Delaware records · New Castle County · New Castle
CRADLES TO CRAYONS III EARLY LEARNING CENTER
Licensed Child Care Center · New Castle, Delaware
Records presented as of November 5, 2026The operation, as the state lists it
- License number
- 1487802
- Operation type
- Licensed Child Care Center
- Address
- 122 MEMORIAL DRIVE, New Castle, DE 19720
- Licensed capacity
- 83
- Ages served, as listed
- 6 weeks through 12 years.
- Hours, as listed
- 6:30 AM – 6:00 PM
- State programs listed
- Child Care Food Program;Purchase of Care
The record in numbers
| Compliance visits | 4 |
| Complaint investigations | 7 |
| Citations recorded | 32 |
| Citations with correction completed, per the state | 32 |
| Citations with correction still pending, per the state | 0 |
| Record span | February 19, 2024 – August 6, 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 | 7 |
| 2025 | 6 | 9 |
| 2024 | 3 | 16 |
Visits and investigations, newest first
7 regulations cited at this visit.
Ensure staff files are complete. TB screening needed for staff #1. Send photo to OCCL.
Correction status: Completed · corrected September 21, 2026 · how corrected: Document · correction was due September 15, 2026
Ensure indoor space is safe/cleanable. *Repair/paint wall in child bathroom. *Remove all air fresheners and sprays. Send photo to OCCL.
Correction status: Completed · corrected September 21, 2026 · how corrected: Document · correction was due September 15, 2026
Ensure kitchen area is non-porous and cleanable. Repair countertop. Send photo to OCCL.
Correction status: Completed · corrected September 21, 2026 · how corrected: Document · correction was due September 15, 2026
Ensure there are no trampolines in use. Remove mini trampoline from School-Age Summer camp room. CAV.
Correction status: Completed · corrected August 6, 2026 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due September 15, 2026
Ensure diaper pads are non-porous. Replace torn diaper mats in infant and toddler classrooms. Send photo to OCCL.
Correction status: Completed · corrected September 21, 2026 · how corrected: Document · correction was due September 15, 2026
Ensure there is is an MAR form completed in full for all OTC and RX medications. Send updated MARs for all medications in infant and toddler rooms.
Correction status: Completed · corrected September 21, 2026 · how corrected: Document · correction was due September 15, 2026
Ensure weekly lesson plans are completed and posted as appropriate for all age groups. Send OCCL one week of lesson plans for all classrooms.
Correction status: Completed · corrected September 21, 2026 · how corrected: Document · correction was due September 15, 2026
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
The state recorded no written conclusion for this investigation.
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint on October 16, 2025, regarding concerns of failure to report child abuse and neglect to the Child Abuse and Neglect Report Line. An investigation was conducted on October 22, 2025. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for failure to report abuse and neglect to the Child Abuse and Neglect Report Line based on staff interviews. Administrator #1 and seven staff members interviewed stated they would report all allegations of abuse or neglect to the Child Abuse and Neglect Report Line. Administrator #1 denied saying they were not allowed to report it , and staff members interviewed stated they have not been told they are not allowed to report to the Child Abuse and Neglect Report Line. All staff interviewed were unaware of any incidents of a sexual or inappropriate nature involving any children in care.
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint on August 25, 2025, regarding concerns of a staff member failing to use positive behavior management techniques. An investigation was conducted on September 10, 2025. This complaint is substantiated for failure to use positive behavior management techniques based on a self-report from Owner #1, a review of video footage by LS #1, and a written statement from Owner #1. Video footage reviewed showed Staff #1 pushing Child #1 to the ground, causing them to hit their hit on a shelf, pulling Child #1's hair, hitting Child #1 repeatedly with a shoe, and holding Child #1 on the ground. An additional concern noted was the failure of a staff member present in the room to intervene during this altercation, as all staff should have an understanding of and respect for children s needs. While reviewing video footage of the altercation between Staff #1 and Child #1, LS #1 observed Staff #3 sitting, observing, and not intervening to help Child #1.
