Delaware records · New Castle County · Bear
RED LION EARLY EDUCATION CENTER
Licensed Child Care Center · Bear, Delaware
Records presented as of November 5, 2026The operation, as the state lists it
- License number
- 1597566
- Operation type
- Licensed Child Care Center
- Address
- 1390 RED LION RD, Bear, DE 19701
- Licensed capacity
- 166
- Ages served, as listed
- 6 weeks through 5 years.
- Hours, as listed
- 6:30 AM – 6:00 PM
- Conditions recorded by the state
- Variance
The record in numbers
| Compliance visits | 4 |
| Complaint investigations | 10 |
| Citations recorded | 44 |
| Citations with correction completed, per the state | 44 |
| Citations with correction still pending, per the state | 0 |
| Record span | January 21, 2025 – October 28, 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 | 3 | 5 |
| 2025 | 11 | 39 |
Visits and investigations, newest first
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
On October 2, 2026, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding allegations of improper behavior support and failing to follow a procedure to notify parents of important information regarding their child. An investigation began on October 7, 2026, and concluded on October 12, 2026. Based on interviews conducted and documentation reviewed there is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for improper behavior supports or for failing to follow a procedure to notify parents of important information regarding their child because staff interviewed stated no such incident occurred and no staff member has been terminated from employment.
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
On September 22, 2026, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding allegations of lack of supervision, improper combining of ages, and failing to provide an injury report. An investigation began on September 24, 2026, and was completed on October 7, 2026. Based on interviews and observations there is no evidence to substantiate the allegation of lack of supervision. All staff interviewed stated the staff members on the playground were spread out and covering different areas on the playground. Staff #1 and Staff #2 were engaged with children, were covering separate areas and responded as soon as they heard the interaction between the two children. Based on interviews, files reviewed, and documentation collected there is no evidence to substantiate the allegation for improper combining of ages because the two classrooms on the playground were same-age children. The Reporter stated Child #2 was three years older than Child #1, but the two children were less than one month apart in age. Based on interviews, files reviewed, and documentation collected there is no evidence to substantiate the allegation for failing to provide an injury report because Child #1 had two injury reports in their file, one from September 2, 2026, signed by a parent and the second with a note the parent had refused to sign the September 9, 2026, report. Staff also notified the parents of the incident on September 9, 2026, via the ProCare application.
5 regulations cited at this visit.
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.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 9, 2026 · how corrected: Document · correction was due October 9, 2026
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.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 9, 2026 · how corrected: Document · correction was due October 9, 2026
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.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 9, 2026 · how corrected: Document · correction was due October 9, 2026
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.
Correction status: Completed · corrected September 24, 2026 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due October 9, 2026
Ensure first aid kit is complete. Eye patch was missing, Send pic of eye patch to OCCL by October 9, 2026
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 9, 2026 · how corrected: Document · correction was due October 9, 2026
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 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.
11 regulations cited at this visit.
Ensure insurance documentation is current. -Send updated insurance to OCCL.
Correction status: Completed · corrected September 22, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due October 10, 2025
Ensure the positive behavior policy is posted. -Corrected at visit.
Correction status: Completed · corrected September 18, 2025 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due September 18, 2025
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 status: Completed · corrected October 9, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due October 10, 2025
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 status: Completed · corrected November 14, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due September 18, 2025
Ensure the parent's right-to-know log is current and complete.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 9, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due October 10, 2025
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 status: Completed · corrected October 27, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due October 10, 2025
Ensure all surfaces are cleanable and in good repair. -Window sill in toddler B's classroom needs to be cleanable.
Correction status: Completed · corrected September 22, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due October 10, 2025
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.
Correction status: Completed · corrected September 18, 2025 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due September 18, 2025
Ensure monthly fire drills are conducted. Send September's fire drill log to OCCL.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 1, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due September 30, 2025
Ensure infant feeding schedules are completed and updated monthly.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 1, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due October 10, 2025
Ensure the application is completed and submitted.
Correction status: Completed · corrected September 22, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due September 30, 2025
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
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.
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
On May 14, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding concerns of not following a schedule and/or lesson plans, not following behavior policies, and staff-to-child ratios during lunch and nap time. An investigation was conducted on May 22, 2025. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for concerns of not following a schedule and/or lesson plans based on staff interviews and classroom observations. All staff interviewed stated they follow the posted classroom schedule and posted lesson plans. LS #1 observed all classrooms following posted schedules and lesson plans. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for not following the behavior policies based on staff interviews. All staff interviewed stated they follow behavior policies for all incidents/accidents by documenting the behaviors and notifying families. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for staff-to-child ratios during lunch and nap time based on staff interviews and attendance records. All staff interviewed stated the classrooms follow the staff-to-child ratio during nap time and lunch breaks. Attendance records observed showed the appropriate number of staff members covering lunch breaks. An additional concern noted was attendance records showed staff members not signing out of the classrooms when leaving the classrooms at the end of the day on multiple occasions.
