Indoor Space
Ensure all areas and equipment are in good repair. Repair the window in the Toddler classroom. Repair the three loose shelves in the Three-year-old classroom.
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Home › DE › Dover › Precious Lambs Learning Center
License #1591059 · Center · Licensed Child Care Center
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Ensure all areas and equipment are in good repair. Repair the window in the Toddler classroom. Repair the three loose shelves in the Three-year-old classroom.
Ensure current lesson plans are posted. The Pre-K classroom and Three-year-old classroom did not have current lesson plans posted.
Ensure a daily schedule is posted. Post a daily schedule in the Pre-K classroom. Ensure screen time activities are age-appropriate and educational. The Pre-K classroom was observed watching Angry Bird Blues. This was discussed and corrected when the television was turned off.
Ensure staff attendance is documented to include the exact arrival and departure times. One staff member was signed into the Toddler classroom but was not present in the classroom. The staff member was observed in the kitchen preparing breakfast. This was discussed and corrected when the staff member was signed out.
On April 22, 2026, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding not following the policies in the parent handbook, positive behavior supports, lack of supervision, the playground gate not working properly, and improper staff-to-child ratio. An investigation was conducted on April 23, 2026. The complaint is substantiated for the gate to the outdoor play area not working properly and improper staff-to-child ratio. The gate to the outdoor play area was observed not self-closing and not self-latching. The attendance record for April 24, 2026, showed the preschool classroom had up to 10 children, the youngest being two years old with one staff member from 8:48 am to 9:30 am. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegations of not following the policies in the parent handbook, positive behavior supports, and lack of supervision because staff denied the allegations.
Disposition: Substantiated
On April 22, 2026, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding the center not following their policies in the parent handbook, a lack of positive behavior support, and not providing a quiet activity for children after 30 minutes who do not want to sleep. An investigation was conducted on April 23, 2026. The complaint is substantiated for a lack of positive behavior supports because Owner #1 was heard on video footage speaking to Child #2 in a threatening manner for failing to fall asleep. The complaint is also substantiated due to non-compliance with the center s suspension policy outlined in the parent handbook. Documentation, including staff input and communication between Parent #1 and Administrator #1, confirms that Child #2 was subjected to a two-week suspension, which violates the established protocol of a one-day suspension followed by a five-day notice period for alternative care. Furthermore, the suggested removal of Child #2 to a smaller classroom contradicts the center s documented inclusion policy, which promotes the integration of children with varying needs in a shared environment. There is no evidence to substantiate not providing a quiet activity for children after 30 minutes who do not want to sleep because staff denied the allegations.
Disposition: Substantiated
On March 4, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding a verbal and physical altercation between Owner #1 and Staff #1. An investigation began on March 4, 2025, and concluded on March 31, 2025. This complaint is substantiated because according to staff interviews, a verbal and physical altercation occurred in the center on March 3, 2025, after the last child had left for the day, between Owner #1 and Staff #1.
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Generated from this facility's specific inspection record
Data synced from Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing on Jul 10, 2026 · Source records · Report an error
Ensure all food served by the center is free from spoilage and prepared in a safe manner. Upon the licensing specialist's arrival, no staff member was present in the kitchen. All staff on site were assigned to classrooms to maintain required staff-to-child ratios and supervision. At the time of the visit, the stove was on with carrots cooking, and a pot of oatmeal was on the stove emitting steam, indicating it was hot. A gallon of milk was observed in the sink, frozen pizzas were on the counter, and fruit was on the counter being prepared. These food preparation activities were occurring without staff present in the kitchen to monitor food safety and cooking processes.
Ensure staff-to-child ratios are maintained at all times. According to the attendance record for the preschool classroom (3), there were up to nine children present, the youngest being an infant with two teachers.
Ensure children's attendance is documented with exact arrival and departure times. According to the attendance record for the toddler twos classroom, a child was signed into the classroom at 8:19 am and then signed out at 8:15 am.
Ensure walls and floors are clean. Clean the vent on the wall and the carpet in the one-year-old classroom. Repair the ceiling tile in the infant classroom to ensure it does not fall into the crib below. Ensure trash is covered. The trash can located near the front door does not have a cover.
Ensure diapers are disposed of in the trash can solely for diapers. A pull-up was observed in the trash can located in the preschool bathroom. This was discussed with staff and corrected when she agreed to comply in the future.
Ensure the gate to the outdoor play area is self-closing and self-latching. The gate was observed open upon licensing staff entering the outdoor play area. The gate did not self-latch.
Ensure meals and snacks follow the meal pattern requirements. The three-year-old classroom was observed eating breakfast. The children were served two apple slices, a small amount of eggs, half of a waffle, and a piece of sausage. Review the meal pattern requirements with all kitchen staff and submit the staff signatures to OCCL.
Ensure the gate to the outdoor play area is self-closing and self-latching. The gate was observed not self-closing and self-latching. Ensure the gate to the outdoor play area is self-closing and self-latching. The gate to the outdoor play area was observed not self-closing and not self-latching.
