Find a program / Delaware / Dover / THE PUMPKIN PATCH EARLY LEARNING CENTER LLC
Child care center · Dover, DE
THE PUMPKIN PATCH EARLY LEARNING CENTER LLC
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: 1160 WALKER RD, Dover, DE 19904
Phone: (302) 724-5172
Ages served: 1 year through 12 years.
Age group: Toddler through School-Age
Licensed capacity: 56 children
OCCL license number: 1453946
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)
- 2 visits where violations were cited (the state's file doesn't list visits where nothing was cited)
- 13 violations cited on these visits
- 2 complaint investigations completed (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 7 visits with violations in the state's file (which starts November 12, 2021), newest first, with 33 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.
November 27, 2023 · Unannounced · 2 violations
Personnel Files
Regulation code 30U · Correct by December 15, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, January 19, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure staff fiels are complete. Staff #1, #2, #3, #4, and #5 need the OCCL Health & Safety training. Please send documentation of completed courses to OCCL.
Child Files
Regulation code 40U · Correct by December 15, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, January 19, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure children's files are complete. Child #4, #5, #6, and #8 need current health appraisals. Child #4 needs blood lead screening results.
November 20, 2023 · Unannounced Full Compliance Review · 11 violations
Governing Body
Regulation code 15U · Correct by November 22, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, January 30, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure there are enough qualified staff present to fulfill administrative, and food service, and other duties. There were three qualified and one unqualified present with 3 classrooms open. There were not enough people to provide breaks. Submit a staffing plan by November 22nd.
Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision
Regulation code 27U · Correct by November 20, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, November 20, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure supervision of children is maintained at all times. A staff member stated she was responsible for cooking lunch and taking care of a classroom. This was corrected at the visit when OCCL assisted with staffing and another staff member began cooking lunch.
Personnel Files
Regulation code 30U · Correct by December 8, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, January 30, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Staff files must be accessible at all times. The administrator said she did not have access to the locked office where staff files are kept. An unannounced visit will be conducted to view staff files. Submit a plan of action of procedure that allows admin to have access to files.
Parents Right to Know
Regulation code 38U · Correct by December 8, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, January 30, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Submit current Parent's Right to Know Log.
Child Files
Regulation code 40U · Correct by December 8, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, January 30, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Children's files must be accessible at all times. The administrator said she did not have access to the locked office where the children's files are kept. An unannounced visit will be conducted to view children's files. Submit a plan of action with procedure used to allow admin to have access to files.
Kitchen and Food Preparation
Regulation code 50U · Correct by December 8, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, January 30, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure prepared and stored food is labeled with contents and date of preparation or expiration. It was observed that the food being stored did not contain expiration dates. Submit picture of food correctly labeled.
Outdoor Area
Regulation code 53U · Correct by December 8, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, February 6, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure the fence has a self-closing mechanism. It was observed that the latch on the outdoor fence is not closing properly. Submit a picture of self-closing fence. Ensure climbing equipment is following fall zone regulations. It was observed that the little slide was not in a fall zone area. Submit picture of slide in a fall zone area.
Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments
Regulation code 56U · Correct by November 20, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, November 20, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure safe sleep practices are being used. It was observed that an infant's mattress sheet was loose. OCCL spoke with the staff member, and it was corrected at visit.
Meals and Snacks
Regulation code 71U · Correct by December 8, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, January 30, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure menu changes are documented. It was observed that the posted menu did not match what was being served. Submit an updated menu for the week of 11/20 - 11/23.
Feeding of Infants
Regulation code 72U · Correct by December 8, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, November 20, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure written feeding schedules are current. It was observed that the posted infant feeding schedule was not current. Submit a picture of the current infant feeding schedule. Ensure infants are held for bottle feeding when too young to use a feeding chair. It was observed that an infant was propped up with their bottle instead of being held. OCCL spoke with the staff member, and it was corrected immediately. CAV
License Renewal
Regulation code 8U · Correct by December 8, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, December 29, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure renewal application is submitted at least 60 days before license expiration. Send completed renewal application.
Older than 3 years (not counted in the summary above)
November 17, 2022 · Unannounced Full Compliance Review · 8 violations
Personnel Files
Regulation code 30U · Correct by December 9, 2022 · Correction status: Completed, March 15, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure staff files are complete. Staff #2 needs eligibility letter. Staff #3 needs eligibility letter. Staff #5 needs CPR/ First Aid, two references, administration of medication, adult abuse registry check, and a health appraisal with TB. Staff #6 needs two references, criminal history determination, a health appraisal with TB, and a second attempt for service letters. Staff #7 needs two references, employee declaration, criminal history determination, release of employment history, and corresponding service letters. Staff #8 needs a professional development plan, annual review of safe sleep, and review of abuse and neglect.
Parents Right to Know
Regulation code 38U · Correct by December 9, 2022 · Correction status: Completed, December 13, 2022 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Complete and submit the Parents Right to Know log for any newly enrolled children.
