Delaware records · Sussex County · Delmar
LIL' RED HEN NURSERY SCHOOL, INC.
Licensed Child Care Center · Delmar, Delaware
Records presented as of November 5, 2026The operation, as the state lists it
- License number
- 335248
- Operation type
- Licensed Child Care Center
- Address
- 400 NORTH BI STATE BOULEVARD, Delmar, DE 19940
- Licensed capacity
- 217
- Ages served, as listed
- 6 weeks through 11 years.
- Hours, as listed
- 6:15 AM – 6:00 PM
- State programs listed
- Purchase of Care
The record in numbers
| Compliance visits | 6 |
| Complaint investigations | 7 |
| Citations recorded | 20 |
| Citations with correction completed, per the state | 20 |
| Citations with correction still pending, per the state | 0 |
| Record span | June 10, 2022 – October 15, 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 | 3 |
| 2025 | 4 | 4 |
| 2024 | 2 | 3 |
| 2023 | 3 | 4 |
| 2022 | 3 | 6 |
Visits and investigations, newest first
3 regulations cited at this visit.
Ensure staff files are complete. One staff needs updated fingerprinting. One staff need an additional reference letter. One staff needs orientation, application or resume, employee declaration, drug/ alcohol statement, letter of eligibility, adult abuse registry check, health appraisal with TB and release of employment.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 28, 2026 · how corrected: Document · correction was due November 10, 2026
Ensure child files are complete. Three children need blood lead level test results. Two children need updated infant feeding statements. One child needs updated health appraisal with immunizations.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 28, 2026 · how corrected: Document · correction was due November 10, 2026
Ensure gates are self-closing/self-latching. Gate on front playground needs a self-closing/self-latching mechanism.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 28, 2026 · how corrected: Document · correction was due November 10, 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 October 6, 2025, regarding lack of positive behavioral support. An investigation was conducted on October 16, 2025. There is no evidence to substantiate for lack of positive behavior support because staff stated they redirected the children and discussed the situation calmly with them. Classroom video footage of the incident was no longer available to be viewed.
4 regulations cited at this visit.
Ensure staff files are complete. One staff needs a release of employment history and service letters. One staff needs two additional reference letters.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 22, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due November 7, 2025
Ensure child files are complete. Two children need updated health appraisals. Three children need updated immunizations. Three children need blood lead level test results. Three children need updated infant feeding statement.
Correction status: Completed · corrected November 7, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due November 7, 2025
Ensure fall zones extend six feet in all directions and is at least 9 inches in depth. Mulch around fall zones on all playgrounds needs to be replenished.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 28, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due November 7, 2025
Ensure nap equipment is non-porous and easy to clean. Several mats in the preschool area were ripped.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 22, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due November 7, 2025
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
OCCL s investigation of regulatory non-compliance began after clearance from other agencies was received. The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding improper discipline. An investigation was conducted on April 17, 2025. This complaint is substantiated for improper discipline because staff called a child a crybaby, a negative term. Also, one child stated the staff hit them on the back and stated they told other adults about this but did not provide further details. The staff denied any use of improper discipline. A concern noted while interviewing a staff member was they were unable to recall child abuse and neglect reporting laws. Another concern noted was when specialists arrived at the center, a staff member left the classroom with children unattended to greet the specialists.
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
On January 10, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding improper discipline. An investigation was conducted on January 22, 2025. This complaint is substantiated for improper discipline because a staff member witnessed another staff member slap a child. This staff member s employment at the center was terminated.
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
On September 27, 2024, the Office of Child Care Licensing received a complaint regarding proper handwashing, having children share food, sanitation, smoking, staff being under the influence, improper discipline, and not using respectful communication. An investigation was conducted on October 3, 2024. There is no evidence to substantiate lack of handwashing because children and staff were observed washing hands before eating lunch. There is no evidence to substantiate children sharing food because staff denied this and stated extra snacks are provided if a child is still hungry. There is no evidence to substantiate a lack of sanitation because the kitchen was clean and sanitary at the time of the visit. There is no evidence to substantiate smoking on the premises because staff stated no one smokes in the building and there was no obvious odor. There is no evidence to substantiate being under the influence of drugs because staff stated they have never witnessed anyone coming to work under the influence. There is no evidence to substantiate improper discipline because staff had not witnessed anyone being rough or hitting the children. There is no evidence to substantiate not using respectful communication because staff stated they had not witnessed owners being rude or disrespectful.
3 regulations cited at this visit.
Ensure staff files are complete. Staff #1 needs four references. Staff #2 needs an Adult Abuse registry check, release of employment, and two documented attempts at obtaining service letters. Staff #3 needs orientation, application or resume, job description, two or four references depending on service letters, employee declaration, drug and alcohol statement, adult abuse registry check, health appraisal with TB, release of employment history and service letters.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 22, 2024 · how corrected: Document · correction was due October 25, 2024
Ensure child files are complete. One child needs an updated immunization record or note from doctor, One child needs updated health appraisal and immunizations.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 22, 2024 · how corrected: Document · correction was due October 25, 2024
Ensure fall zones are covered with at least 9 inches of material . All three playgrounds need mulch replenishing.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 17, 2024 · how corrected: Document · correction was due October 25, 2024
4 regulations cited at this visit.
