Shell'S Early Learning Center-Harrington

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“Ensure child files are complete. One child needs blood lead screening results.”

“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.”

“Ensure each toilet facility has liquid soap. The bathroom in the three-year-old classroom needs soap.”

“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.”

“Ensure all rest equipment is labeled. Several nap mats in the three-year-old classroom were not numbered (labeled).”

“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.”

“Post an emergency evacuation route in the three-year-old classroom.”

“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.”

“Ensure staff files are complete. One staff needs an adult health appraisal with TB screening.”

“Ensure child files are complete. Five children need MARs on file. One child needs a development plan.”

“Ensure renewal application is submitted to OCCL at least 60 days prior to license expiration.”

“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.”

“Ensure child files are complete. One child needs blood lead level results.”

“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.”

“Remove hazards from the outdoor play area. An electrical cord was observed stretched across the outdoor play area.”

“Replace the ripped nap mats in the three-year-old classroom and Pre-K classroom.”

“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.”

“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.”

“Ensure the renewal application is submitted at least 60 days prior to the license expiration.”

“Submit the current general liability insurance.”

“Ensure staff files are complete. Three staff members need CPR and first aid certifications. One staff member needs administration of medication training/certification. One staff member needs a professional development plan. Two staff members need annual review of safe sleep. One staff member needs orientation. One staff member needs two references. Four staff members need an adult health appraisal with TB assessment. Four staff members need service letters.”

“Ensure child files are complete. Two children need Parents Right to Know permission. One child needs a health appraisal with blood lead screening results. One child needs a health appraisal with immunization record. Two children need a development plan.”

“Purchase a covered trash can for the bathroom in the two and three-year-old classroom.”

“Replenish the pea gravel so there is nine inches of pea gravel under all the fall zone areas.”

“Replace all ripped nap mats in the two-year-old classroom and preschool classroom.”

“Purchase a non-porous surface for the diaper-changing area in the one-year-old classroom. Ensure disposable covers are used for every diaper change. The infant classroom and one-year-old classroom was out of covers and had been changing diapers without a cover. This was corrected when disposable covers were located and placed in both classrooms.”

“Ensure the renewal application is submitted at least 60 days prior to the license expiration.”