RIBBONS & BOWS DAYCARE II

Small Steps needs paint on the blue wall. -chipped paint.

Correction status: Completed · corrected March 24, 2026 · how corrected: Document · correction was due April 13, 2026

On December 19, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding allegations of not following accident /injury policy and not following sanitation requirements. An investigation was begun on January 6, 2026, and concluded on January 26, 2026. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for not following accident/injury policy and not following sanitation requirements. Based on observations during a facility visit, staff interviews, and a review of documentation, sanitation requirements and the accident/injury policy were followed.

: On June 11, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding lack of supervision, incorrect staff-to-child ratios, improper combining of ages, failing to provide an injury report, failing to notify parent immediately of a serious injury, lack of cleanliness of indoor space, and staff participating in personal activities while providing care for children. An investigation began on June 13, 2025, and concluded on June 26, 2025. This complaint is substantiated for failing to notify the parent/guardian of a serious or potentially serious injury immediately after providing first aid. Any impact or injury to a child s face or head is considered a serious injury. Staff were aware of a head injury to Child #1 but did not notify the family until pickup time. Based on interviews with staff, a walkthrough of the center and classrooms, a review of video footage, and a review of documents, there is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for lack of supervision, incorrect staff-to- child ratios, improper combining of ages, failing to provide an injury report, lack of cleanliness of indoor space, or staff participating in personal activities while providing care for children.

OCCL s investigation of regulatory non-compliance began after clearance from other agencies was received. On May 6, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding allegations of improper discipline, staff using drugs while working at the center, incorrect staff-to-child ratios, current lesson plans and daily schedule not posted, hazardous materials in the outdoor space, and a person who is not eligible interacting with children. An investigation was conducted on May 20, 2025. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for improper discipline based on interviews with the owner and staff, a review of video footage, and a review of documents. Video footage showed Child #1 tripped and fell, and this finding was communicated to Parent #1 through a revised injury report and follow-up communication by both Staff #2 and Owner #1. Based on observations at the time of the visit and a review of documents, there is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for incorrect staff-to-child ratios, failing to post current lesson plans and schedules, or hazardous materials in the outdoor space. All classrooms were documented to be in correct ratio, current lesson plans and a daily schedule were observed in each classroom, and there were no hazardous materials observed in the outside area at the time of this visit. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation a person who is not eligible was interacting with children. Both the owner and Staff #3 stated Person #1 only interacts with children who are related to them in the lobby area of the facility and stated Person #1 has never worked at the facility, nor are they aware of any involvement by Person #1 in a child death. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegations regarding the use of marijuana by Staff #1 during work hours as these allegations were denied by both Staff #1 and Owner #1, who affirmed no staff are permitted to work under the influence of any substance.

Ensure child files are complete. Child #2 needs an infant feeding statement. Child #7 needs blood lead results

Correction status: Completed · corrected March 13, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due April 7, 2025

Ensure monthly fire drills are conducted and documented. Send proof of January and February fire drill to OCCL.

Correction status: Completed · corrected March 13, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due April 7, 2025

On May 30, 2024, a complaint regarding Ribbons & Bows Daycare II, located at 22 West Market Street, Newport, DE 19804, was called into the Child Abuse and Neglect Report Line and was not accepted for investigation by the Institutional Abuse Unit (IAU). The complaint was sent to the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) on May 30, 2024, and accepted for investigation regarding not following infant feeding instructions, diapering procedures, incorrect infant daily logs, and not being truthful to parents. An investigation was conducted on May 31, 2024. This complaint is substantiated for not following infant feeding instructions and incorrect infant daily logs because the daily logs reviewed did not match the information provided by the Reporter regarding the amount and number of bottles provided on those dates and Child #1 s feeding statement had not been updated monthly as required. This complaint is substantiated for not being truthful to parents because inaccurate information was documented on Child #1 s infant daily log regarding feeding. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for diapering procedures because staff interviewed stated the diapering policy followed is compliant with DELACARE Regulations and infant daily logs reviewed confirmed this information. An additional concern noted at the visit was the center s parent handbook policy did not state the center provides supplemental formula to infants but staff stated the center does prepare and provide formula at times.

On April 9, 2024, a complaint was called into the Child Abuse and Neglect Report line and not accepted for investigation by the Institutional Abuse Unit (IAU). The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received the complaint on April 9, 2024, and accepted it for investigation regarding improper discipline. An investigation was conducted on April 12, 2024. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for improper discipline based on staff interviews conducted. All staff members interviewed stated they have not witnessed any improper discipline nor used improper discipline on any children in care.

