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HIGHER LEARNING ACADEMY

Licensed Child Care Center · License #DE-1507396

Public information

Recent licensing activity

Delaware's per-visit inspection history, in plain English: each licensing visit on the state record with the regulations cited, plus any complaint or enforcement action. It may lag the official record linked above.

• Complaint investigationOCCL Standards Complaint (2025-02-19): No Evidence to Substantiate with Concern2025-02-19

  OCCL s investigation of regulatory non-compliance began after clearance from other agencies was received. On January 22, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding concerns of lack of supervision and improper discipline. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for lack of supervision because while the details of Child #1 s injury varied slightly between what Administrator #1 and Staff #1 stated, they both noted Child #1 s injury was a result of falling near the kitchen area of the classroom. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for improper discipline because Administrator #1 and Staff #1 both stated the injuries occurred due …

• Complaint — substantiatedOCCL Standards Complaint (2025-02-03): Substantiated2025-02-03

  The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding concerns of lack of supervision, not having proper security measures, and lack of indoor space cleanliness due to a dirty rug, and not using respectful communication with families. This complaint is substantiated for lack of supervision, not having proper security measures, and not having respectful communication with families. Staff #7 stated teachers have left their occupied classrooms at the end of the day to open the main door, and this occurred twice. Staff #5 stated the main door is sometimes propped open at the end of the day. Staff #3 stated Administrator #1 could work on her tone when speaking with families, an…

• Complaint — substantiatedOCCL Standards Complaint (2025-01-27): Substantiated2025-01-27

  On December 5, 2024, the Office of Child Care Licensing received a complaint regarding concerns of not following parent handbook policies and an enrollment agreement, submission of false information to another agency, improper discipline due to the restraint of a three-year-old child, failure to request a child s Individualized Education Plan (IEP), and failure to consult with families to design positive behavioral supports or make reasonable accommodations. An investigation was conducted on December 12, 2024. This complaint is substantiated for not following parent handbook policies and an enrollment agreement because Child #1 s original enrollment agreement was to attend 10 hours/day, five…

• Complaint — substantiatedOCCL Standards Complaint (2025-01-27): Substantiated2025-01-27

  On January 9, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing received a complaint regarding concerns of improper staff-to-child ratios, not following Department of Labor requirements for meal breaks (13), completing false staff attendance records (36), the Administrator not being present the required hours (26), and not permitting children to use the restroom when a state agency is present in the building (73). An investigation was conducted on January 15, 2025. This complaint is substantiated for improper staff-to-child ratios due to observation of the one-year-old classroom at this visit. An Early Childhood Intern was alone with six children, including an infant. This complaint is substantiated …

• Complaint investigationOCCL Standards Complaint (2025-01-27): No Evidence to Substantiate2025-01-27

  On January 10, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding concerns of not using respectful communication with families. An investigation was conducted on January 15, 2025. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for concerns of not using respectful communication based on the interview conducted. Administrator #1 was interviewed and stated Parent #1 became upset and Administrator #1 stated they used respectful communication throughout the interactions with Parent #1. Administrator #1 stated Parent #1 became upset and raised their voice, and Administrator #1 stated they told Parent #1 they could withdraw their children from care if they chose to.

• Compliance reviewUnannounced Full Compliance Review (2025-01-22): 9 regulations cited2025-01-22

  Cited during this Delaware licensing visit: Personnel Files; Child Files; Indoor Space; Outdoor Area; Equipment; Authority to Inspect Granted; Diapering and Soiled Clothing; Activity Areas; License Renewal. All corrections marked completed on the state record.

• Enforcement/complaint visitEnforcement Visit (2024-12-12): 5 regulations cited2024-12-12

  Cited during this Delaware licensing visit: Indoor Space; Toilet Facilities; Diapering and Soiled Clothing; Administration of Medication; Emergency Planning. All corrections marked completed on the state record.

• Enforcement/complaint visitEnforcement Visit (2024-11-19): 7 regulations cited2024-11-19

  Cited during this Delaware licensing visit: Indoor Space; Toilet Facilities; Equipment; Diapering and Soiled Clothing; Administration of Medication; Lesson Plans; Activity Schedule. All corrections marked completed on the state record.

• Enforcement/complaint visitEnforcement Visit (2024-10-23): 11 regulations cited2024-10-23

  Cited during this Delaware licensing visit: Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision; General Qualifications; Children's Attendance; Hazardous Materials; Indoor Space; Toilet Facilities; Equipment; Diapering and Soiled Clothing; Emergency Planning; Meals and Snacks; Lesson Plans. All corrections marked completed on the state record.

