Report
TheVardellReport
Cradles to Crayons III Early Learning Center
Child care center
122 Memorial Drive
New Castle, DE 19720
Report
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The Vardell Report.Cradles to Crayons III Early Learning Center
The deeper story, beautifully organized. Available records, historical context, and questions worth asking.
- Provider Category
- Childcare
- Location
- New Castle, DE
- Record Period
- 2024–2026
- Source Documents
- 12
This report is free. Vardell does not certify, grade or endorse; it shows what the record documents.
The Essentials
Summary
Across 11 licensing visits from February 2024 to August 2026, OCCL cited 32 regulations at Cradles to Crayons III Early Learning Center; 32 have a recorded correction.
- Visits
- 11
- 2024–2026, compliance reviews and complaint investigations
- Citations
- 32
- Regulations cited by OCCL licensing staff
- Corrected
- 32
- Of 32 citations, with a recorded correction date
- Complaint investigations
- 6
- Investigations of a complaint, with their results in the report
Citations by Year
- Citations
* Partial year, through November 1, 2026.
| Year | Visits | Citations |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 3 | 16 |
| 2025 | 6 | 9 |
| 2026 | 2 | 7 |
What the Record Shows
- 32 of 32 citations have a recorded correction date.
- OCCL’s files list no enforcement action in this window.
- 6 visits in this window included a complaint investigation. OCCL publishes each complaint investigation’s result, not what the complaint alleged.
- The latest full compliance review, August 6, 2026, recorded 7 citations.
What to Ask About
- Personnel Files, Cited in Four Visits
- Indoor Space, Cited in Three Visits
- Lesson Plans, Cited in Three Visits
- Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision, Cited in Two Visits
- Staff Attendance, Cited in Two Visits
- Child Files, Cited in Two Visits
- Kitchen and Food Preparation, Cited in Two Visits
- Outdoor Area, Cited in Two Visits
Report at a Glance
- Facility
- Cradles to Crayons III Early Learning Center
- Address
- 122 Memorial Drive, New Castle, DE 19720
- License Number
- DE-1487802
- License Type
- Child care center
- Licensed Capacity
- 83 children
- Ages Served
- 6 weeks through 12 years
- Hours
- 6:30 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Injuries Reported
- 2026: 1 facility injury. No facility deaths reported.
- Record Window
- November 1, 2021 to November 1, 2026
Chronology
Inspection History
Every visit in the record window, newest first. A citation is a licensing regulation Delaware found was not met. OCCL publishes each complaint investigation’s result, not what the complaint alleged.
- 2026
Unannounced full compliance review
7 citations
- 30UPersonnel FilesCitedCorrected Sep 21, 2026
- 49UIndoor SpaceCitedCorrected Sep 21, 2026
- 50UKitchen and Food PreparationCitedCorrected Sep 21, 2026
- 53UOutdoor AreaCitedCorrected Aug 6, 2026
- 61UDiapering and Soiled ClothingCitedCorrected Sep 21, 2026
- 63UAdministration of MedicationCitedCorrected Sep 21, 2026
- 74ULesson PlansCitedCorrected Sep 21, 2026
Source: Compliance review or investigation (data.delaware.gov: wb83-pkcv and pnbd-85r6)
- 2026
IA investigation
No citations
Dated the day the investigation was completed; result: Substantiated.
Source: Compliance review or investigation (data.delaware.gov: wb83-pkcv and pnbd-85r6)
- 2025
Complaint investigation
No citations
Dated the day the investigation was completed; result: No Evidence to Substantiate.
Source: Compliance review or investigation (data.delaware.gov: wb83-pkcv and pnbd-85r6)
- 2025
Complaint investigation
No citations
Dated the day the investigation was completed; result: Substantiated.
Source: Compliance review or investigation (data.delaware.gov: wb83-pkcv and pnbd-85r6)
- 2025
Complaint investigation
No citations
Dated the day the investigation was completed; result: No Evidence to Substantiate with Concern.
Source: Compliance review or investigation (data.delaware.gov: wb83-pkcv and pnbd-85r6)
- 2025
Unannounced full compliance review
9 citations
- 27URatios, Group Size, and SupervisionCitedCorrected Aug 11, 2025
- 28UGeneral QualificationsCitedCorrected Aug 11, 2025
- 30UPersonnel FilesCitedCorrected Oct 28, 2025
- 36UStaff AttendanceCitedCorrected Aug 11, 2025
- 40UChild FilesCitedCorrected Oct 22, 2025
- 49UIndoor SpaceCitedCorrected Oct 22, 2025
- 57UEquipmentCitedCorrected Aug 12, 2025
- 66UEmergency PlanningCitedCorrected Oct 22, 2025
- 74ULesson PlansCitedCorrected Aug 12, 2025
Source: Compliance review or investigation (data.delaware.gov: wb83-pkcv and pnbd-85r6)
- 2025
Complaint investigation
No citations
Dated the day the investigation was completed; result: No Evidence to Substantiate.
