Shell’s Early Learning Center - Camden
A licensed child care center in Camden Wyoming, Delaware 19934
2116 South Dupont Highway, Camden Wyoming, Delaware 19934. (302) 698-1556.
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The short answer
Record last released by Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing on Oct 23, 2026.
Each figure’s source sits beside it, in its section below.
What these words mean4
- Inspection (survey)
- A visit by state inspectors, often unannounced, who check a place against the rules it must meet. For nursing homes and other places Medicare pays, CMS calls these visits surveys: a standard survey of a nursing home comes at least every 15 months, and a complaint survey whenever a complaint calls for one. Source: CMS; 42 CFR 488.308.
- Deficiency, citation, violation
- What inspectors write up when a place didn’t meet a rule: the rule, what they saw, and when. CMS calls it a deficiency; states may say citation or violation. It is the inspectors’ finding, not a court’s, and the place is usually asked for a plan to correct it. Source: CMS, statement of deficiencies (Form CMS-2567); each state’s licensing agency.
- Licence status
- Whether the state’s licence lets the place operate now, in the state’s own words: licensed, on probation (allowed to keep operating on conditions, after problems), provisional, pending or expired. Source: Each state’s licensing agency.
- Capacity
- The most people the licence or certification lets the place care for at once: residents, children, beds or apartments, as the state counts them. It isn’t how many are there now. Source: Each state’s licensing agency.
What did inspectors find?
4 visits with violations in the last three years, the latest on Feb 3, 2026; Delaware doesn’t list visits that found nothing.
20 violations cited in the last three years.
Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing, Child Care Licensing Compliance Review Information. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated daily.
When those violations happened
20 violations in 4 months of the last 36. Last cited Feb 2026. The last 3 years, to Oct 24, 2026.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Nov | Dec | ||||||||||
| 2024 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 2025 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 2026 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct |
Hover or focus a month to read it.
Hearth Record drew this from the dates and levels in the source’s own records.
Each violation, in its source’s words
Grouped by visit, newest first, with the level its source gave it.
Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing, Child Care Licensing Compliance Review Information. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated daily.
Feb 3, 2026: unannounced Full Compliance Review7 violations
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Insurance Coverage
“Submit updated general liability insurance documentation.”
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Children’s Attendance
“Ensure child’s attendance is documented to include the exact arrival and departure times. Nine children were present in the three-year-old classroom, but only eight were signed in. This was discussed and corrected when the nineth child was signed in.”
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Indoor Space
“Repair or replace the broken safety gate located at the entrance of the four-year-old classroom.”
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Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments
“Ensure nap equipment is non-absorbent. Replace the ripped nap mats in the four-year-old classroom and two-year-old classroom. This was corrected when the ripped nap equipment was replaced with new nap mats.”
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Diapering and Soiled Clothing
“Ensure the diaper-changing surface is non-porous. Replace the ripped diaper-changing mat in the three-year-old classroom. This was corrected when the diaper-changing mat was replaced with a new mat. Ensure a foot-activated diaper pail is used to dispose of diapers. The foot-activated diaper pail in the two-year-old classroom needs to be replaced.”
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First Aid Kits
“Ensure the first aid kit is complete. Purchase safety pins.”
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License Renewal
“Ensure the renewal application is submitted at least 60 days prior to the license expiration.”
Sep 5, 2025: unannounced1 violation
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Governing Body
“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.”
Feb 4, 2025: unannounced Full Compliance Review9 violations
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Personnel Files
“Ensure staff files are complete. Eleven staff need a professional development plan. One staff member needs annual review of safe sleep. Five staff members need orientation. Two staff members need to complete the Health and Safety Training for Child Care Professionals. One staff member needs two references. One staff member needs an adult abuse registry check. Three staff members need an adult health appraisal with TB results. One staff member needs an adult health appraisal. Four staff members need service letters.”
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Staff Attendance
“Enusre staff attendance is documented upon arrival and departure. One staff member failed to sign into the three-year-old classroom. This was corrected when the staff member’s attendance was documented on the attendance record.”