Ensure staff-to-child ratios are maintained at all times. There were 13 children, ages four and five present in the pre-K classroom with two staff members. One staff member left the pre-K classroom and entered the kitchen for a brief period of time. This was corrected when the staff member re-entered the classroom and ratios were maintained. Ensure infants and toddlers are cared for in a separate area from older children. Upon arrival, there were 10 children, ages two and three present in the three-year-old classroom with two staff members. When asked, Staff stated the two two-year-olds were moved from the toddler classroom to the three-year-old classroom to maintain proper staff-to-child ratios. This was discussed and corrected when the two two-year-olds were moved to the toddler classroom with the second staff member.
Ensure child files are complete. One child needs a health appraisal and immunization record. One child needs parents right to know acknowledgement and screen time permission. One child needs blood lead screening results.
Ensure floors are in good repair and cleanable. Repair the floor by the front entrance and by the fish tank. Repair the floor in the pre-K classroom. Repair the floor in the toddler classroom next to the sink and at the corner of the white tiles.
Portable wading pools are prohibited. Remove the portable wading pools from the property.
Repair the top hinge of the classroom door to the three-year-old classroom.
Ensure screen time activities, such as watching television is age-appropriate and education. The Pre-k classroom was observed watching Spongebob and the three-year-old classroom was observed watching Bluey. This was discussed and corrected when staff turned on educational/age-appropriate programs.
Ensure staff-to-child ratios are maintained at all times. According to the Pre-k classroom attendance record, an ECT was alone with up to eleven children, the youngest being three, from 7:47 to 7:49. An aide who has been employed for over a year and cannot count in staff-to-child ratios, signed into the classroom at 7:49. The ECT and the aide were signed in with up to 14 children, the youngest being three until 8:00 am.
Ensure child attendance is documented to show exact arrival and departure times. The pre-k classroom had 13 children present, and 20 children were signed in. This was corrected when the eight children that left for the three-year-old classroom were signed out and the 13th child was signed into the pre-k classroom.
Ensure classroom capacity is maintained at all times. The pre-k classroom measures for 16 children. According to attendance records, there were up to 21 children present in the pre-k classroom. This was discussed and corrected when staff agreed to comply in the future. Repair or remove the unstable white shelf in the toddler classroom.
Purchase additional equipment/materials for the three-year-old classroom.
Ensure fitted sheets are tightly fitted to the crib mattress. The fitted sheet on the crib closest to the classroom door is not tightly fitted.
Ensure staff-to-child ratios are maintained at all times. Upon arrival, Staff #1 was in the pre-k classroom with 13 children, ages three to school-age. Staff #2 was signed into the classroom; however, was observed in the kitchen. During the visit, Staff #2 stepped out of the pre-k classroom for a second time and was observed in the kitchen. Staff #2 was needed to maintain proper ratios. According to attendance records, Staff #2 signed out of the pre-k classroom from 8:34 to 8:39, which left Staff #1 over ratio and Staff #2 was alone from 7:30 to 8:34 with up to 15 children, the youngest being three.
Ensure staff-to-child ratios are maintained at all times. Upon arrival, Staff #1 was observed in the one and two-year-old classroom. Staff #2 was signed in the one and two-year-old classroom with seven children, the youngest being one, for a period of time prior to Staff #3 entering the classroom. Staff #3 was signed into the infant classroom prior to Staff #1 entering the classroom. When asked, Staff #1 stated Staff #3 was in the infant classroom while she was in the one & two-year-old classroom. Staff #3 is qualified as an intern. According to a verbal statement and attendance records, an intern was alone with infants. According to attendance records, an intern was alone with seven children, the youngest being one. This was corrected when a second staff entered the one and two-year-old classroom and a qualified teacher entered the infant classroom.
Ensure floors are cleanable and in good condition. Repair the floor next to the sink in the one and two-year-old classroom.
Replace the broken foot-activated trash can located at the diaper changing station in the three-year-old classroom.
Ensure proper meal pattern requirements are followed. Upon arrival, the children were finishing up breakfast, Pancakes and bacon were served. When asked, staff confirmed only pancakes and bacon were served. A fruit or vegetable were not served.
Ensure staff responsible for providing care to children are not given other duties. A staff member was observed completing CDA coursework while providing care to three children. This was discussed with staff and corrected when she closed the laptop and put it up.
Ensure staff-to-child ratios are maintained at all times. Upon arrival, Staff #1 answered the front door for licensing staff. Upon entering the pre-k classroom, Staff #2 and Staff #3 were present with 12 children, the youngest being three years old. Staff #1 and Staff #3 were signed into the pre-k classroom. Staff #2 is an aide who has been employed for more than one year and can no longer count in staff-to-child ratios. This was discussed and corrected when Staff #1 re-entered the classroom.
Ensure hands are washed at the appropriate times. A staff member was observed cleaning a child's nose and failed to wash her hands afterwards. This was discussed with staff and corrected when the staff member washed her hands.
