New Garden Early Care & Education Center LLC
Daycare center in Dover, DE. 4557 N Dupont Hwy, Dover, DE 19901
About the program
New Garden Early Care & Education Center LLC is a licensed daycare center in Dover, Delaware. It is licensed for 218 children and serves infant, toddler, preschool and school age ages.
It accepts child care subsidy.
Tuition and capacity
Tuition: not listed. New Garden Early Care & Education Center LLC does not publish a fee schedule. Programs in the area that publish full-time tuition have a median starting price of $607 a month.
Licensing and safety
Open the state record →Most violations are record-keeping, training or maintenance items, and nearly every program has some. Read what each one was and how fast it was fixed. Delaware records each regulation found out of compliance at a review, with the corrective action required and the date it was corrected. The state does not assign a risk level.
Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision (regulation 27U)
Ensure ratios are maintained at all times. The Explorers classroom had one staff member alone with 16 children until the other staff member returned to the classroom.
Personnel Files (regulation 30U)
Ensure staff files are complete. One staff member needed health and safety training before working with children, the staff member started on 11/5/25, and the health and safety training was not completed until 1/31/26. One staff member needs orientation. One staff member needs health and safety training. Four staff members need a job description. Three staff members need references. Two staff members need the adult abuse registry results. Three staff members need a health appraisal on OCCL's form. Two staff members need TB test results. Three staff members need the release of employment history completed. Three staff members need a second attempt for a service letter. Five staff m
Staff Attendance (regulation 36U)
Ensure exact arrival and departure times are recorded for staff members. The Explorers' classroom staff member left the room and returned several minutes later. Departure and arrival back into the classroom were not documented.
Parents Right to Know (regulation 38U)
Ensure tours and newly enrolled families sign and complete the Parent's Right to Know Log. Four children enrolled need to have the log completed.
Children's Attendance (regulation 43U)
Ensure that when children are moving about the center, not in a group, their locations are documented with arrival and departure times. The infant classroom left two infants behind, and the rest went to the gym for music. The infants in the gym did not have their departure from the classroom or arrival at the gym documented.
Show all 61 violations on file
Hazardous Materials (regulation 45U)
Ensure cabinets are locked, and leaners are labeled. The Explorers classroom had an unlocked cabinet, and the Tiny Astro room needed labeled cleaners.
Toilet Facilities (regulation 51U)
Ensure bathroom ventilation is free from debris and dust. Tiny Astros bathroom vent needs to be cleaned.
Pools and Swimming (regulation 54U)
Ensure portable pools are not in use.
Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments (regulation 56U)
Ensure rest equipment is labeled. The Guppies classroom nap equipment is not labeled.
Diapering and Soiled Clothing (regulation 61U)
Ensure the bathroom has a diapering procedure posted, a floor-activated diaper pail with a liner within arms' reach, a changing pad, and disposable covers. The sunflower room needs the required diaper-changing items in the bathroom when the changing table is not in use.
Administration of Medication (regulation 63U)
Ensure that over-the-counter and prescription medications are out of reach, in their original packaging, accompanied by a completed medication administration record, the child's name on the medication, and action plans. 13 children need MARs completed for specific over-the-counter or prescription medications. One child needs an on-site action plan. One Child needs the original prescription package and stored out of reach. One child needs a name on their medication. One child needs medication in its original container.
Feeding of Infants (regulation 72U)
Ensure the water used to warm a bottle does not go over 120 degreese farenheight. The infant classroom crockpot water was over 170 F.
Personnel Files (regulation 30U)
Ensure staff files are complete. Three staff need CPR and First aid, one staff needs an annual review of safe sleep, one staff needs annual review of abuse and neglect, two staff need orientation, four staff need Heath and Safety Training for Chid Cre professionals, six staff need job descriptions, twelve staff need references, one staff needs an eleibility letter on file, two staff need health appraisals, and one staff needs a TB result on file. Fifteen staff members need initial or follow-up attempts to receive a service letter from a previous employer.
