Find a program / Delaware / Bear / RED LION EARLY EDUCATION CENTER
Child care center · Bear, DE
RED LION EARLY EDUCATION CENTER
A licensed child care center in Bear, Delaware, with its state inspection and complaint history from the Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL).
Program details
Program type: Licensed child care center
Address: 1390 RED LION RD, Bear, DE 19701
Phone: (302) 834-5020
Ages served: 6 weeks through 5 years.
Age group: Infant through Pre-School
Licensed capacity: 166 children
OCCL license number: 1597566
Current enforcement action (as published): none listed in the state's file
Special conditions (as published): Variance
Injuries reported to the state (as published): the state's file lists injuries in the last 5 years that needed medical or dental treatment. 2026: 1 facility injury. No facility deaths reported.
View the official record on Delaware's child care search (search for the program's name).
Inspection history
Last 3 years (November 12, 2023 to November 12, 2026, when the state's files were last updated)
- 4 visits where violations were cited (the state's file doesn't list visits where nothing was cited)
- 44 violations cited on these visits
- 10 complaint investigations completed (Substantiated: 5; No Evidence to Substantiate: 3; No Evidence to Substantiate with Concern: 2)
A violation means a licensing specialist found that a Delaware licensing rule wasn't met. The state gives the program a date to correct each one and records when it was corrected. Complaint results use the state's own terms, as published. Read the official record for details.
Visits with violations
All 4 visits with violations in the state's file (which starts November 12, 2021), newest first, with 44 violations in all. The state's file lists only visits where a rule was cited, so visits where nothing was cited are not shown. Each violation shows the state's short title for the rule, its regulation code, the date the state set for the fix and the correction status as published.
September 9, 2026 · Unannounced Full Compliance Review · 5 violations
Personnel Files
Regulation code 30U · Correct by October 9, 2026 · Correction status: Completed, October 9, 2026 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure staff files are complete. Staff #1 needs 4 hours of training Staff #2 needs 1 hour in health and safety training and PD plan. Staff #3 needs 9 hour of training including 1 hour in health and safety, annual review of sleep safe and abuse & neglect. Staff #4 needs 18 training hours including 2 in health and safety, and PD plan. Staff #5 needs 18 training hours including 2 in health and safety, and PD plan. Staff #6 needs 4 references and a service letter, Staff #7 needs the OCCL 7-hour health and safety training and service letter. Staff # 8 and #9 need health appraisal. Staff #10 needs Updated CPR and first aid Staff #11 needs 2 references Send documentation to OCCL by October 9, 2026.
Child Files
Regulation code 40U · Correct by October 9, 2026 · Correction status: Completed, October 9, 2026 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Updated health appraisal is needed for Child #1 and #2. Immunization records and blood lead results are needed for Child #3. Developmental plans are needed for Child #3, #4, #5, #8, #9. Child #9 needs 2 emergency contact people/numbers. Send documentation to OCCL by October 9, 2026.
Kitchen and Food Preparation
Regulation code 50U · Correct by October 9, 2026 · Correction status: Completed, October 9, 2026 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure refrigerator and freezer have working thermometers. Tod B and Infant room #7 need new thermometers. Send picture of thermometers to OCCL by October 9, 2026.
Diapering and Soiled Clothing
Regulation code 61U · Correct by October 9, 2026 · Correction status: Completed, September 24, 2026 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure Diaper changing is located within 5 feet of a hand-washing sink. This sink must be cleaned with soap and water and disinfected before use of food preparation. Send picture of changing table within 5 feet of hand-washing sink by October 9, 2026.
First Aid Kits
Regulation code 65U · Correct by October 9, 2026 · Correction status: Completed, October 9, 2026 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure first aid kit is complete. Eye patch was missing, Send pic of eye patch to OCCL by October 9, 2026
September 18, 2025 · Unannounced Full Compliance Review · 11 violations
Insurance Coverage
Regulation code 16U · Correct by October 10, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, September 22, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure insurance documentation is current. -Send updated insurance to OCCL.
Positive Behavior Management
Regulation code 20U · Correct by September 18, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, September 18, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure the positive behavior policy is posted. -Corrected at visit.
Personnel Files
Regulation code 30U · Correct by October 10, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, October 9, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure staff files are complete. Send OCCL the missing items. Orientation for Staff #2, #3, #4, #5, #10, and #11. OCCL Health and Safety training for Staff #3, #4, and #11. References for Staff #2, #3, and #12. Adult abuse check for Staff #2, #3, #5, and #11. Review of abuse and neglect for Staff #6. Review of sleep safety for Staff #6. Adult health appraisal with TB for Staff #10. Service letters for Staff #10 and #11. Release of Employment for Staff #11.
