CRADLES TO CRAYONS AND BEYOND EARLY LEARNING CENTER

The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint on September 9, 2026, regarding concerns of a lack of supervision. An unannounced visit was conducted on September 17, 2026. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint based on interviews conducted. Administrator #1 and three staff members all stated they had no knowledge of a child being left unattended on the playground and explained their transition process. No video footage from September 9, 2026, was available for review at the time of this investigation. Findings: Based on the results of the investigation, this complaint was: No evidence to substantiate

The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint on January 14, 2026, regarding concerns of a lack of supervision, not providing truthful information to parents, and not providing accident/injury reports. An unannounced visit was conducted on January 21, 2026. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for lack of supervision based on the interviews conducted. Administrator #1 and three staff members stated children are supervised at all times. Attendance records reviewed reflected classrooms within the correct staff-to-child ratios. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for not providing truthful information to parents based on interviews conducted and documents reviewed. Administrator #1 and three staff members stated they provide truthful information to all families. Documents reviewed showed communication between Parent #1 and the facility regarding Child #1's illnesses. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for not providing accident/injury reports based on staff interviews conducted and documents reviewed. Administrator #1 and three staff members stated they complete accident/injury reports for all children. A completed injury report for Child #1 was reviewed from August 2025. Staff #3 reported no additional known classroom injuries occurred to Child #1. Additional concerns noted during this investigation include not having a person trained in day-to-day operations available during center hours.

The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint on October 20, 2025, regarding concerns of not using positive behavior supports, not using respectful communication with families, and lack of supervision. An investigation was conducted on October 29, 2025. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for not using positive behavior supports based on staff interviews. Administrator #1, Owner #1, and five staff members interviewed stated they have only observed positive behavior supports used within the facility. All staff members interviewed stated they use positive behavior supports. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for not using respectful communication with families based on staff interviews. Administrator #1, Owner #1, and five staff members interviewed stated they have only observed respectful communication within the facility. All staff members interviewed denied using disrespectful communication. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for lack of supervision based on staff interviews and observations. Administrator #1 and Owner #1 stated to their knowledge, Staff #2 stays on the bus with the children and Staff #2 denied leaving the children on the bus alone. LS #1 and LS #2 observed Staff #2 on the bus the entire time during the elementary school drop-off the morning of October 29, 2025.

On June 5, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding concerns of not using respectful communication towards children due to name-calling, not using respectful communication with families, and not following termination policies in the parent handbook. An investigation was conducted on June 13, 2025. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for concerns of not using respectful communication towards children based on staff interviews conducted. All staff members interviewed stated they have never observed or heard any staff members using disrespectful communication with children. All staff interviewed denied using disrespectful communication with children. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for not using respectful communication with families based on staff interviews conducted. All staff members interviewed stated they have never observed or heard any staff members using disrespectful communication with families. All staff interviewed denied using disrespectful communication with families. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for not following termination policies in the parent handbook based on staff interviews conducted and a review of the handbook. Owner #1 stated the facility's policies were followed and Parent #1 was terminated based on Parent #1's aggressive behaviors within the facility and an outstanding balance. The parent handbook policies were reviewed and noted these as reasons to terminate care for children.

Ensure staff files contain all required elements. Updated fingerprinting for Staff #1. Teacher trained in day-to-day operations.

Correction status: Completed · corrected June 25, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due July 10, 2025

Enure equipment is in good repair. Remove/replace the torn blocks in the two-year-old classroom and remove/replace climber blocks in the toddler 1 classroom. -Corrected at visit.

Correction status: Completed · corrected June 13, 2025 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due June 13, 2025

Ensure diaper changing pads are cleanable and in good repair. Replace the diaper changing mat in the toddler 1 bathroom.

Correction status: Completed · corrected June 17, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due July 10, 2025

On May 8, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding concerns of lack of supervision on the playground and after school program, staff using personal cell phones, and unqualified staff working with children. An investigation was conducted on May 14, 2025. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for concerns of lack of supervision on the playground and/or after school based on observations. Attendance records observed showed classrooms were in the correct staff-to-child ratio. Observations of the classrooms showed staff members watching and interacting with the children. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for staff using personal cell phones based on interviews conducted. All staff members interviewed stated staff members do not use their personal cell phones in the classroom or have not observed any staff members on their cell phones while caring for the children. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for unqualified staff working with children based on observation and review of attendance records. Attendance records observed showed qualified staff members present in all classrooms, and observations of the classrooms showed qualified staff members were present with the children.