Source: Compliance review or investigation (data.delaware.gov: wb83-pkcv and pnbd-85r6)
- 2025
Complaint investigation
No citations
Dated the day the investigation was completed; result: No Evidence to Substantiate.
Source: Compliance review or investigation (data.delaware.gov: wb83-pkcv and pnbd-85r6)
- 2024
Complaint investigation
No citations
Dated the day the investigation was completed; result: No Evidence to Substantiate.
Source: Compliance review or investigation (data.delaware.gov: wb83-pkcv and pnbd-85r6)
- 2024
Unannounced full compliance review
7 citations
- 30UPersonnel FilesCitedCorrected Sep 6, 2024
- 38UParents Right to KnowCitedCorrected Aug 7, 2024
- 42UDocumenting Children's ProgressCitedCorrected Aug 2, 2024
- 49UIndoor SpaceCitedCorrected Aug 2, 2024
- 53UOutdoor AreaCitedCorrected Sep 6, 2024
- 72UFeeding of InfantsCitedCorrected Aug 7, 2024
- 77UInfant and Toddler CareCitedCorrected Aug 2, 2024
Source: Compliance review or investigation (data.delaware.gov: wb83-pkcv and pnbd-85r6)
- 2024
Unannounced full compliance review
9 citations
- 16UInsurance CoverageCitedCorrected Feb 19, 2024
- 27URatios, Group Size, and SupervisionCitedCorrected Mar 13, 2024
- 30UPersonnel FilesCitedCorrected Mar 13, 2024
- 36UStaff AttendanceCitedCorrected Feb 19, 2024
- 40UChild FilesCitedCorrected Feb 23, 2024
- 50UKitchen and Food PreparationCitedCorrected Feb 19, 2024
- 56USleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep EnvironmentsCitedCorrected Feb 19, 2024
- 65UFirst Aid KitsCitedCorrected Feb 19, 2024
- 74ULesson PlansCitedCorrected Feb 19, 2024
Source: Compliance review or investigation (data.delaware.gov: wb83-pkcv and pnbd-85r6)
Delaware’s Office of Child Care Licensing publishes each regulation it cites, not a risk level for it.
Context
Patterns Worth Examining
A repeated citation can merit attention, but context and corrective action must be reviewed before drawing a conclusion.
- 1
Personnel Files, Cited in Four Visits
OCCL licensing staff cited 30U in February 2024, August 2024, August 2025 and August 2026. The agency describes it this way: Personnel Files. Delaware does not publish a risk level for each citation. Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
242424252525252525262630U across all 11 visits, oldest to newest - 2
Indoor Space, Cited in Three Visits
OCCL licensing staff cited 49U in August 2024, August 2025 and August 2026. The agency describes it this way: Indoor Space. Delaware does not publish a risk level for each citation. Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
242424252525252525262649U across all 11 visits, oldest to newest - 3
Lesson Plans, Cited in Three Visits
OCCL licensing staff cited 74U in February 2024, August 2025 and August 2026. The agency describes it this way: Lesson Plans. Delaware does not publish a risk level for each citation. Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
242424252525252525262674U across all 11 visits, oldest to newest - 4
Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision, Cited in Two Visits
OCCL licensing staff cited 27U in February 2024 and August 2025. The agency describes it this way: Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision. Delaware does not publish a risk level for each citation. Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
242424252525252525262627U across all 11 visits, oldest to newest - 5
Staff Attendance, Cited in Two Visits
OCCL licensing staff cited 36U in February 2024 and August 2025. The agency describes it this way: Staff Attendance. Delaware does not publish a risk level for each citation. Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
242424252525252525262636U across all 11 visits, oldest to newest - 6
Child Files, Cited in Two Visits
OCCL licensing staff cited 40U in February 2024 and August 2025. The agency describes it this way: Child Files. Delaware does not publish a risk level for each citation. Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
242424252525252525262640U across all 11 visits, oldest to newest - 7
Kitchen and Food Preparation, Cited in Two Visits
OCCL licensing staff cited 50U in February 2024 and August 2026. The agency describes it this way: Kitchen and Food Preparation. Delaware does not publish a risk level for each citation. Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
242424252525252525262650U across all 11 visits, oldest to newest - 8
Outdoor Area, Cited in Two Visits
OCCL licensing staff cited 53U in August 2024 and August 2026. The agency describes it this way: Outdoor Area. Delaware does not publish a risk level for each citation. Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
242424252525252525262653U across all 11 visits, oldest to newest
For Your Next Visit
Questions to Ask on Your Visit
Bring these to the tour. Each one comes from something in the record; the reason is under the question.
