Delaware records · New Castle County · Wilmington
THE LEARNING CENTER AT CALVARY
Licensed Child Care Center · Wilmington, Delaware
Records presented as of November 5, 2026The operation, as the state lists it
- License number
- 621538
- Operation type
- Licensed Child Care Center
- Address
- 304 LORE AVENUE, Wilmington, DE 19809
- Licensed capacity
- 100
- Ages served, as listed
- 1 year through 12 years.
- Hours, as listed
- 6:30 AM – 5:30 PM
- State programs listed
- Child Care Food Program;Purchase of Care
The record in numbers
| Compliance visits | 3 |
| Complaint investigations | 8 |
| Citations recorded | 10 |
| Citations with correction completed, per the state | 10 |
| Citations with correction still pending, per the state | 0 |
| Record span | November 19, 2021 – October 7, 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 | 0 |
| 2025 | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 | 1 | 5 |
| 2023 | 3 | 1 |
| 2022 | 3 | 4 |
| 2021 | 1 | 0 |
Visits and investigations, newest first
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received four complaints between September 10, 2026, and September 18, 2026, regarding concerns of supervision and staff-to-child ratios, children hitting each other/bullying, and the facility's written policies not being followed. An investigation was conducted on September 15, 2026, which included interviews with Staff #1 through 5, review of video footage, attendance records, and the facility's written policies and procedures. This complaint is substantiated regarding lack of supervision. Information obtained during the investigation showed Child #1 exited their assigned classroom without direct supervision two times within a half hour time period. Child #1 left the room and was found by Staff #1 15 minutes prior to Parent #1 arriving. When Parent #1 arrived to pick up, Child #1 was directed to go upstairs alone during dismissal before Parent #1 was physically present at the classroom. Video footage reviewed showed approximately three minutes elapsed between Parent #1 entering the office and Staff #1 locating Child #1. The facility has since modified its dismissal procedures and now requires children to remain with staff until an authorized pickup person is present. It was unable to be determined whether Child #1 did or did not exit the building when they were missing, as video footage from outdoor areas was not available. Some staff interviewed stated outside doors are propped at times but could not confirm whether they were on September 8, 2026. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint regarding the facility not following written policies. While documentation reviewed showed Parent #1 was provided an outdated parent handbook at enrollment, on September 17, 2026, Parent #1 received an updated parent handbook with updated termination policies. Owner #1 also provided a copy of a parent code-of-conduct that was acknowledged and signed by Parent #1 upon enrollment; staff interviews indicated Parent #1 did no t follow the agreed upon code of conduct, thus leading to the termination of care for Child #1. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint regarding improper staff-to-child ratios. Information obtained during the investigation, including staff interviews and attendance records reviewed for September 11, 2026, showed the combined Pre-K and School-Age classroom remained within required staff-to-child ratios. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for children bullying each other based on staff interviews conducted. Staff stated the children were playing with rolled up paper and tapping each other on the shoulders; staff stated due to this concern being brought up, staff have been instructed not to allow this type of play.
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received four complaints regarding concerns of not using positive behavior supports and failure to report suspected child abuse or neglect. An investigation was conducted on September 2, 2026, which included interviews with Owner #1 and Staff #2 and review of video footage involving Staff #1, Child #1, and Child #2. This complaint is substantiated regarding failure to use positive behavior supports. Video footage showed Staff #1 physically held Child #1, used inappropriate language and interactions while managing Child #1's behavior, and intentionally startled Child #2 during nap time. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint regarding failure to report suspected child abuse or neglect. Information obtained during the investigation showed when Staff #1 notified Owner #1 of the allegations, Owner #1 contacted the Report Line the same day after notifying OCCL.
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 May 14, 2025, alleging a staff injury and concerns regarding noncompliance with parent and staff handbook policies in terms of disciplinary actions towards staff. An investigation was conducted on May 27, 2025, which included an interview with Administrator #1, a review of relevant documentation, and observations of the program and classrooms. The allegation of a staff injury caused by children was determined to be no evidence to substantiate as Staff #1 never indicated an injury that occurred due to a child in care but rather was out of work due to injuries from a car accident. There was no evidence to substantiate the allegation concerning failure to follow parent and/or staff handbook policies because review of Staff #1 s disciplinary documents showed concerns about classroom management and supervision, with nothing relevant to injuries received from a child in care.
5 regulations cited at this visit.
Ensure all staff files are complete. Staff #9 needs OCCL health and safety training for child care professionals. Staff #11 needs references and health assessment with TB results.
Correction status: Completed · corrected August 22, 2024 · how corrected: Document · correction was due September 3, 2024
Ensure the refrigerators reads 41 degrees or colder. One year old room, is reading 50 degrees and the two year old room is reading 44.5 degrees.
Correction status: Completed · corrected August 6, 2024 · how corrected: Document · correction was due September 3, 2024
Ensure there are proper number of toilets for the children in attendance. There is only one working bathroom upstairs. Repair toilet in the other bathroom and send pictures to OCCL.
