Find a program / Delaware / New Castle / CRADLES TO CRAYONS III EARLY LEARNING CENTER
Child care center · New Castle, DE
CRADLES TO CRAYONS III EARLY LEARNING CENTER
A licensed child care center in New Castle, 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: 122 MEMORIAL DRIVE, New Castle, DE 19720
Phone: (302) 655-0725
Ages served: 6 weeks through 12 years.
Age group: Infant through School-Age
Licensed capacity: 83 children
OCCL license number: 1487802
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.
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 (No Evidence to Substantiate: 4; Substantiated: 2; 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 4 visits with violations in the state's file (which starts November 12, 2021), newest first, with 32 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.
August 6, 2026 · Unannounced Full Compliance Review · 7 violations
Personnel Files
Regulation code 30U · Correct by September 15, 2026 · Correction status: Completed, September 21, 2026 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure staff files are complete. TB screening needed for staff #1. Send photo to OCCL.
Indoor Space
Regulation code 49U · Correct by September 15, 2026 · Correction status: Completed, September 21, 2026 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure indoor space is safe/cleanable. *Repair/paint wall in child bathroom. *Remove all air fresheners and sprays. Send photo to OCCL.
Kitchen and Food Preparation
Regulation code 50U · Correct by September 15, 2026 · Correction status: Completed, September 21, 2026 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure kitchen area is non-porous and cleanable. Repair countertop. Send photo to OCCL.
Outdoor Area
Regulation code 53U · Correct by September 15, 2026 · Correction status: Completed, August 6, 2026 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure there are no trampolines in use. Remove mini trampoline from School-Age Summer camp room. CAV.
Diapering and Soiled Clothing
Regulation code 61U · Correct by September 15, 2026 · Correction status: Completed, September 21, 2026 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure diaper pads are non-porous. Replace torn diaper mats in infant and toddler classrooms. Send photo to OCCL.
Administration of Medication
Regulation code 63U · Correct by September 15, 2026 · Correction status: Completed, September 21, 2026 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure there is is an MAR form completed in full for all OTC and RX medications. Send updated MARs for all medications in infant and toddler rooms.
Lesson Plans
Regulation code 74U · Correct by September 15, 2026 · Correction status: Completed, September 21, 2026 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure weekly lesson plans are completed and posted as appropriate for all age groups. Send OCCL one week of lesson plans for all classrooms.
August 11, 2025 · Unannounced Full Compliance Review · 9 violations
Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision
Regulation code 27U · Correct by August 11, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, August 11, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure staff alone with children are determined eligible. Staff #14 was signed in alone with children without a comprehensive background check.
General Qualifications
Regulation code 28U · Correct by August 11, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, August 11, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure staff members have a comprehensive background check and eligibility determination or provisional eligibility notification in file before starting employment. Staff #14 was sent home at the time of the visit.
Personnel Files
Regulation code 30U · Correct by September 11, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, October 28, 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).
Staff Attendance
Regulation code 36U · Correct by August 11, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, August 11, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure staff are signed in to the classroom. School-age classroom staff were not signed.-Corrected at visit.
Child Files
Regulation code 40U · Correct by September 11, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, October 22, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure children's files are complete. Hours/days attending for Child #2, #4, and #10. Emergency card for Child #4. Health appraisal with immunizations for Child #3, #6, #8, #9, and #10. Blood lead screening results for Child #3, #5, #6, #9, and #10. Parents' right to know for Child #4. Developmental plan for Child #4, #5, #6, #9, and #10. Infant feeding schedule for Child #1 and #4.
Indoor Space
Regulation code 49U · Correct by September 11, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, October 22, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure vents are cleaned and dust-free. Clean vents in Toddler 1 and Toddler 2 classrooms.
Equipment
Regulation code 57U · Correct by September 11, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, August 12, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure equipment is in good condition. Remove/Replace/Repair 2 chairs in the Pre-K classroom.
Emergency Planning
Regulation code 66U · Correct by September 11, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, October 22, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure there is enough emergency water for all the children enrolled.
