Children Of America-Hockessin

“On October 9, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding lack of supervision, failing to notify parents of a head injury immediately, and failing to provide an injury report. An investigation was conducted on October 14, 2025. This complaint is substantiated for failing to notify parents of a head injury immediately. Parent #1 was not notified of a head injury immediately as required. After investigating, there is additional concern for not providing accurate information on the incident report provided to the parent and administration. The information on the written incident report did not match Staff #1 s statement to the administration or to LS #1. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for lack of supervision. Based on interviews conducted, adequate supervision was maintained at the time of the incidents.”

“Ensure staff files are complete. CPR/FA are needed for staff #1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, and 13. OCCL Health and Safety training is needed for staff #6 and 11. Drug and Alcohol statement is needed for staff #5. Service letters and references are needed for staff #1, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, and 13.”

“Ensure child files are complete. Health appraisal needed for child #8, 10. Immunization record needed for child #10. Blood lead results need for child #3, 5, 8, and 10. Parents right to know and screen time permission needed for child #6.”

“School age bathroom sink is reading 137' degrees and should be reading no higher than 120' degrees.”

“Ensure bathrooms have working ventilation. The school age bathroom is not running effectively and cuts on and off.”

“First aid kit needs bandage tape, gauze pads.”

“Parents Right To Know must be available for visitors and signed.”

“Transportation First Aid kit is missing emergency water.”

“On February 28, 2024, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding improper discipline, failure to report suspected abuse to the Child Abuse and Neglect Report Line, incorrect staff-to-child ratio, and procedures for handling complaints by a parent/guardian. An unannounced visit was conducted on March 5, 2024. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation of improper discipline and failure to report suspected abuse. Upon review of the video footage sent to OCCL on February 28, 2024, it did not appear improper discipline was being used. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation of procedures for handling complaints by a parent/guardian. After reviewing Children of America s parent handbook regarding handling complaints, it was determined the proper procedures were followed. While investigating a different complaint on March 5, 2024, an allegation of staff-to-child ratio was investigated. That complaint was substantiated for improper staff-to-child ratio because the center could not provide attendance records. This non-compliance was cited in the previous complaint report.”

“On February 28, 2024, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding not following health exclusion requirements and not following policies when handling a child illness. An unannounced visit was conducted on March 5, 2024. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation for non-compliance with health exclusion requirements. Child #1 was not within the health exclusions for OCCL regulations and was able to remain at the center. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation for not following policies when handling a child illness. After reviewing COA s handbook regarding child illnesses, the proper procedures were followed. Concerns observed while conducting the investigation are the lack of attendance records and the use of personal cell phones in the classroom. Upon asking for attendance records for each classroom, the attendance records were not available. [name withheld] stated staff have used their cell phones in the classroom for personal use while caring for children.”

“The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received multiple complaints between January 22, 2024, and January 23, 2024, regarding incorrect staff-to-child ratios, unqualified staff alone with children, sanitation concerns, and telephones not working. An investigation was conducted on January 26, 2024. The complaint is substantiated for incorrect staff-to-child ratios due to multiple staff members stating they were in classrooms with incorrect staff-to-child ratio on multiple occasions. The complaint is substantiated for unqualified staff alone with children because two staff members stated there was a staff member alone with children who is not currently qualified through DEEDS. The complaint is substantiated for sanitation concerns due to a trash bag being observed in the hallway for at least 90 minutes that was not stored securely in a non-combustible or covered container. The complaint is substantiated for not notifying OCCL the telephones were not working because multiple staff members stated the phones had not been working for a week or longer. An additional concern noted was child and staff attendance records were incomplete and did not document exact arrival and departure times or note the location of children and staff at all times.”

“The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint on November 30, 2023, regarding unqualified staff alone with children and staff using cell phones while caring for children. An investigation was conducted on December 7, 2023. Based on staff interviews and documentation received, this complaint is substantiated for leaving unqualified staff alone with children. Based on staff interviews, there is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for staff using cell phones while caring for children because all staff stated cell phone use is strictly for communication with parents and updating their daily reports in their application. An additional concern noted at the visit was the licensee failed to notify OCCL within five business days of the resignation, termination, transfer, or hiring of an early childhood administrator.”