Ensure walls and floors are cleanable and in good repair. Repair the wall in the toddler classroom near the classroom sink. The paint is chipped, and the baseboard is moved away from the wall. Repair the peeling/cracked floor tiles in the main hallway located near the front door.
Ensure a ratio of one-to-four early childhood teachers to EC assistant teacher, EC intern, and EC aides is followed during the hours of operation. Upon arrival, it was naptime and only one EC teacher was present with five lower qualified staff. This was discussed and corrected when the staff agreed to comply in the future.
Ensure staff files are complete. Three staff members need two references. One staff member needs an eligibility letter and an adult abuse registry check.
Ensure staff attendance is documented to show the exact times a staff member works in a classroom or area. One staff was signed into the Pre-k classroom, but not present. According to staff, she was on her lunch break. This was discussed and corrected when the staff member was signed out.
Ensure all equipment is in a safe condition. The brown shelf in the three-year-old classroom needs to be fixed. Ensure all outlets are covered. An outlet in the three-year-old classroom needs a cover.
Ensure the terms of the current Agreement of Understanding (AOU) are followed. OCCL received a subsequent arrest record for the owner from August 29, 2025. OCCL was not notified by the facility. This was discussed with the owner on September 4, 2025.
Ensure the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) is notified within one business day in the event of a known arrest or conviction of a staff member or licensee. OCCL received a subsequent arrest record for the owner from August 29, 2025. OCCL was not notified by the facility. This was discussed with the owner on September 4, 2025.
Ensure equipment is hazard-free and in safe condition. A broken toy shelf was observed in the toddler classroom. Ensure toilets are cleanable and in good repair. A piece of wood is under the toilet in the pre-k classroom. The wood is not cleanable. Remove the wood and repair the toilet.
Ensure each classroom is equipped to provide enough equipment in good repair for the number of children in care. Room three needs manipulatives, art, and science. Room four needs sensory. Room five needs music, science, and art.
Ensure classroom items and equipment are cleaned and sanitized as required. Room one's diaper changing table needs to be cleaned and sanitized. Room two's equipment and shelf need to be cleaned and sanitized. Room three's toys and equipment need to be cleaned, and all the soft items need to be laundered. Rooms four and five's toys and materials need to be cleaned and sanitized.
Ensure lesson plans for infants and toddlers include social and emotional.
Ensure the infant classroom has a schedule posted. Classroom 4 needs another 30 minutes of outside time.
Ensure an annual renewal application is submitted 60 days before license expiration.
Ensure staff files are completed. One staff member needs two references on file. On Staff member needs two additional references on file. One staff member needs a health appraisal and TB results. One staff member needs a second attempt to receive a prior employer's service letter. One staff member needs a second attempt to obtain a service letter from two child cares. One staff member needs four service letters.
According to attendance records on March 10, 2025, children and staff were present at 7:00 a.m. The license was suspended until 8:11 a.m. on March 10, 2025. Also, the AOU that was signed on March 7, 2025, states the staff signature page needed to be completed before the suspension would be lifted. On March 10, 2025, staff were present with children at 7:00 a.m., but the staff sheet was not submitted to OCCL until 7:24 a.m. Staff stated they were not aware the suspension was not lifted until 8:11 a.m. on Monday, March 10, 2025. Staff stated the owner communicated the center would be open on Monday.
Ensure no screen time when children under two years old are in the classroom.
Ensure all meal components are offered at each meal. At breakfast, Cheerios and milk were served. LS asked for fruit to be offered.
Ensure OCCL is notified within one business day in the event of a known arrest or conviction of a staff member or licensee. The licensee was arrested on March 5, 2025, and did not notify OCCL.
Ensure items for diaper changing are accessible. One two-year-old child was in a soiled diaper for 15 minutes before the Specialist stated that the child needed a diaper change. The classroom is not equipped with a foot-activated diaper-changing pail with a liner, a diaper-changing table or mat, diaper-changing procedures, diapers, or wipes. The staff member stated he would not change the child's diaper because he was a male and the child was a female, and other parents did not want him to change their daughter's diapers.
Ensure enough staff are on site during operating hours to perform child care, administrative duties, and kitchen duties.
Ensure that children are directly supervised. LS observed two children running from classroom three to the lobby and then returning to the classroom. The Preschool classroom had nine children ages two to five years old with one staff member. Classroom three had one teacher with seven one to two-year-old children. According to attendance records for 3/3/2025, there were up to 16 children, the youngest an infant, present with four staff.
Staff in a classroom must be signed in, and staff not in a classroom must be signed out. Upon arrival, two staff members were signed in, but only one was in the classroom. The other staff member was in another classroom on the phone.
Children under two may not have screen time on any device. The television in the classroom was on while a one-year-old child was in care.
One staff member left to answer the door while the Administrator was in the classroom, leaving one infant and eight toddlers.
One staff member needs health and safety for child care professionals; service letter attempts, and reference letters. One staff member needs a second attempt to get service letters and references
The facility should be free of insect infestation. An ant issue was observed in the kitchenette next to the infant classroom.