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 not following procedures for child accident/injuries, not having accessible child files with parent contact information for staff, and improper staff-to-child ratios. An investigation was conducted on May 7, 2025. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for concerns of not following procedures for child accidents/injuries based on interviews conducted. Staff members interviewed stated they complete child accident/injury reports and notify parents of all incidents/accidents, and did not recall any recent child injuries. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for not having accessible child files with parent contact information for staff, based on staff interviews and observation of classroom binders with children s emergency contact information. Staff interviewed stated they have access to a binder with all the children's emergency contact information. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for improper staff-to-child ratios based on staff interviews and classroom observations. All classrooms were observed within the correct staff-to-child ratio. A concern noted at the visit was five staff members with no DEEDS Early Learning qualification were alone with children in three classrooms. An additional concern noted at the visit was one staff member working with children who did not have a complete comprehensive background check.
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
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.
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
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.
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
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.
15 regulations cited at this visit.
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 status: Completed · corrected May 20, 2025 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due April 4, 2025
Documentation of eligibility is needed for one staff member.
Correction status: Completed · corrected April 3, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due April 4, 2025
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 status: Completed · corrected May 20, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due April 4, 2025
Ensure all staff are signed in and out with each arrival and departure. Send one week's attendance to OCCL.
Correction status: Completed · corrected April 4, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due April 4, 2025
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 status: Completed · corrected May 20, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due April 4, 2025
Ensure all children are signed in and out with each arrival and departure. Send one week's attendance to OCCL.
Correction status: Completed · corrected April 3, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due April 4, 2025
Ensure all cabinets containing chemicals are locked or emptied of hazardous materials. (room #3)
Correction status: Completed · corrected April 4, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due April 4, 2025
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 status: Completed · corrected April 4, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due April 4, 2025
Repair ventilation fan cover in bathroom in room #11.
Correction status: Completed · corrected March 27, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due April 4, 2025
Remove all trampolines from indoor and outdoor spaces.
Correction status: Completed · corrected April 4, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due April 4, 2025
Label all sleep mats in room #3.
Correction status: Completed · corrected April 11, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due April 4, 2025
Ensure an adequate supply of materials in the toddler 1 room. (second citation) Send photo to OCCL.
Correction status: Completed · corrected April 4, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due April 4, 2025
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 status: Completed · corrected April 4, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due April 4, 2025
All children must be held or placed in a feeding chair when drinking bottles. This was corrected during the visit.
Correction status: Completed · corrected March 10, 2025 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due April 4, 2025
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 status: Completed · corrected April 17, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due April 4, 2025
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
On February 3, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding concerns of improper discipline because Child #1 alleged they were yelled at, grabbed and put in time-out. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint because three staff members, Administrator #1, and Principal #1, were interviewed and denied ever participating in, seeing, or hearing staff yell at children. All staff stated they do not use time out. Four children interviewed stated they did not hear staff yelling or screaming and stated they do not feel afraid or scared to be at school.
13 regulations cited at this visit.
Provide documentation of the administrator's presence in the center for a minimum of 50% of the hours of operation.
Correction status: Completed · corrected March 10, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due February 21, 2025
Ensure the presence of qualified staff in each classroom. Provide documentation of DEEDs certificates or change the staffing patterns.
Correction status: Completed · corrected March 10, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due February 21, 2025
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 status: Completed · corrected March 10, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due February 21, 2025
Submit the following to complete children's files: health appraisals w/immunizations for 2 children; blood lead screening results for 2 children.
Correction status: Completed · corrected March 10, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due February 21, 2025
Remove all air fresheners and similar products from all classrooms; ensure each classroom has a covered trash can.
Correction status: Completed · corrected March 10, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due February 21, 2025
Ensure the presence of a thermometer in the infant room freezer and refrigerator and the readings are 0 and 41 degrees F, respectively.
Correction status: Completed · corrected March 10, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due February 21, 2025
Provide documentation of rest equipment labeled and not touching.
Correction status: Completed · corrected March 10, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due February 21, 2025
Ensure each classroom has accessible and sufficient amounts of materials. Send photos to OCCL.
Correction status: Completed · corrected March 10, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due February 21, 2025
Send documentation of soap and water bottles for Toddler B classroom.
Correction status: Completed · corrected March 10, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due February 21, 2025
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 status: Completed · corrected March 10, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due February 21, 2025
Provide documetation of an adquate supply of emergency food and water for a 24 hour period for all staff and children.
Correction status: Completed · corrected May 30, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due February 21, 2025
Ensure all infants have signed monthly infant feeding schedules.
Correction status: Completed · corrected March 10, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due February 21, 2025
Provide documentation of posted weekly lesson plans containing all elements for all classrooms. Send one week's worth to OCCL.
Correction status: Completed · corrected March 10, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due February 21, 2025
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