Staff Attendance
Regulation code 36U · Correct by September 18, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, November 14, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure staff members are signing into the classroom upon arrival. Two staff members were not signed in the two-year-old classroom. -Corrected at visit.
Parents Right to Know
Regulation code 38U · Correct by October 10, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, October 9, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure the parent's right-to-know log is current and complete.
Child Files
Regulation code 40U · Correct by October 10, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, October 27, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure children's files are complete. Health appraisal for Child #2, #4, and #5. Immunizations for Child #2. Blood Lead screening results for Child #2, #4, and #5. Developmental plans for Child #1 to Child #15.
Indoor Space
Regulation code 49U · Correct by October 10, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, September 22, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
The state's notes for this violation may name a person, so we don't show them here. They're in the state's published file (see Sources).
Diapering and Soiled Clothing
Regulation code 61U · Correct by September 18, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, September 18, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure a foot-activated trash can is in the diaper changing area. -No foot-activated trash can in the two's diaper area.- Corrected at visit.
Emergency Planning
Regulation code 66U · Correct by September 30, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, October 1, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure monthly fire drills are conducted. Send September's fire drill log to OCCL.
Feeding of Infants
Regulation code 72U · Correct by October 10, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, October 1, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure infant feeding schedules are completed and updated monthly.
License Renewal
Regulation code 8U · Correct by September 30, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, September 22, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure the application is completed and submitted.
March 10, 2025 · Unannounced Full Compliance Review · 15 violations
Staff Qualifications
Regulation code 24U · Correct by April 4, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, May 20, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
DEEDs certifications are needed for 15 staff members. A licensee shall ensure sufficient qualified staff are hired and retained to meet the requirements of the regulations. During this visit, three classrooms had no staff present with DEEDS Early Learning qualifications, and three additional rooms had only one qualified staff member present. Submit a plan indicating a schedule ensuring all classrooms have at least one qualified person in each room. Submit a plan indicating how the remaining staff members will acquire a DEEDs certificate. Plans are due to OCCL by April 4, 2025.
General Qualifications
Regulation code 28U · Correct by April 4, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, April 3, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Documentation of eligibility is needed for one staff member.
Personnel Files
Regulation code 30U · Correct by April 4, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, May 20, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Submit the following to complete staff files: OCCL 7 hour H&S training for 7 staff members; Service letters for 6 staff members; health appraisal w/ TB for 2 staff members; a health appraisal only for 1 staff member; CPR/FA certification for 2 staff members; date of hire for 1 staff member.
Staff Attendance
Regulation code 36U · Correct by April 4, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, April 4, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure all staff are signed in and out with each arrival and departure. Send one week's attendance to OCCL.
Child Files
Regulation code 40U · Correct by April 4, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, May 20, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Submit the following to complete children's files: date of enrollment for 4 children; hours of attendance for 6 children, health appraisals with immunizations for 6 children, blood lead test results for 7 children, transportation permission for 2 children, medication permission for 1 child, developmental plans for all 12 children.
Children's Attendance
Regulation code 43U · Correct by April 4, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, April 3, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure all children are signed in and out with each arrival and departure. Send one week's attendance to OCCL.
Hazardous Materials
Regulation code 45U · Correct by April 4, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, April 4, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure all cabinets containing chemicals are locked or emptied of hazardous materials. (room #3)
Indoor Space
Regulation code 49U · Correct by April 4, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, April 4, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure all outlets are covered at all times. (room 4 and power strip in the infant room.) Remove all air fresheners/sprays/plug-ins from the center. (second citation)
Toilet Facilities
Regulation code 51U · Correct by April 4, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, March 27, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Repair ventilation fan cover in bathroom in room #11.
Outdoor Area
Regulation code 53U · Correct by April 4, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, April 4, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Remove all trampolines from indoor and outdoor spaces.
Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments
Regulation code 56U · Correct by April 4, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, April 11, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Label all sleep mats in room #3.
Equipment
Regulation code 57U · Correct by April 4, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, April 4, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure an adequate supply of materials in the toddler 1 room. (second citation) Send photo to OCCL.
Emergency Planning
Regulation code 66U · Correct by April 4, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, April 4, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Conduct and record monthly fire drills (This was corrected during the visit.) Ensure at all times the availability of an adequate amount of emergency food and water for all children and staff for 24 hours. (second citation)
Feeding of Infants
Regulation code 72U · Correct by April 4, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, March 10, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
All children must be held or placed in a feeding chair when drinking bottles. This was corrected during the visit.
Lesson Plans
Regulation code 74U · Correct by April 4, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, April 17, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure all lesson plans contain all required elements. Add social-emotional for room #7, a complete lesson plan for room #8, and healthy habits for room #9.