Child Files
Regulation code 40U · Correct by December 9, 2022 · Correction status: Completed, December 13, 2022 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure child files are complete. Child #2 needs hours and days of attendance. Child #3 needs date of enrollment and developmental plan. Child #4 needs updated health appraisal with immunizations and lead test results. Child #5 needs a developmental plan. Child #6 needs a health appraisal with immunizations and lead test results. Child #7 needs a health appraisal with immunization, and lead test results. Child #8 needs a date of birth, hours and days of attendance, date of enrollment, emergency card, transportation permission, screen time permission, parents right to know, infant feeding schedule, mat permission, health appraisal with immunizations, and lead test results, and a developmental plan. Child #9 needs a health appraisal with immunizations and lead test results. Child #10 needs hours and days of attendance, an emergency card, a health appraisal with immunizations and lead test results, and a developmental plan.
Hazardous Materials
Regulation code 45U · Correct by November 17, 2022 · Correction status: Completed, November 17, 2022 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Air fresheners and air plugs are prohibited. This was discussed and corrected when they were removed from the classrooms.
Outdoor Area
Regulation code 53U · Correct by December 9, 2022 · Correction status: Completed, December 15, 2022 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Purchase fall zone material to ensure mulch is nine inches deep.
Equipment
Regulation code 57U · Correct by November 17, 2022 · Correction status: Completed, November 17, 2022 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure all activity areas are available. This was discussed and corrected when music activities were added to four classrooms and science was added to two classrooms.
Diapering and Soiled Clothing
Regulation code 61U · Correct by November 17, 2022 · Correction status: Completed, November 17, 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).
License Renewal
Regulation code 8U · Correct by November 25, 2022 · Correction status: Completed, December 13, 2022 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure the application is submitted at least 60 days prior to license expiration.
October 4, 2022 · Unannounced · 1 violation
Indoor Space
Regulation code 49U · Correct by October 14, 2022 · Correction status: Completed, October 11, 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).
September 29, 2022 · Enforcement Visit · 3 violations
Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision
Regulation code 27U · Correct by September 29, 2022 · Correction status: Completed, September 29, 2022 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure all staff are qualified through DEEDs prior to being alone with children. During the visit, an aide was observed alone with four one-year-olds. A second aide, without criminal history determination, was alone with five one-year-old children. This was discussed and corrected.
General Qualifications
Regulation code 28U · Correct by September 30, 2022 · Correction status: Completed, September 30, 2022 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure staff are fingerprinted and determined eligible by the criminal history unit prior to working alone with children. One staff was observed alone with five one-year-old children without fingerprinting and criminal history results.
Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments
Regulation code 56U · Correct by September 29, 2022 · Correction status: Completed, September 29, 2022 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure children sleep in appropriate nap equipment. A one-year-old child was observed asleep in a bounce seat. A three-year-old was observed sleeping on cots stacked three high. This was discussed and corrected.
March 30, 2022 · Enforcement Visit · 7 violations
Staff Qualifications
Regulation code 24U · Correct by April 15, 2022 · Correction status: Completed, October 4, 2022 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Have Staff #1 add infant/toddler specialized training to her administrator certificate.
Personnel Files
Regulation code 30U · Correct by April 15, 2022 · Correction status: Completed, October 20, 2022 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure staff files are complete. Staff #1 needs a job description, two references, and a service letter.
Child Files
Regulation code 40U · Correct by April 15, 2022 · Correction status: Completed, September 28, 2022 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure child files are complete. Child #1, Child #2, Child #3, Child #4, Child #5, Child #6, Child #7, Child #8, Child #9, and Child #10 need updated developmental plans. Child #1, Child #4, Child #6, and Child #7 need updated health appraisals with lead testing and immunizations. Child #5 needs an updated health appraisal with lead testing. Child #10 needs lead testing.
Kitchen and Food Preparation
Regulation code 50U · Correct by April 15, 2022 · Correction status: Completed, May 9, 2022 · How the correction was shown (as published): Telephone
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Purchase three thermometers for the fridge and freezers.
Equipment
Regulation code 57U · Correct by March 30, 2022 · Correction status: Completed, March 30, 2022 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure a sufficient amount of toys are available. This was corrected when language/literacy, science, music, and manipulatives were added to the classrooms.
Sanitation
Regulation code 58U · Correct by March 30, 2022 · Correction status: Completed, March 30, 2022 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure soap and water is used prior to disinfectant.
Diapering and Soiled Clothing
Regulation code 61U · Correct by April 15, 2022 · Correction status: Completed, May 9, 2022 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Purchase three non-porous diaper mats to replace the torn mats.
March 3, 2022 · Enforcement Visit · 1 violation
Outdoor Area
Regulation code 53U · Correct by March 16, 2022 · Correction status: Completed, March 21, 2022 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Install self-closing mechanisms to the two playground gates.
Complaint investigations
All 3 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 April 10, 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).
Completed February 21, 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).
Older than 3 years (not counted in the summary above)
Completed October 12, 2023 · 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).
Is this your program?
Claiming is free. We'll fix any mistakes we made and send you a badge for your website that links to this listing. Claiming does not change the state's inspection record; to correct it, contact the Office of Child Care Licensing. Claim this program
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.