Delaware records · Sussex County · Ellendale
HAND-N-HAND EARLY LEARNING CENTER, INC.
Licensed Child Care Center · Ellendale, Delaware
Records presented as of November 5, 2026The operation, as the state lists it
- License number
- 433741
- Operation type
- Licensed Child Care Center
- Address
- 13724 SOUTH OLD STATE ROAD, Ellendale, DE 19941
- Licensed capacity
- 25
- Ages served, as listed
- 6 weeks through 12 years.
- Hours, as listed
- 6:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- State programs listed
- Child Care Food Program;Nonprofit;Purchase of Care
The record in numbers
| Compliance visits | 6 |
| Complaint investigations | 3 |
| Citations recorded | 26 |
| Citations with correction completed, per the state | 26 |
| Citations with correction still pending, per the state | 0 |
| Record span | December 14, 2021 – October 8, 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 | 2 |
| 2025 | 3 | 7 |
| 2024 | 1 | 12 |
| 2023 | 2 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 | 1 |
Visits and investigations, newest first
2 regulations cited at this visit.
Cover the outlets when not in use. The infant classroom has one outlet that needs a cover.
Correction status: Completed · correction was due October 23, 2026
Ensure toileting surfaces are cleaned daily or as needed. Clean and disinfect the girls' restroom toilet seat.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 8, 2026 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due October 8, 2026
7 regulations cited at this visit.
Ensure the annual fire marshal inspection is completed. The last inspection was August 29, 2024.
Correction status: Completed · corrected December 5, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due November 14, 2025
Ensure staff files are complete. One staff member needs their DEEDS credential on file, OCCL Health and Safety Training, release of employment history, and service letter attempts.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 24, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due November 14, 2025
Ensure a radon test is conducted for each classroom every five years.
Correction status: Completed · corrected November 28, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due November 14, 2025
Ensure Structures, fences, equipment, and the grounds are maintained in a clean and safe condition, ensure fencing is a minimum of four feet in height with openings no larger than 3 inches, A licensee shall ensure gates have self-closing and positive self-latching closure mechanisms.
Correction status: Completed · corrected December 10, 2025 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due November 14, 2025
Ensure each infant has a monthly feeding statement completed each month. Three infants need a monthly feeding statement.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 24, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due November 14, 2025
Ensure a renewal application is submitted 60 days before the license expires.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 16, 2025 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due October 16, 2025
Ensure a plan review is submitted when making a change to regulated services. The outdoor play area has not been in use for weeks due to the removal of fencing and mulch. Currently, the outdoor play area is neither compliant nor usable for the children.
Correction status: Completed · corrected December 1, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due November 14, 2025
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
The Office of Child Care Licensing received a complaint regarding lack of supervision on April 7, 2025. An investigation was conducted on April 11, 2025. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation of lack of supervision because the attendance records observed showed a proper staff-to-child ratio, and all staff interviewed stated they were engaged with the children and perform walk arounds. Materials observed in the classroom were appropriate for the ages of the children.
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
On January 15, 2024, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding kitchen requirements, not receiving approval to change the facility s approved food operation, and meals and snacks. An investigation was conducted on January 22, 2025. This complaint is substantiated because the Licensing Specialist (LS) observed the kitchen was in the process of being remodeled, did not have the required equipment, and the facility did not notify OCCL of or receive approval to change the facility s approved food operation. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation that meals and snacks do not meet requirements because the menu posted reflected the required components and the menu was being followed. Additional concerns noted were the facility did not contact other state and local agencies to ensure compliance. The Child and Adult Care Food Program was not contacted for approval to cater or change meal plans. Person #1 was preparing meals at their house and did not have a food establishment permit from the Department of Public Health. During another state agency s visit, lunch was prepared from Person #1 s home, brought in at 7:30 a.m., left on a table, and was not refrigerated or temperature controlled, with the intention of serving to the children. The state agency s representative informed the facility the food could not be consumed and the facility ordered lunch for the children instead.
12 regulations cited at this visit.