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint on August 25, 2025, regarding concerns of unqualified staff working with children, lack of supervision due to children being left outside, not following policies regarding children with unsafe behaviors, not notifying families of important information regarding their children such as child-on-child sexual misconduct and harmful behaviors, not following illness exclusions, sanitation concerns, not following diapering procedures, and falsifying information. An investigation was conducted on September 10, 2025. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for concerns of unqualified staff working with children based on classroom observations and review of attendance records. Classrooms observed had staff members who had DEEDS Early Learning qualifications as required and attendance records reviewed reflected all staff members had DEEDS Early Learning qualifications as required. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for lack of supervision due to children being left outside based on staff interviews. All staff members interviewed stated they are unaware of any children being left on the playground. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for not following policies regarding children with unsafe behaviors based on staff interviews. All staff interviewed stated they have some challenging behaviors in the classroom, but nothing that seems unsafe, and families are notified if a child displays unsafe behaviors. All staff interviewed noted additional help is available if needed for challenging behaviors. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for not notifying families of important information regarding their children such as child-on-child sexual misconduct and harmful behaviors. All staff interviewed stated they are unaware of any child-on-child sexual misconduct or harmful behaviors. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for not following illness exc lusions, specifically among staff based on staff interviews. All staff members interviewed stated all families are notified of contagious illnesses within the center via the ProCare application, and all staff members interviewed stated they do not bring their children into the facility when they are showing symptoms of an illness. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for sanitation concerns based on staff interviews. All staff interviewed stated they follow all the required sanitation policies, and all toys and surfaces are cleaned with soap and water and then sanitized with bleach and water. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for not following diapering procedures based on staff interviews. All staff members interviewed stated children s diapers are checked every hour and changed at least every two hours or immediately when soiled. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for falsifying information based on staff interviews. All staff interviewed denied falsifying documents or being asked to falsify a document or statement. A concern noted during this investigation is inaccurate attendance records. Attendance records reflected children are not being signed out of the classroom at the end of the day. Attendance records also reflected staff members signing out of the classroom with no coverage indicated on the attendance record, and staff members not signing out of the classroom when leaving the classrooms.
9 regulations cited at this visit.
Ensure staff alone with children are determined eligible. Staff #14 was signed in alone with children without a comprehensive background check.
Correction status: Completed · corrected August 11, 2025 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due August 11, 2025
Ensure staff members have a comprehensive background check and eligibility determination or provisional eligibility notification in file before starting employment. Staff #14 was sent home at the time of the visit.
Correction status: Completed · corrected August 11, 2025 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due August 11, 2025
Ensure staff files are complete. PD Plan for Staff #10. CPR/First Aid for Staff #1, #2, #8, #10, #11, #13, and #14. OCCL Health and Safety training for Staff #11 and #14. Orientation for Staff #14. Application for Staff #14. References for Staff #14. Eligibility Letter/ Out of State clearances for Staff #4, #12, #14. Adult abuse registry for Staff #14. Health appraisal with TB for Staff #2, #5, #6, #8, #9, #11, #12, #14, and #15. Release of employment for Staff #12 and #14. Service Letters for Staff #14.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 28, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due September 11, 2025
Ensure staff are signed in to the classroom. School-age classroom staff were not signed.-Corrected at visit.
Correction status: Completed · corrected August 11, 2025 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due August 11, 2025
Ensure children's files are complete. Hours/days attending for Child #2, #4, and #10. Emergency card for Child #4. Health appraisal with immunizations for Child #3, #6, #8, #9, and #10. Blood lead screening results for Child #3, #5, #6, #9, and #10. Parents' right to know for Child #4. Developmental plan for Child #4, #5, #6, #9, and #10. Infant feeding schedule for Child #1 and #4.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 22, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due September 11, 2025
Ensure vents are cleaned and dust-free. Clean vents in Toddler 1 and Toddler 2 classrooms.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 22, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due September 11, 2025
Ensure equipment is in good condition. Remove/Replace/Repair 2 chairs in the Pre-K classroom.
Correction status: Completed · corrected August 12, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due September 11, 2025
Ensure there is enough emergency water for all the children enrolled.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 22, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due September 11, 2025
Ensure lesson plans are dated. Lesson plans in Toddler 1, Pre-School, Toddler 3, and Pre-K classrooms were posted but not dated.
Correction status: Completed · corrected August 12, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due September 11, 2025
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
On April 28, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding concerns of improper restraint of preschool children by forcing them to stay on cots during rest time, not following the daily schedule for lunch/naps, and improper discipline leading to an injury. An investigation was conducted on May 2, 2025. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for concerns of improper restraint of preschool children based on interviews conducted and observation of the classrooms during naptime. Staff interviewed stated children are not forced to sleep or restrained to their cots, and no children were observed restrained to their cots or forced to sleep during this visit. There is no evidence to substantiate not following the daily schedule for lunch/naps based on interviews conducted. Administrator #1 stated the facility follows the schedule, and lunch is served at 11:30, and nap time follows for all classrooms. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for improper discipline, leading to an injury, based on interviews conducted. Administrator #1 stated Child #1 lost their balance from their arms on the cot, and hit their face, and an injury report was written and signed by Parent #1.