Ensure infant-safe sleep practices are followed. The administrator placed a sleeping baby in an infant seat.
The diaper changing pad in the two's classroom has holes in it.
Ensure hazards are removed from the outdoor play area. Remove tree branches, boards with nails, and trash in the can without a liner.
Ensure staff signs out when leaving the care area. The administrator was not in the facility or classroom three and was not signed out.
Attendance must be accessible during a visit for at least three months. The specialist requested December attendance, but it was not available because it was locked in an office.
Ensure the flooring is nonporous and does not present a tripping hazard. Repair or replace the peeling flooring seam in room three.
During operating hours, a staff member qualified as a teacher must be on site. The facility opened at 9:00 a.m., and upon arrival at 9:13 a.m., there was no teacher on site. The Administrator arrived and knew that there was no teacher on site.
Ensure a teacher or administrator is on site while the facility operates. The administrator confirmed she knew the facility did not have either on site.
Ensure qualified staff are supervising children. Upon arrival to the facility an intern answered the door and one aide was in the classroom with seven children.
The outdoor play area has a board with exposed nails.
Upon entering the facility, LS observed that at 3:26 p.m., an aide was alone in the infant classroom with two infants. Attendance indicates the aide was alone from 11:46 a.m. through 12:20 p.m. and again at 3:00 p.m. when the teacher signed out. This was corrected when the assistant teacher in classroom 3 entered the infant classroom, and the aide was placed with the teacher in classroom 3 with nine children ages one through five.
Staff must be signed in upon arrival to the room if they count as ratio/supervision. One staff member was not signed in to the Pre-K classroom while counting in ratio/supervision of children.
The outdoor play area gate must be unlocked during hours of care and meet DELACARE regulations for operation. The gate is locked, and no means to unlock it are available.
Lesson plans should be current and hung up for the children in care. Rooms 1, 2, 3, and 4 do not have lesson plans dated for the current week or hung up.
Ensure staff files are complete and on-site. Three files were not available during the visit.
Ensure ratios and supervision are met during care hours. Upon arrival, one staff member answered the door, the administrator was in the stairwell, and one staff member was alone in the Pre-K classroom with nine children ages infant to four. This was corrected when another staff member arrived at 9:05 a.m.
Children under two years old can not have access to screens or have screen time. Upon arrival, nine children, ages infant to four, were in the pre-k classroom with a television on the wall playing. This was corrected with a notification to staff and the television being turned off.
Child attendance must reflect when they arrive. There were 13 children in care, and 11 were signed in.
Staff attendance must reflect when a staff member is in the area and when they leave. The observed attendance had two staff members signed in and three staff members in the classroom, or a ratio of 13 children.
Ensure the maximum group size is not exceeded. In Room Three, 14 children, aged one to five, were napping.
A licensee shall have an on-site confidential paper or accessible electronic file for each child. The LS requested a child file to review documents, which was unavailable.
Each child between 12 and 18 months old who walks may sleep on a cot, bed, or mat with written permission from the child s parent or guardian. The LS observed a one-year-old child asleep on a cot. The child's file did not have written permission signed by the child s parent or guardian.
Infants, toddlers, and preschool children may be cared for in the same area as long as there are 12 or fewer children in total at the facility. It was observed on the attendance for the morning of November 15, 2024, that up to 16 children were combined, ages infant to four-year-old, with two staff from 8:45 a.m. until 9:10 a.m.
Ensure in the absence of the administrator that a day-to-day person is designated, trained, and on-site.
Ensure staff have a letter of eligibility on file before caring for children. One staff member was not eligible and was alone with children for 76 minutes. On November 7, 2024, attendance records indicated an aide was alone with children from 9:35 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
Ensure staff's exact arrival and departure are documented. Attendance records indicate staff were not signed out on November 7, 2024, and November 8, 2024. On November 13, in the infant classroom, the present classroom was not signed in, and the absent staff member was signed in but not in the facility.
Ensure a child's exact arrival and departure are documented. Attendance for the infant classroom shows three children signed in, and there were four children in the room. November 8. 2024, attendance reflects child #11 was not signed out.
Ensure staff files have the required documents and are available at the facility. When the LS asked for the staff files, they were not available.
Ensure unqualified staff are not alone with children. Upon arrival, an aide was alone in the preschool classroom with four children. According to attendance she was alone from 7:10 am until 8:30 am.
Ensure a teacher trained in day-to-day operations is present at all times. When asked, the staff stated she was unsure if she was trained in day-to-day operations. When asked if she has access to staff files, she did not.
Ensure staff-to-child ratio and maximum group size are maintained at all times. Ensure toddlers are cared for in an area separate from older children. Upon arrival at 8:29 am, one staff was alone with 14 children ages one to preschool. Later in the visit, one staff was alone with seven one-year-olds.
Ensure staff attendance is complete. When asked, the staff could not find the attendance record. Once found, the attendance record had not been updated for about an hour. One staff was not signed out when she left the classroom about an hour before.
