Find a program / Delaware / Dover / DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY EARLY CHILDHOOD LABORATORY SCHOOL
Child care center · Dover, DE
DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY EARLY CHILDHOOD LABORATORY SCHOOL
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: 1200 N. DUPONT HIGHWAY, Dover, DE 19901
Phone: (302) 857-6731
Ages served: 1 year through 5 years.
Age group: Toddler through Pre-School
Licensed capacity: 67 children
OCCL license number: 851437
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. No facility injuries reported. 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)
- 32 violations cited on these visits
- 7 complaint investigations completed (Substantiated: 5; No Evidence to Substantiate: 1; No Evidence to Substantiate with Concern: 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 6 visits with violations in the state's file (which starts November 12, 2021), newest first, with 45 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.
April 14, 2026 · Unannounced Full Compliance Review · 10 violations
General Qualifications
Regulation code 28U · Correct by April 14, 2026 · Correction status: Completed, April 14, 2026 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure staff and volunteers are not present on site without an eligibility determination. Two staff were present without a comprehensive background check or eligibility determination. This was corrected at the visit when the staff were asked to leave and the Administrator agreed to not have them return until the letters are received.
Personnel Files
Regulation code 30U · Correct by May 1, 2026 · Correction status: Completed, July 27, 2026 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure staff files are complete. One staff needs OCCL's Health and Safety Training for Child Care Professionals, completed health appraisal, two service letter attempts, and a completed PD plan. Six staff need a completed PD plan. One staff needs a complete file. One staff needs Orientation, OCCL's Health & Safety Training, references, eligibility determination, adult abuse registry check, health appraisal with TB, and Service Letters. One staff needs Orientation, OCCL's Health & Safety Training, references, adult abuse registry check, health appraisal, and service letters. One staff needs Orientation, references, adult abuse registry check, health appraisal, and service letters. One staff needs annual review of child abuse/neglect, orientation, TB screening, and service letters. One staff needs orientation, OCCL's Health & Safety Training, references, health appraisal with TB, and service letters.
Child Files
Regulation code 40U · Correct by May 8, 2026 · Correction status: Completed, May 26, 2026 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure child files are complete. One child needs an updated health appraisal and blood lead level test result. Three children need a blood lead level test result.
Documenting Children's Progress
Regulation code 42U · Correct by May 8, 2026 · Correction status: Completed, May 6, 2026 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure developmental progress is tracked for each child and developmental plans are completed. Establish an organized system for this and submit to OCCL.
Indoor Space
Regulation code 49U · Correct by May 8, 2026 · Correction status: Completed, May 10, 2026 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure all trash cans are covered. The trash can lid in the four-year-old classroom's bathroom is broken and does not cover properly. Repair lid.
Sanitation
Regulation code 58U · Correct by May 8, 2026 · Correction status: Completed, May 1, 2026 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure diaper-changing area in the one-year-old classroom has a labeled soap and water bottle for cleaning. Add bottle.
Emergency Planning
Regulation code 66U · Correct by May 8, 2026 · Correction status: Completed, May 26, 2026 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure evacuation routes are posted in each classroom. Add routes to the two and four-year-old classrooms. Ensure fire prevention checklist and evacuation drills are conducted monthly. Conduct April's and submit to OCCL.
Lesson Plans
Regulation code 74U · Correct by May 8, 2026 · Correction status: Completed, April 16, 2026 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure lesson plans are current and posted for each classroom and contain required activities based on age. Submit lesson plans for the one, two, and three-year-old classrooms.
Activity Areas
Regulation code 75U · Correct by May 8, 2026 · Correction status: Completed, May 1, 2026 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure activity areas in the two-year-old classroom include art supplies. Add accessible art supplies.
License Renewal
Regulation code 8U · Correct by April 14, 2026 · Correction status: Completed, April 14, 2026 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure renewal application is submitted at least 60 days prior to license expiration. This was corrected at the visit when the application was submitted.
April 10, 2025 · Unannounced Full Compliance Review · 10 violations
General Qualifications
Regulation code 28U · Correct by April 10, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, April 10, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure all staff are fingerprinted and receive an eligibility determination prior to beginning work. A kitchen staff person has been on site since January without a complete staff file or comprehensive background check. This was corrected at the visit when the staff person left for the day and will not permitted to return, according to the Administrator.