Staff Attendance (regulation 36U)
Ensure staff attendance at the exact arrival and departure time. Little Explorers had two staff members in the classroom, and only one was signed in.
Child Files (regulation 40U)
Ensure that the child's files are complete. Two children need updated health appraisals, two children need updated immunization records, and three children need blood lead testing results on file.
Children's Attendance (regulation 43U)
Ensure the child's exact arrival is documented. One child in Busy Bugs was not signed in.
Kitchen and Food Preparation (regulation 50U)
Ensure foods are labeled with the contents of the container. The items in the pantry did not have content on the container.
Administration of Medication (regulation 63U)
Ensure medications are returned when expired and replaced, if necessary, in their original packaging, with the pharmacy label on the prescription medication's original packaging. One child had an expired prescription and over-the-counter medicines that also needed to have their original packaging and pharmacy labels available.
Meals and Snacks (regulation 71U)
Ensure that meals have all required components. Breakfast was served consisting of cereal and milk only in the bowl.
Feeding of Infants (regulation 72U)
Ensure infant meal items are labeled. Two cups and a food jar were not labeled in the Sloth classroom.
Children's Attendance (regulation 43U)
The exact departure of a child must be documented. One child in Busy Bugs Two was not signed out.
Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments (regulation 56U)
When an infant is sleeping in a crib, remove items from the rails. The specialist observed one infant asleep with a bib on the crib rail.
Administration of Medication (regulation 63U)
Ensure medication is prescribed in its original container and labeled with directions on how to give or use it. Anything other than soap and water must be documented with parent permission on separate Medication Administration Record (MAR)s for each item. If the child no longer attends care, the items requiring a MAR are to be returned to the family. One child had albuterol, Aquaphor, and Egyptian Cream on one MAR. One child had two creams and no MAR. One child no longer attended care, and the Aquaphor was still available. Baby powder and A and D ointment are available with no MAR, and the child is in another classroom. Albuterol was in the medication box, not the original prescription
Feeding of Infants (regulation 72U)
Infant feeding forms must be updated monthly. Two children's feeding forms have not been updated since October 1, 2024.
Feeding of Infants (regulation 72U)
Ensure a crock pot's water is not more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The LS observed the crock post was not in use, the room was vacant, but a thermometer read the water temperature to over 130 degrees Fahrenheit.
Food Service Policy (regulation 21U)
Ensure food items are stored to prevent spoilage. LS observed the Sprouting Sunflowers,, Little Explorers, Busy Bugs, Cuddly Cactus, Learning Lamas classroom had lunch boxes without ice packs in a bin that were not taken from the classrooms until 10:06 am. Provide OCCL a plan written to ensure the lunch boxes are refrigerated in a timely manner. Ensure meal bins with milk are properly stored so milk will not spoil. LS observed breakfast ended at 9am and milk still in classrooms until 10am. Provide a schedule to have milk picked up to OCCL.
Staffing (regulation 26U)
Ensure a staff member who is qualified as at least an early childhood teacher is present and designated as responsible for the center when the early childhood administrator is not present. There was not documentation in the staff files showing a qualified staff member was trained in the day-to-day operations. Please send documentation to OCCL when corrected.
Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision (regulation 27U)
Ensure supervision of children is done by qualified and eligible. Staff #5 has been alone with children and not determined eligible. Admin was notified on 4/2 to not have staff on stie until eligible. Send OCCL eligibility when obtained.
General Qualifications (regulation 28U)
Ensure a staff member is eligible before the start of employment or a comprehensive background check and letter of eligibility is on file. On 4/2/24 admin was made aware staff were no longer provisionally eligible or eligible and to not be at the licensed address. LS observed attendance showing staff#5 & staff#7 were onsite after the 4/2/24 notification. This was corrected with a conversation for Staff #7 who is out sick to not return until eligible and Staff #5 was sent home until eligible.
