SHELL'S EARLY LEARNING CENTER-HARRINGTON

56U — Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments

Ensure safe sleep practices are used at all times. An eleven-month-old infant was observed laying on a nap mat. After discussion with staff, it was determined the infant is in transition; however, she is not one and is not walking. This was discussed with staff and corrected when the infant was placed in a crib.

15U — Governing Body

Ensure the licensee, governing body, and employees follow all applicable federal, State, and local laws and regulations. During a complaint investigation on August 6, 2025, Executive Director #1 confirmed to OCCL that Owner #1 was currently in prison for tax issues related to the child care centers. This was discussed and corrected when Executive Director #1 agreed to comply in the future.

28U — General Qualifications

Ensure staff are truthful when providing information to OCCL. This specialist asked clarifying questions regarding staffing in the infant classroom and staff did not provide truthful information. Upon arrival, this specialist observed Staff #1 in the hallway. When this specialist entered the infant classroom at approximately 1:20 pm, she observed Staff #1 and Staff #2 with five infants. This specialist asked Staff #1 who was in the classroom with Staff #2 while she was in the hallway. Staff #1 stated she just stepped out to use the bathroom. This specialist asked again who was in the classroom while she stepped out and Staff #1 stated Staff #3 was present. Staff #3 signed out of the infant classroom at 1:00 pm. This specialist addressed the attendance with Staff #1. This specialist asked Staff #2 if she was alone with five infants and she stated, "No." This specialist then asked Administrator #1 who was present in the classroom with Staff #2 while Staff #1 was in the hallway. Administrator #1 stated Staff #3 was in the classroom. This specialist reminded Administrator #1 that Staff #3 left for her lunch break at 1:00 pm. Administrator #1 then stated Staff #1 was in the classroom, but just stepped out to grab something. This specialist asked who stepped into the classrooom so that ratios were maintained while Staff #1 stepped out and Adminstrator #1 could not answer.

27U — Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision

Ensure proper staff-to-child ratios are maintained at all times. Upon arrival, this specialist observed Staff #1 in the hallway. When this specialist entered the infant classroom at approximately 1:20 pm, she observed Staff #1 and Staff #2 with five infants. This specialist asked Staff #1 who was in the classroom with Staff #2 while she was in the hallway. Staff #1 stated she just stepped out to use the bathroom. This specialist asked again who was in the classroom while she stepped out and Staff #1 stated Staff #3 was present. Staff #3 signed out of the infant classroom at 1:00 pm. This specialist addressed the attendance with Staff #1. This specialist asked Staff #2 if she was alone with five infants and she stated, "No." This specialist then asked Administrator #1 who was present in the classroom with Staff #2 while Staff #1 was in the hallway. Administrator #1 stated Staff #3 was in the classroom. This specialist reminded Administrator #1 that Staff #3 left for her lunch break at 1:00 pm. Administrator #1 then stated Staff #1 was in the classroom, but just stepped out to grab something. This specialist asked who stepped into the classrooom so that ratios were maintained while Staff #1 stepped out and Adminstrator #1 could not answer. This was discussed and corrected when staff agreed to comply in the future.

49U — Indoor Space

Ensure all floors, walls, and surfaces are cleanable and in good repair. The sink counter in the preschool classroom needs to be repaired/replaced so that it is cleanable.

27U — Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision

Ensure proper staff-to-child ratios are maintained through the assignment of a qualified staff member. A staff member who has not been fingerprinted and determined eligible was observed alone with three one year olds. This was discussed and corrected when a qualified staff member entered the classroom.

28U — General Qualifications

Ensure a staff member schedules a fingerprinting appointment with the Delaware State Police to be fingerprinted and the licensee receives eligibility determination notification before the start of employment. A staff member who has not been fingerprinted and determined eligible was observed alone in a classroom with three one year olds. This was discussed and corrected when the staff member was removed from the facility.

30U — Personnel Files

Ensure staff files are complete. Two staff members need administration of medication training and/or certification. One staff member needs to complete the Health and Safety Training for Child Care Professionals. One staff member needs to be fingerprinted and have an eligibility determination letter on file. One staff member needs to complete the employee declaration and drug/alcohol statement. One staff member needs an adult health appraisal and TB results.

40U — Child Files

Ensure child files are complete. One child needs blood lead screening results.

51U — Toilet Facilities

Ensure each toilet facility has liquid soap. The bathroom in the three-year-old classroom needs soap.

53U — Outdoor Area

Ensure no hazards are in the outdoor play area. A large hole was observed near the building in the older child outdoor play area. Ensure the fall zone areas are supplied with nine inches of pea gravel. The pea gravel under all climbing equipment designed for the children's feet to leave the ground needs to be replenished in both outdoor play areas.

56U — Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments

Ensure all rest equipment is labeled. Several nap mats in the three-year-old classroom were not numbered (labeled).

61U — Diapering and Soiled Clothing

Ensure child and staff hands are washed after every diaper change. Staff in the infant classroom were observed not washing the child's and their hands after diaper changes. Ensure a working sink is within five feet of all changing stations. The sink in the infant classroom is not working.

66U — Emergency Planning

Post an emergency evacuation route in the three-year-old classroom.