Delaware Daycare Self-Inspection Checklist (Printable)

Recent changes (2020–2026)

Proposed November 2026: rewrite of the center and home rules 30 DE Reg. 258 and 259 (11/01/26), proposed Centers · Family child care The Department of Education published proposed replacements for 14 DE Admin.
2025: public pre-K programs monitored, not licensed 14 Del.C. §§ 3002A, 3004A(d) (85 Del. Laws c. 198) Centers House Substitute 1 for HB 49, approved September 2, 2025, defines an "early education program" as a public program run by a State-owned or State-controlled entity, including school districts, for children below…
2025: military family child care exempt 14 Del.C. §§ 3002A(5), 3004A(d)(2)–(3) (85 Del. Laws c. 105) Family child care HB 121, approved July 23, 2025 and effective 60 days later, exempts family and large family homes that serve only children eligible for Department of Defense subsidized care and are on a military base or federal…
2025 law, effective July 2026: background-check statute updated 31 Del.C. § 309 (85 Del. Laws c. 197) Centers · Family child care House Substitute 1 for HB 47, approved September 2, 2025, took effect July 1, 2026, with compliance required by September 1, 2026.
2026: youth camp licenses 14 Del.C. §§ 3002A(7), 3003A(c) (85 Del. Laws c. 434) Centers The Child Care Act now defines a youth camp (school-age children, May to September for up to 12 weeks and 3 or more hours a day, or school breaks) and requires OCCL's rules to set out a youth camp license tied to a…
November 2024: Provider Advisory Board repealed 14 Del.C. §§ 3006A–3007A (84 Del. Laws c. 527) Centers · Family child care The statutory Child Care Provider Advisory Board was repealed effective November 1, 2024.
July 2024: school-run pre-K brought under licensing rules 14 DE Admin. Code 933 §§ 4.1, 92.0 Centers From July 1, 2024 the center rule covers early care and education programs for children below kindergarten run by public or private schools, with public-school programs exempt from listed paperwork items such as the…
Developmental screening on file for each child under 5 within the last 12 months 14 Del.C. § 3004A(a)(1) Centers · Family child care
January 2023: eligibility before starting work, higher penalty 14 DE Admin. Code 933 §§ 4.4, 28.3; 934 §§ 4.1, 13.5 Centers · Family child care Since January 1, 2023 a new staff member (or, in a home, household member or adult volunteer) must be fingerprinted and the licensee must have an eligibility or provisional eligibility notice before the person starts.
July 2020: licensing moved to the Department of Education 14 Del.C. § 3008A (82 Del. Laws c. 184) Centers · Family child care The Office of Child Care Licensing moved from the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families (DSCYF) to the Department of Education on July 1, 2020.

Who needs a license, and what kind

Licensed before caring for any unrelated child for pay 14 Del.C. §§ 3002A(1), 3004A(a) Centers · Family child care
Family child care homes: Level I and Level II 14 DE Admin. Code 934 §§ 4.3, 57.0 Family child care A family home is the licensee's own residence.
Large family child care homes 14 DE Admin. Code 934 §§ 4.4, 6.2, 68.2 Family child care Up to 12 children, in the licensee's residence or in a commercial property where zoning allows.
Centers, and what is exempt 14 DE Admin. Code 933 §§ 4.1–4.3 Centers Early care and education and school-age centers care for 13 or more children for less than 24 hours a day.
Renewal application sent at least 60 days before the license expires 14 DE Admin. Code 933 §§ 7.0–8.0 Centers · Family child care
What to report to OCCL and when 14 DE Admin. Code 933 § 14.0; 934 § 16.0 Centers · Family child care Call OCCL and speak to a person (a voicemail doesn't count) within 1 business day about a fire, flood or other damage; an injury or medication error that needed medical treatment (with a written report within 3 business…