On August 4, 2023, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding allegations of improper staff-to-child ratios, mixing preschool and school-age children in the same classroom, not meeting CACFP requirements by not providing all required food components, not providing alternative milk options to children with allergies, and improper use of screen time. An unannounced visit was conducted on August 14, 2023, to investigate this complaint. There is no evidence to substantiate the complaint because during the investigation, correct staff-to-child ratios were maintained and the attendance records from the previous week documented the same. It was also observed in person and through documentation that the preschool children were not combined or sharing a classroom with the school-age children. It was observed that a current menu was posted, and food items listed on the menu were present in the kitchen. The children interviewed also confirmed that all required food components were offered during the meals. The Administrator confirmed there are no children currently enrolled with a lactose allergy. All children interviewed stated they did not watch television at school and were not allowed to bring or use personal technology in the classrooms.

On March 1, 2023, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding the center s open-door policy. An unannounced visit was conducted on March 10, 2023, to investigate the complaint. There is no evidence to substantiate the complaint because there was not a sign on the front door stating parents were not allowed in the classroom, the staff interviewed stated the parents are allowed in the classroom, and the licensing specialists observed parents dropping children off and taking the children directly to the classroom as part of the normal routine.

Clean the ventilation fan covers in the small steps classroom. Send pictures when completed.

Correction status: Completed · corrected March 13, 2023 · how corrected: Document · correction was due April 10, 2023

Replace the playground gate latches to ensure they are self-latching closures.

Correction status: Completed · corrected April 27, 2023 · how corrected: Document · correction was due April 10, 2023

The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint on February 9, 2023, regarding concerns about not permitting early intervention services to children in the center. An investigation was conducted on February 13, 2023. This complaint is substantiated for not permitting qualified professionals to complete observations or assessments of a child while at the center. A notice was sent to parents on February 13, 2023, stating the center would no longer allow therapists to provide services in the facility, and services must be conducted at the child s home.

The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint on February 14, 2023, regarding concerns about injuries and the reporting of injuries to families, a therapist being denied access to the building, and mixed-age groups. An investigation was conducted on February 22, 2023. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation of the center not completing accident or injury reports. The center provided copies of accident/injury reports from this classroom, as well as documentation of body checks conducted twice a day. When asked, the Reporter did not provide additional documentation of injury reports or pictures of injuries and bruising. There is no evidence to substantiate the complaint for improper mixing of age groups as center staff reported the preschool and pre-kindergarten groups combine daily between 6:30 AM and 7:30 AM. The infant and toddler groups go directly to their classrooms upon arrival at the center. The allegation of a therapist being denied access to the building was addressed in a separate investigation which was conducted on February 13, 2023.

On October 28, 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 October 29, 2022, and accepted it for investigation regarding an allegation of improper discipline. An investigation was conducted on November 7, 2022. This complaint is substantiated for improper discipline because multiple children and Staff #4 described a method of time-out which involves holding their hands above their head or extending their arms horizontally, which is inappropriate. An additional concern noted was the designated administrator was not present during the visit, nor was she present at previous visits on September 21, 2022, and March 29, 2022. Time cards submitted do not specify the administrator s physical presence at each center for which she is the designated administrator. Also, Staff #2 and Staff #3 identified themselves to LS Brady and LS Hackett as administrators, even though neither is qualified as an early childhood administrator nor are they the designated administrator.

The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint on September 8, 2022, alleging the center did not follow its termination policy, the center does not have sufficient staff to fulfill direct child care functions, and lack of supervision. An investigation was conducted on September 21, 2022. The complaint is substantiated for lack of supervision because a staff member admitted she was unaware a child had left the classroom until another staff member brought the child back to the classroom. The complaint is substantiated for insufficient staff because attendance records show Staff #1, who is unqualified, was left alone with children the week of September 19, 2022, through September 23, 2022. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation the center did not follow its termination policy because the parent handbook states the center reserves the right to terminate a child s care at any time for any uncontrollable behavior from either the child or parent/guardian or other family members. Additional concerns noted were staff did not allow LS Brady immediate access when she attempted to re-enter the center after going to her vehicle to contact OCCL, and LS Brady could not review a staff member s file to determine if he had the necessary training in the center s day-to-day operations. Additionally, proper staff-to-child ratios were not being followed on September 21, 2022, when an unqualified staff member was alone with children in a classroom.

On March 24, 2022, a complaint was called into OCCL regarding improper discipline and lack of supervision. An investigation was conducted on March 29, 2022. This complaint is substantiated for lack of supervision because multiple children confirmed that Staff #1 sleeps while caring for children and Staff #1 failed to intervene when children were fighting during the specialists visit. This complaint is substantiated for improper discipline because the Reporter and a child confirmed that Staff #1 yells at children. An additional concern noted was improper staff-to-child ratio because Staff #1 left 15 preschool-age children alone unattended while taking a group of children to the bathroom during the specialists visit and when Staff #1 returned to the classroom there were 18 children present with only Staff #1.