Ensure child attendance is complete. When asked, the staff could not find the attendance record. Once found, the attendance record had not been updated for about an hour. Seven children were signed in, but 14 children were present.
A licensee shall have an organized system of business management and have sufficient staff to fulfill, at a minimum, administrative, direct child care, and supervisory functions. Upon arrival, the LS observed all staff in ratio in the classroom, but no staff was available to assist with emergencies, lunch breaks, or administrative duties.
Monthly evacuation drills must be practiced. A licensee shall conduct a monthly fire prevention inspection and post the latest inspection report in a visible place. The last posted inspection and fire drill was July 29, 2024.
Ensure the maximum group size is maintained. The LS observed 14 one-year-old to two-year-old children with two staff members in room #3.
Ensure staff are signed out at exact departure. One staff member was not signed out of the preschool classroom while signed into the toddler classroom.
Ensure children are signed in at exact arrival. One child needed to be signed into the toddler classroom.
Ensure infants are asleep with nothing in the crib. One infant slept in a crib with a hat and bib on. Another crib had the same dirty blue sheet as last week's visits for a twin bed.
Staff attendance must have an exact arrival and departure time. September 19, 20204, and September 17, 2024, attendance is missing staff departure and arrival times.
If an infant cannot hold its bottle to self-feed, it must be held while being fed or sitting in a feeding seat if capable of self-feeding. LS observed an infant in a bouncer with a bottle not labeled with the infant's name.
Ensure child attendance has the exact arrival and departure of the child. September 17, 2024, and September 19, 2024, attendance is missing the arrival and departure times of the child.
Ensure children two-years-old and younger are cared for separately from the three-year-old and older children in care. LS observed 2 two-year-old children being cared for with three-year-old and older children in the Pre-K classroom. This was corrected when the LS moved the two-year-olds into the classroom with the one-year-old and two-year-old classroom. At 11:14 a.m., a staff member left the two-year-old classroom, leaving one staff member and 11 children ages one to two years old in the classroom. This was corrected when the staff returned to the classroom and was reminded about ratios and supervision.
Ensure staff-to-child ratios and maximum group size are maintained at all times. Upon arrival to room one, two staff members were with nine children ages infant to four years old in one classroom. This was corrected when additional staff arrived and opened other classrooms.
Ensure staff's exact hours worked in each classroom or area are documented at the arrival of the staff member. It was observed in room one that Staff #1 was not signed in. This was corrected at the visit when the staff member signed in.
Ensure the classroom's capacity is not exceeded. During the visit, room one, which has a capacity of six, had nine children in care with two staff members. This was corrected when additional staff arrived, removed the children, and opened other classrooms.
Ensure infants sleep in a crib, pack-n-play, or playpen labeled with their name. During the visit, it was observed that an infant was asleep in a swing with a blanket. This was corrected when the infant was placed on her back to sleep in a pack-n-play.
Ensure children are supervised by qualified staff. Upon arrival to the Pre-K classroom, both LSs observed seven children eating and preparing for a nap with one person overseeing them. Person #1 was not fingerprinted to care for children at the licensed location. During nap time, a staff member exceeded the maximum group size for one-year-old children. The staff member was with 14 one-year-old and two-year-old children.
Ensure employees are truthful when providing information to OCCL. Upon arrival at the Pre-K classroom, the LS asked the individual what they were doing in the school with the children. The individual stated she was on a tour. The LS asked, then, "What are you, the only person in here with the children?" The individual stated that she was hired to be a staff and cared for the children for the day.
Ensure staff files are complete. Several staff members still needed letters of eligibility or DEEDs certificates in their files.
Ensure staff have an understanding of and respect for children and their needs. Child #10 was not signed into the classroom because staff stated, "I do not know her name." The staff did not know the age, name, allergies, responsible pick-up individuals, personal space, and belongings were her's due to not knowing the name of the child that was in care for a week.
Ensure all enrolled families and tours complete the Parent's Right to Know Log.
Ensure indoor areas are free from hazards. An air freshener is used in the bathrooms, trash cans are foot-activated, and they are within arms' reach of the diaper area. Electrical outlets in the one and two-year-old classroom need covers.
Ensure the kitchen by the infant classrooms has a sanitizing bin when washing bottles and cups.
Ensure medications are out of reach. The infant classroom had diaper cream on the second shelf of the changing station, which was accessible to a child.
Ensure there are enough staff to operate. LS observed three classrooms open with three teachers in ratio. No other staff was present or available for staff.
Ensure the facility has a working, publicly-listed phone number. This on-site phone must have a feature that allows a caller to leave a voicemail message.
Ensure staff to child ratios are maintained at all times. During the visit a staff member left the sleeping Pre-K children to retrieve a broom and dustpan from the kitchen.
A licensee shall keep a daily written or electronic record of each staff member s exact hours worked in each classroom or area, and be documented at the time of the arrival and departure of the staff member.