January 21, 2025 · 60-Day Visit · 13 violations
Staffing
Regulation code 26U · Correct by February 21, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, March 10, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Provide documentation of the administrator's presence in the center for a minimum of 50% of the hours of operation.
Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision
Regulation code 27U · Correct by February 21, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, March 10, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure the presence of qualified staff in each classroom. Provide documentation of DEEDs certificates or change the staffing patterns.
Personnel Files
Regulation code 30U · Correct by February 21, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, March 10, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Submit documentation of the following to complete staff files: Orientation for 12 staff members; OCCL Health & safety training for 10 staff; application for 11 staff; job descriptions for 12 staff; references for 21 staff; declaration/drug & alcohol statements for 11 staff; adult abuse check for 12 staff; health appraisals w/TB for 22 staff; fingerprint receipts for 9 staff; eligibility for 12 staff; release of employment for 15 staff; service letters for 12 staff; CPR/FA certification for 4 staff.
Child Files
Regulation code 40U · Correct by February 21, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, March 10, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Submit the following to complete children's files: health appraisals w/immunizations for 2 children; blood lead screening results for 2 children.
Indoor Space
Regulation code 49U · Correct by February 21, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, March 10, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Remove all air fresheners and similar products from all classrooms; ensure each classroom has a covered trash can.
Kitchen and Food Preparation
Regulation code 50U · Correct by February 21, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, March 10, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure the presence of a thermometer in the infant room freezer and refrigerator and the readings are 0 and 41 degrees F, respectively.
Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments
Regulation code 56U · Correct by February 21, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, March 10, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Provide documentation of rest equipment labeled and not touching.
Equipment
Regulation code 57U · Correct by February 21, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, March 10, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure each classroom has accessible and sufficient amounts of materials. Send photos to OCCL.
Sanitation
Regulation code 58U · Correct by February 21, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, March 10, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
The state's notes for this violation may name a person, so we don't show them here. They're in the state's published file (see Sources).
Diapering and Soiled Clothing
Regulation code 61U · Correct by February 21, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, March 10, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Send documentation of posted diaper changing procedures and use of disposable paper in all diapering classrooms; ensure children and staff and washing hands after each diaper change/bathroom use.
Emergency Planning
Regulation code 66U · Correct by February 21, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, May 30, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Provide documetation of an adquate supply of emergency food and water for a 24 hour period for all staff and children.
Feeding of Infants
Regulation code 72U · Correct by February 21, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, March 10, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure all infants have signed monthly infant feeding schedules.
Lesson Plans
Regulation code 74U · Correct by February 21, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, March 10, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Provide documentation of posted weekly lesson plans containing all elements for all classrooms. Send one week's worth to OCCL.
Complaint investigations
All 10 complaint investigations in the state's file (which starts November 29, 2021), newest first, with the result and the state's summary as published.
Completed October 28, 2026 · Result: No Evidence to Substantiate
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
On October 2, 2026, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding allegations of improper behavior support and failing to follow a procedure to notify parents of important information regarding their child. An investigation began on October 7, 2026, and concluded on October 12, 2026. Based on interviews conducted and documentation reviewed there is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for improper behavior supports or for failing to follow a procedure to notify parents of important information regarding their child because staff interviewed stated no such incident occurred and no staff member has been terminated from employment.
Completed October 13, 2026 · Result: No Evidence to Substantiate
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary of this complaint may name a person, so we don't show it here. It's in the state's published file (see Sources).
Completed September 26, 2025 · Result: Substantiated
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint on September 17, 2025, regarding concerns of staff qualifications, proper background check completion, use of proper security measures, and the facility not conducting evacuation drills as required. An investigation was conducted on September 23, 2025. This complaint is substantiated for concerns of staff qualifications based on review of attendance records. Attendance records reviewed reflected one staff member with no DEEDS Early Learning qualification signed in alone with children for one hour during nap time on four different occasions. This complaint is substantiated for not having comprehensive background checks completed prior to start of employment based on staff files reviewed and a walkthrough of the facility. Staff #2 did not have a complete comprehensive background check prior to starting their employment. This complaint is substantiated for not properly conducting monthly evacuation drills based on review of monthly evacuation drill logs. Monthly drills were not being completed or documented; this was observed during an annual compliance review a week prior to this visit and cited as non-compliant at that time. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for improper security measures based on the facility visit. All adults are required to ring a buzzer to get access to the building, and if they are unknown to administrative staff their identification is checked.
