Find a program / Delaware / Smyrna / CADENCE ACADEMY PRESCHOOL-SMYRNA
Child care center · Smyrna, DE
CADENCE ACADEMY PRESCHOOL-SMYRNA
A licensed child care center in Smyrna, 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: 649 S CARTER RD, Smyrna, DE 19977
Phone: (302) 653-5677
Ages served: 6 weeks through 12 years.
Age group: Infant through School-Age
Licensed capacity: 191 children
OCCL license number: 1456251
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: 2 facility injuries. No facility deaths reported. 2025: 3 facility injuries. No facility deaths reported. 2024: 3 facility injuries. No facility deaths reported. 2023: 7 facility injuries. No facility deaths reported. 2022: 4 facility injuries. No facility deaths reported. 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)
- 15 violations cited on these visits
- 9 complaint investigations completed (No Evidence to Substantiate: 7; 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 4 visits with violations in the state's file (which starts November 12, 2021), newest first, with 22 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.
October 13, 2026 · Unannounced Full Compliance Review · 5 violations
Personnel Files
Regulation code 30U · Correct by October 31, 2026 · Correction status: Completed
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure staff files are complete. Four staff need documented attempts to obtain service letters.
Indoor Space
Regulation code 49U · Correct by October 31, 2026 · Correction status: Completed
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure walls are in good repair. Patch and repair peeling paint in Classrooms 11, 13, and 14.
Toilet Facilities
Regulation code 51U · Correct by October 31, 2026 · Correction status: Completed
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure liquid soap is available in toilet rooms. Repair or replace soap dispenser in classroom 6 boy's bathroom.
Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments
Regulation code 56U · Correct by October 31, 2026 · Correction status: Completed
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure nap mats are non-absorbent, free from rips and tears. Replace torn mats in classrooms 8 and 9.
Administration of Medication
Regulation code 63U · Correct by October 31, 2026 · Correction status: Completed
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure Medication Administration Records (MAR) are completed for each medication accepted. Complete MAR for Child #25 in classroom 10 for allergy medication. Ensure MAR's are filled out entirely. Review and update MAR's in classroom 14.
October 7, 2025 · Unannounced Full Compliance Review · 4 violations
Personnel Files
Regulation code 30U · Correct by October 31, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, November 5, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure staff files are complete. One staff person needs a release of employment history and job description. One staff person needs one more reference. Two staff need two documented attempts to obtain service letters and one more reference if no service letter is returned. One staff person needs one more attempt to obtain a service letter. On staff needs two documented attempts to obtain a service letter.
Diapering and Soiled Clothing
Regulation code 61U · Correct by October 31, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, October 30, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure a foot-activated diaper pail is available for diapering. The diaper pail in Room #10 is broken and not foot-activated. Purchase new pail.
Lesson Plans
Regulation code 74U · Correct by October 7, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, October 7, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure lesson plans for ages two years and older contain a weekly opportunity in a food or healthy habit. This was corrected at the visit when an activity was added.
Activity Areas
Regulation code 75U · Correct by October 7, 2025 · Correction status: Completed, October 7, 2025 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure classrooms for two years and older contain five required activity areas, including art. This was corrected at the visit when art supplies were made accessible in Room #11.
October 8, 2024 · Unannounced Full Compliance Review · 6 violations
Personnel Files
Regulation code 30U · Correct by November 1, 2024 · Correction status: Completed, November 8, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure staff files are complete. Two staff need an annual review of safe sleep and child abuse and neglect. One staff person needs one additional hour of training. One staff needs orientation and four reference letters. One staff needs a signed job description and four references.
Child Files
Regulation code 40U · Correct by November 1, 2024 · Correction status: Completed, November 8, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure child files are complete. Two children need a blood lead level test result. One child needs a signed Medication Administration Record.
Kitchen and Food Preparation
Regulation code 50U · Correct by November 1, 2024 · Correction status: Completed, November 8, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure refrigerators maintain a temperature of 41 degrees F or colder.