Staff-to-child ratios

Every room within ratio for its youngest child: infants 1:4, 1s 1:6, 2s 1:8, 3s 1:10, 4s 1:12, school-age 1:15 14 DE Admin. Code 933 § 27.1 Centers
Mixed ages, nap time and minimum staffing 14 DE Admin. Code 933 §§ 27.2–27.6 Centers The infant ratio applies at all times, and each infant and toddler has an assigned staff member.
One teacher for every 4 assistants 14 DE Admin. Code 933 § 26.4 Centers Centers keep at least 1 early childhood teacher for every 1 to 4 assistant teachers, caregivers, interns and aides on duty (2 teachers for 5 to 8, and so on) during all hours of operation.
Level I: 6 max (2 under 12 months); Level II: 9 max (2 under 12 months, 4 under 24 months) 14 DE Admin. Code 934 §§ 57.1–57.3 Family child care
Large family home staffing 14 DE Admin. Code 934 §§ 68.3–68.5 Family child care One large family provider or assistant alone may care for 6 preschool-age or younger children plus 3 school-agers (9 total, no more than 2 under 12 months and 4 under 24 months).
Field trip ratios 14 DE Admin. Code 933 § 68.4 Centers On field trips and routine outings centers keep 1:2 for infants, 1:4 for 1-year-olds, 1:6 for 2-year-olds, 1:8 for 3-year-olds, 1:10 for 4- and 5-year-olds and 1:15 for school-age, with at least 2 staff unless the…

Group size and separation of ages

When groups may combine 14 DE Admin. Code 933 §§ 27.4, 27.7–27.8 Centers With 12 or fewer children in the whole center, group size may be exceeded as long as ratio is kept.
Licensed capacity 14 DE Admin. Code 933 § 39.1; 934 § 14.0 Centers · Family child care A center may never have more children present than its licensed capacity.

Staff qualifications

Early childhood administrator (center director) 14 DE Admin. Code 933 § 24.5 Centers At least 21, with a bachelor's or associate degree in early childhood education plus 12 months of experience with children birth to second grade, or a bachelor's or associate degree in any field with 15 credits in child…
Teachers and assistant teachers 14 DE Admin. Code 933 §§ 24.8–24.9 Centers Early childhood teachers are at least 18 with an associate or bachelor's degree and early childhood credits plus 3 to 6 months' experience, or a high school diploma plus 9 college credits, a CDA, TECE 1 and 2, a…
Interns, aides, substitutes and volunteers 14 DE Admin. Code 933 §§ 24.11–24.12, 25.0 Centers Interns may be 16 (15 in a high school early childhood program) with 15 hours of approved training and count in ratio under observation.
Family home providers 14 DE Admin. Code 934 §§ 55.2–55.5 Family child care A Level I provider licensed after January 1, 2009 is at least 18 with a high school diploma or equivalent.
Large family home staff 14 DE Admin. Code 934 §§ 66.4–66.6, 67.3 Family child care The large family provider is at least 21 with 24 months of group experience, a high school diploma and a credential such as TECE 1 and 2, a CDA, 9 early childhood credits or the center teacher qualification, and must be…

Background checks

Eligibility notice on file before each new staff member starts; checks renewed every 5 years 14 DE Admin. Code 933 § 28.3; 934 § 13.5 Centers · Family child care
Who may not work in child care 31 Del.C. § 309(d) Centers · Family child care Prohibited: a felony physical or sexual assault against a child, an impaired adult or an elderly person (lifetime); a felony physical or sexual assault against another adult (10 years from conviction); other violent…
Adult Abuse Registry check 11 Del.C. § 8564; 933 § 28.4 Centers · Family child care Before a staff member starts, the licensee checks Delaware's Adult Abuse Registry (run by the Department of Health and Social Services) and keeps the printed result in the staff file.
Eligibility decisions and review 9 DE Admin. Code 301 Centers · Family child care DSCYF's Criminal History Unit applies the background check regulation for child-serving entities.

Training

Before working with children 14 DE Admin. Code 933 §§ 32.0, 35.0 Centers All center staff, substitutes and volunteers who help at least 5 days or 40 hours a year complete orientation (the rules, policies, release of children, behavior supports, injuries, recordkeeping, screen time and more)…
18 hours (2 health/safety) for staff working 25+ hours a week; 9 hours otherwise 14 DE Admin. Code 933 §§ 33.2–33.3, 33.8 Centers
Home annual training: 12 or 15 hours 14 DE Admin. Code 934 §§ 56.0, 70.0 Family child care Family home providers complete 12 clock hours a year, including 1 hour of health or safety, at least 30 days before the license expires.
Medication certificate 14 DE Admin. Code 933 § 63.1; 934 § 42.1 Centers · Family child care A staff member at least 18 who holds OCCL's administration of medication certificate (from passing OCCL's test on its self-study guide) must be present at all times, including on field trips.

