Delaware records · Kent County · Smyrna
CADENCE ACADEMY PRESCHOOL-SMYRNA
Licensed Child Care Center · Smyrna, Delaware
Records presented as of November 5, 2026The operation, as the state lists it
- License number
- 1456251
- Operation type
- Licensed Child Care Center
- Address
- 649 S CARTER RD, Smyrna, DE 19977
- Licensed capacity
- 191
- Ages served, as listed
- 6 weeks through 12 years.
- Hours, as listed
- 6:30 AM – 5:30 PM
- State programs listed
- Purchase of Care
The record in numbers
| Compliance visits | 5 |
| Complaint investigations | 14 |
| Citations recorded | 23 |
| Citations with correction completed, per the state | 23 |
| Citations with correction still pending, per the state | 0 |
| Record span | December 20, 2021 – October 13, 2026 |
How to read this record
A compliance visit is a licensing visit by an OCCL specialist. When the specialist finds a regulation has not been met, the visit record carries a citation: the regulation's code and short description, the specialist's corrective-action note describing what was found, and the correction record — the date correction was due, whether the state has marked it completed, the date it was corrected, and how. A complaint investigation begins with a complaint; its record carries the state's result and the investigator's written conclusion. Delaware does not grade citations by risk or severity, so no grade is shown — the specialist's note is the substance of the record. One visit can produce several citations. A citation the state later records as corrected stays in the history; that is what a licensing record is.
Record by year
| Year | Visits & investigations | Citations recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 5 |
| 2025 | 4 | 4 |
| 2024 | 5 | 6 |
| 2023 | 5 | 7 |
| 2022 | 2 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 | 0 |
Visits and investigations, newest first
5 regulations cited at this visit.
Ensure staff files are complete. Four staff need documented attempts to obtain service letters.
Correction status: Completed · correction was due October 31, 2026
Ensure walls are in good repair. Patch and repair peeling paint in Classrooms 11, 13, and 14.
Correction status: Completed · correction was due October 31, 2026
Ensure liquid soap is available in toilet rooms. Repair or replace soap dispenser in classroom 6 boy's bathroom.
Correction status: Completed · correction was due October 31, 2026
Ensure nap mats are non-absorbent, free from rips and tears. Replace torn mats in classrooms 8 and 9.
Correction status: Completed · correction was due October 31, 2026
Ensure Medication Administration Records (MAR) are completed for each medication accepted. Complete MAR for Child #25 in classroom 10 for allergy medication. Ensure MAR's are filled out entirely. Review and update MAR's in classroom 14.
Correction status: Completed · correction was due October 31, 2026
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
On June 26, 2026, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding positive behavior supports and not following the center s policies in the handbook related to suspension and napping. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation the center did not make appropriate accommodations for Child #1 based on their diagnosed disability and Individualized Education Program (IEP). According to staff interviewed, they utilized many different strategies for behavior support which were recommended in Child #1 s IEP. Additionally, an internal behavior support plan was developed with the family, which outlined specific strategies to use for nap time. According to staff, these strategies were implemented but the aggressive behaviors continued. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation the center did not adhere to their handbook s policies on napping and suspension because based on staff interviews and the 10 behavior incident reports reviewed, the parent handbook was followed.
4 regulations cited at this visit.
Ensure staff files are complete. One staff person needs a release of employment history and job description. One staff person needs one more reference. Two staff need two documented attempts to obtain service letters and one more reference if no service letter is returned. One staff person needs one more attempt to obtain a service letter. On staff needs two documented attempts to obtain a service letter.
Correction status: Completed · corrected November 5, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due October 31, 2025
Ensure a foot-activated diaper pail is available for diapering. The diaper pail in Room #10 is broken and not foot-activated. Purchase new pail.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 30, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due October 31, 2025
Ensure lesson plans for ages two years and older contain a weekly opportunity in a food or healthy habit. This was corrected at the visit when an activity was added.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 7, 2025 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due October 7, 2025
Ensure classrooms for two years and older contain five required activity areas, including art. This was corrected at the visit when art supplies were made accessible in Room #11.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 7, 2025 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due October 7, 2025
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
On May 28, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding positive behavior supports. An investigation was conducted on June 4, 2025. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint because all staff interviewed stated they have never heard Staff #1 calling children little f***ers or yelling at them. Administrator #1 further stated families request Staff #1 as their child s teacher when they are aging into that age group.
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
On April 5, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding the center not conducting evacuation drills as required and not providing truthful information. An investigation was conducted on April 9, 2025. This complaint is substantiated because according to evacuation drill logs reviewed, evacuations were not completed for February and March of 2025. Additionally, all evacuations completed during the previous year were conducted during the same time of day and none occurred during nap time as required. All staff interviewed had various responses when asked how often the center completes evacuation drills. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation staff are not providing truthful information, because according to staff interviewed, they have never been asked by the administration to lie to licensing.