Ensure paper towels or a mechanical hand dryer are available at all times in the toilet rooms. The Pre-K classroom has no paper towels in the bathroom.
Ensure for children over 24 months old, developmentally appropriate supplies or equipment are provided for all children to use. The two-yar-old classroom needs art supplies and music equipment. The one-year-old classroom needs language and literacy, music, and science equipment accessible for much of the day. The PreK classroom needs more music supplies.
Disposition: Substantiated
The Office of Care Licensing received a complaint on February 24, 2025, regarding transporting children without permission, not having permission to take children off site, unqualified staff alone with children, the administrator not being present the required time, and not providing truthful information. An investigation was conducted on March 3, 2025. The allegation of not providing truthful information is substantiated because two staff stated Administrator #1 was not present in the afternoon on February 26, 2025, but the attendance record showed on February 26, 2025, Administrator #1 was in the facility from 2:15 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. Although there is concern Administrator #1 was not onsite the required amount of time, there is not enough evidence to substantiate this. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegations of transporting children without permission, not having permission to take children off site, and unqualified staff alone with children because staff denied this.
Disposition: Substantiated
On January 24, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding unqualified staff alone with children, not meeting the staffing ratio, and not having a qualified staff member present during the hours of operation. An investigation was conducted on January 29, 2025. This complaint is substantiated for not meeting the staffing ratio and for not having a qualified teacher present because during the visit there was not a qualified teacher on site to be trained in day-to-day operations. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation of unqualified staff alone with children because although there was not a qualified teacher in the building, all staff were qualified to be with the children in their care. In addition, attendance records from January 24, 2025, showed proper staff-to-child ratio was followed. Additional concerns noted were that three of the five classrooms were not set for use during the hours of operation, staff stated the administrator was present prior to OCCL staff arriving, but the administrator was not signed in, and the administrator attendance observed at the visit was different than the administrator attendance provided after the visit.
Disposition: Substantiated
The Office of Child Care Licensing received a complaint regarding the administrator not being present and infant daily logs not having the required information. An investigation was conducted on December 20, 2024. The complaint is substantiated because the infant's daily logs not having the required documentation because a child s daily log from December 16, 2024, did not have any sleep checks documented. There is no evidence to substantiate the administrator not being onsite because the administrator was onsite during previous unannounced visits on November 25, 2024, and December 11, 2024. Also, Owner #1 stated the administrator works a split shift daily, but is onsite the required 50% of the hours of operation; the administrator s written schedule meets regulatory requirements.
Disposition: Substantiated
The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint on September 18, 2024, regarding vaping and not following comprehensive background check requirements. An investigation was conducted on September 25, 2024. This complaint is substantiated for not following comprehensive background check requirements because during an unrelated visit on September 18, 2024, Staff #3 was alone with children and had not been fingerprinted for the center. This non-compliance was cited during the follow-up visit. There is no evidence to substantiate vaping because while staff stated Staff #3 had a vape in her hand upon entering the center, the vape was not observed in use. A concern noted was the attendance records dated September 17, 2024, submitted by Owner #1 to OCCL were different from the attendance records the licensing specialist had previously gathered during visits.
Disposition: Substantiated
The Office of Child Care Licensing received a complaint regarding personal cell phone usage. An investigation was conducted on September 25, 2024. The complaint is substantiated because while Staff #1 was the only staff in the classroom, Staff #1 sent text messages from her personal cell phone from 10:48 a.m. until 11:04 a.m.
Disposition: Substantiated
Ensure a sufficient quantity of developmentally appropriate equipment/materials are present and made accessible to children. The three-year-old classroom needs additional manipulatives/math/problem solving and dramatic play materials. The toddlers classroom needs additional art and science materials. The pre-K classroom needs additional manipulatives/math/problem solving art, dramatic play, and science materials.
Ensure the diaper changing procedure is followed. The sink in the toddler classroom is not operable. Handwashing for diapering is being done in the bathroom located within five feet of the changing table. However, the bathroom door was observed not open during diaper changes. This causes an obstruction for proper handwashing. The foot-activated trash can was observed to the left of the diaper changing table, which causes an obstruction to disposing diapers when the bathroom door is open. Purchase a foot-activated trash can to be used solely for diapers/pull-ups in the pre-K classroom. Post a diaper-changing procedure in the pre-K classroom. Supply disposable covers in the pre-K classroom.
Ensure the first aid kit is complete. Purchase an eye patch for the first aid kit.
Ensure lesson plans provide varied, developmentally appropriate activities. The lesson plans for the pre-K and three-year-old classrooms did not provide varied activities for social-emotional.
Ensure staff provide required interactions with preschool children at their eye level, and whenever appropriate, sit on the floor with the children. The majority of the time licensing staff were present, licensing staff observed the preschool children sitting at tables, some of the time with an activity, but for most of the time just sitting, while staff sat at the teacher's desk.
Ensure the freezer is at 0 degrees F or colder. The freezer in the kitchen read 2 degrees F.
Ensure staff files are complete. Four staff members need service letters. One staff member needs a service letter or three additional references. One staff member needs a professional development plan.