Diapering and Soiled Clothing
Regulation code 61U · Correct by November 1, 2024 · Correction status: Completed, November 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).
Lesson Plans
Regulation code 74U · Correct by November 1, 2024 · Correction status: Completed, November 8, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure the lesson plans for the infants contain activities in physical and social-emotional.
Activity Areas
Regulation code 75U · Correct by November 1, 2024 · Correction status: Completed, October 8, 2024 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure art materials are accessible in the two-year-old classrooms. This was corrected at the visit when materials were added.
Older than 3 years (not counted in the summary above)
October 23, 2023 · Unannounced Full Compliance Review · 7 violations
Personnel Files
Regulation code 30U · Correct by November 10, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, November 10, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure staff files are complete. Five staff need CPR and first Aid certification. Three staff need Health and Safety for Child Care Professionals training. Three staff need references. Seven staff need a health appraisal. Five staff need TB results.
Child Files
Regulation code 40U · Correct by November 10, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, November 10, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure child files are complete. One child needs a blood lead test result.
Indoor Space
Regulation code 49U · Correct by November 10, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, November 10, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure the toilet seat is in good repair. The school-age classroom toilet seat needs to be repaired or replaced.
Kitchen and Food Preparation
Regulation code 50U · Correct by October 23, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, October 23, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure refrigerators and freezers are at required temperatures in the kitchen.
Hand Washing
Regulation code 59U · Correct by October 23, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, October 23, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure hands of children and staff are washed after diapering.
Diapering and Soiled Clothing
Regulation code 61U · Correct by October 23, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, October 23, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Facility Visit
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure diaper pails are with in arms reach of the changing station. Ensure changing stations are available during care hours for use.
Administration of Medication
Regulation code 63U · Correct by November 10, 2023 · Correction status: Completed, November 10, 2023 · How the correction was shown (as published): Document
Licensing specialist's notes (as published)
Ensure gates are self closing self latching in the outdoor play areas.
Complaint investigations
All 14 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 July 28, 2026 · Result: No Evidence to Substantiate
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
On June 26, 2026, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding positive behavior supports and not following the center's policies in the handbook related to suspension and napping. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation the center did not make appropriate accommodations for Child #1 based on their diagnosed disability and Individualized Education Program (IEP). According to staff interviewed, they utilized many different strategies for behavior support which were recommended in Child #1's IEP. Additionally, an internal behavior support plan was developed with the family, which outlined specific strategies to use for nap time. According to staff, these strategies were implemented but the aggressive behaviors continued. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation the center did not adhere to their handbook's policies on napping and suspension because based on staff interviews and the 10 behavior incident reports reviewed, the parent handbook was followed.
Completed June 18, 2025 · Result: No Evidence to Substantiate
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
On May 28, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding positive behavior supports. An investigation was conducted on June 4, 2025. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint because all staff interviewed stated they have never heard Staff #1 calling children little f***ers or yelling at them. Administrator #1 further stated families request Staff #1 as their child's teacher when they are aging into that age group.
Completed April 22, 2025 · Result: Substantiated
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
On April 5, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding the center not conducting evacuation drills as required and not providing truthful information. An investigation was conducted on April 9, 2025. This complaint is substantiated because according to evacuation drill logs reviewed, evacuations were not completed for February and March of 2025. Additionally, all evacuations completed during the previous year were conducted during the same time of day and none occurred during nap time as required. All staff interviewed had various responses when asked how often the center completes evacuation drills. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation staff are not providing truthful information, because according to staff interviewed, they have never been asked by the administration to lie to licensing.
Completed January 14, 2025 · Result: No Evidence to Substantiate
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
On December 9, 2024, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding the center's photograph and video policy in their handbook. An investigation was conducted on December 12, 2024. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint because although Staff #1 uses her personal tablet in the classroom, she was granted permission by management to do so and only takes photographs and videos through the center application used for families. Staff #1 further stated there was one time in which a parent requested a specific photograph of a child to be sent to her, but it was not of Child #1. In review of Child #1's file, the parent/guardian granted permission for the child to be photographed and videoed. The center's Employee Handbook and Parent Handbook both contain policies on photographing and videoing children, and the center's current operations is in accordance with these policies.
