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Home › DE › Newark › Newark Day Nursery And Children's Center
921 BARKSDALE ROAD, Newark DE 19711 · License #29546 · Center · Licensed Child Care Center
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Ensure Staff Files are complete - Staff #1 needs References and Health Appraisal/TB Screener - Staff #2 needs CPR/First Aid - Staff #3 needs 1 Reference - Staff #4 needs 2 References.
Replace the fridge in the Infant Classroom. At the time of the visit, te fridge was reading 50 .
Ensure diaper changing areas have diaper changing procedures posted. PS Stars, PS Suns, and Toddlers need procedures posted.
On September 15, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint alleging unqualified staff members were left alone in classrooms and staff-to-child ratios were not being maintained. Additional concerns included a lack of understanding and respect for the individual needs of children, as well as unprofessional and disrespectful communication from the program s administrative team. An investigation was conducted on September 25, 2025, with a follow-up visit on September 26, 2025. Based on the findings of the investigation, this complaint is substantiated for unqualified staff members being left alone with children. After reviewing attendance records for three classrooms, there were nine occasions where a staff member either did not hold a DEEDS Early Learning certificate or did not possess an adequate certificate to be alone with children. This complaint is also substantiated for not maintaining proper staff-to-child ratios. Attendance records reviewed showed two occasions where an opening staff member went over staff-to-child ratio for a brief period. There is no evidence to substantiate the portion of the complaint related to not showing understanding or respect for individual child needs. All staff members interviewed, including Administrator #1, described consistent methods used to support children s individual needs. Reported supports include collaboration with school districts, when appropriate, and the use of an external mental health consultant to assist both classroom staff and families. There is also no evidence to substantiate the concern regarding unprofessional or disrespectful communication from the administrative team. All five staff members interviewed stated they have never observed or experienced unprofessional behavior or disrespectful communication from administrators, and Administrator #1 denied use of any disrespectful communication with staff. An additional related concern involves staff members not signing in or out of classrooms consistently, which impacts ratio verification and supervision records.
Disposition: Substantiated
On April 2, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint alleging multiple concerns included the presence of choking hazards, the use of a cot before a child turned one year of age, the provision of cow s milk to a child under twelve months old, the introduction of solid foods without an updated Infant Feeding Schedule, and not using respectful communication toward a parent, allegedly involving socioeconomic insinuations. An investigation was conducted on April 15, 2025. This complaint is substantiated for the presence of a choking hazard in the infant classroom. Administrator #1 confirmed an incident in which Child #1 found and placed a mop string in their mouth, and in response, Administrator #1 directed housekeeping to discontinue the use of those mops in classrooms and reminded teaching staff to conduct daily safety checks to ensure classrooms are hazard-free at the start of each day. This complaint is also substantiated for the use of a cot with a child under twelve months of age. Staff #2 reported that Child #1 used a cot during their transition into the Tweenie s classroom prior to reaching their first birthday and before demonstrating independent mobility. Additionally, this complaint is substantiated for the program s failure to maintain updated infant feeding schedules. LS #1 reviewed Child #1 s initial infant feeding schedule form, but the program was unable to provide any updated documentation to reflect feeding needs during or following the child s transition to a new classroom. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation of the child being served cow s milk prior to turning twelve months old. Staff #2 confirmed that the child s family provided formula and requested it be continued during the transition period. This was supported by video footage viewed by LS #1 showing Staff #2 feeding Child #1 a bottle of formula. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for not using respectful communication relate d to socioeconomic status. Administrators #1, #2, and #3 denied making any such remarks and instead reported experiencing disrespectful communication from the child s family. Staff #1 and Staff #2 corroborated this.
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 Infant Feeding Schedules are updated monthly. All infants except for 1 child need updates--last update was March. A licensee shall ensure parent/guardian permission is obtained for all food and drink served to children under one year of age. An initial infant feeding schedule was viewed in the child s file but there were no monthly updates available for observation. The child is no longer enrolled in the program and LS #1 observed updated feeding schedules for all infants currently in the infant room during the program s annual compliance visit conducted on April 15, 2025.
