Find a program / Delaware / Harrington / SHELL'S EARLY LEARNING CENTER-HARRINGTON
Child care center · Harrington, DE
SHELL'S EARLY LEARNING CENTER-HARRINGTON
A licensed child care center in Harrington, 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: 5332 MILFORD HARRINGTON HIGHWAY, Harrington, DE 19952
Phone: (302) 398-9778
Ages served: 6 weeks through 12 years.
Age group: Infant through School-Age
Licensed capacity: 78 children
OCCL license number: 421520
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. 2026: 1 facility injury. No facility deaths reported. 2023: 3 facility injuries. 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)
- 5 visits where violations were cited (the state's file doesn't list visits where nothing was cited)
- 17 violations cited on these visits
- 5 complaint investigations completed (No Evidence to Substantiate: 3; 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 25 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.
February 12, 2026 · Announced · 1 violation
Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments
Regulation code 56U · Correct by February 12, 2026 · Correction status: Completed, February 12, 2026 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure safe sleep practices are used at all times. An eleven-month-old infant was observed laying on a nap mat. After discussion with staff, it was determined the infant is in transition; however, she is not one and is not walking. This was discussed with staff and corrected when the infant was placed in a crib.
September 5, 2025 · Unannounced · 1 violation
Governing Body
Regulation code 15U · Correct by September 5, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, August 6, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure the licensee, governing body, and employees follow all applicable federal, State, and local laws and regulations. During a complaint investigation on August 6, 2025, Executive Director #1 confirmed to OCCL that Owner #1 was currently in prison for tax issues related to the child care centers. This was discussed and corrected when Executive Director #1 agreed to comply in the future.
August 5, 2025 · Unannounced · 2 violations
Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision
Regulation code 27U · Correct by August 5, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, August 5, 2025 · 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).
General Qualifications
Regulation code 28U · Correct by August 8, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, August 18, 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).
August 4, 2025 · Unannounced Full Compliance Review · 10 violations
Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision
Regulation code 27U · Correct by August 4, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, August 4, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure proper staff-to-child ratios are maintained through the assignment of a qualified staff member. A staff member who has not been fingerprinted and determined eligible was observed alone with three one year olds. This was discussed and corrected when a qualified staff member entered the classroom.
General Qualifications
Regulation code 28U · Correct by August 4, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, August 4, 2025 · 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).
Personnel Files
Regulation code 30U · Correct by August 18, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, September 26, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure staff files are complete. Two staff members need administration of medication training and/or certification. One staff member needs to complete the Health and Safety Training for Child Care Professionals. One staff member needs to be fingerprinted and have an eligibility determination letter on file. One staff member needs to complete the employee declaration and drug/alcohol statement. One staff member needs an adult health appraisal and TB results.
Child Files
Regulation code 40U · Correct by August 18, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, August 18, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure child files are complete. One child needs blood lead screening results.
Indoor Space
Regulation code 49U · Correct by August 18, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, September 26, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure all floors, walls, and surfaces are cleanable and in good repair. The sink counter in the preschool classroom needs to be repaired/replaced so that it is cleanable.
Toilet Facilities
Regulation code 51U · Correct by August 18, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, August 18, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure each toilet facility has liquid soap. The bathroom in the three-year-old classroom needs soap.
Outdoor Area
Regulation code 53U · Correct by August 18, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, August 18, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure no hazards are in the outdoor play area. A large hole was observed near the building in the older child outdoor play area. Ensure the fall zone areas are supplied with nine inches of pea gravel. The pea gravel under all climbing equipment designed for the children's feet to leave the ground needs to be replenished in both outdoor play areas.
Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments
Regulation code 56U · Correct by August 18, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, August 18, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure all rest equipment is labeled. Several nap mats in the three-year-old classroom were not numbered (labeled).
Diapering and Soiled Clothing
Regulation code 61U · Correct by August 18, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, September 26, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure child and staff hands are washed after every diaper change. Staff in the infant classroom were observed not washing the child's and their hands after diaper changes. Ensure a working sink is within five feet of all changing stations. The sink in the infant classroom is not working.
Emergency Planning
Regulation code 66U · Correct by August 18, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, October 16, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Post an emergency evacuation route in the three-year-old classroom.
August 22, 2024 · Unannounced Full Compliance Review · 3 violations
Personnel Files
Regulation code 30U · Correct by September 13, 2024 · Correction status: Completed, September 24, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure staff files are complete. One staff needs an adult health appraisal with TB screening.
Child Files
Regulation code 40U · Correct by September 13, 2024 · Correction status: Completed, September 18, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure child files are complete. Five children need MARs on file. One child needs a development plan.