Ensure the renewal application is submitted at least 60 days prior to the license expiration. This was corrected when the application was submitted on March 9, 2026.
Ensure meals and snacks provided by the center meet the required components. The posted menu showed water and only one meal component for snacks.
Ensure a top and bottom covering is used for children over the age of one for nap time. This was corrected when one child in the pre-K classroom was supplied with a bottom covering and one child in the three-year-old classroom was supplied with a top covering. Ensure rest equipment is space at least 1 1/2 feet apart. Cots in the pre-K classroom were observed less than 1 1/2 inches apart. This was corrected when the cots were spaced out 1 1/2 feet or more.
Remove all hazards from the outdoor play area. Remove the two broken ride-on toys. Remove or cover the large concrete pillar that has metal rods sticking out of it. Repair the broken wooden barrier along the back side of the large play structure. Repair the fence at the back right corner, the fence is able to be moved, and a child could fit through the gap. Repair the fence along the top of the right-hand side to ensure there are no gaps larger than 3 1/2 inches. Replenish the fall zone material under the large play structure with nine inches of mulch. Move the little tikes slide to the area with fall zone material.
Ensure the center has a qualified early childhood administrator who functions in that role. Hire a qualified ECA, who has 15 hours of training in infant/toddler and 15 hours of training in school-age care. Ensure direct care staff are not responsible for other duties of participating in personal activities. A staff member was observed on her cell phone multiple times during the licensing staff's review.
Ensure a one-to-four ratio of early childhood teachers to lower qualified positions is present during hours of operation. At the time of the visit, one staff member qualified as an early childhood teacher and five staff members qualified as early childhood interns were present.
Ensure foods have a name and expiration date when stored in containers. The refrigerator in the kitchenette needs to be cleaned out.
Ensure the outdoor play area gate has a self-closing and self-latching mechanism that properly operates when the gate is in use. Remove the wooden boards, tree branches, the rake, and the inoperable rake.
Ensure child files are complete. Six children need the date of enrollment, five children need hours and days of attending care, and five children need emergency information. Three children need a health appraisal and immunization records. One child needs a blood lead screening result. One child needs a Parent's Right to Know and screentime permission signed. Two children need a developmental plan on file.
Ensure that floors and walls are in good repair, cords are out of reach, outlets are covered, and items that change the smell of the air are not in use. Room 1 repair the peeling paint and holes in the wall by the parent board and the gate. Remove the air freshener from the kitchenette. Room 4 repair the holes in the wall near the fire extinguisher, remove the equipment in place that is piled up. Room 5 repair the peeling paint, ensure outlets are covered, repair the floor by the child's tool bench, make the television cord inexcessable, and remove the equipment stacked by the door that is inoperable.
Ensure all restrooms have paper towels and toilet paper. One classroom needs paper towels and toilet paper. One classroom needs paper towels.
Two staff members were at the facility with nine children, infants and older.
Staff attendance must be documented. The administrator was needed for ratios in the classroom and was not signed into the attendance tracking sheet. One staff member was in ratio before the visit and was not signed in, and when they left, they did not sign out of the staff tracking
Ensure that infants sleep on their backs in a crib with a tightly fitted sheet. LS observed an infant asleep in a swing with a blanket. Three cribs did not have tight-fitted sheets on the mattress.
Ensure monthly fire drills and safety checks are conducted.
Ensure that each infant in care is completed with a monthly feeding schedule. No infant had a monthly feeding schedule.
Ensure a monthly lesson plan is posted. The lesson plans posted were from a month ago.
Ensure outdoor hazards are removed. In the ivy, there is poison ivy growing; remove the poison ivy. Ensure the gate is self-closing and self-latching. The gate to enter the outdoor play area is not self-closing or self-latching.
Ensure staff files are complete and accessible on site. 15 staff need complete, accessible staff files. Three staff need Health and Safety for Child Care Professionals certification. One staff member needs a job description, two references, an adult abuse registry check, a health appraisal with TB results, and service letter attempts.
Children's attendance must be documented at the exact arrival and departure of the child to the classroom. Little Lamb classroom had six children present, and ten children were signed in.
Ensure children are supervised directly at all times, and ensure qualified staff supervise children at all times. Ensure children are supervised with suffiencet staff to child ratios. Staff #5 stepped out of the Pre-K classroom into the hallway, leaving six children unsupervised. Attendance records for 9-13-24 show that baby lambs were out of ratio for nap time with five children, ages infant to one year old, and one staff member. Staff #1 was left alone in the Pre-K classroom after a conversation and technical assistance with staff #4, and staff #1 could not be alone in the classrooms due to not being eligible.
Ensure safe sleep practices are followed for infants, safe sleep checks are completed and documented every 30 minutes, and sleeping accommodations are non-absorbant, labeled, and have a fitted sheet. Little lambs pack-n-play needs a new mattress due to holes and needs to be labeled by the child it is assigned to. Child #1 was in a crib with a blanket. This was corrected when the blanket was removed. Child #11 was asleep in a bouncer. This was corrected when the child was put to sleep on their back in a crib. No safe sleep checks were documented for Child #8 or Child #11.