Personnel Files
Regulation code 30U · Correct by May 9, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, May 20, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure staff files are complete. One staff person needs CPR/FA training, a professional development plan, OCCL's Health and Safety Training for Child Care Professionals, a job description, adult abuse registry check, health appraisal with TB screening, release of employment history, two documented attempts to obtain service letters, and two more references if a service letter is not returned. One staff person needs orientation, adult abuse registry check, health appraisal with TB screening, two documented attempts to obtain service letters, and one more reference is a service letter is not returned. Four staff need a professional development plan and annual review of child abuse/neglect. One staff person needs CPR/FA training, a professional development plan, annual review of child abuse/neglect, and OCCL's Health and Safety Training for Child Care Professionals. One staff person needs CPR/FA training, annual review of child abuse/neglect, and a professional development plan. One staff person needs CPR/FA training, an application, resume or personal data sheet, job description, adult abuse registry check, health appraisal with TB screening, two documented attempts to obtain service letters, and either two or four references depending on if any service letters are returned.
Parents Right to Know
Regulation code 38U · Correct by May 9, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, May 10, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure the Parent's Right to Know log is completed and signed by every enrolled family or family touring the facility. Review the Parent's Right to Know information with each enrolled family and obtain signatures of the parent or guardian.
Child Files
Regulation code 40U · Correct by May 9, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, May 10, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure child files are complete. Two children need a signed Parent's Right to Know. One child needs a blood lead level test result. One child need updated immunizations. All children need a completed child development plan.
Indoor Space
Regulation code 49U · Correct by May 9, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, May 20, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure children's individual belongings are not touching. Separate personal belongings in the pre-k 4 classroom. Ensure outdoor trash cans are inaccessible to children. Either remove trash cans from outdoor play area or secure lids with a lock to make them inaccessible. Ensure air fresheners are not used in child care space. Remove air refreshener from the one-year-old classrooms.
Toilet Facilities
Regulation code 51U · Correct by April 18, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, April 11, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure liquid soap is available at all times in the toilet rooms. There was no liquid soap in one of the two toilet rooms in the three-year-old classroom. Add soap.
Outdoor Area
Regulation code 53U · Correct by May 9, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, May 27, 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 May 9, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, May 10, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure diaper-changing procedures are posted in all areas used for diapering. Post procedures in the one-year-old classroom. Ensure disposable covers are available and being used between each diaper change. Supply disposable covers in each diapering area.
Administration of Medication
Regulation code 63U · Correct by May 9, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, May 10, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure Medication Administration Records (MAR) are being completed and signed by the parent/guardian for all medications. Diaper creams, lotions, sunscreens, and chap sticks were observed in classrooms without appropriate permissions on an MAR. Either obtain MAR's for each medication or return the medication to the family.
Lesson Plans
Regulation code 74U · Correct by May 9, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, May 10, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure current lesson plan is posted each week. Post current lesson plan in the one-year-old classroom. Ensure lesson plans for ages two and older contain a weekly opportunity in a food/healthy habit. Update lesson plan to include this in the two-year-old classroom.
July 11, 2024 · Unannounced · 2 violations
Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision
Regulation code 27U · Correct by July 24, 2024 · Correction status: Completed
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure ratios and maximum group size are maintained at all times, according to the youngest child present. According to attendance records submitted to OCCL for corrective action from non-compliances cited during a complaint investigation on June 26, 2024, the movement room was over maximum group size. Records show the center was also over maximum group size for nap.
Staff Attendance
Regulation code 36U · Correct by July 24, 2024 · Correction status: Completed
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure staff are documenting their exact arrival and departure time in each classroom. According to attendance records submitted to OCCL for corrective action from non-compliances cited during a complaint investigation on June 26, 2024, staff were signed into multiple rooms at the same time and not signed out on multiple days.
April 9, 2024 · Unannounced Full Compliance Review · 10 violations
Insurance Coverage
Regulation code 16U · Correct by April 19, 2024 · Correction status: Completed, April 19, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Maintain current insurance documentation.
Personnel Files
Regulation code 30U · Correct by April 26, 2024 · Correction status: Completed, May 21, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure staff files are complete. Two staff need an Adult Health Appraisal with TB screening and two attempts at obtaining Service Letters. One staff needs a Release of Employment History, a Professional Development Plan, and must complete OCCL's Health and Safety Training for Child Care Professionals. One staff needs two attempts at obtaining a Service Letter and one more Reference if Service Letters are not received.
Child Files
Regulation code 40U · Correct by April 26, 2024 · Correction status: Completed, June 18, 2024 · 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).
