Find a program / Delaware / Dover / THE LEARNING TREE CHILDREN'S ACADEMY
Child care center · Dover, DE
THE LEARNING TREE CHILDREN'S ACADEMY
A licensed child care center in Dover, 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: 403 WEST LOCKERMAN STREET, Dover, DE 19904
Phone: (302) 674-1234
Ages served: 6 weeks through 12 years.
Age group: Infant through School-Age
Licensed capacity: 40 children
OCCL license number: 817160
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. 2021: 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)
- 33 violations cited on these visits
- 3 complaint investigations completed (Substantiated: 2; No Evidence to Substantiate: 1)
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 8 visits with violations in the state's file (which starts November 12, 2021), newest first, with 48 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.
December 10, 2025 · Unannounced Full Compliance Review · 12 violations
Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision
Regulation code 27U · Correct by January 2, 2026 · Correction status: Completed, December 31, 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).
General Qualifications
Regulation code 28U · Correct by December 17, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, December 17, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure staff are fingerprinted and receive a comprehensive background check every five years. Complete fingerprinting for Staff #7.
Personnel Files
Regulation code 30U · Correct by January 9, 2026 · Correction status: Completed, January 9, 2026 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure staff files are complete. One staff needs an eligibility letter. Five staff need an updated PD plan, One staff needs CPR/FA, PD plan, two documented attempts to obtain service letters, and references. One staff person needs CPR/FA and signed PD plan. One staff needs references.
Child Files
Regulation code 40U · Correct by January 9, 2026 · Correction status: Completed, January 6, 2026 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure child files are complete. Four children need updated infant monthly feeding statements. Three children need a blood lead level test result. Two children need a health appraisal, immunizations, and blood lead level test result.
Children's Attendance
Regulation code 43U · Correct by December 10, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, December 10, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure each child's exact arrival and departure is documented. The arrival times for every child in the three-year-old classroom was not documented. This was corrected at the visit when the times were added.
Indoor Space
Regulation code 49U · Correct by January 9, 2026 · Correction status: Completed, January 6, 2026 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure walls are in good repair. Repair wall in the bathroom near the toilet. Ensure outlets are protected with safety covers. Add covers to exposed outlets in the older pre-k classroom. Ensure air fresheners are not used. An aerosol air freshener was observed in the three-year-old classroom. Remove air freshener.
Kitchen and Food Preparation
Regulation code 50U · Correct by January 9, 2026 · Correction status: Completed, January 6, 2026 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure a working thermometer is in the kitchen's freezer and refrigerator. Add a thermometer to the large freezer. Ensure refrigerators and freezers maintain an appropriate temperature. Adjust temperatures.
Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments
Regulation code 56U · Correct by January 9, 2026 · Correction status: Completed, December 31, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure rest equipment is labeled with the child's name, including infant cribs. Label cribs.
Diapering and Soiled Clothing
Regulation code 61U · Correct by January 9, 2026 · Correction status: Completed, January 6, 2026 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure diaper pails are lined and foot-activated. Add liners to the infant classroom and one and two-year old classroom. Utilize diaper pail in the infant room for all diapering. Ensure diaper-changing procedure is posted. Post procedure in the one and two-year-old classroom.
Emergency Planning
Regulation code 66U · Correct by January 9, 2026 · Correction status: Completed, December 31, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure at least one evacuation drill a year occurs during nap time. Conduct December's drill during nap.
Feeding of Infants
Regulation code 72U · Correct by January 9, 2026 · Correction status: Completed, December 31, 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).
License Renewal
Regulation code 8U · Correct by December 19, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, December 12, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure renewal application is submitted at least 60 days prior to license expiration. Submit application.
December 5, 2024 · Unannounced Full Compliance Review · 9 violations
Personnel Files
Regulation code 30U · Correct by January 3, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, January 13, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure staff files are complete. One staff needs a signed professional development plan and two references. One staff needs four references. One staff needs a signed professional development plan, to complete OCCL's Health and Safety Training for Child Care Professionals, one more attempt at obtaining a service letter, and two or four references depending on the service letter. Three staff need a signed professional development plan. One staff needs a staff orientation and adult health appraisal with TB screening. One staff needs to complete OCCL's Health and Safety Training for Child Care Professionals, and two references.
