Delaware records · New Castle County · Wilmington
LA FIESTA
Licensed Child Care Center · Wilmington, Delaware
Records presented as of November 5, 2026The operation, as the state lists it
- License number
- 27883
- Operation type
- Licensed Child Care Center
- Address
- 403 NORTH VAN BUREN STREET, Wilmington, DE 19805
- Licensed capacity
- 123
- Ages served, as listed
- 2 years through 5 years.
- Hours, as listed
- 6:45 AM – 5:30 PM
- State programs listed
- Child Care Food Program;Nonprofit;Purchase of Care
The record in numbers
| Compliance visits | 4 |
| Complaint investigations | 7 |
| Citations recorded | 6 |
| Citations with correction completed, per the state | 6 |
| Citations with correction still pending, per the state | 0 |
| Record span | December 14, 2022 – November 2, 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 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 3 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 | 2 |
| 2023 | 5 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 | 1 |
Visits and investigations, newest first
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
On October 12, 2026, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding concerns involving accident and injury reporting, communication of developmental and behavioral concerns, referral requirements for outside services, and the program's application of written policies. An investigation was conducted on October 21, 2026. Based on the investigation, there is no evidence to substantiate the allegation involving failure to document or report injuries sustained by Child #1. Licensing Specialist (LS) #1 reviewed five completed accident and injury reports involving Child #1. LS #1 also obtained nine weeks of daily health screening documentation records that included Child #1 within the Preschool D classroom and reviewed an example of electronic communication between Staff #1 and Grandparent #1 regarding an observed injury. Administrator #1 reported staff are expected to complete injury reports when injuries occur, including situations involving an unknown cause. There is also no evidence to substantiate the allegation involving inappropriate communication of Child #1's developmental or behavioral concerns. Administrator #1 and Staff #1 reported concerns involving Child #1's speech and social-emotional development were identified through classroom observations, developmental screening, and information provided by Grandparent #1 during the August 24, 2026, home visit. The ASQ screening results were communicated to Parent #1, and program administration engaged in discussions regarding Child #1's developmental needs and potential additional services. The program also provided written communication outlining the expectations associated with developmental referrals and classroom attendance. LS #1 reviewed the program's referral policy and confirmed the parent handbook includes provisions requiring family participation in recommended developmental evaluations. The policy also identifies potential program suspension or expulsion when families r efuse or consistently fail to cooperate with evaluation and registration procedures. Although the policy identifies potential consequences for nonparticipation, the investigation did not establish Child #1 was suspended or terminated solely because the family had not obtained outside services. Administrator #1 reported the family was informed of the program's referral requirements and encouraged to participate in the evaluation process. Regarding Child #1's arrival times, Administrator #1 reported Grandparent #1 was informed of the program's requirement for children to arrive by 9:00 a.m. LS #1 reviewed the written arrival policy and confirmed the policy establishes a 9:00 a.m. arrival deadline and procedures for excused late arrivals. Information obtained during the investigation supports the program's communication regarding arrival expectations being consistent with the written parent handbook.
1 regulation cited at this visit.
Ensure ceiling vents are clean and free from dust build up. Preschool E, F, & G need to be cleaned.
Correction status: Completed · corrected January 16, 2026 · how corrected: Document · correction was due January 16, 2026
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
On November 10, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding a concern of improper discipline. An investigation was conducted on November 13, 2025. At the conclusion of the investigation, there is no evidence to substantiate this complaint based on the interviews with Administrator #1 and Staff #2. Administrator #1 conducted an internal investigation, the findings showed no evidence of improper discipline because Staff #1 denied pinching Child #1 and Child #1 s cot was not visible on the video footage. Staff #2, who was also in the classroom, denied witnessing any improper discipline and stated Child #1 did not show any signs of being hurt or uncomfortable on November 6, 2025. Video footage was reviewed by LS #1 and as Administrator #1 stated, Child #1 s cot was unable to be viewed. Administrator #1 noted there is a possibility of Staff #1 badge causing a bruise on Child #1 s ribcage if Child #1 requires being held to fall asleep for nap.
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
On October 6, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding concerns of not following the parent handbook policies for termination of care. An investigation was conducted on October 20, 2025. Based on the findings of the investigation, there is no evidence to substantiate the complaint. Facility Director (FD) #1 and Administrator #1 made decisions based on communications between Staff #1, FD #1, and the family service worker. Staff #1 initially requested disenrollment for Child #1 on September 18, 2025, then later rescinded the request through the family service worker. Staff #1 also requested two additional weeks of enrollment, which was approved through October 3, 2025. Attendance rosters provided by FD #1 confirmed this arrangement. FD #1 re-enrolled Child #1 on October 7, 2025, after two other children withdrew due to relocation. Child #1 returned to the program on October 8, 2025, and remained enrolled at the time of the investigation.