Children's Attendance
Regulation code 43U · Correct by April 9, 2024 · Correction status: Completed, April 9, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure accurate attendance records are maintained at all times, documenting the exact arrival and departure of every child. Three children were not signed into the two-year-old classroom. This was corrected at the visit when the children were signed in.
Hazardous Materials
Regulation code 45U · Correct by April 26, 2024 · Correction status: Completed, April 19, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Label all soap/water and sanitizer bottles used in the classroom.
Indoor Space
Regulation code 49U · Correct by April 26, 2024 · Correction status: Completed, April 29, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure children's belongings are stored neatly and not touching. Add outlet covers to any exposed outlets in the classrooms. Purchase covered trash cans for each classroom.
Outdoor Area
Regulation code 53U · Correct by April 26, 2024 · Correction status: Completed, May 8, 2024 · 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).
Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments
Regulation code 56U · Correct by April 26, 2024 · Correction status: Completed, April 19, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Label all children's rest equipment. Store equipment so the bedding is not touching.
Lesson Plans
Regulation code 74U · Correct by April 26, 2024 · Correction status: Completed, April 19, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure lesson plans are posted for each classroom. Ensure lesson plans for ages two and older include a weekly opportunity for a healthy food/habit, science, music, and sensory activity.
License Renewal
Regulation code 8U · Correct by April 19, 2024 · Correction status: Completed, April 19, 2024 · 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)
April 14, 2023 · Unannounced Full Compliance Review · 6 violations
Staff Qualifications
Regulation code 24U · Correct by May 15, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, June 16, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Administrator must have specialist training in infant and toddler care.
Personnel Files
Regulation code 30U · Correct by May 15, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, June 26, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure staff files are completed. Professional development plan for Staff #1,2, 4, 5, 6, and 7 OCCL Health and Safety Training for Staff #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. Adult abuse registry check for Staff #8 Health Appraisal with TB for Staff #3 and 8 Release of Employment for Staff # 3 and 8 Service letters for Staff #3 and 8
Child Files
Regulation code 40U · Correct by May 15, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, May 16, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure children's files are completed. Child #2 and 8 need lead blood screening results.
Indoor Space
Regulation code 49U · Correct by May 15, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, May 16, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure all surfaces are cleanable. Walls in Pre-K room need to be painted. Touch up chipped paint in all classrooms. Patch and paint hole in playroom. Cover trash can in perk bathroom. Remove all air fresheners in classrooms.
Kitchen and Food Preparation
Regulation code 50U · Correct by May 15, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, May 16, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure every freezer has a working thermometer. -2 new freezers did not have working thermometers.
First Aid Kits
Regulation code 65U · Correct by May 15, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, May 18, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure first aid kit is completed. Missing an eye patch and triangle bandage.
April 7, 2022 · Unannounced Full Compliance Review · 7 violations
Personnel Files
Regulation code 30U · Correct by May 6, 2022 · Correction status: Completed, May 26, 2022 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure staff files are complete. Staff #2, #5, #7, #8, and #9 need updated professional development plans. Staff #7, and #8 need updated annual abuse and neglect. Staff #7 needs CPR and First Aide certification.
Staff Attendance
Regulation code 36U · Correct by April 7, 2022 · Correction status: Completed, April 7, 2022 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure staff are signing in and out with accurate times. Staff #3 was signed in to the Pre-K classroom, but not physically present. This was discussed and corrected at the visit.
Parents Right to Know
Regulation code 38U · Correct by May 6, 2022 · Correction status: Completed, May 6, 2022 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure parents right to know log is complete with all enrolled children and anyone who tours.
Child Files
Regulation code 40U · Correct by May 6, 2022 · Correction status: Completed, May 26, 2022 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure child files are complete. Child #2 and #3 need health appraisals, immunization records, and lead test results. Child #8 and #13 need health appraisals with immunization records. Child #5, and #11 need lead test results. Child #4, #8, #10, #11, #13, #15, and #16 need developmental plans.
Hazardous Materials
Regulation code 45U · Correct by May 6, 2022 · Correction status: Completed, May 20, 2022 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure children are not exposed to hazards. Cabinet in the Pre-K classroom with the washer inside needs to be repaired. Place a child lock on the infant bathroom where hazardous materials are stored.
Kitchen and Food Preparation
Regulation code 50U · Correct by May 6, 2022 · Correction status: Completed, May 20, 2022 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure fridge and freezer in the K-Prep and one-year-old room have a working thermometer.
Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments
Regulation code 56U · Correct by May 6, 2022 · Correction status: Completed, May 6, 2022 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure nap equipment in the two-year-old and four-year-old room is labeled.