• Complaint investigationOCCL Standards Complaint (2024-09-26): No Evidence to Substantiate2024-09-26

  On September 9, 2024, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding concerns about not notifying families of exposure to contagious illness/conditions, not sanitizing materials as required, and inappropriate mixing of age groups. An investigation was conducted on September 16, 2024. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for failure to notify families of exposure to a contagious illness because a Class Dojo application notification was sent to all families on August 28, 2024, stating a child in the one-year-old classroom was diagnosed with COVID-19 and to get children tested and watch for symptoms. This notification was sent the morning after the cente…

• Enforcement/complaint visitEnforcement Visit (2024-09-16): 6 regulations cited2024-09-16

  Cited during this Delaware licensing visit: Personnel Files; Staff Attendance; Children's Attendance; Equipment; Meals and Snacks; Activity Areas. All corrections marked completed on the state record.

• Enforcement/complaint visitEnforcement Visit (2024-08-21): 6 regulations cited2024-08-21

  Cited during this Delaware licensing visit: Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision; General Qualifications; Personnel Files; Staff Attendance; Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments; Lesson Plans. All corrections marked completed on the state record.

• Complaint — substantiatedOCCL Standards Complaint (2024-07-22): Substantiated2024-07-22

  The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint on June 28, 2024, regarding improper staff-to-child ratios. An investigation began on June 28, 2024, and concluded on July 1, 2024. This complaint is substantiated for improper staff-to-child ratios based on observation of the classrooms, attendance records, and interviews with staff members. On June 28, 2024, 21 children ages three to five were with one staff member at 8:30 am in the opening classroom. Throughout the morning of June 28, 2024, the one-year-old classroom had eleven children present with one staff member. Additionally, on June 28, 2024, the door to the two-year-old classroom was closed with nine children inside and…

• Enforcement/complaint visitEnforcement Visit (2024-06-27): 5 regulations cited2024-06-27

  Cited during this Delaware licensing visit: Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision; Indoor Space; Kitchen and Food Preparation; Pools and Swimming; Feeding of Infants. All corrections marked completed on the state record.

• Enforcement/complaint visitEnforcement Visit (2024-05-21): 3 regulations cited2024-05-21

  Cited during this Delaware licensing visit: Personnel Files; Kitchen and Food Preparation; Meals and Snacks. All corrections marked completed on the state record.

• Complaint — substantiatedOCCL Standards Complaint (2024-05-20): Substantiated2024-05-20

  On April 12, 2024, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding allegations of insufficient meals/snacks, not serving milk with breakfast, the food menu not matching what is served, not following proper procedures to address food allergies, not storing an EpiPen correctly, lack of supervision and improper staff-to-child ratios on multiple occasions, insufficient staffing, the administrator not being present, not following child health exclusions, improper sleeping arrangements, clothing not being changed when soiled, no extra clothing available, outings to another location occurring without parent permission, policies on photographing/videotaping not being followe…

• Enforcement/complaint visitEnforcement Visit (2024-04-25): 10 regulations cited2024-04-25

  Cited during this Delaware licensing visit: Insurance Coverage; Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision; Personnel Files; Child Files; Children's Attendance; Indoor Space; Toilet Facilities; Meals and Snacks; Lesson Plans; Activity Schedule. All corrections marked completed on the state record.

• Complaint — substantiatedOCCL Standards Complaint (2024-04-03): Substantiated2024-04-03

  On March 11, 2024, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding concerns about respectful communication with parents, parent handbook policies, administration of medication and handling allergies, staff-to-child ratios, open-door policies, the presence of the administrator, and diaper-changing procedures. This complaint is substantiated for not communicating respectfully with families based on a staff interview and documentation collected at the visit. Administrator Chadae Young never confirmed the parent handbook was re-sent to a parent after they requested it. This complaint is substantiated for not following the required open-door policy because Ms. Young and S…

• Complaint — substantiatedOCCL Standards Complaint (2024-01-25): Substantiated2024-01-25

  The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint on June 7, 2023, regarding not following the staff-to-child ratio and not having sufficient staff available. An investigation began on June 12, 2023, and ended on June 22, 2023. This complaint is substantiated for both allegations because the facility was over the staff-to-child ratio during both visits conducted for this investigation. On June 12, 2023, LS Brady observed one staff member with eleven children, with the youngest child being a one-year-old. At the follow-up visit on June 22, 2023, all classrooms were out of staff-to-child ratio and one classroom was left unsupervised while a staff member answered the door to the f…

• Complaint — substantiatedOCCL Standards Complaint (2024-01-25): Substantiated2024-01-25

  On August 16, 2023, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding lack of supervision and not following infant feeding requirements. This complaint is substantiated for lack of supervision because a state agency representative observed staff members leaving two classrooms unattended during nap time on August 14, 2023. Owner Chadae Young self-reported to OCCL that one classroom was left unattended. This complaint is substantiated for not following infant feeding requirements because Child #1, an infant, was receiving almond milk rather than formula or breast milk. There was no doctor s note in Child # 1 s file permitting them to receive almond milk. An additional c…

• Compliance reviewUnannounced Full Compliance Review (2024-01-18): 20 regulations cited2024-01-18

  Cited during this Delaware licensing visit: Governing Body; Insurance Coverage; Staff Qualifications; Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision; General Qualifications; Personnel Files; First Aid and CPR Training; Staff Attendance; Child Files; Indoor Space; Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments; First Aid Kits; …. All corrections marked completed on the state record.