Ensure staff files are complete. Staff #1 needs DEEDS Certificate. Staff #2 needs Health Appraisal/TB Screener. Staff #3 needs OCCL Health and Safety Training and 2 additional references (if no service letter is attempted after a second request).
Ensure all classrooms have covered, foot-operated trash cans. SAC 1, 2, 3, and the Multipurpose Room all have them. The walls in the Toddler room and the wall behind the trash can in the infant room have been repaired. -Repair/Replace the screen in the Toddler Room window (to the left of the playground door). - Replace/Repair the handle on the diaper trash cabinet in the Infamt Room. -Replace/Repair the edge of the table in the Tweenie's Room. -Repair/Replace the backsplash edge piece behind the hand washing sink in the Tweenie Room. - Clean all cubbies if the SA PRogram) A licensee shall ensure that the environment is free from hazards. An infant-aged child found a mop string in the classroom and placed it in their mouth. This was corrected when Administrator #1 requested the housekeeping department to immediately stop using string mops and followed up with staff to ensure they are conducting safety sweeps of the classroom spaces at the start of the day.
Ensure child files are complete. Child #1, #2 need lead screening. Child #3 needs health appraisal with immunizations.
Ensure all children are signed in and signed out accurately. School-age children were not signed out for morning care.
Ensure staff files are complete. Staff #1 needs declaration and drug/alcohol statement.
The children in a preschool class were sitting on the carpet and Child #1 was reclining rather than sitting. Staff #1 did not give any verbal suggestions but instead grabbed her arm, lifted her off of the ground, and transported her in the air for a few feet that way. This non compliance was corrected when Staff #1 was terminated immediately following the incident.
Ensure all staff files are complete. Ensure all staff are determined eligible before working for a facility. Staff #1 needs 2 service letter attempts, Staff #2 needs administration of medication certification and an adult abuse registry check. Staff #3 needs CPR and First Aid certification. Staff #4 needs administration of medication certification and an adult abuse registry check. Staff #5 needs administration of medication certification and a release of employment. Staff #6 needs administration of medication certification, an adult abuse registry check, and an adult health appraisal. Staff #7 needs CPR/First Aid certification. Staff #8 needs CPR/First Aid certification and an adult health appraisal. Staff #9 needs administration of medication certification. Staff #12 needs 4 references, a release of employment, and a service letter. Staff #6 and #8 need 2 documented service letter attempts.
Ensure all child files are complete. Child #12 needs their parents right to know signature. Child #3 and #4 must have their medications in its original container. Child #5 needs an MAR form completed. Ensure all infants have an updated feeding schedule.
Ensure tweenies and toddlers classroom has disposable covers for diaper changes.
Replace basketball hoops on the school age playground.
Ensure screen time activities, such as watching television, are age-appropriate and educational. Based on staff and children interviews, there were a couple non-educational movies being played over the holidays (Hocus Pocus 2, Holes, etc.) Send school-age schedule of activities for the months of November and December. This was collected at the visit. Ensure screen time activities, such as watching television, are age-appropriate and educational. Ensure they are limited to one hour or less per day, unless a special event occurs. On January 4, 2023, the administrator and three school-age children confirmed school-age children do not always watch educational movies. The activity schedule for school-age children also verified they did not watch educational movies on October 5, 2022, and December 21, 2022, and screen time was from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on October 5, 2022. The violation was corrected at the facility visit when the licensing specialist reviewed the requirements for screen time activities with the administrator, and she agreed to have staff comply in the future.
Obtain complete staff files. Obtain administration of medication training for staff #8, eligibility letters for staff #6 and 11, health appraisal with TB assessment for staff #9, job description for staff #10, and professional development plans for staff #2, 5, and 7.
Clean rug in the stars room. Patch up walls in school-age rooms. Place lid on toddler trash can and liner in diaper pale.
Remove standing water in playground area. Ensure grounds drain naturally or through installed drainage systems so there is no standing water on premises.
Replace torn sofa cushions in the School-Age room.
Place safety straps on highchairs in infant room.
