Child Files
Ensure child files are complete. One child needs blood lead screening and an MAR on file.
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Pulling inspections, violations, and complaints.
Home › DE › Dover › Tender Hearts Learning Center
1339 SOUTH GOVERNORS AVENUE, Dover DE 19904 · License #491838 · Center · Licensed Child Care Center
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Ensure child files are complete. One child needs blood lead screening and an MAR on file.
Ensure fall zones extend at least six feet in all directions and has at least nine inches deep of material. The two year old and preschool playgrounds need mulch.
On March 14, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding improper staff-to-child ratio. An investigation was conducted on March 17, 2025. This complaint is substantiated for improper staff-to-child ratio because according to attendance records, the one/two-year-old classroom was over ratio on March 10, 2025 with up to nine children, the youngest being an infant, with two unqualified staff from 9:06 am until 2:44 pm; on March 11, 2025, with up to ten children, the youngest being an infant, with two unqualified staff from 8:46 am until 3:40 pm; and on March 12, 2025, with up to ten children, the youngest being an infant, with two unqualified staff from 8:46 am until 3:40 pm. A concern noted was staff stated a child under the age of one, who cannot walk, was sleeping on a cot and not in a crib or pack-n-play.
Disposition: Substantiated
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 staff to child ratios and supervision is maintained at all times. Specialist noted two teachers and one aide supervising three classrooms during naptime.
Ensure each staff member supervising children have been fingerprinted and deemed eligible before being left alone with children. Specialist noted an aide watching a classroom of children.
Ensure staff files are complete. One staff needs 2 training hours in Health and Safety. One staff needs an adult health appraisal with TB on OCCL's form.
Ensure interns under the age of 18 are supervised at all times. Specialist noted two underage interns with 10 children on the playground. This was discussed and corrected at the visit when a ECT arrived to the classroom.
Ensure all food in the kitchen is labeled with the contents and expiration dates.
Ensure child files are complete. Two children need blood lead screenings.
Ensure air fresheners are not used during child care hours. This was discussed and corrected at visit when the provider took down the air freshener in the lobby area.
Ensure a teacher or higher is trained in the absence of the administrator and documented in the staff members file.
Ensure a comprehensive background check is completed every five years. Three staff need to complete a five year comprehensive background check.
Ensure a non-porous surface is used. the one and two year old classroom need changing pads. Ensure diapers are disposed of in a foot activated pail for diapers only.
Ensure a schedule is posted. The Pre-K classroom had no schedule posted.
Ensure enough equipment is available at all times the three-year-old classroom needs music equipment.
Ensure staff files are complete. Two staff need job descriptions, one staff needs four reference letters, nine staff need a letter of eligibility on file.
Ensure all trash cans have lids on them at all times. LS observed the Pre-K classroom a lid off a trash can that had food waste and other trash items in it. The bathroom has a trash can with out a lid. Ensure the classroom walls are in good repair. the one and two year old classrooms need paint applied in various areas of the room.
Ensure the refrigerator and freezer maintain proper temperatures. A freezer thermometer read 10 degrees Fahrenheit. A refrigerator read 42 degrees Fahrenheit.
Ensure fall zones are nine inches in depth for wood chips.
Ensure child files are complete. One child needs a blood lead screening test. One child needs a complete file.
Ensure the lesson plan must include at least one daily activity for physical, social-emotional, language and literacy, and cognitive development. Allow children to choose to participate with the whole group, part of the group, or independently must be included. Cooking, food exploration, or healthy habits, such as talking about healthy habits or comparing the taste and texture of different foods; science and nature investigation, music and rhythm, multi-sensory play.
Ensure supervision, and ratios are maintained at all times. Staff #3 was responsible for 14 children ages 3, 4, and 5 from 8:05 am-9:05 am on 8/5/22. Staff #4 was responsible for 12 children ages 1, 2, and 3 from 8:30am-9:05pm on 8/5/22. Staff #6 was observed leaving her classroom to help with lunch leaving eight two-year-old's in the classroom. Staff #9 who is an aide, was observed supervising six one-year-olds alone. This was discussed and corrected when staff #6 and #9 combined their classrooms to ensure proper supervision. LS Smith observed 12 children ages 3 and 4 with one teacher. this was corrected when two children were transferred to another classroom. LS Smith observed an infant in the office with Ms.Sharon, being left alone. This was ddsisscused with Ms.Sharon that although the child is her grandson, he must be in a childcare area and have all necessary paperwork.
Ensure staff files are complete Staff #1-8 and #11 need updated annual safe sleep, and annual abuse and neglect. Staff # 2, 3, 4,5, and 9 need CPR and First Aid certification. Staff #8 and 9 need medication certification or proof of health and safety training. Staff #7 needs orientation, job description, references, declaration of employment, drug and alcohol statement, health appraisals with TB results, release of employment, and service letter. Staff #9 needs a job description, references, and a service letter. Staff #11 needs a job description, health appraisal with TB results, and a service letter. Staff #8 needs a professional development plan.
Ensure child files are complete. Child #1-10 need date of enrollment and days/ hours they attend. Child #1, #3, and #4 need lead test results. Child #6 needs an updated health appraisal, immunizations, and lead test results.
Ensure lesson plans are posted and meet the necessary requirements for OCCL.
Ensure parents are allowed into the building at all times. Staff # stated parents are not allowed in the building due to Covid procedures.
Ensure all exits have self closing and self latching abilities.
Ensure all staff, substitutes, and volunteers are fingerprinted prior to employment and determined eligible before being alone with children.
LS Sommer observed an infant asleep with a blanket on the floor. According to the infant daily logs and staff, the infant child was asleep on the floor for 10 minutes. Another infant was asleep in a crib with a bottle and a blanket. This was discussed and corrected.
Ensure staff-to-child ratios are followed at all times. LS Sommer observed three children walk from the bathroom to the preschool classroom alone. The three-year-old classroom had one staff alone with 11 children. This was corrected when one child was moved to the preschool classroom. A substitute without fingerprinting or eligibility determination was alone with four infants. This was corrrected when the substitute was combined in the preschool classroom with Ms. Farlow and 18 children and an eligible and qualified staff was moved into the infant classroom.