“Ensure staff files are complete. Staff #1 needs Orientation/References/Declaration/Drug Alcohol statement/Adult Abuse/Health Appraisal wTB/Release of Employment/Service Letters. Staff #2 needs OCCL H&S training. Staff #3 needs Annual Safe Sleep/Annual Review of Abuse & Neglect/OCCL H&S training/Updated Fingerprints. Staff #4 needs OCCL H & S training / updated fingerprints. Staff #5 needs OCCL H & S training. Staff #6 needs CPR/Med Admin/Orientation/OCCL H & S training/Declaration/Drug & Alcohol statement/Adult Abuse registry/ Health Appraisal/Release of Employment/Service letters. Staff #7 needs Orientation/App. Resume or Personal data/Job Description/References/Declaration/Drug & Alcohol statement /Adult Abuse registry/Health Appraisal w/TB. Staff #8 needs CPR/MEd. Admin/Training Hours/H&S training/PD Plan/Annual Review Safe Sleep/Annual Review of Abuse & Neglect/OCCL H&S training/Job Description/References/AdultAbuse/Health Appraisal w/TB. Staff #9 needs OCCL H & S training/Updated Fingerprints. Staff #10 needs OCCL H & S training. Staff #11 needs current CPR/OCCL H & S training/Updated fingerprints. Staff #12 needs all file items. Staff #13 needs all file items. END DATE OF 8/26/23. Staff #14 needs DOH/Med Admin/Orientation/OCCL H & S training/Job Description/Declaration/Drug & Alcohol statement/Adult Abuse registry.”

“Ensure child files are complete. Child #9 needs transportation and arrangements with parents signed. Child #10 needs signed screentime and mat permission signed.”

“Ensure all floors, walls, counter surfaces, toilets are cleanable and in good repair. Toddler room neds the hole in the wall fixed. Also, the carpet needs to be vacuumed and the floors need to be mopped. The torn books and broken toys need to be replaced. Two's Room needs to have the trashcan cleaned. Shelves need tape residue cleaned or replaced. Infant's room needs the refrigerator and freezer needs to be cleaned.”

“Ensure all staff files are completed. Staff #2 needs an orientation, a job description, and 2 references. PDP plans with goals for staff # 2,3,4,6. Annual review of sleep safe for staff # 2,3,4,6,7,8. Annual review of abuse and neglect for staff # 2,3,4,5,8.”

“Ensure all child files are complete. Child #5 needs a current health appraisal including lead lab results. Child # 7, 9, and 11 need lead lab test results. Child # 10 needs an emergency card. Child #11 needs the parent right to know the signature, screen time permission, and transportation permissions. Child #8 needs the parent right to know the signature, screen time permission, and transportation form.”

“Ensure all hazardous materials are stored in a locked cabinet. Remove or lock chemicals in the Two's bathroom.”

“Ensure all areas are cleaned and in safe conditions. All classrooms need floors mopped, and tables cleaned. Ensure center water temperature is below 120 degrees. Classroom Infant B read 125.6 and Toddler B read 123.6. Ensure all trash cans are covered in bathrooms and food. Two's need two trash cans with lids and Preschool II needs two classroom trash cans with lids.”

“Ensure the kitchen has a working thermometer in the freezer.”

“Ensure Pre-School II has working bathroom ventilation.”

“Ensure the playground is free from weeds and debris.”

“Ensure equipment used in the classroom are cleaned and disinfected. All classrooms need to wiped down.”

“Ensure a diaper pail is within arm's length of the changing table in the Two's and Infant B.”

“Ensure a written record of medication administered to children is recorded on the medication administration record (MAR) form including any over-the-counter medication, lotion for diaper cream, bug spray, and sunscreen. Children 1 through 16 need a signed MAR form for any over-the-counter medication.”

“Infant feeding schedules must be updated monthly and as needed. Ensure all infants in care have a signed infant feeding schedule with monthly parent signatures. Child # 12, 13,14,15, and 16 need monthly feeding schedules signed by their parents monthly.”

“Ensure all classrooms have current lesson plans hanging up. Two's and School Age room need lesson plans.”

“Ensure the two's classrooms has a posted daily schedule.”

“Ensure to submit renewal application at least 60 days prior to the license expiration date.”

“On January 11, 2022, OCCL received a complaint regarding failing to notify a parent of an accident/injury and not completing an injury report. An investigation began on January 12, 2022, and concluded on January 13, 2022. This complaint is substantiated for failure to notify the parent immediately of an injury to a child s eye. A staff member stated she failed to provide notification as well as the injury report.”