Personnel Files (regulation 30U)
Ensure staff files are complete. Staff #1 needs CPR/FA, Orientation/references. Staff #2 needs OCCL H&S training. Staff #3 needs annual safe sleep / annual abuse & neglect. Staff #4 needs current PD plan. Staff #5 needs CPR/FA, Med Admin, PD plan, OCCL H&S training, references, eligibility. Staff #6 needs orientation/OCCL H&S /references. Staff #7 needs CPR/FA, PD plan, job description, references, eligibility. Staff #8 needs PD plan. Staff #9 needs CPR/FA. Staff #10 needs annual safe sleep. Staff #11 needs references/Health appraisal w/TB. Staff #12 needs orientation/OCCL H&S training/ service letters. Staff#13 needs CPR/FA, OCCL H&S training, references. Staff #14 needs orie
Staff Attendance (regulation 36U)
Ensure staff document arrival and departure times are exact. LS observed at 9:07 Staff #1 entered the room and Staff #11 left. Neither staff recorded arrival or Staff #11 did not record departure.
Child Files (regulation 40U)
Ensure children's files are complete. Child #1 needs developmental plan. Child #2 needs developmental plan. Child #3 needs developmental plan. Child #6 needs developmental plan/transportation permission. Child #7 needs date of enrollment. Child #8 needs date of enrollment/health appraisal/immunizations/blood lead screening results. Child #9 needs date of enrollment/developmental plan. Child #10 needs date of enrollment/developmental plan.
Children's Attendance (regulation 43U)
Ensure a child's exact arrival and departure are documented. Busy Bugs had 16 children present and 15 signed in. This was corrected when Child #11 was signed in.
Hazardous Materials (regulation 45U)
Ensure exposure to hazardous materials is not allowed. LS observed a cabinet was unlocked in the Lama room, leaving access to zip lock bags. The closet was accessible to the children in the Lamas and Sunflower classrooms. The closet had a chemical mop. Ensure to limit all access. Conversation was had.
Indoor Space (regulation 49U)
Ensure any items for cleaning and disinfecting do not change the smell of the air. Plug-ins are not allowed. Plug-in air fresheners were in every classroom (not Little Explorers) and laundry room. Lemon scented Lysol aerosol was found in Fox, Sloth, and Sunflower classrooms. All items were removed and a conversation with staff was had. Labeled Sloth cubbies. Ensure personal belongings are labeled and stored. LS observed 2 lambs and 2 stingrays on top of the cubbies that were not labled and stored in a pile. Send photograph of labeled items stored separate or a statement of the items being removed from the facility.
Kitchen and Food Preparation (regulation 50U)
Ensure refrigerators have a working thermometer that reads 40 degrees. Add a thermometer to Sloth refrigerator photograph to OCCL reading 40 degrees. Ensure items stored in pantry and refrigerator are labeled and dated. Pantry crackers, Goldfish, animal crackers are in Ziplock bags, not dated or labeled. Milk in kitchen fridge is dated 4-11-24, dispose of milk. Send OCCL statement of disposal, and date and label applesauce(2) and peaches(4). Send photograph to OCCL.
Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments (regulation 56U)
Ensure when nap equipment is not in use, the stacked cots that have top/bottom and covers, do not touch the cot above underside. The Lama and Sunflower classroom cots were stacked with top covers touching the underside of the above cot. Send OCCL a photograph of no top/bottom covers on stored cots and the method of storing top and bottom sheets separate from another childs.
Equipment (regulation 57U)
Ensure there are plenty of items for all children to u se, and provide experiences for social emotional, language/literacy, intellectual, and physical development. The Sprouting Sunflower classroom needs materials available in science, music, sensory, language, dramatic play, manipulatives. Also, area shelves cannot be turned around. Add materials to areas and turn around shelf. Send OCCL a video. Busy Bugs need music to be accessible to children, and manipulative shelf and items accessible to children. Send OCCL a photograph of correction.
