Shell's Early Learning Center-Harrington
Daycare center in Harrington, DE. 5332 Milford Harrington Highway, Harrington, DE 19952
About the program
Shell's Early Learning Center-Harrington is a licensed daycare center in Harrington, Delaware. It is licensed for 147 children and serves infant, toddler, preschool and school age ages.
It accepts child care subsidy.
Tuition and capacity
Tuition: not listed. Shell's Early Learning Center-Harrington 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.
Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments (regulation 56U)
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.
Governing Body (regulation 15U)
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.
Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision (regulation 27U)
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 f
General Qualifications (regulation 28U)
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 c
Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision (regulation 27U)
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.
Show all 33 violations on file
General Qualifications (regulation 28U)
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.
Personnel Files (regulation 30U)
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.
Child Files (regulation 40U)
Ensure child files are complete. One child needs blood lead screening results.
Indoor Space (regulation 49U)
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.
Toilet Facilities (regulation 51U)
Ensure each toilet facility has liquid soap. The bathroom in the three-year-old classroom needs soap.
Outdoor Area (regulation 53U)
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.
Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments (regulation 56U)
Ensure all rest equipment is labeled. Several nap mats in the three-year-old classroom were not numbered (labeled).
Diapering and Soiled Clothing (regulation 61U)
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.
Emergency Planning (regulation 66U)
Post an emergency evacuation route in the three-year-old classroom.
Personnel Files (regulation 30U)
Ensure staff files are complete. One staff needs an adult health appraisal with TB screening.
Child Files (regulation 40U)
Ensure child files are complete. Five children need MARs on file. One child needs a development plan.
License Renewal (regulation 8U)
Ensure renewal application is submitted to OCCL at least 60 days prior to license expiration.
Personnel Files (regulation 30U)
Ensure staff files are complete. Three staff members need to complete OCCL's Health and Safety Training for Child Care Professionals. One staff person needs to complete a comprehensive background re-check. One staff person needs an adult health appraisal with TB screening/test. One staff person needs a DEEDS certificate. One staff person needs an additional 3.5 hours of annual training. One staff person needs an additional 1 hour of annual training.
Child Files (regulation 40U)
Ensure child files are complete. One child needs blood lead level results.
Indoor Space (regulation 49U)
Ensure the center is in compliance with the Office of Drinking Water. The Office of Drinking Water notified OCCL that the facility has not paid the annual dues for last year or this year in the total amount of $100.
Outdoor Area (regulation 53U)
Remove hazards from the outdoor play area. An electrical cord was observed stretched across the outdoor play area.
Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments (regulation 56U)
Replace the ripped nap mats in the three-year-old classroom and Pre-K classroom.
Hand Washing (regulation 59U)
Ensure hands are washed as required. A child in the one-year-old classroom did not wash their hands after diaper change. This was discussed with the staff member and corrected when the child washed her hands.
Diapering and Soiled Clothing (regulation 61U)
Purchase a non-porous diaper mat for the infant classroom. The diaper mat was ripped. Ensure the diaper pail in the two-year-old classroom is hands free. A plastic piece obstructed the opening when the foot pedal was pressed.
License Renewal (regulation 8U)
Ensure the renewal application is submitted at least 60 days prior to the license expiration.
Insurance Coverage (regulation 16U)
Submit the current general liability insurance.
Personnel Files (regulation 30U)
Ensure staff files are complete. Three staff members need CPR and first aid certifications. One staff member needs administration of medication training/certification. One staff member needs a professional development plan. Two staff members need annual review of safe sleep. One staff member needs orientation. One staff member needs two references. Four staff members need an adult health appraisal with TB assessment. Four staff members need service letters.
Child Files (regulation 40U)
Ensure child files are complete. Two children need Parents Right to Know permission. One child needs a health appraisal with blood lead screening results. One child needs a health appraisal with immunization record. Two children need a development plan.
Indoor Space (regulation 49U)
Purchase a covered trash can for the bathroom in the two and three-year-old classroom.
Outdoor Area (regulation 53U)
Replenish the pea gravel so there is nine inches of pea gravel under all the fall zone areas.
Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments (regulation 56U)
Replace all ripped nap mats in the two-year-old classroom and preschool classroom.
Diapering and Soiled Clothing (regulation 61U)
Purchase a non-porous surface for the diaper-changing area in the one-year-old classroom. Ensure disposable covers are used for every diaper change. The infant classroom and one-year-old classroom was out of covers and had been changing diapers without a cover. This was corrected when disposable covers were located and placed in both classrooms.
License Renewal (regulation 8U)
Ensure the renewal application is submitted at least 60 days prior to the license expiration.
What parents say
Mrs. Debbie is truly exceptional. She creates a welcoming and reassuring environment that makes me feel confident in sending my children to daycare each day. I greatly appreciate her personable nature and her commitment to maintaining a structured and rule-abiding atmosphere.
Al Monsanto · 5/5 on Google · a year agoShells in Harrington is great, my son graduated with his preK class today! It was their 25th year in business. We started at shells before the pandemic, and stuck with them for the normalcy and consistently excellent care. They had everything in place to take care of the kids as soon as it was permitted. His teachers have all been amazing his entire time at Shells. My son gets great structure, and learning everyday…
Cheyenne L · 5/5 on Google · 3 years agoMy two daughters go to Shells and they loveeee it! My oldest is 3 years old and she is in the 3 year old room.. and she never wants to leave. They are very nice and helpful. Very understanding. My other daughter is 7 months old and she doesn’t really cling to people she doesn’t know. When she came to this daycare she was very welcoming and open to going to her teacher. I like that they let you know what’s going on…
Shateik Dortch · 5/5 on Google · 7 years agoWe love Shells, my daughter has been going for almost one year now and we have never had any issues. My daughter's teacher Ms. Alex is so kind and caring, we appreciate her so much. My daughter comes home everyday talking about how much she loves Ms. Alex.
Dorothy C · 5/5 on Google · 3 years agoGetting there
5332 Milford Harrington Highway, Harrington, DE 19952
Questions about Shell's Early Learning Center-Harrington
Is Shell's Early Learning Center-Harrington licensed?
Yes. Shell's Early Learning Center-Harrington holds an active Child Care Center licence from Delaware Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing (licence 421520, 1700704), with a licensed capacity of 147 children. The state record was synced in September 2026.
Has Shell's Early Learning Center-Harrington had any inspection violations?
Delaware records 17 violations for Shell's Early Learning Center-Harrington in the last three years, across 7 inspections on file. The median daycare center in the area has 10. Each one is listed above with the date it was corrected.
What ages does Shell's Early Learning Center-Harrington take?
Shell's Early Learning Center-Harrington is licensed to serve infant, toddler, preschool and school age ages, and is open 6:30 am to 5:30 pm, Mon to Fri.
How much does Shell's Early Learning Center-Harrington cost?
Shell's Early Learning Center-Harrington 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.