Ensure hazardous materials are kept secure from children.

Correction status: Completed · corrected June 6, 2024 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due June 6, 2024

Provide documentation of the water temperature being 120 degrees F or below.

Correction status: Completed · corrected June 21, 2024 · how corrected: Document · correction was due July 3, 2024

The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint on March 7, 2024, regarding concerns of a failure to notify OCCL of the center closing due to flooding and hazardous materials being accessible to the children. An investigation was conducted on March 12, 2024. This complaint is substantiated for failing to prevent children s access to hazardous materials because a box containing multiple bottles of liquor was seen on the floor of a storage area whose open door was next to a restroom used by children. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for not following notification to OCCL of a closure because the center did not close. An additional concern noted at this visit was the school-age classroom was out of staff-to-child ratio due to 19 children being present with one staff member. Additionally, a second staff member was signed in to the school-age attendance record but was not present. Only eleven of the 19 children present were signed in on the child attendance records.

The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint on May 25, 2023, regarding release of children policies not being followed due to a parent being told they can no longer pick up a child and lack of respectful communication. An investigation began on June 2, 2023, and concluded on June 21, 2023. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for not following release of children policies because according to interviews and documentation, the facility s policies were followed. Child #1 and Child #2 are still enrolled and have all the required paperwork. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for lack of respectful communication because Owner Lateasa Scott denied terminating the care of Child #1 or Child #2 or failing to permit Parent #1 in the facility. Staff members stated the conversations occurring as Parent #1 picked up Child #1 and Child #2 were polite and professional.

Submit the following to complete staff files: OCCL health and safety training and complete professional development plans for 2 staff members; CPR/FA training for one staff member. Not determined: Annual training hours for two staff members (6.5 and 11) This will be non-complaint if not received by June 30, 2023.

Correction status: Completed · corrected July 13, 2023 · how corrected: Document · correction was due July 3, 2023

Submit the following to complete children's files: blood lead test results for 2 children; immunizations for 1 child.

Correction status: Completed · corrected June 28, 2023 · how corrected: Document · correction was due July 3, 2023

Provide and label disinfectant and soap & water in the PS1 room.

Correction status: Completed · corrected June 30, 2023 · how corrected: Document · correction was due July 3, 2023

Repair the baseboard on the back wall in the red room; Clean the floors in the kitchen and PS 1; clean or replace all rugs in classrooms. Remove clutter from hallways.

Correction status: Completed · corrected June 30, 2023 · how corrected: Document · correction was due July 3, 2023

Add age appropriate equipment in the PS 1 room to complete activity areas.

Correction status: Completed · corrected June 29, 2023 · how corrected: Document · correction was due July 3, 2023

Obtain additional emergency water.

Correction status: Completed · corrected June 30, 2023 · how corrected: Document · correction was due July 3, 2023

The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint on April 20, 2023, regarding lack of supervision and improper record keeping. An investigation was conducted on May 9, 2023. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for lack of supervision because staff statements and attendance records reviewed indicate supervision was being provided. A staff member stated they witnessed Child #1 falling but were unable to stop it from happening. The staff member was sitting next to Child #1 and using a tablet for work-related duties at the time of the incident. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for improper record keeping because signed accident reports were provided and the reporter stated she reviewed video of the accident.

On February 9, 2023, a complaint regarding Cradles to Crayons and Beyond Early Learning Center, located at 1415 Pulaski Highway, Newark, DE 19702 was emailed to the Report Line. The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) was notified on February 13, 2023, the report would not be accepted for investigation by the Institutional Abuse Unit (IA). It was accepted for investigation regarding improper discipline by OCCL. An investigation was initiated on February 13, 2023, and concluded on February 17, 2023. Based on this investigation, there is no evidence to substantiate this complaint. Three independent statements deny a staff member yelling at or striking a child. There is no video or audio proof of such actions.

On October 17, 2022, The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint alleging lack of supervision. An investigation was conducted on October 20, 2022. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for lack of supervision because staff interviews, attendance records, and injury reports all showed two staff members were appropriately supervising the children while doing activities and had just spoken with Child #1 before her accident. A concern noted was OCCL was not notified as required within one business day of an injury to a child requiring medical attention.