Lesson Plans
Regulation code 74U · Correct by September 11, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, August 12, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure lesson plans are dated. Lesson plans in Toddler 1, Pre-School, Toddler 3, and Pre-K classrooms were posted but not dated.
August 2, 2024 · Unannounced Full Compliance Review · 7 violations
Personnel Files
Regulation code 30U · Correct by September 2, 2024 · Correction status: Completed, September 6, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Submit the following to complete staff files: fingerprinting eligibility for staff #3, #6, #8; health appraisals w/ TB for staff #2, 11; references for #5- 2, #2-1, #4-4, #6-4, #11-2; OCCL H&S training and medication training for staff #4, #9; orientation for staff #9; I/T and SA specialized training documentation for # 13;- not determined completion of annual training hours for staff # 1 (8).
Parents Right to Know
Regulation code 38U · Correct by September 2, 2024 · Correction status: Completed, August 7, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Submit an annual Parent's Right To Know log.
Documenting Children's Progress
Regulation code 42U · Correct by September 2, 2024 · Correction status: Completed, August 2, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Submit a developmental plan for Child #7.
Indoor Space
Regulation code 49U · Correct by September 2, 2024 · Correction status: Completed, August 2, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Clean all carpets.
Outdoor Area
Regulation code 53U · Correct by September 2, 2024 · Correction status: Completed, September 6, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Install and send photos of self-closing latches on all playground fence gates.
Feeding of Infants
Regulation code 72U · Correct by September 2, 2024 · Correction status: Completed, August 7, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Submit infant feeding schedules.
Infant and Toddler Care
Regulation code 77U · Correct by September 2, 2024 · Correction status: Completed, August 2, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Eliminate all choking hazards from the infant room (a small hair barrette was on the rug.)
February 19, 2024 · Unannounced Full Compliance Review · 9 violations
Insurance Coverage
Regulation code 16U · Correct by March 15, 2024 · Correction status: Completed, February 19, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Provide documentation of current insurance coverage.
Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision
Regulation code 27U · Correct by March 15, 2024 · Correction status: Completed, March 13, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure infants and toddlers are cared for in areas separate from older children. At the time of the visit , two preschool children were observed in the toddler classroom. Send attendance sheet to OCCL. Also, one staff member left the toddler room to answer the door leaving the classroom unattended. Review regulation/policy/practice with staff.
Personnel Files
Regulation code 30U · Correct by March 15, 2024 · Correction status: Completed, March 13, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Submit the following to complete staff files: OCCL H&S training for Staff #1, 2, 3, and 4; references for Staff # 1, 2, 4; orientation for Staff #4; release of employment history for Staff # 4; documentation of service letters being sent for Staff #2, 3, and 4.
Staff Attendance
Regulation code 36U · Correct by March 15, 2024 · Correction status: Completed, February 19, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure staff attendance to include exact arrival and departure times when entering and leaving the classrooms. At the time of the visit, one staff member was not signed out of the infant room and one staff member was not signed out of the toddler two room.
Child Files
Regulation code 40U · Correct by March 15, 2024 · Correction status: Completed, February 23, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Submit the following to complete children's files: a health appraisal with immunizations for Child #2; parent's right to know for Child #2, 4, 5, 6, 7; a complete file for Child #3. Ensure all children have complete files including children with drop-in status.
Kitchen and Food Preparation
Regulation code 50U · Correct by March 15, 2024 · Correction status: Completed, February 19, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Replace thermometer in the refrigerator in the infant room.
Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments
Regulation code 56U · Correct by March 15, 2024 · Correction status: Completed, February 19, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure all infant cribs are labeled.
First Aid Kits
Regulation code 65U · Correct by March 15, 2024 · Correction status: Completed, February 19, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Add an eye patch to complete the first aid kit.
Lesson Plans
Regulation code 74U · Correct by March 15, 2024 · Correction status: Completed, February 19, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Post lesson plans in the infant and toddler 2 rooms.
