← Violations explained · Delaware report
Delaware child care violations: what kind, and where
From Delaware's public inspection records, we grouped 11,031 cited violations into plain-English themes. The most-cited in Delaware are Recordkeeping & administration, Staff training & qualifications, Staff-to-child ratios & capacity. Below: the full mix, the counties with the most violations per licensed site, and what each theme means. This describes the public record — it is not a rating, and the official Delaware record always controls.
Most-cited violation themes in Delaware
Where compliance dips in Delaware
Counties with the most cited violations per licensed site (≥ 15 sites). A density measure of the public record, not a safety verdict.
| County | Violations | Sites | Per site | Top theme |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kent | 2,546 | 224 | 11.4 | Recordkeeping & administration |
| New Castle | 6,459 | 779 | 8.3 | Staff training & qualifications |
| Sussex | 2,026 | 249 | 8.1 | Hygiene & sanitation |
What Delaware's most-cited themes mean
Recordkeeping & administration
Required records, postings, and reports kept current.
Ask on a tour: “How do you stay current on required records and postings?”
Staff training & qualifications
Staff must meet personnel requirements and complete health, safety, CPR and first-aid training.
Ask on a tour: “Are my child's teachers CPR and first-aid certified?”
Staff-to-child ratios & capacity
A minimum number of adults per child by age group, and staying within licensed capacity.
Ask on a tour: “What's the ratio for my child's exact age, and how is it kept at drop-off, nap, and pickup?”
Physical space & equipment
Safe, well-maintained indoor and outdoor buildings, grounds, and equipment.
Ask on a tour: “Can I walk the playground? How often is equipment inspected?”
Hygiene & sanitation
Handwashing, diapering, and cleaning routines that stop illness from spreading.
Ask on a tour: “What are your handwashing and diapering procedures?”
Fire & emergency safety
Working alarms and extinguishers, clear exits, and practiced evacuation and disaster drills.
Ask on a tour: “How often do you run fire and emergency drills?”
See all violation themes explained →
Childcare Alerts is an independent service surfacing public Delaware child care inspection records. A cited violation reflects what an inspector found on one day; many are corrected quickly, and the official state record — linked on every provider's page — always controls. Absence of a record is not a guarantee of safety.