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Child Files
“Ensure child files are complete. One child needs a development plan. Two children need infant feeding schedules.”
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Indoor Space
“Remove the ripped carpet from the three-year-old classroom.”
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Kitchen and Food Preparation
“Ensure the freezer is at 0 degrees F or colder. The thermometer in the freezer/fridge combo read 10 degrees F. The thermometer was replaced and the new thermometer read 5 degrees F.”
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Outdoor Area
“Replenish the mulch in the fall zone areas.”
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Diapering and Soiled Clothing
“Replace the broken diaper pail in the one-year-old classroom.”
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Lesson Plans
“Ensure lesson plans contain daily opportunities for physical, social-emotional, language/literacy, and cognitive development. the two-year-old classroom was missing social/emotional and cognitive activities. The three-year-old classroom was missing daily physical activities. the one-year-old classroom was missing daily cognitive activities.”
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License Renewal
“Ensure the renewal application is submitted at least 60 days prior the license expiration. Renew the State of Delaware business license.”
Feb 21, 2024: unannounced Full Compliance Review3 violations
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Child Files
“Ensure children’s files are complete. Child #8 & #11 need Blood Lead Screening results.”
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Indoor Space
“Ensure floors, walls , counter surfaces, toilets are cleanable and in good repair. The wall near the quiet cube in the 2’s classroom is peeling. Please send a picture of the wall corrected.”
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License Renewal
“Ensure a completed renewal application is submitted at least 60 days before license expiration. Provider submitted renewal application at visit. Ensure State Business License is current. Please send a copy of current business license.”
All 4 visits on record
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 3, 2026 | Unannounced Full Compliance Review | 7 violations cited |
| Sep 5, 2025 | Unannounced | 1 violation cited |
| Feb 4, 2025 | Unannounced Full Compliance Review | 9 violations cited |
| Feb 21, 2024 | Unannounced Full Compliance Review | 3 violations cited |
Is it licensed?
- Licensed Child Care Center.
- Ages served, in Delaware’s words: 8 weeks through 12 years.
- Takes part in: Child Care Food Program (meals reimbursed), Purchase of Care (state-subsidized child care).
- Licence number 1198497.
- Capacity: 102 children.
Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing, Licensed Child Care Providers and Facilities. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated daily.
Has Delaware acted against it?
- 8 complaint investigations in the last three years. Results, in Delaware’s words: No Evidence to Substantiate (4), Substantiated (3), Unsubstantiated (1). 1 more has no usable completion date.
Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing, Child Care Licensing Complaint Reviews and Licensed Child Care Providers and Facilities. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated daily.
| Date | What | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 2, 2025 | OCCL Standards Complaint: Substantiated | OCCL s investigation of regulatory non-compliance began after clearance from other agencies was received. On July 29, 2025, and July 31, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received complaints regarding the center not having an accurate health appraisal for a specific staff member onsite, improper discipline, accident/injury procedures, not reporting abuse, and not keeping the center clean. An investigation was conducted on August 6, 2025. The complaint is substantiated for improper discipline because Staff #4 stated she has observed Staff #1 slap children on their hands. She stated she told Staff #1 not to hit the children so hard but rather tap them on their hand. Staff #4 showed a gentle tapping motion on her hand and stated that was how she taps children on their hands. There is no evidence to substantiate for not having an accurate health appraisal onsite because there was a complete health appraisal in Staff #1 s staff file. There is no evidence to substantiate regarding accident/injury procedures, not reporting abuse, and not keeping the center clean due to the staff member possibly urinating and the children noticing because all interviewed staff denied the allegations. A concern noted during the investigation was a staff member was observed on video using her cell phone during nap time while children were still awake. |
