Find a program / Delaware / Delmar / LIL' RED HEN NURSERY SCHOOL, INC.
Child care center · Delmar, DE
LIL' RED HEN NURSERY SCHOOL, INC.
A licensed child care center in Delmar, 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: 400 NORTH BI STATE BOULEVARD, Delmar, DE 19940
Phone: (302) 846-2777
Ages served: 6 weeks through 11 years.
Age group: Infant through School-Age
Licensed capacity: 217 children
OCCL license number: 335248
Current enforcement action (as published): none listed in the state's file
Injuries reported to the state (as published): the state's file lists injuries in the last 5 years that needed medical or dental treatment. 2025: 1 facility injury. No facility deaths reported. 2022: 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)
- 3 visits where violations were cited (the state's file doesn't list visits where nothing was cited)
- 10 violations cited on these visits
- 4 complaint investigations completed (No Evidence to Substantiate: 2; Substantiated: 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 6 visits with violations in the state's file (which starts November 12, 2021), newest first, with 20 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.
October 15, 2026 · Unannounced Full Compliance Review · 3 violations
Personnel Files
Regulation code 30U · Correct by November 10, 2026 · Correction status: Completed, October 28, 2026 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure staff files are complete. One staff needs updated fingerprinting. One staff need an additional reference letter. One staff needs orientation, application or resume, employee declaration, drug/ alcohol statement, letter of eligibility, adult abuse registry check, health appraisal with TB and release of employment.
Child Files
Regulation code 40U · Correct by November 10, 2026 · Correction status: Completed, October 28, 2026 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure child files are complete. Three children need blood lead level test results. Two children need updated infant feeding statements. One child needs updated health appraisal with immunizations.
Outdoor Area
Regulation code 53U · Correct by November 10, 2026 · Correction status: Completed, October 28, 2026 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure gates are self-closing/self-latching. Gate on front playground needs a self-closing/self-latching mechanism.
October 16, 2025 · Unannounced Full Compliance Review · 4 violations
Personnel Files
Regulation code 30U · Correct by November 7, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, October 22, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure staff files are complete. One staff needs a release of employment history and service letters. One staff needs two additional reference letters.
Child Files
Regulation code 40U · Correct by November 7, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, November 7, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure child files are complete. Two children need updated health appraisals. Three children need updated immunizations. Three children need blood lead level test results. Three children need updated infant feeding statement.
Outdoor Area
Regulation code 53U · Correct by November 7, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, October 28, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure fall zones extend six feet in all directions and is at least 9 inches in depth. Mulch around fall zones on all playgrounds needs to be replenished.
Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments
Regulation code 56U · Correct by November 7, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, October 22, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure nap equipment is non-porous and easy to clean. Several mats in the preschool area were ripped.
October 3, 2024 · Unannounced Full Compliance Review · 3 violations
Personnel Files
Regulation code 30U · Correct by October 25, 2024 · Correction status: Completed, October 22, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure staff files are complete. Staff #1 needs four references. Staff #2 needs an Adult Abuse registry check, release of employment, and two documented attempts at obtaining service letters. Staff #3 needs orientation, application or resume, job description, two or four references depending on service letters, employee declaration, drug and alcohol statement, adult abuse registry check, health appraisal with TB, release of employment history and service letters.
Child Files
Regulation code 40U · Correct by October 25, 2024 · Correction status: Completed, October 22, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure child files are complete. One child needs an updated immunization record or note from doctor, One child needs updated health appraisal and immunizations.
Outdoor Area
Regulation code 53U · Correct by October 25, 2024 · Correction status: Completed, October 17, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure fall zones are covered with at least 9 inches of material . All three playgrounds need mulch replenishing.
Older than 3 years (not counted in the summary above)
October 11, 2023 · Unannounced Full Compliance Review · 4 violations
Personnel Files
Regulation code 30U · Correct by October 31, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, October 19, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure staff files are complete. Four staff need a comprehensive background check conducted every five years. Two staff need follow up attempts to receive a service letter from prior employment.
Child Files
Regulation code 40U · Correct by October 31, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, October 19, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure child files are complete. One child needs a blood lead screening test result on file.
Kitchen and Food Preparation
Regulation code 50U · Correct by October 11, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, October 11, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure the washing of dishes is only in the kitchen where a two basin sink and dishwasher or sanitizing basin are available.
Equipment
Regulation code 57U · Correct by October 11, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, October 11, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure classrooms are equipped at the children's level science and music materials.
October 24, 2022 · Unannounced Full Compliance Review · 5 violations
Personnel Files
Regulation code 30U · Correct by November 14, 2022 · Correction status: Completed, November 14, 2022 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure staff files are complete. Staff #1 needs a health appraisal with TB results. Staff #3 needs CPR and First Aid and TB results.