Ensure enough staff are on the premises to assist with daily running of the facility. There were no staff to allow the LS into the facility. There were not enough staff to assist if there was an emergency, bathroom breaks, or if staff had to call out.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 3, 2024 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due October 3, 2024
Ensure toddlers and preschool children are cared for in separate areas after the first 90 minutes. A three-year-old child is enrolled in the one-through-two-year-old classroom.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 17, 2024 · how corrected: Document · correction was due October 18, 2024
Ensure staff have the hand on skill demonstration in addition to the CPR training. Staff #1 needs the CPR hands on skill demonstration.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 17, 2024 · how corrected: Document · correction was due October 18, 2024
Ensure when individuals who arrive to tour or enroll at the facility are completing out Parent's Right to Know Log before touring or enrolling.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 17, 2024 · how corrected: Document · correction was due October 18, 2024
Ensure child files are up to date. One child needs an updated health appraisal and immunization record.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 17, 2024 · how corrected: Document · correction was due October 18, 2024
Materials required for routine cleaning and maintenance must be stored out of children s reach and used in a safe manner. Containers of poisonous, toxic, or hazardous materials are: Stored in a locked storage space accessible only to staff. Labeled with the contents. Cleaning spray containers were accessible in all classroom in cabins not locked. The boys bathroom had a chemical accessible in a cabinet not locked. no bottle with sanitizer or disinfection that was accessible to a child was labeled.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 3, 2024 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due October 3, 2024
Keep all areas, furnishings, and equipment of the center in a clean, hazard-free, and safe condition. Floors, walls, counter surfaces, toilets, and surfaces or finishes must be cleanable and in good repair. The boys bathroom baseboards need repair or replace due to water damage. The boys bathroom sink base needs to be repaired or replaced due to water damage. The baseboards near the boys bathroom by the door to outside need repair or replace due to water damage. The Preschool classroom carpets need to be vacuumed. The School age classroom lat surfaces need to wipped off. The toddler classroom cabinet was not locked providing access to plastic bags and chemicals. The preschool closet was not leached providing access to chemicals. The School age classroom had chemicals accessible under the sink. The boys bathroom had access to chemicals and trash under the sink.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 17, 2024 · how corrected: Document · correction was due October 18, 2024
A licensee shall ensure toilet rooms are kept in a sanitary condition and cleaned daily or more frequently if needed. The boys restroom toilet seat and toddler potty seat need to be cleaned after each use. Both have fecal matter on them the potty seat has urine around the cushion.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 17, 2024 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due October 18, 2024
Openings in the fences should be no larger than 3-1 2 inches. The right gate needs a new chain link fence the openings are over 3-1/2 inches. gates have self-closing and positive self-latching closure mechanisms. Gates should have operational self-closing and positive self-latching closure mechanisms. The left gate no longer set closed self latches when opened at a minimum of 18 inches.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 25, 2024 · how corrected: Document · correction was due October 18, 2024
Toilet seats, potty chairs, and diaper changing areas are to be washed with soap and water and then disinfected as required. LS observed the staff member spray an unknown substance on a diaper chaining area after a use but other item was utilized leaving speculation of sanitizing and disinfection of the surface. Fecal matter and urine on the boys toilet ing seats provides conclusion that no sanitizing or disinfecting has occurred. Bottles of sanitizing and disinfecting solution bottles are to be labeled with contents and out of reach of children and available at all times. No classroom bottles were labeled. The boys and girls bathroom have no access to the disinfecting or sanitizing bottles to use when required.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 17, 2024 · how corrected: Document · correction was due October 18, 2024
A diaper-changing area with a non-porous surface and disposable covers must be used for each diaper change. The toddler classroom changing pad has holes and during an observed diaper change a disposable cover was not used.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 10, 2024 · how corrected: Document · correction was due October 18, 2024
Lesson plans must have areas of physical, social-emotional, language and literacy, and cognitive development and be developmentally appropriate for the children enrolled. No classroom had social emotional everyday and was missing one or more or the healthy habits, science, music, or sensory components.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 17, 2024 · how corrected: Document · correction was due October 18, 2024
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
The Office of Child Care Licensing received a complaint on October 19, 2023, regarding not following the policies in the parent handbook. An investigation was conducted on November 2, 2023. There is no evidence to substantiate the complaint because the center followed their policies.
2 regulations cited at this visit.
Ensure staff files are complete. Two staff need professional development plans completed. Two staff need Heath and Safety for Child Care Professionals training, One staff need orientation, employment history form, and a job description.
Correction status: Completed · corrected November 16, 2023 · how corrected: Document · correction was due October 31, 2023
Ensure all areas are in good repair. The preschool, school age, and toddler areas need the air vents repaired or replaced. The walls in the preschool classroom need the peeling paint repaired. All the baseboards in the classrooms need to be repainted.
Correction status: Completed · corrected November 2, 2023 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due October 31, 2023
2 regulations cited at this visit.
Ensure child files are complete. Two children need lead test results.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 13, 2022 · how corrected: Document · correction was due November 14, 2022
Ensure bottles are labeled with name, time, and date prepared. This was discussed and corrected at the visit.
Correction status: Completed · corrected October 4, 2022 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due October 4, 2022
1 regulation cited at this visit.
Three children in the preschool room needed a sheet to meet the required minimum of 2 sheets for napping. This was corrected when 3 sheets were brought to the room and provided to the children.
Correction status: Completed · corrected December 14, 2021 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due December 14, 2021
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