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
A complaint was received on December 16, 2024, regarding concerns about improper discipline. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint because Staff #1 denied smacking any children, or witnessing children being smacked, and denied ever verbally threatening to hit a child. Administrator #1 stated they have not observed any improper discipline from Staff #1. During observation of the facility, no yelling, threatening or smacking was observed. There is no video evidence available for review as the facility does not currently have operating cameras.
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
A complaint was received on September 18, 2024, regarding concerns about not utilizing security procedures, improper discipline, using inappropriate language in front of children, use of confining and inappropriate age equipment, safe sleep violations, and improper feeding of infants. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegations in this complaint because of interviews with Administrator #1, Owner #1, and staff members, and observation of the facility during this visit. Security procedures were in place and followed upon OCCL arriving. There were no loud voices, yelling, or cursing observed during this visit, and staff interviewed denied witnessing or using any improper discipline or inappropriate language. No children older than infants were seen in confining equipment nor was such equipment seen outside of the infant classroom. Staff interviewed denied putting any older children into confining equipment. All infants present were being cared for properly and Staff #1 noted they follow all safe sleep and infant feeding procedures.
7 regulations cited at this visit.
Submit the following to complete staff files: fingerprinting eligibility for staff #3, #6, #8; health appraisals w/ TB for staff #2, 11; references for #5- 2, #2-1, #4-4, #6-4, #11-2; OCCL H&S training and medication training for staff #4, #9; orientation for staff #9; I/T and SA specialized training documentation for # 13;- not determined completion of annual training hours for staff # 1 (8).
Correction status: Completed · corrected September 6, 2024 · how corrected: Document · correction was due September 2, 2024
Submit an annual Parent's Right To Know log.
Correction status: Completed · corrected August 7, 2024 · how corrected: Document · correction was due September 2, 2024
Submit a developmental plan for Child #7.
Correction status: Completed · corrected August 2, 2024 · how corrected: Document · correction was due September 2, 2024
Clean all carpets.
Correction status: Completed · corrected August 2, 2024 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due September 2, 2024
Install and send photos of self-closing latches on all playground fence gates.
Correction status: Completed · corrected September 6, 2024 · how corrected: Document · correction was due September 2, 2024
Submit infant feeding schedules.
Correction status: Completed · corrected August 7, 2024 · how corrected: Document · correction was due September 2, 2024
Eliminate all choking hazards from the infant room (a small hair barrette was on the rug.)
Correction status: Completed · corrected August 2, 2024 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due September 2, 2024
9 regulations cited at this visit.
Provide documentation of current insurance coverage.
Correction status: Completed · corrected February 19, 2024 · how corrected: Document · correction was due March 15, 2024
Ensure infants and toddlers are cared for in areas separate from older children. At the time of the visit , two preschool children were observed in the toddler classroom. Send attendance sheet to OCCL. Also, one staff member left the toddler room to answer the door leaving the classroom unattended. Review regulation/policy/practice with staff.
Correction status: Completed · corrected March 13, 2024 · how corrected: Document · correction was due March 15, 2024
Submit the following to complete staff files: OCCL H&S training for Staff #1, 2, 3, and 4; references for Staff # 1, 2, 4; orientation for Staff #4; release of employment history for Staff # 4; documentation of service letters being sent for Staff #2, 3, and 4.
Correction status: Completed · corrected March 13, 2024 · how corrected: Document · correction was due March 15, 2024
Ensure staff attendance to include exact arrival and departure times when entering and leaving the classrooms. At the time of the visit, one staff member was not signed out of the infant room and one staff member was not signed out of the toddler two room.
Correction status: Completed · corrected February 19, 2024 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due March 15, 2024
Submit the following to complete children's files: a health appraisal with immunizations for Child #2; parent's right to know for Child #2, 4, 5, 6, 7; a complete file for Child #3. Ensure all children have complete files including children with drop-in status.
Correction status: Completed · corrected February 23, 2024 · how corrected: Document · correction was due March 15, 2024
Replace thermometer in the refrigerator in the infant room.
Correction status: Completed · corrected February 19, 2024 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due March 15, 2024
Ensure all infant cribs are labeled.
Correction status: Completed · corrected February 19, 2024 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due March 15, 2024
Add an eye patch to complete the first aid kit.
Correction status: Completed · corrected February 19, 2024 · how corrected: Document · correction was due March 15, 2024
Post lesson plans in the infant and toddler 2 rooms.
Correction status: Completed · corrected February 19, 2024 · how corrected: Document · correction was due March 15, 2024
Something look wrong — a name, an address, a record that should not be public at this level of detail? Report it on the corrections page. Reports about the level of detail are acted on first: the record is paused while the report is reviewed.