Hand Washing (regulation 59U)
Handwashing must occur before eating. LS observed in the Lama room, Child #12 on the floor crying then sat at a table, wiping his runny nose before eating his snack with no handwashing or nose wiping. Have all staff review the regulation and provide OCCL with proof of review.
Diapering and Soiled Clothing (regulation 61U)
Ensure a foot activated trash can is within arms reach of the changing area. Cuddly Cactus classroom has no foot activated trashcan by changing table. Sprouting Sunflower classroom needs a foot-activated trash can by changing area that is only used for diapers. The one near it had empty food containers in it. Post a diaper procedure in Sunflower classroom by the changing area. Send OCCL a photograph of corrections.
Administration of Medication (regulation 63U)
Ensure a MAR for each medication is filled out completely, given as requested, documented when given and medication is labeled w/child's name. Child #13 had no MAR for Oraje/Tylenol/Sunscreen. Child #14 had no MAR for sunscreen/bug repelant/Aveno. Child #15 had no MAR for sunscreen. Child #16 had no MAR for Aquaphor. Child #17 had accident report stating applied antiseptic ointment bu had no MAR avail. Lama room, Child #18, MAR 10-18-23 had apply 2x's a day, cream on wrong MAR, not documented as done as requested by parent. Child #19 amoxicillin on Rout. MAR 4-2-24, not documented as given. Child #20 Rout. MAR, give at diaper changes, not given, signed 1-15-24. Review regulation wi
Child Accident and Injury (regulation 64U)
Ensure parent notification is documented when calling as required for head injuries. Child #2 fell off a bathroom stool needing an ice pack on her head. Parent signed report but no documentation of phone call. Review regulation and provide review proof to OCCL.
Emergency Planning (regulation 66U)
Ensure a monthly fire inspection is conducted and posted and a monthly fire drill is conducted and posted. Send OCCL inspections/drills for March and April. Ensure emergency water for 24 hours of use and infant supplies are on site. Send OCCL a photograph.
Feeding of Infants (regulation 72U)
Ensure feeding forms for infants are updated monthly. Child #21 missed February. Child #22 not updated since 2-1-24. Child #23 not updated since 27-24. Child #24 not updated since 2-12-24. Update feeding forms and submit copy to OCCL.
Lesson Plans (regulation 74U)
The lesson plan must be posted and current and include a daily activity for each required goal. The Busy Bugs need social emotional areas reaccomplished. Cuddly Cactus needs weekly food/healthy habits, science, music, sensory. Sprouting Sunflower classroom needs Social Emotional and Cognitive and 2+ weekly activities. Learning Lama and Sleepy Sloths classrooms need lesson plans for April posted. Send correction to OCCL.
Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision (regulation 27U)
Ensure staff-to-child ratio and maximum group size are maintained at all times. According to attendance records submitted as a corrective action, the center is over maximum group in the morning from about 8:00 am to 8:30 am. During the visit, there were seven one-year-olds with one staff member. This was corrected during the visit. According to today's attendance, there were eighteen children present in the Cuddly Cactus room from about 8:08 to 8:23 before separating into classrooms. Discussed this room needs to split once there are more than sixteen children. Submit attendance records for all rooms from 11/27 to 12/1 by 12/4.
Heating and Cooling (regulation 48U)
Ensure the minimum room temperature is 68 degrees. Discussed putting the heat on a timer to ensure all rooms are up to temperature by the time the center opens. Submit verification of plan to maintain temperature.
Personnel Files (regulation 30U)
Ensure staff files are complete one staff member needs annual review of abuse and neglect, two staff members need health and safety training for childcare professionals, four staff members need reference letters, and four staff members need an attempt for service letters from prior employment and possible follow-up attempt for service letters if needed.
Child Files (regulation 40U)
Ensure child files are complete. Nine children need date of enrolment, five children need hours attending care, one child needs days attending care, two children need a health appraisal on file, three children need a blood lead screening test result on file, six children need a development plan, and two children need transportation permission.