Health and safety

Supervision and focus on care 14 DE Admin. Code 933 §§ 26.6, 27.1; 934 §§ 13.15, 13.18 Centers · Family child care Children are supervised and directly observed at all times by qualified staff physically present with them.
Daily health check and exclusions 14 DE Admin. Code 933 §§ 44.0, 62.0; 934 §§ 26.1, 41.1 Centers · Family child care Each child is observed on arrival by trained staff for signs of illness, injury or abuse, with concerns documented.
Chemicals labeled and locked; radon test within 5 years; lead assessment if built before 1978 14 DE Admin. Code 933 §§ 45.2–45.4; 934 § 27.0 Centers · Family child care
Smoking, firearms and candles 14 DE Admin. Code 933 §§ 47.0, 49.13–49.14; 934 §§ 29.14, 29.16 Centers · Family child care No smoking or vaping in a center, its play area, vehicles or around children; homes may not allow smoking during care hours or around children.
Allergies 14 DE Admin. Code 933 §§ 21.1.3, 40.1.9; 934 § 22.1.8 Centers · Family child care Each child's file lists allergies and medication needs, and the food service policy must explain how food allergies are handled, whether food comes from the center or home.

Facility, furniture and equipment

TVs, dressers, bookshelves and wall units anchored; no broken or recalled equipment 14 DE Admin. Code 933 § 57.9.6; 934 § 36.8.6 Centers · Family child care
Indoor space and room safety 14 DE Admin. Code 933 §§ 49.5, 49.7–49.9, 49.11 Centers At least 35 square feet of usable floor space per child, measured wall to wall without bathrooms, kitchens, halls and offices.
Home indoor safety and space 14 DE Admin. Code 934 §§ 29.0, 58.2, 63.1 Family child care Family homes licensed after 2009 have 25 square feet per child in one area or adjoining rooms; large family homes 35.
Center outdoor play areas 14 DE Admin. Code 933 § 53.0 Centers 75 square feet per child using the playground at one time (50 for centers licensed before 2007), enough for a quarter of capacity, fenced at least 4 feet high with openings no larger than 3½ inches, 2 exits and self…
Home outdoor play areas 14 DE Admin. Code 934 §§ 32.6, 59.0, 64.0 Family child care Family homes fence the play area when hazards such as busy roads, water or railroads are near; large family homes always fence it and provide 50 square feet per child.
Room temperature 14 DE Admin. Code 933 § 48.5 Centers Rooms used by children stay between 68°F and 82°F measured 3 feet above the floor.

Emergency preparedness

Evacuation drill every month, including nap time, with a written record 14 DE Admin. Code 933 § 66.2; 934 § 45.2 Centers · Family child care
Written emergency plan and shelter-in-place 14 DE Admin. Code 933 §§ 66.1, 66.3; 934 §§ 45.1, 45.3 Centers · Family child care Have and train staff on a written plan for natural and man-made disasters covering staff roles, tracking children, relocation, reunifying families, infants and children with disabilities, contacting responders and…
Fire prevention checks and alarms 14 DE Admin. Code 933 § 66.4; 934 §§ 30.4–30.9 Centers · Family child care Do a monthly fire prevention inspection and post the latest report.
First aid kits 14 DE Admin. Code 933 § 65.0; 934 § 44.1 Centers · Family child care Keep a stocked first aid kit out of children's reach (gloves, non-glass thermometer, gauze, splints, cold pack, a first aid guide and more) and take one on every trip, with water, soap, emergency medications and parent…

Medication

Giving medication 14 DE Admin. Code 933 §§ 63.1–63.4; 934 §§ 42.1–42.4 Centers · Family child care Only certified staff at least 18 give medication, with written parent permission for each medicine and the parent's details on dose, time, route, end date, reason and the doctor and pharmacy.
Every dose on the MAR; certified staff member present all day 14 DE Admin. Code 933 § 63.5; 934 § 42.5 Centers · Family child care

Immunizations and health appraisals

Health appraisal and immunization record within 30 days; updated every 13 months 14 DE Admin. Code 933 §§ 40.1.5, 41.0; 934 §§ 22.1.6, 23.0 Centers · Family child care

Nutrition and infant feeding

Meals and snacks by hours in care 14 DE Admin. Code 933 § 71.1; 934 § 50.1 Centers · Family child care 2–4 hours: 1 snack. 4–6 hours: 1 meal and 1 snack. 7–11 hours: 2 meals and 1 snack, or 2 snacks and 1 meal, depending on arrival time. 12 hours or more: 3 meals and 2 snacks.
Infant feeding 14 DE Admin. Code 933 § 72.0 Centers Feed infants on demand following the parent's written feeding statement, updated monthly.