Ensure child files are complete and available during the visit. The facility has 43 children enrolled, and the specialist received 17 incomplete child files. Three children need the date of enrollment, blood lead screening results, Parent's Right to Know Notice, Screentime Permissionemergency transportation permission, and medication permission. Four children need hours and days attending care and emergency card information. Seven children need health appraisals and immunizations. Eight children need developmental plans, and five infants need infant feeding schedules.
Ensure staff are signed in and out of the classrooms at exact arrival and departure. Admin #1 was not signed out of the one-year-old classroom. Staff #4 was in the infant classroom and not signed out of the one- and two-year-old classrooms.
Ensure enough materials are available for the children. The one to two-year-old classroom needs more dramatic play and music materials.
Ensure staff members and children wash their hands with soap and running water, including when gloves have been worn. Handwashing was not observed after diaper changing for children and staff in the infant or one-year-old classroom. Handwashing was not observed before or after eating in any classroom.
Written permission from the child's parent or guardian for each medication to be administered is required. One child has two medications that need parent permission and proper documents for use.
All single-service dinnerware or utensils provided by the center for meals or snacks must be thrown away immediately after use. The menu for the day stated the children were to have roast, rice, corn, and pears. The facility served chicken nuggets, carrots and peas, mixed fruit, and fried potatoes. All single-service dinnerware or utensils provided by the center for meals or snacks must be thrown away immediately after use. Plasticware was observed drying in the dish rack.
The lesson plan must be current and posted for easy reference by parents or guardians and staff. The lesson plan must include at least one daily activity for each goal listed. The Pre-K and one-year-old classroom lesson plan was from April and the Infant classroom lesson plan was from March. Add a social emotional activity to the lesson plan.
Develop and follow a schedule for each group of children that is posted for easy reference by parents or guardians and staff. Weather permitting, a licensee shall ensure daily outdoor play is provided for infants, toddlers, and older children when the wind chill factor is 32 F or higher or the heat index is 89 F or lower. During the visit the infant and one-year-old classrooms never went outside as scheduled to at 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The Pre-K classroom was at the classroom table from 10:52 a.m. until 11:39 a.m. reading and having lunch when the schedule states they were to be outside until 11:30 a.m. for lunch.
Ensure used disposable diapers are placed in a foot-activated trashcan that is used only for diapers, within arm s reach of the changing area, lined with a plastic bag, and sanitized daily. The two-year-old classroom needs a diaper only trash can. Sanitizing and disinfecting the diaper changing was not observed after diaper changes in the infant or one-year-old classroom.
Bottles and nipples kept by center must be washed and sanitized before each use; each infant s bottle must be labeled with the infant s name and refrigerated immediately after preparation by center staff members or on arrival if prepared by a parent or guardian; unused bottles must also be dated as to when prepared if not returned to the parent or guardian at the end of each day; unused portions of formula must be thrown away after each feeding that exceeds one hour. In the small kitchen the refrigerator had a cup and a bottle with a milk substance in it. Neither cup or bottle were labled or dated. On the kitchen counter was a bottle with a milk substance in it that had no child name or date. It was later discussed, and that child no longer attends the facility. The facility staff were washing bottles and not sanitizing because of no sanitizing bin.
Ensure the windows have screens with no holes.
Ensure child files are complete. One child needed a blood lead test result and parent permission form.
Ensure all areas, furnishings, and equipment of the center in a clean, hazard-free, and safe condition. Floors, walls, counter surfaces, toilets, and surfaces or finishes must be cleanable and in good repair. The Pre-K classroom needs outlet covers, ceiling joints repaired, the bathroom floor needs to be kept dry, and the Pre-K classroom windowsills need cleaning. The three-year-old classroom needs the ceiling joints repaired, remove the aerosol air freshener. The two-year-old classroom needs the ceiling joints repaired, repair the roof to prevent brown water spots over the back windows. The one-year-old classroom needs the aerosol air freshener removed and provide a lid for the white garbage can.
Ensure a kitchen or food preparation area is provided with the necessary operable equipment to prepare, store, serve, and clean-up all meals and snacks for children and staff. The kitchen sink/cleaning of utensils and dish requirements for centers that prepare and serve meals and snacks are Three-compartment sink; or two-compartment sink and sanitizing basin; or two-compartment sink and dishwasher. Currently the dishwasher is not operating, and a sanitizing bin is required. The kitchen off the infant classroom needs a sanitizing bin to continue bottle and cup washing. Prepared food items must be correctly labeled with the contents and date of preparation. Food must be stored in closed or sealed containers that are labeled with the contents and expiration date. It was observed foods were not labeled with contents, stored to not spoil, or were expired. Food must be stored separately from cleaning materials. The food pantry had cleaning items stored where food is kept; a broom, dustpan, mop bucket, and damp mop in the bucket were observed.