evidence to substantiate for lack of supervision, not providing the owner s contact information when requested, and staff communication because staff denied the allegations.”
Feb 12, 2026InspectionFacility #4215201 rule cited
56U Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments
“Ensure safe sleep practices are used at all times. An eleven-month-old infant was observed laying on a nap mat. After discussion with staff, it was determined the infant is in transition; however, she is not one and is not walking. This was discussed with staff and corrected when the infant was placed in a crib.”
Corrected during the visit
- Sep 22, 2025VisitFacility #421520No rules cited
Sep 5, 2025InspectionFacility #4215201 rule cited
15U Governing Body
“Ensure the licensee, governing body, and employees follow all applicable federal, State, and local laws and regulations. During a complaint investigation on August 6, 2025, Executive Director #1 confirmed to OCCL that Owner #1 was currently in prison for tax issues related to the child care centers. This was discussed and corrected when Executive Director #1 agreed to comply in the future.”
Correction date in the state record: Aug 6, 2025
Aug 5, 2025InspectionFacility #4215202 rules cited
28U General Qualifications
“Ensure staff are truthful when providing information to OCCL. This specialist asked clarifying questions regarding staffing in the infant classroom and staff did not provide truthful information. Upon arrival, this specialist observed Staff #1 in the hallway. When this specialist entered the infant classroom at approximately 1:20 pm, she observed Staff #1 and Staff #2 with five infants. This specialist asked Staff #1 who was in the classroom with Staff #2 while she was in the hallway. Staff #1 stated she just stepped out to use the bathroom. This specialist asked again who was in the classroom while she stepped out and Staff #1 stated Staff #3 was present. Staff #3 signed out of the infant classroom at 1:00 pm. This specialist addressed the attendance with Staff #1. This specialist asked Staff #2 if she was alone with five infants and she stated, "No." This specialist then asked Administrator #1 who was present in the classroom with Staff #2 while Staff #1 was in the hallway. Administrator #1 stated Staff #3 was in the classroom. This specialist reminded Administrator #1 that Staff #3 left for her lunch break at 1:00 pm. Administrator #1 then stated Staff #1 was in the classroom, but just stepped out to grab something. This specialist asked who stepped into the classrooom so that ratios were maintained while Staff #1 stepped out and Adminstrator #1 could not answer.”
Correction date in the state record: Aug 18, 2025
27U Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision
“Ensure proper staff-to-child ratios are maintained at all times. Upon arrival, this specialist observed Staff #1 in the hallway. When this specialist entered the infant classroom at approximately 1:20 pm, she observed Staff #1 and Staff #2 with five infants. This specialist asked Staff #1 who was in the classroom with Staff #2 while she was in the hallway. Staff #1 stated she just stepped out to use the bathroom. This specialist asked again who was in the classroom while she stepped out and Staff #1 stated Staff #3 was present. Staff #3 signed out of the infant classroom at 1:00 pm. This specialist addressed the attendance with Staff #1. This specialist asked Staff #2 if she was alone with five infants and she stated, "No." This specialist then asked Administrator #1 who was present in the classroom with Staff #2 while Staff #1 was in the hallway. Administrator #1 stated Staff #3 was in the classroom. This specialist reminded Administrator #1 that Staff #3 left for her lunch break at 1:00 pm. Administrator #1 then stated Staff #1 was in the classroom, but just stepped out to grab something. This specialist asked who stepped into the classrooom so that ratios were maintained while Staff #1 stepped out and Adminstrator #1 could not answer. This was discussed and corrected when staff agreed to comply in the future.”
Corrected during the visit
Aug 4, 2025InspectionFacility #42152010 rules cited
66U Emergency Planning
“Post an emergency evacuation route in the three-year-old classroom.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 16, 2025
61U Diapering and Soiled Clothing
“Ensure child and staff hands are washed after every diaper change. Staff in the infant classroom were observed not washing the child's and their hands after diaper changes. Ensure a working sink is within five feet of all changing stations. The sink in the infant classroom is not working.”
Correction date in the state record: Sep 26, 2025
56U Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments
“Ensure all rest equipment is labeled. Several nap mats in the three-year-old classroom were not numbered (labeled).”
Correction date in the state record: Aug 18, 2025
53U Outdoor Area
“Ensure no hazards are in the outdoor play area. A large hole was observed near the building in the older child outdoor play area. Ensure the fall zone areas are supplied with nine inches of pea gravel. The pea gravel under all climbing equipment designed for the children's feet to leave the ground needs to be replenished in both outdoor play areas.”
Correction date in the state record: Aug 18, 2025
51U Toilet Facilities
“Ensure each toilet facility has liquid soap. The bathroom in the three-year-old classroom needs soap.”
Correction date in the state record: Aug 18, 2025
49U Indoor Space
“Ensure all floors, walls, and surfaces are cleanable and in good repair. The sink counter in the preschool classroom needs to be repaired/replaced so that it is cleanable.”
Correction date in the state record: Sep 26, 2025
40U Child Files
“Ensure child files are complete. One child needs blood lead screening results.”
Correction date in the state record: Aug 18, 2025
30U Personnel Files
“Ensure staff files are complete. Two staff members need administration of medication training and/or certification. One staff member needs to complete the Health and Safety Training for Child Care Professionals. One staff member needs to be fingerprinted and have an eligibility determination letter on file. One staff member needs to complete the employee declaration and drug/alcohol statement. One staff member needs an adult health appraisal and TB results.”