Safe sleep

Infants on their backs in a bare crib; moved from swings and car seats at once 14 DE Admin. Code 933 § 56.9; 934 § 35.9 Centers · Family child care
Sleep check logged every 30 minutes (every 15 in a separate room) 14 DE Admin. Code 934 §§ 25.3, 35.10 Family child care
Rest for older children 14 DE Admin. Code 933 §§ 56.1–56.7; 934 §§ 35.1–35.7 Centers · Family child care Children under 18 months who don't walk sleep in cribs; walkers 12–18 months may use a cot or mat with parent permission.

Discipline and behavior supports

Written behavior supports statement given to parents; no physical punishment or withholding food 14 DE Admin. Code 933 § 20.6; 934 § 18.6 Centers · Family child care
Time-out 14 DE Admin. Code 933 § 20.5; 934 § 18.5 Centers · Family child care Time-out is a supplement to positive behavior supports, never for infants, no longer than 1 minute per year of age, explained to the child first, supervised, and followed by a conversation about better choices.

Records

Complete child file before the first day; health appraisal within 30 days 14 DE Admin. Code 933 § 40.0; 934 § 22.0 Centers · Family child care
Staff files 14 DE Admin. Code 933 § 30.0; 934 § 69.0 Centers · Family child care At hire: personal data, 2 references, service letters from past employers, a signed criminal history statement, the drug and alcohol acknowledgment, orientation record, job description, fingerprint verification and…
Parents' Right to Know form signed by every family that tours or enrolls; log ready for OCCL 14 Del.C. § 3003B; 933 § 38.0; 934 § 21.0 Centers · Family child care
Accident and injury reports 14 DE Admin. Code 933 § 64.1; 934 § 43.1 Centers · Family child care Write a report for every accident or injury (child, date, what happened, how, first aid given) and get it signed by the parent, giving them a copy the same day or within 1 business day.

Attendance and pick-up

Exact in and out times recorded at the moment of arrival and departure 14 DE Admin. Code 933 § 43.0; 934 § 24.0 Centers · Family child care
Staff attendance 14 DE Admin. Code 933 § 36.0; 934 § 67.4 Centers · Family child care Keep a daily written or electronic record of each staff member's exact hours in each classroom or area, recorded at arrival and departure, for at least 3 months.
Release of children 14 DE Admin. Code 933 § 23.1.9; 934 § 20.2.5 Centers · Family child care Release children only to people the parent approved, check the ID of an approved person you don't know and keep a record of it, and have written procedures for non-custodial parents, unapproved people, and anyone who…

Transportation and field trips

Vehicle checked for children at every final stop; written transport permission on file 14 DE Admin. Code 933 § 67.0; 934 § 46.0 Centers · Family child care
Field trips and outings 14 DE Admin. Code 933 § 68.0 Centers Have a plan to keep track of children, written permission naming the place, date and transport, medical consents and emergency contacts, a first aid kit and phone, and tags with the center's name and number on each…

Inspections and enforcement

Files, records and recordings ready for an unannounced visit 14 DE Admin. Code 933 §§ 5.0, 8.5; 14 Del.C. § 3003A(a)(2) Centers · Family child care
Enforcement actions 14 DE Admin. Code 933 § 13.0; 934 § 12.0 Centers · Family child care For serious non-compliance or failure to follow a corrective action plan, OCCL can issue a warning of probation (up to 6 months), probation (up to 1 year), immediate suspension when children are in serious danger,…
Penalties and public records 14 Del.C. §§ 3003B, 3005A Centers · Family child care OCCL may impose civil penalties up to $1,000 per licensing violation, and operating without a license is punishable by a fine up to $1,000, up to 6 months in prison, or both.

Contesting a citation or decision

Wrongly cited? Call the licensing supervisor within 5 days 14 DE Admin. Code 933 §§ 8.5.2, 12.4; 934 §§ 8.5.2, 11.4 Centers · Family child care
Hearings and Superior Court appeal 14 Del.C. § 3004A(e)–(l); 933 § 13.0 Centers · Family child care Ask for a hearing within 10 business days of an enforcement notice (warning of probation or probation may be asked for verbally; others in writing).

Delaware daycare self-inspection checklist

Recent changes (2020–2026)

Who needs a license, and what kind

Staff-to-child ratios

Group size and separation of ages

Staff qualifications

Background checks

Training

Health and safety

Facility, furniture and equipment

Emergency preparedness

Medication

Immunizations and health appraisals

Nutrition and infant feeding

Safe sleep

Discipline and behavior supports

Records

Attendance and pick-up

Transportation and field trips

Inspections and enforcement

Contesting a citation or decision

Email me when Delaware's rules change