Indoor Space (regulation 49U)
Ensure classrooms that perform diapering duties have a separate trash can used only for soiled diapers is this can must be foot activated within arm s reach.
Kitchen and Food Preparation (regulation 50U)
Ensure there is a working thermometer in the refrigerator and freezer in the fox classroom.
Outdoor Area (regulation 53U)
Ensure the gate in the outdoor play area is self-closing.
Equipment (regulation 57U)
Ensure the busy bug classroom has music equipment available.
Administration of Medication (regulation 63U)
Ensure the medication administration records are correctly filled out for each medication received. A license shall ensure the parent or guardian provides the required information for administering medication. Keep a written record of medication administered to a child including time and by whom. Two MARs were missing required items. This was corrected at the visit when the specialist provided technical assistance on both medication administration records and how to use them. The staff agreed to comply in the future.
Emergency Planning (regulation 66U)
Ensure the monthly safety and fire inspection checklist and fire drill evacuation logs are completed. The last completes log was July 2023.
Feeding of Infants (regulation 72U)
Ensure proper infant feeding procedures are being followed in the fox classroom food was observed mixed in bottles, bottles were not labeled with a child name, and crock pots for bottled feeding warming we're at 160 degrees and 190 degrees. The fox and sloth classrooms feeding schedules were not complete or up to date. A written record of each infant s food intake must be shared with the parent or guardian daily. Juice may not be fed to infants
Lesson Plans (regulation 74U)
Ensure physical or gross motor activities are included on lesson plans the little explorer s classroom Lesson plan did not include a physical area. Ensure weekly opportunities in food or healthy habits are being offered. The little explorers classroom did not include this on their lesson plan. Ensure all classrooms have a completed lesson plan and post it in a visible area lesson plans must include areas of physical social emotional, language and literacy, and cognitive development and must include weekly opportunities for food or healthy habits, science, music, and sensory.
Activity Schedule (regulation 76U)
Ensure a daily schedule is posted one classroom needs to post a schedule.
Staffing (regulation 26U)
Complete the teacher trained in day to day operations orientation record for the staff member in charge during the administrator's absence.
Personnel Files (regulation 30U)
Ensure staff files are complete. One staff member needs first aid certification. Two staff members need orientation. One staff member needs OCCL's Health and Safety Training for Child Care Professionals. Three staff members need a job description. Twelve staff members need two references. Three staff members need employee declaration. Two staff members need drug/alcohol statement. Two staff members need eligibility letters from the Criminal History Unit. One staff member needs an adult abuse registry check. One staff member needs an adult health appraisal. Four staff members need an adult health appraisal with TB results. One staff member needs release of employment history. Twelve staff mem
Child Files (regulation 40U)
Ensure child files are complete. Two children need health appraisals. Two child need immunization records. Four children need blood lead screening results. One child needs mat permission.
Getting there
4557 N Dupont Hwy, Dover, DE 19901
Questions about New Garden Early Care & Education Center LLC
Is New Garden Early Care & Education Center LLC licensed?
Yes. New Garden Early Care & Education Center LLC holds an active Child Care Center licence from Delaware Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing (licence 689039), with a licensed capacity of 218 children. The state record was synced in September 2026.
Has New Garden Early Care & Education Center LLC had any inspection violations?
Delaware records 58 violations for New Garden Early Care & Education Center LLC in the last three years, across 8 inspections on file. The median daycare center in the area has 9. Each one is listed above with the date it was corrected.
What ages does New Garden Early Care & Education Center LLC take?
New Garden Early Care & Education Center LLC is licensed to serve infant, toddler, preschool and school age ages, and is open 7 am to 6 pm, Mon to Fri.
How much does New Garden Early Care & Education Center LLC cost?
New Garden Early Care & Education Center LLC does not publish tuition. Ask for the full fee schedule on a tour, including registration, supply and late pick-up fees. The program accepts child care subsidy.