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 27, 2024 · Result: Substantiated
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
On November 12, 2024, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding sanitation, insect and rodent infestation, fall zones, unqualified staff, lack of supervision, not changing soiled clothing, and positive behavior supports. An investigation was conducted on November 12, 2024. This complaint is substantiated for non-compliant fall zones, unqualified staff alone with children, and a lack of supervision because during the walk-through and interviews, two unqualified staff were observed alone with children in the two-year-old classroom. According to staff interviewed, it was also determined a child, Child #1, was able to exit the playground through a broken gate and walk, unsupervised, back to the center in September. While conducting interviews in the outdoor play area, it was observed the mulch was not nine inches deep, as required, in all fall zones. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation the staff left a child to nap in urine-soaked clothing as an act of discipline. Administrator #1 denied this allegation stating she was tending to three other children when the child soiled herself. Approximately 10 minutes later, another staff person entered the room and changed the child. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation the center is unsanitary, and the toys are not clean. During the walk-through, the conditions were sanitary. Toys and floors were well-maintained and not visibly dirty. Cleaning materials, including sanitizers, were also observed. In addition, there were no holes observed in the walls. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation the center is infested with rodents and roaches. All staff interviewed stated there was an issue in the past with mice, but an exterminator came in to treat and it has not been an issue since.
Completed November 12, 2024 · Result: No Evidence to Substantiate
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
On October 10, 2024, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding kitchen requirements. An investigation was conducted on October 22, 2024. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint because one dishwasher was observed working properly. Additionally, families provide cups for their children daily and disposable cups were available in the classrooms.
Completed October 29, 2024 · Result: Substantiated
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
On September 23, 2024, and September 25, 2024, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received complaints regarding improper staff-to-child ratio. An investigation was conducted on October 1, 2024. This complaint is substantiated because according to attendance records on September 23, 2024, the two-year-old classroom was over ratio and maximum group size with up to 21 children ages two and three with two staff. Additionally, the attendance records show the three-year-old children were combined with the two-year old children in the two-year-old classroom for eight of the ten days reviewed. An additional concern noted was an unqualified staff member with a provisional eligibility determination, pending an out-of-state-background check, was alone with the children. A separate attendance record was not available for the movement room at the end of the day when the classrooms combine. Attendance records also show staff not signing out of classrooms and children not being signed out at the end of the day.
Completed October 8, 2024 · Result: Substantiated
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
On September 5, 2024, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding not providing a parent handbook, incomplete child files, child attendance, not having lesson plans, and food allergies. An investigation was conducted on September 12, 2024. This complaint is substantiated because Administrator #1 stated a parent handbook was not provided to every family upon the enrollment of their child. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation regarding incomplete child files because five randomly selected child files reviewed contained a current health appraisal, immunizations, emergency contact information and parent's right to know form. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation of child attendance because each attendance record reviewed for the week of September 9, 2024, to September 12, 2024, showed exact arrival and departures times of each child. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation regarding food allergies because Administrator #1 stated each classroom, and the kitchen have the children's food allergy list. Administrator #1 stated parents provide lunch, and they complete checks to ensure food items are not shared. Regarding the allegation that lesson plans are not posted, Licensing Specialist (LS) #1 observed lesson plans posted outside each classroom. A concern noted was the lesson plans did not contain activities in all the required areas which include cognitive, social-emotional, language/literacy, and physical. Additionally, the lesson plans for children ages two-years-old and older did not provide weekly opportunities for special activities, including a food or healthy habit, science, music, or sensory.
Completed September 4, 2024 · Result: No Evidence to Substantiate with Concern
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
On August 12, 2024, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding exceeding maximum group size and improper staff-to-child ratio. An investigation was conducted on August 14, 2024. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint because Staff #1 stated she was present the afternoon of August 9, 2024, and the movement room was not over ratio. According to the attendance records viewed, only five children were documented as being in the movement room in the afternoon of August 9, 2024. However, a concern noted was the attendance for the one-year-old room for August 9, 2024, was unable to be located.
Completed July 9, 2024 · Result: Substantiated
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
On June 25, 2024, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding improper staff-to-child ratio. An investigation was conducted on June 26, 2024. This complaint is substantiated because attendance records for the K-prep classroom and statements from Staff #1 indicate the room had 13 children, ages three and four, with one staff from approximately 2:50 pm when they woke from their nap until 3:58 pm when enough children were picked up from the center.
Completed April 3, 2024 · 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 Dover · 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.