Child Health Appraisal
Regulation code 41U · Correct by November 14, 2022 · Correction status: Completed, November 14, 2022 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure children have update health records on file. Child #3 needs updated heath appraisal with immunizations.
Documenting Children's Progress
Regulation code 42U · Correct by November 14, 2022 · Correction status: Completed, November 14, 2022 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure children's progress is being evaluated and documented. Child #5, 7, and 10 need developmental plans.
Administration of Medication
Regulation code 63U · Correct by October 24, 2022 · Correction status: Completed, October 24, 2022 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
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).
Activity Schedule
Regulation code 76U · Correct by October 24, 2022 · Correction status: Completed, October 24, 2022 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure lesson plans are completed and posted. SA classroom did not hav a lesson plan, this was corrected when the lesson plan was posted in the SA classroom.
June 10, 2022 · Unannounced · 1 violation
Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision
Regulation code 27U · Correct by June 17, 2022 · Correction status: Completed, June 16, 2022 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
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).
Complaint investigations
All 7 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 November 5, 2025 · Result: No Evidence to Substantiate
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint on October 6, 2025, regarding lack of positive behavioral support. An investigation was conducted on October 16, 2025. There is no evidence to substantiate for lack of positive behavior support because staff stated they redirected the children and discussed the situation calmly with them. Classroom video footage of the incident was no longer available to be viewed.
Completed May 5, 2025 · Result: Substantiated
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
OCCL's investigation of regulatory non-compliance began after clearance from other agencies was received. The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding improper discipline. An investigation was conducted on April 17, 2025. This complaint is substantiated for improper discipline because staff called a child a crybaby, a negative term. Also, one child stated the staff hit them on the back and stated they told other adults about this but did not provide further details. The staff denied any use of improper discipline. A concern noted while interviewing a staff member was they were unable to recall child abuse and neglect reporting laws. Another concern noted was when specialists arrived at the center, a staff member left the classroom with children unattended to greet the specialists.
Completed February 3, 2025 · Result: Substantiated
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
On January 10, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding improper discipline. An investigation was conducted on January 22, 2025. This complaint is substantiated for improper discipline because a staff member witnessed another staff member slap a child. This staff member's employment at the center was terminated.
Completed October 18, 2024 · Result: No Evidence to Substantiate
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
On September 27, 2024, the Office of Child Care Licensing received a complaint regarding proper handwashing, having children share food, sanitation, smoking, staff being under the influence, improper discipline, and not using respectful communication. An investigation was conducted on October 3, 2024. There is no evidence to substantiate lack of handwashing because children and staff were observed washing hands before eating lunch. There is no evidence to substantiate children sharing food because staff denied this and stated extra snacks are provided if a child is still hungry. There is no evidence to substantiate a lack of sanitation because the kitchen was clean and sanitary at the time of the visit. There is no evidence to substantiate smoking on the premises because staff stated no one smokes in the building and there was no obvious odor. There is no evidence to substantiate being under the influence of drugs because staff stated they have never witnessed anyone coming to work under the influence. There is no evidence to substantiate improper discipline because staff had not witnessed anyone being rough or hitting the children. There is no evidence to substantiate not using respectful communication because staff stated they had not witnessed owners being rude or disrespectful.
Older than 3 years (not counted in the summary above)
Completed February 15, 2023 · 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 February 3, 2023, regarding improper discipline and lack of supervision. An investigation was conducted on February 7, 2023. The complaint is substantiated for improper discipline because several staff disclosed observing Staff #2 being rough, and yelling at children, and the specialist observed video footage of Staff #2 handling children roughly. There is no evidence to substantiate the complaint for lack of supervision because all staff interviewed denied any knowledge of major or excessive incidents of children hurting other children. Staff stated any incidents were typical behaviors.
Completed February 14, 2023 · Result: No Evidence to Substantiate with Concern
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
On February 3, 2023, a complaint was accepted for investigation by the Institutional Abuse Unit (IA) and the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL). On February 6, 2023, IA informed OCCL the complaint will be closed as unsubstantiated. OCCL conducted an investigation regarding improper discipline on February 7, 2023. There is no evidence to substantiate the complaint for improper discipline because the documents provided by the pediatrician stated Child #1 had a rash due to diarrhea, and the center was able to provide documentation showing Child #1 came to the center with the rash and scratch on the nose. The video reviewed by this specialist did not show any improper discipline during diaper changes for Child #1. Additional concerns noted were during the review of video footage staff did not follow proper diapering procedures. The licensing specialist observed several staff not using disposable covers and not washing the children's hands after each diaper change. Additionally, staff were observed applying powder to a child, and did not have a Medication Administration Record on file.
Completed June 14, 2022 · 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).
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More programs in Delmar · Delaware child care rules
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.