- 01
What changed after 30U was cited, and how do you check it now?
Personnel Files: cited in four visits, with no risk level published.
- 02
What changed after 49U was cited, and how do you check it now?
Indoor Space: cited in three visits, with no risk level published.
- 03
What changed after 74U was cited, and how do you check it now?
Lesson Plans: cited in three visits, with no risk level published.
- 04
What changed after 27U was cited, and how do you check it now?
Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision: cited in two visits, with no risk level published.
- 05
What changed after 36U was cited, and how do you check it now?
Staff Attendance: cited in two visits, with no risk level published.
- 06
What changed after 40U was cited, and how do you check it now?
Child Files: cited in two visits, with no risk level published.
- 07
What changed after 50U was cited, and how do you check it now?
Kitchen and Food Preparation: cited in two visits, with no risk level published.
- 08
What changed after 53U was cited, and how do you check it now?
Outdoor Area: cited in two visits, with no risk level published.
- 09
What is the ratio in the room my child would join, and how is every child accounted for at nap time, pickup and on the playground?
Ratios change through the day, so they are worth counting yourself on a visit.
- 10
Has the center ever been on probation or had its license suspended, and what changed afterward?
OCCL’s files list no enforcement action in this window.
The Evidence
Sources and Coverage
Program details, the regulations cited at compliance reviews and the results of complaint investigations are published by Delaware's Office of Child Care Licensing in its daily files on data.delaware.gov.
- Child care providers (data.delaware.gov)View Dataset ↗
Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing · 1487802
Published Nov 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Compliance review or investigation (data.delaware.gov: wb83-pkcv and pnbd-85r6)View Dataset ↗
Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing
Visit Feb 19, 2024 · Published Nov 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Compliance review or investigation (data.delaware.gov: wb83-pkcv and pnbd-85r6)View Dataset ↗
Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing
Visit Aug 2, 2024 · Published Nov 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Compliance review or investigation (data.delaware.gov: wb83-pkcv and pnbd-85r6)View Dataset ↗
Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing
Visit Oct 10, 2024 · Published Nov 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Compliance review or investigation (data.delaware.gov: wb83-pkcv and pnbd-85r6)View Dataset ↗
Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing
Visit Jan 17, 2025 · Published Nov 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Compliance review or investigation (data.delaware.gov: wb83-pkcv and pnbd-85r6)View Dataset ↗
Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing
Visit May 12, 2025 · Published Nov 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Compliance review or investigation (data.delaware.gov: wb83-pkcv and pnbd-85r6)View Dataset ↗
Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing
Visit Aug 11, 2025 · Published Nov 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Compliance review or investigation (data.delaware.gov: wb83-pkcv and pnbd-85r6)View Dataset ↗
Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing
Visit Sep 24, 2025 · Published Nov 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Compliance review or investigation (data.delaware.gov: wb83-pkcv and pnbd-85r6)View Dataset ↗
Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing
Visit Sep 26, 2025 · Published Nov 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Compliance review or investigation (data.delaware.gov: wb83-pkcv and pnbd-85r6)View Dataset ↗
Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing
Visit Nov 5, 2025 · Published Nov 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Compliance review or investigation (data.delaware.gov: wb83-pkcv and pnbd-85r6)View Dataset ↗
Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing
Visit Jan 27, 2026 · Published Nov 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Compliance review or investigation (data.delaware.gov: wb83-pkcv and pnbd-85r6)View Dataset ↗
Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing
Visit Aug 6, 2026 · Published Nov 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Coverage
Record windowNovember 1, 2021 – November 1, 2026
- This record is OCCL's list of licensed providers as of November 2026, with the compliance reviews and investigations in OCCL's files, which run from November 2021.
- OCCL's compliance-review file lists only visits at which it cited a regulation; a visit with nothing cited is not in it, so a program may have had more visits than this record shows.
- OCCL's notes on each citation and its written conclusion for each investigation are left out because they can describe children and staff; the regulation cited, the correction date and each investigation's result are kept.
- Special conditions OCCL records on a license (a variance, or that a home is also a foster home) are left out, and license-exempt care is not in OCCL's list.
What This Report Cannot Tell You
- Visits with nothing cited
- OCCL's compliance-review file lists only visits at which a regulation was cited.
- Investigation conclusions
- Published by OCCL but left out of this record because they can describe children and staff.
- Severity of citations
- OCCL's files do not grade citations.
- Staff qualifications and turnover
- Not part of the published licensing record.
Historical coverage varies by agency and location. Missing records do not mean that no complaint or violation occurred.
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