Correction date in the state record: Sep 26, 2025
28U General Qualifications
“Ensure a staff member schedules a fingerprinting appointment with the Delaware State Police to be fingerprinted and the licensee receives eligibility determination notification before the start of employment. A staff member who has not been fingerprinted and determined eligible was observed alone in a classroom with three one year olds. This was discussed and corrected when the staff member was removed from the facility.”
Corrected during the visit
27U Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision
“Ensure proper staff-to-child ratios are maintained through the assignment of a qualified staff member. A staff member who has not been fingerprinted and determined eligible was observed alone with three one year olds. This was discussed and corrected when a qualified staff member entered the classroom.”
Corrected during the visit
Apr 1, 2025Complaint investigationFacility #4215201 rule cited
OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)
“On March 6, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding diapering procedures and administration of medication. An investigation was conducted on March 18, 2025. This complaint is substantiated for improper administration of medication because LS #1 observed a tube of diaper cream for Child #1 and a second tube of diaper cream for Child #2, but the two children did not have complete Medication Administration Records (MAR) on file. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation of improper diapering because staff stated children s diapers are checked every hour and changed as needed. Additionally, LS #1 observed documentation that showed children s diapers were being checked and/or changed every hour in the infant and one-year-old classrooms.”
Apr 1, 2025VisitFacility #4215201 rule cited
OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)
“On March 6, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding diapering procedures and administration of medication. An investigation was conducted on March 18, 2025. This complaint is substantiated for improper administration of medication because LS #1 observed a tube of diaper cream for Child #1 and a second tube of diaper cream for Child #2, but the two children did not have complete Medication Administration Records (MAR) on file. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation of improper diapering because staff stated children s diapers are checked every hour and changed as needed. Additionally, LS #1 observed documentation that showed children s diapers were being checked and/or changed every hour in the infant and one-year-old classrooms.”
- Dec 13, 2024VisitFacility #421520No rules cited
Aug 22, 2024InspectionFacility #4215203 rules cited
8U License Renewal
“Ensure renewal application is submitted to OCCL at least 60 days prior to license expiration.”
Correction date in the state record: Sep 12, 2024
40U Child Files
“Ensure child files are complete. Five children need MARs on file. One child needs a development plan.”
Correction date in the state record: Sep 18, 2024
30U Personnel Files
“Ensure staff files are complete. One staff needs an adult health appraisal with TB screening.”
Correction date in the state record: Sep 24, 2024
Show 1 earlier visit
Aug 10, 2023InspectionFacility #4215208 rules cited
8U License Renewal
“Ensure the renewal application is submitted at least 60 days prior to the license expiration.”
Correction date in the state record: Aug 10, 2023
61U Diapering and Soiled Clothing
“Purchase a non-porous diaper mat for the infant classroom. The diaper mat was ripped. Ensure the diaper pail in the two-year-old classroom is hands free. A plastic piece obstructed the opening when the foot pedal was pressed.”
Correction date in the state record: Aug 10, 2023
59U Hand Washing
“Ensure hands are washed as required. A child in the one-year-old classroom did not wash their hands after diaper change. This was discussed with the staff member and corrected when the child washed her hands.”
Corrected during the visit
56U Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments
“Replace the ripped nap mats in the three-year-old classroom and Pre-K classroom.”
Correction date in the state record: Aug 10, 2023
53U Outdoor Area
“Remove hazards from the outdoor play area. An electrical cord was observed stretched across the outdoor play area.”
Correction date in the state record: Aug 10, 2023
49U Indoor Space
“Ensure the center is in compliance with the Office of Drinking Water. The Office of Drinking Water notified OCCL that the facility has not paid the annual dues for last year or this year in the total amount of $100.”
Correction date in the state record: Aug 10, 2023
40U Child Files
“Ensure child files are complete. One child needs blood lead level results.”
Correction date in the state record: Aug 10, 2023
30U Personnel Files
“Ensure staff files are complete. Three staff members need to complete OCCL's Health and Safety Training for Child Care Professionals. One staff person needs to complete a comprehensive background re-check. One staff person needs an adult health appraisal with TB screening/test. One staff person needs a DEEDS certificate. One staff person needs an additional 3.5 hours of annual training. One staff person needs an additional 1 hour of annual training.”
Correction date in the state record: Oct 25, 2023
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FAQ
Questions about Shell's Early Learning Center-Harrington
Is Shell's Early Learning Center-Harrington licensed?
Yes. Delaware Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing lists it as licensed and operating.
When was Shell's Early Learning Center-Harrington last inspected?
Delaware Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing lists the most recent visit on June 2, 2026, with 1 rule cited. It lists 10 visits in the last 3 years.
Has Shell's Early Learning Center-Harrington had rules cited by the state?
Yes. Inspectors cited 19 rules across 8 of 10 visits in the last 3 years; 17 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 Shell's Early Learning Center-Harrington care for?
78, the licensed capacity on the state record. It is licensed to serve infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.
Does Shell's Early Learning Center-Harrington accept child care subsidies?
Yes. The state record says it accepts child care subsidies.
What are Shell's Early Learning Center-Harrington's hours?
Monday to Friday, 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Holiday hours can differ.
How much does Shell's Early Learning Center-Harrington cost?
It has not listed its tuition. Call (302) 398-9778 to ask.
What is Shell's Early Learning Center-Harrington's phone number?
(302) 398-9778.
Where is Shell's Early Learning Center-Harrington?
5332 Milford Harrington Highway, Harrington, DE 19952. The nearest other daycare we list is JJ's Learning Experience, 2 miles away.