Delaware records · Kent County · Harrington
SHELL'S EARLY LEARNING CENTER-HARRINGTON
Licensed Child Care Center · Harrington, Delaware
Records presented as of November 5, 2026The operation, as the state lists it
- License number
- 421520
- Operation type
- Licensed Child Care Center
- Address
- 5332 MILFORD HARRINGTON HIGHWAY, Harrington, DE 19952
- Licensed capacity
- 78
- 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 | 6 |
| Complaint investigations | 5 |
| Citations recorded | 25 |
| Citations with correction completed, per the state | 25 |
| Citations with correction still pending, per the state | 0 |
| Record span | August 10, 2023 – June 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 | 2 | 1 |
| 2025 | 6 | 13 |
| 2024 | 2 | 3 |
| 2023 | 1 | 8 |
Visits and investigations, newest first
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
On May 8, 2026, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding accident/injury procedures, possible lack of supervision, not providing the owner s contact information with requested, staff communication, and the administrator not functioning in the role because Staff #1 is not the administrator. An investigation was conducted on May 13, 2026. The complaint is substantiated for accident/injury procedures and the administrator not functioning in the role because staff interviews revealed Child #4 s parents were not immediately notified when they received a head injury and that Staff #1 is the acting administrator and assists Administrator #1 in the administrator role. Staff #1 does not have a DEEDS Early Learning early childhood administrator certificate. There is no evidence to substantiate for lack of supervision, not providing the owner s contact information when requested, and staff communication because staff denied the allegations.
1 regulation cited at this visit.
Ensure safe sleep practices are used at all times. An eleven-month-old infant was observed laying on a nap mat. After discussion with staff, it was determined the infant is in transition; however, she is not one and is not walking. This was discussed with staff and corrected when the infant was placed in a crib.
Correction status: Completed · corrected February 12, 2026 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due February 12, 2026
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
On August 26, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding cleaning, sanitizing, not labeling bottles, and not following the health exclusion policy in handbook. An investigation was conducted on August 27, 2025. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint because staff denied the allegations, LS #1 observed the required cleaning materials in each classroom, the equipment and surfaces appeared to be clean, bottles were labeled, and the health exclusion policy in the parent handbook was followed.
1 regulation cited at this visit.
Ensure the licensee, governing body, and employees follow all applicable federal, State, and local laws and regulations. During a complaint investigation on August 6, 2025, Executive Director #1 confirmed to OCCL that Owner #1 was currently in prison for tax issues related to the child care centers. This was discussed and corrected when Executive Director #1 agreed to comply in the future.
Correction status: Completed · corrected August 6, 2025 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due September 5, 2025
2 regulations cited at this visit.
Ensure proper staff-to-child ratios are maintained at all times. Upon arrival, this specialist observed Staff #1 in the hallway. When this specialist entered the infant classroom at approximately 1:20 pm, she observed Staff #1 and Staff #2 with five infants. This specialist asked Staff #1 who was in the classroom with Staff #2 while she was in the hallway. Staff #1 stated she just stepped out to use the bathroom. This specialist asked again who was in the classroom while she stepped out and Staff #1 stated Staff #3 was present. Staff #3 signed out of the infant classroom at 1:00 pm. This specialist addressed the attendance with Staff #1. This specialist asked Staff #2 if she was alone with five infants and she stated, "No." This specialist then asked Administrator #1 who was present in the classroom with Staff #2 while Staff #1 was in the hallway. Administrator #1 stated Staff #3 was in the classroom. This specialist reminded Administrator #1 that Staff #3 left for her lunch break at 1:00 pm. Administrator #1 then stated Staff #1 was in the classroom, but just stepped out to grab something. This specialist asked who stepped into the classrooom so that ratios were maintained while Staff #1 stepped out and Adminstrator #1 could not answer. This was discussed and corrected when staff agreed to comply in the future.
Correction status: Completed · corrected August 5, 2025 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due August 5, 2025
Ensure staff are truthful when providing information to OCCL. This specialist asked clarifying questions regarding staffing in the infant classroom and staff did not provide truthful information. Upon arrival, this specialist observed Staff #1 in the hallway. When this specialist entered the infant classroom at approximately 1:20 pm, she observed Staff #1 and Staff #2 with five infants. This specialist asked Staff #1 who was in the classroom with Staff #2 while she was in the hallway. Staff #1 stated she just stepped out to use the bathroom. This specialist asked again who was in the classroom while she stepped out and Staff #1 stated Staff #3 was present. Staff #3 signed out of the infant classroom at 1:00 pm. This specialist addressed the attendance with Staff #1. This specialist asked Staff #2 if she was alone with five infants and she stated, "No." This specialist then asked Administrator #1 who was present in the classroom with Staff #2 while Staff #1 was in the hallway. Administrator #1 stated Staff #3 was in the classroom. This specialist reminded Administrator #1 that Staff #3 left for her lunch break at 1:00 pm. Administrator #1 then stated Staff #1 was in the classroom, but just stepped out to grab something. This specialist asked who stepped into the classrooom so that ratios were maintained while Staff #1 stepped out and Adminstrator #1 could not answer.
Correction status: Completed · corrected August 18, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due August 8, 2025
10 regulations cited at this visit.
Ensure proper staff-to-child ratios are maintained through the assignment of a qualified staff member. A staff member who has not been fingerprinted and determined eligible was observed alone with three one year olds. This was discussed and corrected when a qualified staff member entered the classroom.
Correction status: Completed · corrected August 4, 2025 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due August 4, 2025
Ensure a staff member schedules a fingerprinting appointment with the Delaware State Police to be fingerprinted and the licensee receives eligibility determination notification before the start of employment. A staff member who has not been fingerprinted and determined eligible was observed alone in a classroom with three one year olds. This was discussed and corrected when the staff member was removed from the facility.