• Complaint — substantiatedOCCL Standards Complaint (2024-01-05): Substantiated2024-01-05

  Between November 15, 2023, and December 8, 2023, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received three complaints regarding Higher Learning Academy, located at 2002 Rodman Road, Wilmington, DE 19805, with similar allegations. These allegations included the administrator never being present at the facility, the classrooms frequently being out of the correct staff-to-child ratios and having insufficient staffing for the current enrollment, and staff being instructed to be dishonest with OCCL. Additional allegations include not having enough food within the center and not following the meal pattern requirements, including sometimes serving expired food and milk. There were also allegations o…

• Complaint — substantiatedOCCL Standards Complaint (2023-12-18): Substantiated2023-12-18

  The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received two complaints on November 6, 2023, regarding concerns about improper staff-to-child ratios, lack of supervision, not using positive behavior management techniques, children running around the classrooms without direction, the Administrator not being present at the facility, and inadequate food being served to the children. An investigation was conducted on November 8, 2023. The complaint is substantiated for not providing proper interactions with preschool age children because the children were observed running around the middle classroom with little to no guidance or positive interactions with staff members. This complaint is also substant…

• Complaint — substantiatedOCCL Standards Complaint (2023-12-11): Substantiated2023-12-11

  The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received two complaints on November 8, 2023, regarding concerns about two child injuries occurring without receipt of an accident/injury report and concerns of lack of supervision. An investigation was conducted on December 7, 2023. This complaint is substantiated for not providing an accident/injury report for a child facial injury that occurred in October 2023. This complaint is also substantiated for lack of supervision because the staff member responsible for the care of Child #1 when the injury occurred was not qualified to be left alone with children due to not having a DEEDS Early Learning Certificate.

• Complaint investigationOCCL Standards Complaint (2023-11-13): No Evidence to Substantiate2023-11-13

  On October 3, 2023, a complaint was called into the Child Abuse and Neglect Report Line and not accepted for investigation by the Institutional Abuse Unit (IAU). On October 6, 2023, a second complaint regarding the same allegations was received. Both Reporters stated Child #1 alleged he was touched inappropriately by another child in care due to lack of supervision. The second Reporter alleged the facility failed to report a head injury. An investigation was conducted on October 6, 2023. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for lack of supervision because Owner Chadae Young and all staff interviewed described the center's bathroom procedures and stated they never leave childre…

• Complaint investigationOCCL Standards Complaint (2023-10-06): No Evidence to Substantiate with Concern2023-10-06

  On August 22, 2023, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received two complaints regarding improper discipline and lack of supervision. An investigation began on August 24, 2023, and ended on September 15, 2023. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for improper discipline based on interviews with multiple staff members, and the outcome of the investigation conducted by the Elsmere Police Department. All staff members interviewed stated they did not witness any staff hit or smack Child #1 on August 17, 2023. Staff members noted Parent #1 was called to pick up Child #1 due to his behavior and not having any diapers or wipes available. There is no evidence to substantiate…

• Compliance reviewUnannounced (2023-07-21): 8 regulations cited2023-07-21

  Cited during this Delaware licensing visit: Personnel Files; Child Files; Indoor Space; Kitchen and Food Preparation; Equipment; Diapering and Soiled Clothing; Lesson Plans; Infant and Toddler Care. All corrections marked completed on the state record.

• Compliance review60-Day Visit (2023-05-16): 8 regulations cited2023-05-16

  Cited during this Delaware licensing visit: Insurance Coverage; General Qualifications; Personnel Files; Owner's File; Parents Right to Know; Child Files; Children's Attendance; Kitchen and Food Preparation. All corrections marked completed on the state record.

• Compliance reviewUnannounced (2022-07-21): 1 regulation cited2022-07-21

  Cited during this Delaware licensing visit: Governing Body. All corrections marked completed on the state record.

• Enforcement actionUnder a licensing enforcement action on the state record

  Delaware's public child care licensing record lists this provider under an enforcement action (e.g. probation, suspension, or revocation) or an intent to revoke. See the inspection history below and the official record.

  View the official document →

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