Completed November 12, 2024 · Result: No Evidence to Substantiate
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
On October 21, 2024, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding improper staff-to-child ratio and lack of supervision. An investigation was conducted on October 22, 2024. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint because according to attendance records reviewed, the four-year-old classroom was following proper staff-to-child ratio on October 17, 2024. Additionally, according to Staff #2, she was in the classroom observing children playing in stations. She turned to say hello to Staff #1 who was entering the room, when the incident occurred.
Completed October 8, 2024 · 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 30, 2024 · Result: No Evidence to Substantiate
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
On July 11, 2024, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding lack of supervision, the center not following their termination policy, and discrimination. An investigation was conducted on July 16, 2024. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint, because Child #1 was walking with Administrator #2 when she ran to the front door and opened it. Child #1 was unable to make it past the threshold before Administrator #1, Administrator #2, and Staff #1 reached her. Additionally, a behavior support plan signed by the parent of Child #1 explains a continuation of behaviors may lead to disenrollment from the center. Lastly, Administrator #1 denied allegations the center was discriminating against Child #1. Administrator #1 stated Child #1's enrollment was terminated due to escalating behaviors after a plan was put into place, including safety issues such as attempting to run out of the center while with a staff member.
Completed February 1, 2024 · 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 December 1, 2023 · Result: Substantiated
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
The Office of Child Care Licensing received a complaint on November 2, 2023, regarding improper discipline. And investigation began on November 15, 2023, and ended on November 29, 2023. The complaint is substantiated because Staff #1 was seen on the video pulling Child #1 up to his feet by his arm, resulting in a pulled elbow.
Older than 3 years (not counted in the summary above)
Completed November 8, 2023 · Result: No Evidence to Substantiate
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
The Office of Child Care Licensing received a complaint on October 9, 2023, regarding improper discipline. There is no evidence to substantiate the complaint because staff denied throwing the child's food away and stated the child cleans up after herself.
Completed November 6, 2023 · Result: No Evidence to Substantiate
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
The Office of Child Care Licensing received a complaint on October 11, 2023, regarding not following the center's termination policy and improper staff communication. An investigation was conducted on October 23, 2023. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint because all staff denied anyone communicating improperly to the parent and the facility's termination policy in the handbook was followed because it states the families have a code of conduct and according to the administrator, Parent #1 did not follow that code because she was being rude, disrespectful, and loud.
Completed January 19, 2023 · Result: Substantiated
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
The Office of Child Care Licensing received a complaint on December 9, 2022, regarding accident and injury procedures and the release of children. An investigation was conducted beginning on December 12, 2022. The complaint is substantiated for improper release of children because the center did not check and keep a copy of the identification for the grandmother. The center stated they were familiar with the grandmother because the grandmother was with the mother for pick-up several times, however they did not know her name to confirm she was an authorized release. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation of improper accident and injury procedures because the accident and injury forms for each of the reported accidents were properly completed.
Completed November 23, 2022 · Result: No Evidence to Substantiate
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
The Office of Child Care Licensing received a complaint on November 2, 2022, regarding improper discipline. An investigation was conducted on November 4, 2022. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint because the staff member denied any allegation of improper discipline. Also, the administrator stated she viewed the video footage for the incident date and did not have any concerns.
Completed December 20, 2021 · Result: No Evidence to Substantiate
Type (as published): OCCL Standards Complaint
The state's summary (as published)
OCCL received a complaint on November 22, 2021, regarding staff failing to provide an accurate accident/injury report. An investigation was conducted on November 23, 2021. There is no evidence to substantiate the complaint because the administrator watched a video of the incident and had the staff amend the accident/injury report to reflect what happened and provided this report to the parent.
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More programs in Smyrna · 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.