Staff Attendance
Regulation code 36U · Correct by December 5, 2024 · Correction status: Completed, December 5, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure staff are accurately signing in and out of the classrooms. This was corrected at the visit when a staff person corrected her time.
Child Files
Regulation code 40U · Correct by January 3, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, January 13, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure child files are complete. Two children need an updated monthly feeding statement. One child needs updated immunizations and blood lead level test result. One child needs a blood lead level test result. One child needs an updated health appraisal and blood lead level test result. One child needs hours and days of attending.
Children's Attendance
Regulation code 43U · Correct by December 5, 2024 · Correction status: Completed, December 5, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure each child's exact arrival and departure are documented. One child was not signed into the one and two-year-old classroom and one child was not signed out of the four and five-year-old classroom. This was corrected at the visit when the attendance was updated in each classroom.
Indoor Space
Regulation code 49U · Correct by January 3, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, January 2, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure air fresheners are not used in child care spaces. This Specialist observed an air freshener in the bathroom off the infant classroom.
Kitchen and Food Preparation
Regulation code 50U · Correct by January 3, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, January 2, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure the refrigerator in the kitchen reads 41 degrees F or below. Ensure the refrigerator in the infant room and the top freezer in the kitchen have a thermometer and maintain proper temperatures.
Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments
Regulation code 56U · Correct by January 3, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, January 2, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure rest equipment is free of rips and non-absorbent. This Specialist observed a nap mat with a large rip in the four and five-year-old classroom. Ensure cribs in the infant room are at least 18 inches apart and labeled with the child's name.
Diapering and Soiled Clothing
Regulation code 61U · Correct by January 3, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, January 2, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure diaper changing mats are non-absorbent. Replace mat in the one and two-year-old classroom.
Administration of Medication
Regulation code 63U · Correct by January 3, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, January 2, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure medications are stored securely with the child's name and includes a proper Medication Administration Record (MAR). This Specialist observed several bottles of baby lotion, baby oils, and baby powders in the cabinet in the infant room. None of the bottles were labeled with a child's name, nor was there an MAR for them. Dispose of bottles or label them with the correct child's name and obtain written parent consent on a completed MAR.
December 12, 2023 · Unannounced Full Compliance Review · 12 violations
Personnel Files
Regulation code 30U · Correct by December 29, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, January 17, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure staff files are complete. Staff #1 and Staff #2 need to complete OCCL's Health and Safety Training for Child Care Professionals. Staff #1 needs to complete staff orientation, two attempts at Service Letters, Health Appraisal with TB Screening, and one more reference is no Service Letters are received. Staff #3 needs two attempts at Service Letters and two or four references based on the reponse from the Service Letters. Staff #5 needs two attempts at Service Letters and one more reference if Service Letters are not returned.
Parents Right to Know
Regulation code 38U · Correct by December 29, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, January 4, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure any person touring the facility signs the Parents Right Know Log.
Child Files
Regulation code 40U · Correct by December 29, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, December 28, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure child files are complete. Child #4 and #8 need blood lead level test results.
Children's Attendance
Regulation code 43U · Correct by December 29, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, December 12, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure every child is signed into each classroom at the exact arrival time. This was corrected at the visit when staff signed the children in.
Indoor Space
Regulation code 49U · Correct by December 29, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, December 12, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Dispose of air fresheners in each classroom. This was corrected at the visit when all air fresheners were removed from the Center.
Outdoor Area
Regulation code 53U · Correct by December 29, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, December 28, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure all fall zones have at least 9 inches of mulch under them.
Sanitation
Regulation code 58U · Correct by December 29, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, December 28, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure soap and water is available. There was no soap and water available in the one and two-year-old classroom.
Administration of Medication
Regulation code 63U · Correct by December 29, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, December 28, 2023 · 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).
First Aid Kits
Regulation code 65U · Correct by December 29, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, December 12, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure the first aid kit has all required items available. Add an eye patch, pen, notepad or paper, plastic bag, and scissors to the first aid kit. This was corrected at the visit when these items were added.