License Renewal
Regulation code 8U · Correct by September 13, 2024 · Correction status: Completed, September 12, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure renewal application is submitted to OCCL at least 60 days prior to license expiration.
Older than 3 years (not counted in the summary above)
August 10, 2023 · Unannounced Full Compliance Review · 8 violations
Personnel Files
Regulation code 30U · Correct by August 24, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, October 25, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure staff files are complete. Three staff members need to complete OCCL's Health and Safety Training for Child Care Professionals. One staff person needs to complete a comprehensive background re-check. One staff person needs an adult health appraisal with TB screening/test. One staff person needs a DEEDS certificate. One staff person needs an additional 3.5 hours of annual training. One staff person needs an additional 1 hour of annual training.
Child Files
Regulation code 40U · Correct by August 24, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, August 10, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure child files are complete. One child needs blood lead level results.
Indoor Space
Regulation code 49U · Correct by August 18, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, August 10, 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).
Outdoor Area
Regulation code 53U · Correct by August 24, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, August 10, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Remove hazards from the outdoor play area. An electrical cord was observed stretched across the outdoor play area.
Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments
Regulation code 56U · Correct by August 24, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, August 10, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Replace the ripped nap mats in the three-year-old classroom and Pre-K classroom.
Hand Washing
Regulation code 59U · Correct by August 10, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, August 10, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure hands are washed as required. A child in the one-year-old classroom did not wash their hands after diaper change. This was discussed with the staff member and corrected when the child washed her hands.
Diapering and Soiled Clothing
Regulation code 61U · Correct by August 24, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, August 10, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Purchase a non-porous diaper mat for the infant classroom. The diaper mat was ripped. Ensure the diaper pail in the two-year-old classroom is hands free. A plastic piece obstructed the opening when the foot pedal was pressed.
License Renewal
Regulation code 8U · Correct by August 24, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, August 10, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure the renewal application is submitted at least 60 days prior to the license expiration.
Complaint investigations
All 5 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 June 2, 2026 · Result: Substantiated
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
On May 8, 2026, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding accident/injury procedures, possible lack of supervision, not providing the owner's contact information with requested, staff communication, and the administrator not functioning in the role because Staff #1 is not the administrator. An investigation was conducted on May 13, 2026. The complaint is substantiated for accident/injury procedures and the administrator not functioning in the role because staff interviews revealed Child #4's parents were not immediately notified when they received a head injury and that Staff #1 is the acting administrator and assists Administrator #1 in the administrator role. Staff #1 does not have a DEEDS Early Learning early childhood administrator certificate. There is no evidence to substantiate for lack of supervision, not providing the owner's contact information when requested, and staff communication because staff denied the allegations.
Completed September 22, 2025 · Result: No Evidence to Substantiate
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
On August 26, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding cleaning, sanitizing, not labeling bottles, and not following the health exclusion policy in handbook. An investigation was conducted on August 27, 2025. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint because staff denied the allegations, LS #1 observed the required cleaning materials in each classroom, the equipment and surfaces appeared to be clean, bottles were labeled, and the health exclusion policy in the parent handbook was followed.
Completed April 1, 2025 · Result: No Evidence to Substantiate
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
On March 13, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding positive behavior supports and the center's suspension policy. An investigation was conducted on March 18, 2025. There is no evidence to substantiate for noncompliance with positive behavior supports because staff stated they use appropriate redirection. Staff #2 stated attempts are made to redirect Child #1 by suggesting other acceptable behaviors and attempting to reward them. There is no evidence to substantiate for not following the suspension policy because the center followed the suspension policy stated in the parent handbook.
Completed April 1, 2025 · Result: Substantiated
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
On March 6, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding diapering procedures and administration of medication. An investigation was conducted on March 18, 2025. This complaint is substantiated for improper administration of medication because LS #1 observed a tube of diaper cream for Child #1 and a second tube of diaper cream for Child #2, but the two children did not have complete Medication Administration Records (MAR) on file. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation of improper diapering because staff stated children's diapers are checked every hour and changed as needed. Additionally, LS #1 observed documentation that showed children's diapers were being checked and/or changed every hour in the infant and one-year-old classrooms.
Completed December 13, 2024 · Result: No Evidence to Substantiate
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
On November 22, 2024, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a self-reported incident and on November 26, 2024, OCCL received a complaint regarding possible improper discipline. An investigation began on November 22, 2024, and concluded on November 26, 2024. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint because staff denied the allegations and video footage showed Staff #1 fall and accidentally knock over a child. Staff #1 was not observed hitting Parent #1 in the face, and the incident appeared accidental.
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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.