Ensure staff files are complete. Four staff need a comprehensive background check conducted every five years. Two staff need follow up attempts to receive a service letter from prior employment.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 19, 2023 · how corrected: Document · correction was due October 31, 2023
Ensure child files are complete. One child needs a blood lead screening test result on file.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 19, 2023 · how corrected: Document · correction was due October 31, 2023
Ensure the washing of dishes is only in the kitchen where a two basin sink and dishwasher or sanitizing basin are available.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 11, 2023 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due October 11, 2023
Ensure classrooms are equipped at the children's level science and music materials.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 11, 2023 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due October 11, 2023
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 February 3, 2023, regarding improper discipline and lack of supervision. An investigation was conducted on February 7, 2023. The complaint is substantiated for improper discipline because several staff disclosed observing Staff #2 being rough, and yelling at children, and the specialist observed video footage of Staff #2 handling children roughly. There is no evidence to substantiate the complaint for lack of supervision because all staff interviewed denied any knowledge of major or excessive incidents of children hurting other children. Staff stated any incidents were typical behaviors.
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
On February 3, 2023, a complaint was accepted for investigation by the Institutional Abuse Unit (IA) and the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL). On February 6, 2023, IA informed OCCL the complaint will be closed as unsubstantiated. OCCL conducted an investigation regarding improper discipline on February 7, 2023. There is no evidence to substantiate the complaint for improper discipline because the documents provided by the pediatrician stated Child #1 had a rash due to diarrhea, and the center was able to provide documentation showing Child #1 came to the center with the rash and scratch on the nose. The video reviewed by this specialist did not show any improper discipline during diaper changes for Child #1. Additional concerns noted were during the review of video footage staff did not follow proper diapering procedures. The licensing specialist observed several staff not using disposable covers and not washing the children s hands after each diaper change. Additionally, staff were observed applying powder to a child, and did not have a Medication Administration Record on file.
5 regulations cited at this visit.
Ensure staff files are complete. Staff #1 needs a health appraisal with TB results. Staff #3 needs CPR and First Aid and TB results.
Correction status: Completed · corrected November 14, 2022 · how corrected: Document · correction was due November 14, 2022
Ensure children have update health records on file. Child #3 needs updated heath appraisal with immunizations.
Correction status: Completed · corrected November 14, 2022 · how corrected: Document · correction was due November 14, 2022
Ensure children's progress is being evaluated and documented. Child #5, 7, and 10 need developmental plans.
Correction status: Completed · corrected November 14, 2022 · how corrected: Document · correction was due November 14, 2022
Ensure anything applied to children other than soap and water, has a signed MAR form. LS Smith observed a staff member applying diaper cream on a toddler with out a signed MAR. This was discussed and corrected when the staff member agreed not to apply anymore cream until a MAR form was signed by the guardian.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 24, 2022 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due October 24, 2022
Ensure lesson plans are completed and posted. SA classroom did not hav a lesson plan, this was corrected when the lesson plan was posted in the SA classroom.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 24, 2022 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due October 24, 2022
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
OCCL received a complaint on May 31, 2022, regarding unqualified staff alone with children, having hazards accessible to the children, improper accident and injury procedures, and not being truthful on the incident reports. An investigation was completed on June 3, 2022. The complaint is substantiated. Unqualified staff were left alone with children because several staff member stated they witnessed unqualified staff supervising children alone on multiple dates, and LS Smith observed attendance records that showed unqualified staff members alone with children. Hazards were observed accessible to children in the indoor play area and several staff stated they allow children in the indoor play space. Proper accident and injury procedures were not being followed because there was no documentation available showing Child #1 s parent was called immediately after Child #1 hit his head. Staff were not truthful on the incident report because a staff stated she witnessed Child #1 hit his head on a ladder in the indoor play area, and what was told to the parents and written on the incident report did not reflect what actually happened. LS Smith observed the incident report and it stated Child #1 hit his head on a furniture toy and the report was signed by Staff #7. When questioned about the incident, Staff #7 denied any knowledge of the incident. Additional concerns noted were not accurately documenting staff and child attendance, lack of supervision because staff are responsible for supervising two classrooms of children by sitting between the rooms, and the owners stated they have been restricting parents access to the building due to still practicing Covid precautions.
1 regulation cited at this visit.
Ensure children are being directly supervised by qualified staff members. LS Smith and LS Rasin-Ben observed two unqualified staff members supervising 3 one year old's on the playground.
Correction status: Completed · corrected June 16, 2022 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due June 17, 2022
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.