Completed May 30, 2025 · Result: Substantiated
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
On May 16, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received two complaints regarding concerns of lack of supervision and Administrator #1 not being present 50% of the hours of operation. An investigation was conducted on May 22, 2025. This complaint is substantiated for Administrator #1 not being present 50 % of the hours of operations based on the interview with Administrator #1, who stated they do not track their hours when present at the facility. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for concerns of lack of supervision based on staff interviews and classroom observations. All staff interviewed stated classrooms are with staff-to-child ratios at all times and children are supervised at all times.
Completed May 28, 2025 · Result: No Evidence to Substantiate with Concern
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
On May 14, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding concerns of not following a schedule and/or lesson plans, not following behavior policies, and staff-to-child ratios during lunch and nap time. An investigation was conducted on May 22, 2025. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for concerns of not following a schedule and/or lesson plans based on staff interviews and classroom observations. All staff interviewed stated they follow the posted classroom schedule and posted lesson plans. LS #1 observed all classrooms following posted schedules and lesson plans. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for not following the behavior policies based on staff interviews. All staff interviewed stated they follow behavior policies for all incidents/accidents by documenting the behaviors and notifying families. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for staff-to-child ratios during lunch and nap time based on staff interviews and attendance records. All staff interviewed stated the classrooms follow the staff-to-child ratio during nap time and lunch breaks. Attendance records observed showed the appropriate number of staff members covering lunch breaks. An additional concern noted was attendance records showed staff members not signing out of the classrooms when leaving the classrooms at the end of the day on multiple occasions.
Completed May 19, 2025 · Result: No Evidence to Substantiate with Concern
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
On April 28, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding concerns of not following procedures for child accident/injuries, not having accessible child files with parent contact information for staff, and improper staff-to-child ratios. An investigation was conducted on May 7, 2025. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for concerns of not following procedures for child accidents/injuries based on interviews conducted. Staff members interviewed stated they complete child accident/injury reports and notify parents of all incidents/accidents, and did not recall any recent child injuries. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for not having accessible child files with parent contact information for staff, based on staff interviews and observation of classroom binders with children's emergency contact information. Staff interviewed stated they have access to a binder with all the children's emergency contact information. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for improper staff-to-child ratios based on staff interviews and classroom observations. All classrooms were observed within the correct staff-to-child ratio. A concern noted at the visit was five staff members with no DEEDS Early Learning qualification were alone with children in three classrooms. An additional concern noted at the visit was one staff member working with children who did not have a complete comprehensive background check.
Completed May 6, 2025 · Result: Substantiated
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
On April 24, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding lack of supervision. An investigation was conducted on April 28, 2025. This complaint is substantiated for lack of supervision because Child #1 left the room without adult accompaniment or supervision, and Staff #1 was unaware Child #1 had left the room. Administrator #1 stated Child #1 was able to leave the classroom undetected and reached the front door. The child was returned to the classroom a few minutes later by Staff #2. New safety protocols were implemented and documented by Administrator #1 and provided to LS #1.
Completed April 21, 2025 · Result: Substantiated
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
On March 26, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding improper staff-to-child ratios and exceeding maximum group size. An investigation was conducted on April 3, 2025. This complaint is substantiated for improper staff-to-child ratios because attendance records indicated that during the week of March 24, 2025, through March 28, 2025, and the week of March 31, 2025, to April 2, 2025, the aftercare preschool rooms had between 11 and 19 children present, and there were no staff attendance records available. A weekly staffing schedule showed seven staff, and that schedule indicated there were not always sufficient staff available to maintain staff-to-child ratios with the number of children signed in. An additional concern noted was only one of seven staff members listed as working at the aftercare program has a comprehensive background check or a DEEDS Early Learning qualification. Two of these seven staff are minors, and the other four staff listed should not be present with children without the comprehensive background check. Another concern was only one of these staff members also had a personnel file available at the center. An additional concern noted during this visit was the lack of an organized system of business management, as Administrator #1, the named contact for the licensed program, was unaware of staff names, enrollment information. This was discussed at the visit.
Completed March 20, 2025 · Result: Substantiated
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary of this complaint may name a person, so we don't show it here. It's in the state's published file (see Sources).
Completed March 3, 2025 · Result: No Evidence to Substantiate
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary of this complaint may name a person, so we don't show it here. It's in the state's published file (see Sources).
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Sources
- Licensed Child Care Providers and Facilities: program details, enforcement action and injuries report.
- Child Care Licensing Compliance Review Information: visits, violations, corrections and specialist notes.
- Child Care Licensing Complaint Reviews: complaint investigations, results and summaries.
All three are published by the Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing on data.delaware.gov as Public Domain and cover about the last five years. State files updated November 12, 2026. We show the state's text as published. Program details last checked October 21, 2026.