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
On December 9, 2024, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding the center s photograph and video policy in their handbook. An investigation was conducted on December 12, 2024. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint because although Staff #1 uses her personal tablet in the classroom, she was granted permission by management to do so and only takes photographs and videos through the center application used for families. Staff #1 further stated there was one time in which a parent requested a specific photograph of a child to be sent to her, but it was not of Child #1. In review of Child #1 s file, the parent/guardian granted permission for the child to be photographed and videoed. The center s Employee Handbook and Parent Handbook both contain policies on photographing and videoing children, and the center s current operations is in accordance with these policies.
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
On October 21, 2024, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding improper staff-to-child ratio and lack of supervision. An investigation was conducted on October 22, 2024. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint because according to attendance records reviewed, the four-year-old classroom was following proper staff-to-child ratio on October 17, 2024. Additionally, according to Staff #2, she was in the classroom observing children playing in stations. She turned to say hello to Staff #1 who was entering the room, when the incident occurred.
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
On Monday September 9, 2024, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding not maintaining proper room temperature. An investigation was conducted on September 12, 2024. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint because Administrator #1 stated the air conditioning was never out of service for an entire day and each classroom was monitoring the temperature with thermometers. Administrator #1 stated the center utilized temporary cooling units as approved by OCCL in their variance, and the temperature never exceeded the maximum allowed. Additionally, Administrator #1 stated a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) company made repairs on September 7, 2024, and verified the unit was still operating correctly on September 9, 2024.
6 regulations cited at this visit.
Ensure staff files are complete. Two staff need an annual review of safe sleep and child abuse and neglect. One staff person needs one additional hour of training. One staff needs orientation and four reference letters. One staff needs a signed job description and four references.
Correction status: Completed · corrected November 8, 2024 · how corrected: Document · correction was due November 1, 2024
Ensure child files are complete. Two children need a blood lead level test result. One child needs a signed Medication Administration Record.
Correction status: Completed · corrected November 8, 2024 · how corrected: Document · correction was due November 1, 2024
Ensure refrigerators maintain a temperature of 41 degrees F or colder.
Correction status: Completed · corrected November 8, 2024 · how corrected: Document · correction was due November 1, 2024
Ensure a non-porous diaper changing mat is available in the three's and four's classrooms. LS Brey observed a staff person changing a child standing up without a mat. This was corrected at the visit when the staff was instructed to use the mat. Ensure a foot-activated diaper pail is available. Purchase new pails for Room 13, the shared bathrooms for Rooms 6 and 7, and the shared bathrooms for Rooms 8 and 9.
Correction status: Completed · corrected November 8, 2024 · how corrected: Document · correction was due November 1, 2024
Ensure the lesson plans for the infants contain activities in physical and social-emotional.
Correction status: Completed · corrected November 8, 2024 · how corrected: Document · correction was due November 1, 2024
Ensure art materials are accessible in the two-year-old classrooms. This was corrected at the visit when materials were added.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 8, 2024 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due November 1, 2024
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
On July 11, 2024, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding lack of supervision, the center not following their termination policy, and discrimination. An investigation was conducted on July 16, 2024. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint, because Child #1 was walking with Administrator #2 when she ran to the front door and opened it. Child #1 was unable to make it past the threshold before Administrator #1, Administrator #2, and Staff #1 reached her. Additionally, a behavior support plan signed by the parent of Child #1 explains a continuation of behaviors may lead to disenrollment from the center. Lastly, Administrator #1 denied allegations the center was discriminating against Child #1. Administrator #1 stated Child #1 s enrollment was terminated due to escalating behaviors after a plan was put into place, including safety issues such as attempting to run out of the center while with a staff member.
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
The Office of Child Care Licensing received a complaint on January 11, 2024, regarding lack of supervision and staff communication. An investigation was conducted on January 23, 2024. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint because staff interviewed stated they were trained on the purpose of the tracker form and how to complete it. According to the fall tracker presented to LS Brey, the staff have been filling it out since its implementation. According to Staff #1, she was providing active supervision to the children in the classroom when Child #1 began to cry. Staff #1 stated she did not see what happened to cause Child #1 to cry and Child #1 did not state what happened. Staff #1 stated she immediately went over to Child #1 and provided care. According to Staff #2, there were no physical symptoms of an injury on Child #1 s head.
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
The Office of Child Care Licensing received a complaint on November 2, 2023, regarding improper discipline. And investigation began on November 15, 2023, and ended on November 29, 2023. The complaint is substantiated because Staff #1 was seen on the video pulling Child #1 up to his feet by his arm, resulting in a pulled elbow.