Correction status: Completed · corrected August 6, 2024 · how corrected: Document · correction was due September 3, 2024
Ensure equipment is in good condition. School age room dramatic play stove and table need repair or replacement.
Correction status: Completed · corrected August 8, 2024 · how corrected: Document · correction was due September 3, 2024
Ensure electrical outlets are covered. Cover outlets in school age room and indoor play area.
Correction status: Completed · corrected August 5, 2024 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due September 5, 2024
1 regulation cited at this visit.
Ensure all staff have a comprehensive background check and eligibility determination or provisional eligibility notification on file. Staff #1 has pending Maryland out-of-state clearance outstanding. Send an elgibility letter for staff #1 to OCCL by August 25, 2023.
Correction status: Completed · corrected August 14, 2023 · how corrected: Document · correction was due August 25, 2023
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
On June 13, 2023, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding improper discipline. On June 14, 2023, a duplicate report was made to the Child Abuse and Neglect Report Line and not accepted for investigation by the Institutional Abuse Unit (IAU). An investigation was conducted on June 15, 2023. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint because the administrator stated the three staff members involved in the incident denied carrying the child by his arms and legs and laughing and swinging at him. She also said she has never observed a staff member yelling at a child or using an inappropriate tone. Additionally, all three staff members provided written statements that said no staff member swung at the child.
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
On June 14, 2023, the Office of Child Care Licensing received a complaint regarding not accommodating a child with special needs and not following the center's expulsion policy. An investigation was conducted on June 15, 2023. Based on the results of this investigation, this complaint is substantiated for the center not following its own expulsion policy because the center s policy states families will be given at least five days notice before being dismissed from care. There is no evidence the center did not accommodate a child with special needs because this specialist reviewed Child #1 s Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) and observed systems in place in the classroom as contained in the IEP.
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
A complaint was received on September 29, 2022, regarding allegations of lack of supervision, not following the required procedures for accidents, and inadequate security procedures for the building. An unannounced visit was conducted on October 10, 2022, to investigate the complaint. There is no evidence to substantiate these allegations because the staff members were present and supervising children appropriately at the time the accident occurred but were unable to prevent it from happening. After the accident occurred, staff members followed all required procedures for documenting the accident and notifying the parent. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation the building is not secure because the second set of doors were locked, as well as the third set of locked doors separating the area where the classrooms are located. However, there were several concerns noted during this investigation. The attendance records provided during the investigation were not completed correctly for the staff or the children. Also, it was disclosed the school-age children are using a space that has not been approved by OCCL as a designated child care space.
4 regulations cited at this visit.
Staff to Child ratio needs to be maintained at all times. There were 21 children in the Pre-K room and the administrator was in the room covering because of a call-out. The administrator was enabled to answer the door without affecting ratios in the classroom.
Correction status: Completed · corrected August 18, 2022 · how corrected: Facility Visit · correction was due August 18, 2022
Ensure staff files are completed. Staff # 1 needs one more reference. Staff #2: Needs a second attempt for service letters and 2 more references. Staff #3: Needs a signed PDP, Job Description, 2 References, Declaration, Drug/Alcohol statement, and Adult Abuse registry. Staff #4: Needs a Job Description Staff #5: Needed a signed PDP
Correction status: Completed · corrected September 14, 2022 · how corrected: Document · correction was due September 19, 2022
The refrigerator temperature was 57 degrees. The administrator stated they use the refrigerator upstairs for they for storage until a new refrigerator arrives. Delivered food needs to be labeled with contents and date of preparation or expiration.
Correction status: Completed · corrected September 14, 2022 · how corrected: Document · correction was due September 18, 2022
Ensure fall zones are protected. Mulch needs to be filled to DECLARE regulations for fall zones. Sandbox had standing water and was not completely covered. Ensure sandbox cover is tightly covering the entire sandbox and standing water is removed.
Correction status: Completed · corrected September 14, 2022 · how corrected: Document · correction was due September 18, 2022
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
On March 17, 2022, a complaint was called into OCCL regarding the center not following cleaning and sanitation requirements. An investigation was conducted on March 25, 2021. Based the specialists observations of the center being clean, and the administrator s and staff members statements regarding procedures the center follows for cleaning and sanitizing, there is no evidence to substantiate this complaint because the center was following cleaning and sanitation requirements.
A complaint investigation. The state's result is shown above, and the investigator's conclusion follows.
On November 4, 2021, OCCL received a complaint regarding failure to provide accident /injury reports, the center having a broken railing, which posed a potential hazard to children, and possible lack of supervision. An investigation was conducted on Nov 15, 2021. Based on the results of this investigation there is no evidence to substantiate this complaint because Staff #1 and the administrator both denied observing Child #4 causing injury to Child #1 Child #2, or Child #3. Also, Ms. Shank denied leaving any child outside of the center or placing them outside as a form of punishment and denied being late to pick up children from school. Ms. Shank stated there was a broken railing in the summer, but it was repaired immediately.
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