Lesson Plans
Regulation code 74U · Correct by December 29, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, January 4, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure lesson plans include physical, cognitive, social-emotional, and language/literacy activities daily. Lesson plans for ages two years and older must also include weekly opportunities in food/healthy habits, science, music, and sensory. Ensure all lesson plans are posted.
Activity Areas
Regulation code 75U · Correct by December 29, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, December 28, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure activity areas include science and art materials that are accessible to children.
License Renewal
Regulation code 8U · Correct by December 12, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, December 8, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure renewal application is submitted at least 60 days prior to license expiration.
Older than 3 years (not counted in the summary above)
December 28, 2022 · Unannounced Full Compliance Review · 8 violations
Personnel Files
Regulation code 30U · Correct by January 11, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, January 17, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure staff files are complete. One staff member needs CPR and first aid certification. Two staff members need administration of medication training or certification. Two staff members need a signed professional development plan. Three staff members need complete orientation records. One staff member needs eligibility determination. One staff needs an adult health appraisal with TB results. One staff member needs a service letter or two documented attempts and two additional references.
Child Files
Regulation code 40U · Correct by January 11, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, January 20, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure child files are complete. Two children needs updated health appraisals with immunization records. Two children need blood lead screening results. One child needs a development plan. Two children need medication permission. Three children need updated infant feeding schedules.
Hazardous Materials
Regulation code 45U · Correct by January 11, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, January 11, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure hazardous materials are stored inaccessible. Multiple cleaners were observed in an unlocked cabinet in the infant bathroom. Remove the cleaners or lock the cabinet.
Indoor Space
Regulation code 49U · Correct by January 11, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, January 11, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure walls are cleanable and in good repair. The drywall and chipped paint need to be repaired in the one and two-year-old classroom, main bathroom, and the infant classroom. Ensure the carpet is in good repair. The carpet under the gate in the infant classroom needs to be repaired. The carpet on the wall next to the exit door in the infant classroom need to be repaired.
Outdoor Area
Regulation code 53U · Correct by January 11, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, January 11, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Replenish the mulch with nine inches of mulch in the fall zone areas in the outdoor play area. Remove the broken planter from under the window.
Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments
Regulation code 56U · Correct by January 11, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, January 11, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Replace the ripped nap mats in the one and two-year-old classroom and the three and four-year-old classroom.
Emergency Planning
Regulation code 66U · Correct by January 4, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, January 11, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Purchase an emergency water supply.
Lesson Plans
Regulation code 74U · Correct by January 11, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, January 11, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure lesson plans contain weekly opportunities for each special activity for 24 months and older. Add food/healthy habits, science, music, and sensory to the three and four-year-old classrooms lesson plan.
October 19, 2022 · Enforcement Visit · 1 violation
Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments
Regulation code 56U · Correct by October 26, 2022 · Correction status: Completed, November 10, 2022 · 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).
August 9, 2022 · Complaint Visit · 4 violations
General Qualifications
Regulation code 28U · Correct by August 16, 2022 · Correction status: Completed, August 12, 2022 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure staff are fingerprinted within 5 days of their 18th birthday. A staff member turned 18 in May and was not fingerprinted.
Outdoor Area
Regulation code 53U · Correct by August 16, 2022 · Correction status: Completed, August 10, 2022 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure fall zones are covered. A play structure was moved off the mulch fall zone area onto black top when a new larger structure was installed.
Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments
Regulation code 56U · Correct by August 9, 2022 · Correction status: Completed, August 9, 2022 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure safe sleep practices are used. A seven-month-old was observed asleep and covered with a blanket in a crib. This was discussed with the staff and the blanket was removed.
Changes Affecting a License
Regulation code 9U · Correct by August 9, 2022 · Correction status: Completed, August 9, 2022 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Submit a revised plan review and receive approval before making additions or renovations to the outdoor play area. A new play structure was installed in the mulch area without OCCL approval. This was discussed and the administrator agreed to comply in the future.
June 29, 2022 · Unannounced · 1 violation
Staff Attendance
Regulation code 36U · Correct by June 29, 2022 · Correction status: Completed, June 29, 2022 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure staff attendance is accurate. Staff #1 and #2 was not signed in to the classrooms they were covering for lunch breaks. This was corrected when the staff signed in.