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
The Office of Child Care Licensing received a complaint on October 9, 2023, regarding improper discipline. There is no evidence to substantiate the complaint because staff denied throwing the child s food away and stated the child cleans up after herself.
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
The Office of Child Care Licensing received a complaint on October 11, 2023, regarding not following the center s termination policy and improper staff communication. An investigation was conducted on October 23, 2023. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint because all staff denied anyone communicating improperly to the parent and the facility s termination policy in the handbook was followed because it states the families have a code of conduct and according to the administrator, Parent #1 did not follow that code because she was being rude, disrespectful, and loud.
7 regulations cited at this visit.
Ensure staff files are complete. Five staff need CPR and first Aid certification. Three staff need Health and Safety for Child Care Professionals training. Three staff need references. Seven staff need a health appraisal. Five staff need TB results.
Correction status: Completed · corrected November 10, 2023 · how corrected: Document · correction was due November 10, 2023
Ensure child files are complete. One child needs a blood lead test result.
Correction status: Completed · corrected November 10, 2023 · how corrected: Document · correction was due November 10, 2023
Ensure the toilet seat is in good repair. The school-age classroom toilet seat needs to be repaired or replaced.
Correction status: Completed · corrected November 10, 2023 · how corrected: Document · correction was due November 10, 2023
Ensure refrigerators and freezers are at required temperatures in the kitchen.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 23, 2023 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due October 23, 2023
Ensure hands of children and staff are washed after diapering.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 23, 2023 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due October 23, 2023
Ensure diaper pails are with in arms reach of the changing station. Ensure changing stations are available during care hours for use.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 23, 2023 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due October 23, 2023
Ensure gates are self closing self latching in the outdoor play areas.
Correction status: Completed · corrected November 10, 2023 · how corrected: Document · correction was due November 10, 2023
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
The Office of Child Care Licensing received a complaint on December 9, 2022, regarding accident and injury procedures and the release of children. An investigation was conducted beginning on December 12, 2022. The complaint is substantiated for improper release of children because the center did not check and keep a copy of the identification for the grandmother. The center stated they were familiar with the grandmother because the grandmother was with the mother for pick-up several times, however they did not know her name to confirm she was an authorized release. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation of improper accident and injury procedures because the accident and injury forms for each of the reported accidents were properly completed.
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
The Office of Child Care Licensing received a complaint on November 2, 2022, regarding improper discipline. An investigation was conducted on November 4, 2022. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint because the staff member denied any allegation of improper discipline. Also, the administrator stated she viewed the video footage for the incident date and did not have any concerns.
1 regulation cited at this visit.
Ensure all staff files are complete. Staff #1 needs service letters or proof of requests sent twice. -Staff #2 needs the declaration signed. -Staff #3 needs CPR and first aid, a professional development plan, annual review of abuse and neglect, an application or data sheet, and a health appraisal with TB results. -Staff #4 needs annula review of safe sleep and abuse and neglect. -Staff #5 needs a professional development plan and review of safe sleep and abuse and neglect. -Staff #6 needs review of abuse and neglect -Staff #7 needs review of safe sleep and abuse and neglect. -Staff #8 needs a health appraisal with TB results. -Staff #9 needs a professional development plan. -Staff #11 needs annual review of abuse and neglect. -Staff #12 needs an application or data sheet, employee declaration, drug/alcohol statement, a health appraisal with TB results, and an annual review of abuse and neglect. -Staff #13 needs a review of abuse and neglect, an employee declaration, drug/alcohol statement, and a health appraisal with TB results. -Staff #14 needs annual review of abuse and neglect, one reference letter, and the employee declaration page. - Staff #15 needs annual review of safe sleep and abuse and neglect. -Staff #16 needs annual review of safe sleep. -Staff #17 needs a drug/alcohol statement, and a service letter or proof requests have been sent twice. -Staff #18 needs annual review of safe sleep and abuse and neglect. -Staff #19 needs an employee declaration, drug/alcohol statement and a health appraisal. -Staff #20 needs annual review of abuse and neglect, three references, and an adult abuse registry check. -Staff #22 needs a professional development plan, and an adult abuse registry check. -Staff #23 needs a professional development plan, employee declaration, and a service letter or proof requests were sent twice.
Correction status: Completed · corrected November 18, 2022 · how corrected: Document · correction was due November 10, 2022
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
OCCL received a complaint on November 22, 2021, regarding staff failing to provide an accurate accident/injury report. An investigation was conducted on November 23, 2021. There is no evidence to substantiate the complaint because the administrator watched a video of the incident and had the staff amend the accident/injury report to reflect what happened and provided this report to the parent.
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