Correction status: Completed · corrected August 4, 2025 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due August 4, 2025
Ensure staff files are complete. Two staff members need administration of medication training and/or certification. One staff member needs to complete the Health and Safety Training for Child Care Professionals. One staff member needs to be fingerprinted and have an eligibility determination letter on file. One staff member needs to complete the employee declaration and drug/alcohol statement. One staff member needs an adult health appraisal and TB results.
Correction status: Completed · corrected September 26, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due August 18, 2025
Ensure child files are complete. One child needs blood lead screening results.
Correction status: Completed · corrected August 18, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due August 18, 2025
Ensure all floors, walls, and surfaces are cleanable and in good repair. The sink counter in the preschool classroom needs to be repaired/replaced so that it is cleanable.
Correction status: Completed · corrected September 26, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due August 18, 2025
Ensure each toilet facility has liquid soap. The bathroom in the three-year-old classroom needs soap.
Correction status: Completed · corrected August 18, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due August 18, 2025
Ensure no hazards are in the outdoor play area. A large hole was observed near the building in the older child outdoor play area. Ensure the fall zone areas are supplied with nine inches of pea gravel. The pea gravel under all climbing equipment designed for the children's feet to leave the ground needs to be replenished in both outdoor play areas.
Correction status: Completed · corrected August 18, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due August 18, 2025
Ensure all rest equipment is labeled. Several nap mats in the three-year-old classroom were not numbered (labeled).
Correction status: Completed · corrected August 18, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due August 18, 2025
Ensure child and staff hands are washed after every diaper change. Staff in the infant classroom were observed not washing the child's and their hands after diaper changes. Ensure a working sink is within five feet of all changing stations. The sink in the infant classroom is not working.
Correction status: Completed · corrected September 26, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due August 18, 2025
Post an emergency evacuation route in the three-year-old classroom.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 16, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due August 18, 2025
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 diapering procedures and administration of medication. An investigation was conducted on March 18, 2025. This complaint is substantiated for improper administration of medication because LS #1 observed a tube of diaper cream for Child #1 and a second tube of diaper cream for Child #2, but the two children did not have complete Medication Administration Records (MAR) on file. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation of improper diapering because staff stated children s diapers are checked every hour and changed as needed. Additionally, LS #1 observed documentation that showed children s diapers were being checked and/or changed every hour in the infant and one-year-old classrooms.
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
On March 13, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding positive behavior supports and the center s suspension policy. An investigation was conducted on March 18, 2025. There is no evidence to substantiate for noncompliance with positive behavior supports because staff stated they use appropriate redirection. Staff #2 stated attempts are made to redirect Child #1 by suggesting other acceptable behaviors and attempting to reward them. There is no evidence to substantiate for not following the suspension policy because the center followed the suspension policy stated in the parent handbook.
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
On November 22, 2024, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a self-reported incident and on November 26, 2024, OCCL received a complaint regarding possible improper discipline. An investigation began on November 22, 2024, and concluded on November 26, 2024. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint because staff denied the allegations and video footage showed Staff #1 fall and accidentally knock over a child. Staff #1 was not observed hitting Parent #1 in the face, and the incident appeared accidental.
3 regulations cited at this visit.
Ensure staff files are complete. One staff needs an adult health appraisal with TB screening.
Correction status: Completed · corrected September 24, 2024 · how corrected: Document · correction was due September 13, 2024
Ensure child files are complete. Five children need MARs on file. One child needs a development plan.
Correction status: Completed · corrected September 18, 2024 · how corrected: Document · correction was due September 13, 2024
Ensure renewal application is submitted to OCCL at least 60 days prior to license expiration.
Correction status: Completed · corrected September 12, 2024 · how corrected: Document · correction was due September 13, 2024
8 regulations cited at this visit.
Ensure staff files are complete. Three staff members need to complete OCCL's Health and Safety Training for Child Care Professionals. One staff person needs to complete a comprehensive background re-check. One staff person needs an adult health appraisal with TB screening/test. One staff person needs a DEEDS certificate. One staff person needs an additional 3.5 hours of annual training. One staff person needs an additional 1 hour of annual training.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 25, 2023 · how corrected: Document · correction was due August 24, 2023
Ensure child files are complete. One child needs blood lead level results.
Correction status: Completed · corrected August 10, 2023 · how corrected: Document · correction was due August 24, 2023
Ensure the center is in compliance with the Office of Drinking Water. The Office of Drinking Water notified OCCL that the facility has not paid the annual dues for last year or this year in the total amount of $100.
Correction status: Completed · corrected August 10, 2023 · how corrected: Document · correction was due August 18, 2023
Remove hazards from the outdoor play area. An electrical cord was observed stretched across the outdoor play area.
Correction status: Completed · corrected August 10, 2023 · how corrected: Document · correction was due August 24, 2023
Replace the ripped nap mats in the three-year-old classroom and Pre-K classroom.
Correction status: Completed · corrected August 10, 2023 · how corrected: Document · correction was due August 24, 2023
Ensure hands are washed as required. A child in the one-year-old classroom did not wash their hands after diaper change. This was discussed with the staff member and corrected when the child washed her hands.
Correction status: Completed · corrected August 10, 2023 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due August 10, 2023
Purchase a non-porous diaper mat for the infant classroom. The diaper mat was ripped. Ensure the diaper pail in the two-year-old classroom is hands free. A plastic piece obstructed the opening when the foot pedal was pressed.
Correction status: Completed · corrected August 10, 2023 · how corrected: Document · correction was due August 24, 2023
Ensure the renewal application is submitted at least 60 days prior to the license expiration.
Correction status: Completed · corrected August 10, 2023 · how corrected: Document · correction was due August 24, 2023
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