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. In the state's summaries, "IA" is the state's Institutional Abuse Unit.
Completed January 27, 2026 · Result: Substantiated
Type (as published): IA Investigation
The state's file has no summary for this investigation.
Completed November 5, 2025 · Result: No Evidence to Substantiate
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint on October 16, 2025, regarding concerns of failure to report child abuse and neglect to the Child Abuse and Neglect Report Line. An investigation was conducted on October 22, 2025. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for failure to report abuse and neglect to the Child Abuse and Neglect Report Line based on staff interviews. Administrator #1 and seven staff members interviewed stated they would report all allegations of abuse or neglect to the Child Abuse and Neglect Report Line. Administrator #1 denied saying they were not allowed to report it , and staff members interviewed stated they have not been told they are not allowed to report to the Child Abuse and Neglect Report Line. All staff interviewed were unaware of any incidents of a sexual or inappropriate nature involving any children in care.
Completed September 26, 2025 · Result: Substantiated
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint on August 25, 2025, regarding concerns of a staff member failing to use positive behavior management techniques. An investigation was conducted on September 10, 2025. This complaint is substantiated for failure to use positive behavior management techniques based on a self-report from Owner #1, a review of video footage by LS #1, and a written statement from Owner #1. Video footage reviewed showed Staff #1 pushing Child #1 to the ground, causing them to hit their hit on a shelf, pulling Child #1's hair, hitting Child #1 repeatedly with a shoe, and holding Child #1 on the ground. An additional concern noted was the failure of a staff member present in the room to intervene during this altercation, as all staff should have an understanding of and respect for children's needs. While reviewing video footage of the altercation between Staff #1 and Child #1, LS #1 observed Staff #3 sitting, observing, and not intervening to help Child #1.
Completed September 24, 2025 · Result: No Evidence to Substantiate with Concern
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 May 12, 2025 · Result: No Evidence to Substantiate
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
On April 28, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding concerns of improper restraint of preschool children by forcing them to stay on cots during rest time, not following the daily schedule for lunch/naps, and improper discipline leading to an injury. An investigation was conducted on May 2, 2025. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for concerns of improper restraint of preschool children based on interviews conducted and observation of the classrooms during naptime. Staff interviewed stated children are not forced to sleep or restrained to their cots, and no children were observed restrained to their cots or forced to sleep during this visit. There is no evidence to substantiate not following the daily schedule for lunch/naps based on interviews conducted. Administrator #1 stated the facility follows the schedule, and lunch is served at 11:30, and nap time follows for all classrooms. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for improper discipline, leading to an injury, based on interviews conducted. Administrator #1 stated Child #1 lost their balance from their arms on the cot, and hit their face, and an injury report was written and signed by Parent #1.
Completed January 17, 2025 · Result: No Evidence to Substantiate
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
A complaint was received on December 16, 2024, regarding concerns about improper discipline. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint because Staff #1 denied smacking any children, or witnessing children being smacked, and denied ever verbally threatening to hit a child. Administrator #1 stated they have not observed any improper discipline from Staff #1. During observation of the facility, no yelling, threatening or smacking was observed. There is no video evidence available for review as the facility does not currently have operating cameras.
Completed October 10, 2024 · Result: No Evidence to Substantiate
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
A complaint was received on September 18, 2024, regarding concerns about not utilizing security procedures, improper discipline, using inappropriate language in front of children, use of confining and inappropriate age equipment, safe sleep violations, and improper feeding of infants. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegations in this complaint because of interviews with Administrator #1, Owner #1, and staff members, and observation of the facility during this visit. Security procedures were in place and followed upon OCCL arriving. There were no loud voices, yelling, or cursing observed during this visit, and staff interviewed denied witnessing or using any improper discipline or inappropriate language. No children older than infants were seen in confining equipment nor was such equipment seen outside of the infant classroom. Staff interviewed denied putting any older children into confining equipment. All infants present were being cared for properly and Staff #1 noted they follow all safe sleep and infant feeding procedures.
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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.