Obtain complete child files. Obtain lead test results for Children #7, 9, 11, 13, and 14. Obtain health appraisal for Child # 14.
Fill liquid soap dispenser in the Stars classroom.
Disposition: Substantiated
On November 18, 2024, a complaint was called into the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) regarding concerns about smoking/vaping within the building and leaving hazardous materials accessible to children. An investigation was conducted on December 3, 2024. This complaint is substantiated for leaving hazardous materials accessible to children because Staff #2 and #3 found a vape in the pocket of a hoodie left in cubbies the children have access to. There is no evidence to substantiate this allegation of a staff member vaping in the classroom with children because Administrator #1, Staff #2, and #3 all denied witnessing Staff #1 vaping in the classroom. Administrator #1 did note there was a concern regarding Staff #1 using the vape in the staff bathroom about a year ago, and it was addressed accordingly, noting there have been no issues since then.
Disposition: Substantiated
The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint on December 9, 2022, regarding lesson plans not being current, the center not notifying parents or guardians when their child has been exposed to a contagious disease or condition, staff not providing daily outdoor play, and staff not following requirements regarding screen time activities. An investigation was conducted on January 4, 2023. This complaint is substantiated because a current lesson plan was not posted in the infant classroom. The lesson plan available for review was dated November 7-11, 2022. This complaint is also substantiated because children and staff interviewed confirmed school-age children watched movies that were not educational during school in-service days and holidays. Also, the activity schedule for school-age children verified they watched Hocus Pocus 2 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on October 5, 2022, and a snowman holiday movie on December 21, 2022. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation that the center did not notify parents or guardians when their child was exposed to a contagious disease or condition. A staff member provided a copy of the notification regarding hand, foot, and mouth disease the center sent to parents or guardians of children in the infant and toddler classrooms via ClassDojo. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation that staff are not providing daily outdoor play. The staff and children interviewed indicated the children go outside daily unless there is inclement weather.
Disposition: Substantiated
OCCL received a complaint on July 8, 2022, and July 14, 2022, regarding staff-to-child ratios, unqualified staff members, and concerns about the school-age activity schedule. An investigation was conducted on July 19, 2022. Based on attendance records, DEEDS certification records, and documents provided, this complaint is substantiated. According to attendance documents, there are several days showing classrooms over-ratio and staff with no DEEDS qualification being left alone with children on the week of July 11, 2022. During that week, there was an unqualified staff member alone with children in each classroom, except the infant and Stars classroom. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation that school-age children are forced to be quiet or nap. According to the daily schedule and documents provided, students have lights out for one hour a day. During this time, students work on developmentally appropriate activities.
Disposition: Substantiated
A complaint was received on May 27, 2022, regarding improper discipline and not following the facility s procedure for accepting and handling complaints from a parent/guardian. The specialist received the complaint on June 1, 2022. An investigation was conducted on June 8, 2022. This complaint is substantiated for not following appropriate complaint procedure because a parent informed Ms. Bowen that her child disclosed being hit by a teacher and the center staff did not investigate the concern or follow up with the parent. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for improper discipline based on staff and child interviews.
Disposition: Substantiated
On May 13, 2022, a complaint was received alleging sanitation concerns, improper staff-child ratios, and unauthorized persons alone with children. An investigation was conducted on May 19, 2022. This complaint is substantiated for sanitation concerns and unqualified staff being left alone with children because staff acknowledged they were not cleaning, disinfecting, and handwashing as required and two classrooms were observed without either bleach and water or soap and water solution; and two staff members acknowledged that on two occasions children were left alone with staff who were not qualified to be alone with children. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for improper staff-child ratios. An additional concern is that children were not provided with bottom nap mat coverings during nap time.
Disposition: Substantiated
On August 17, 2021, the Office of Child Care Licensing received a complaint regarding staff not notifying parents/guardians when their child had been exposed to Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease. An investigation was conducted on August 25, 2021. This complaint is substantiated for center staff not notifying parents/guardians when their child was exposed to a contagious disease because the infant room parents were not notified when an infant had Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease.
Disposition: Substantiated