2 regulations cited at this visit.
Ensure staff files are complete. -CPR/First AId--Staff #3, 9 - Professional Development Plan--Staff #9 - Annual Review of Abuse/Neglect--Staff #1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 15, 16, 17 - Orientation--Staff #9 - OCCL Health and SAfety Training--Staff #4, 5, 9 -References--Staff #12 - Health Appraisal/TB Screener--Staff #13 - Training Hours--Staff #2 (5 hr), 3 (9.5 hrs), 5 (11.5 hrs), 7 (7.5 hrs), 8 (12 hrs), 9 (18 hrs), 14 (11.75 hrs), 15 (8.75 hrs), 16 (18 hrs.), 17 (6 hrs), 18 (9.75 hrs)
Correction status: Completed · corrected January 14, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due January 10, 2025
Ensure that radon results on file are current. The results currently on file expired in November 2024. ** The Administrator reported that the tests have been completed and being sent off to the company for analysis and results.
Correction status: Completed · corrected January 14, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due January 10, 2025
2 regulations cited at this visit.
Ensure staff are fingerprinted for each center they work at within your organization if the criminal history unit contact is different . Staff #1 needs to be fingerprinted and determined eligible for La Fiesta., and is printed only for LACC. Send a copy of the receipt and eligibility determination letter to OCCL when complete.
Correction status: Completed · corrected January 12, 2024 · how corrected: Document · correction was due January 20, 2024
Ensure all staff complete annual training,. Staff #2 needs 9.5 hours of annual training. Send to OCCL when complete..
Correction status: Completed · corrected January 17, 2024 · how corrected: Document · correction was due January 15, 2024
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
On February 28, 2023, a complaint was called into the Report Line and not accepted for investigation by the Institutional Abuse Unit (IA). The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received the complaint on February 28, 2023, and accepted it for investigation regarding concerns of the improper discipline. An investigation was conducted by OCCL beginning on March 1, 2023, and concluding on March 7, 2023. This complaint is substantiated for improper discipline because a staff member moved a child away from her with her hand then grabbed the child by one arm to physically move him to another part of the classroom. The child was left in an area of the classroom alone for eighteen minutes. While this area of the classroom is labeled as the Safe Place , or an area to calm down, the child was provided minimal direction or guidance, and the area was utilized similarly to time-out.
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
On October 27, 2022, a complaint was called into the Report Line and not accepted for investigation by the Institutional Abuse Unit (IA). The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received the complaint on November 3, 2022, and accepted it for investigation regarding concerns of inappropriate adult behavior. An investigation was conducted by OCCL beginning on December 7, 2022, and concluding on March 6, 2023. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for inappropriate adult behavior based on staff interviews. Administrator Hartz stated staff monitor the bathrooms whenever they are in use by children and the bathrooms are visible to everyone in the classroom. Both staff members present in Child #1 s classroom denied seeing the incident described by Parent #1, and Child #1 did not bring these concerns to their attention. All staff members interviewed noted concerns about Child #1 s behavior and were in the process of completing a referral with Parent #1 for a developmental and mental health evaluation. No response was received after multiple attempts to contact and obtain further information from the Wilmington Police Department.
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
On August 8, 2022, a complaint regarding La Fiesta was called into the Report Line and accepted for investigation by the Institutional Abuse Unit (IA). It was sent to the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) on August 9, 2022, and accepted for improper discipline. On January 4, 2023, IA Investigator Michael Zuka stated the Institutional Abuse Unit will be closing the case as unsubstantiated with concern. The concern noted was for how Staff #1 carried and left marks on Child #1. IA Investigator Zuka stated Staff #1 had no intent to harm Child #1. This complaint is substantiated for improper discipline based on the concern reported by IA Investigator Zuka and documentation Staff #2 provided, including Staff #1 s termination letter. The letter verified Staff #1 caused bruising when she inappropriately grabbed Child #1.
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.
1 regulation cited at this visit.
Ensure infants do not sleep with bibs on. LS. Brady had the infant teacher remove the bib. Send documentation of this review with staff to OCCL. by 12/29/2022
Correction status: Completed · corrected December 21, 2022 · how corrected: Document · correction was due December 29, 2022
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