December 10, 2021 · Unannounced · 1 violation
Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision
Regulation code 27U · Correct by December 10, 2021 · Correction status: Completed, December 10, 2021 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure staff-to-child ratios are maintained with qualified staff. Upon arrival, two aides were observed alone with three infants while the qualified staff member was using the restroom. This was corrected at the visit when the qualified staff member entered the classroom.
Complaint investigations
All 6 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 1, 2025 · Result: Substantiated
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
On September 9, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding a lack of positive behavior supports. An investigation was conducted on September 10, 2025. This complaint is substantiated because Staff #1 admitted to having pulled a child by his/her leg or pants across the floor and saying no to the child in a rough voice. Other concerns noted during the investigation were nap mats not being separated by at least 18 inches in the one and two-year-old classroom and safe sleep violations which included a blanket in one crib with an infant and a binky strap still attached to an infant in another crib.
Completed May 21, 2025 · Result: No Evidence to Substantiate
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
On April 24, 2025, and April 28, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received complaints regarding improper discipline, health exclusions, insect infestation, nap equipment not being 18 inches apart, sanitation, food policy, and medication storage. An investigation was conducted on May 1, 2025. There is no evidence to substantiate these allegations because all staff interviewed stated they had never seen the infant room teacher being rough with children or yelling at them. Staff interviewed stated they have never knowingly admitted a sick child into care, have never been asked to purchase food for the center, and medications are stored out of the reach of children. Two staff interviewed stated they had a termite issue recently, but an extermination company was contacted, and they treated the center. Additionally, the center has preventive treatments monthly. While at the center, this specialist observed nap time and found the nap mats to be adequately spaced. Children were not being held down on their maps, but rather, staff were observed gently soothing children to sleep. Children were also observed being allowed to play quietly on their nap mats. The center and toys appeared to be in a sanitary condition.
Completed March 25, 2025 · Result: Substantiated
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
On March 10, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding improper discipline. An investigation was conducted on March 12, 2025. This complaint is substantiated because video footage reviewed from the bus showed a staff person roughly handling a child while trying to retrieve him/her from the bus, including lifting him/her by the arms. An additional concern noted was while reviewing the video footage, two children who exited the bus first were observed running across the parking lot toward the center unsupervised while the staff person was on the bus.
Older than 3 years (not counted in the summary above)
Completed August 30, 2022 · Result: No Evidence to Substantiate
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
OCCL received a complaint on August 8, 2022, regarding failure to follow accident injury procedures, possibly not following the center's suspension policy in the handbook, improper staff-to-child ratios, not understanding the needs of a child by leaving them on a diaper-changing table unattended, not having enough activities for the school-age children, not following their lesson plans, and not following a schedule. An investigation was conducted on August 9, 2022. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint because staff denied the allegations, documentation was provided to support the suspension and expulsion of Child #1, proper staff-to-child ratios were observed, lesson plans and schedules were observed in all classrooms, and the classrooms were observed with adequate materials and equipment.
Completed August 18, 2022 · 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 July 6, 2022 · Result: Substantiated
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
OCCL received a complaint on June 21, 2022, regarding possible lack of supervision. An investigation was conducted on June 22, 2022 and a follow up visit was conducted on June 23, 2022. The complaint is substantiated because on June 22, 2022, improper staff-to-child ratios were observed when Staff #1 was observed alone with 11 children ages one through school-age and toddlers were observed being cared for in the same area as older children when 11 children, ages one through school-age, were observed in the outdoor play area. Additionally, on June 23, 2022, direct supervision was not maintained when a 12-year-old child was observed walking through several classrooms and the kitchen, unsupervised and Staff #6 left a group of four school-age children alone with an unqualified staff member; improper staff-to-child ratios were observed when a school-age child was observed alone with an unqualified staff member and seven children, age infant through four-years-old, were observed with one staff member; infants and toddlers were observed being cared for in the same area as older children when eleven children, age two through school-age, were observed in a classroom together and seven children, age infant through four-years-old, were observed in a classroom together.
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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.