| Aug 13, 2025 | OCCL Standards Complaint: Substantiated | On July 18, 2025, and July 21, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing received complaints regarding allegations of the administrator not using respectful communication with staff members, cell phone usage, the administrator not being present for at least 50% of the hours of operation, lack of supervision, improper discipline, and denying children food. An investigation was conducted on July 24, 2025. The complaint is substantiated for cell phone usage because Administrator #1 and staff members admitted to staff members participating in personal activities and using a cell phone while providing care to children. There is no evidence to substantiate regarding the administrator not using respectful communication with staff members, the administrator not being present for at least 50% of the hours of operation, lack of supervision, improper discipline, and staff denying children food because staff denied the allegations. |
| Jul 1, 2025 | OCCL Standards Complaint: Substantiated | On June 11, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding possible improper discipline, accident/injury procedures, and not providing truthful information. An investigation was conducted on June 18, 2025. The complaint is substantiated for accident/injury procedures because Child #1 received an injury to his head, but his parents were not immediately notified. There is no evidence to substantiate for improper discipline and not providing truthful information because staff denied the allegations. |
| Mar 11, 2025 | OCCL Standards Complaint: No Evidence to Substantiate | On February 14, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding not having supplies, lack of supervision, and respectful communication. An investigation was conducted on February 20, 2025. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint regarding not having supplies because six of seven staff interviewed staff denied the allegations and LS #1 observed an abundance of food and supplies available at the center. There is no evidence to substantiate for lack of supervision because proper supervision was observed, children were observed engaged in age-appropriate activities, and staff denied the allegations. There is no evidence to substantiate for lack of respectful communication because most staff denied the allegation and no elaboration of an affirmative answer was provided. |
| Feb 18, 2025 | OCCL Standards Complaint: No Evidence to Substantiate | On January 27, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding meals and snacks, sanitation, and staffing for administrator and teacher trained in the day-to-day operations after 4:00 pm. An investigation was conducted on February 4, 2025. There is no evidence to substantiate for insufficient meals and snacks because staff denied the allegations and LS #1 observed an abundance of food available at the center. Additionally, LS #1 observed lunch served to the children that followed the appropriate meal pattern requirements. There is no evidence to substantiate for lack of sanitation because Administrator #1 stated the center keeps an overstock of supplies and if they run out, she will purchase more. Additionally, LS #1 observed the required cleaning materials in each classroom as well as additional supplies in the staff cabinets and the equipment and surfaces appeared to be clean. There is no evidence to substantiate for inappropriate staffing for administrator and teacher trained in the day-to-day operations after 4:00 pm because staff denied the allegations and LS #1 observed a completed Training Record for Staff Member Trained in Day-to-Day Operations for both Staff #2 and Staff #3 who are present at the facility after the administrator leaves. |
| Nov 7, 2024 | OCCL Standards Complaint: No Evidence to Substantiate | On October 21, 2024, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding meals and snacks, an insect infestation, and not having paper towels. An unannounced investigation was conducted on October 29, 2024. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for meals and snacks because staffed denied the allegations and a menu was observed containing a variety of foods. Additionally, leftover grilled cheese and fruit from lunch were observed. There is no evidence to substantiate for an insect infestation because staff denied the allegation and LS #1 did not observe any bugs or ants. There is no evidence to substantiate for not having paper towels because Administrator #1 stated they keep an overstock and if they run out, she will purchase more. Additionally, LS #1 observed paper towels in the classrooms and an extra supply in a supply cabinet. |
| Jul 29, 2024 | OCCL Standards Complaint: No Evidence to Substantiate | The Office of Child Care Licensing received two complaints on June 28, 2024, and July 1, 2024, regarding the center not having toilet paper and paper towels, having an ant infestation, not following the food policy, and not being respectful to children and staff members. An investigation was conducted on July 3, 2024. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint because all staff members who were interviewed stated they had not heard any staff member or any administrator yelling at children or other staff members. Additionally, the staff members stated that they did not know of any child in care who was allergic to cheese. Also, during the investigation, LS #1 observed toilet paper and paper towels in the storage cabinet, classrooms, and bathrooms. LS #1 did not observe any ants in the center during the visit. |
| Dec 18, 2023 | OCCL Standards Complaint: Unsubstantiated | The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint on November 30, 2023, regarding parents not being notified that their child had been exposed to a contagious disease or condition. An investigation was conducted on December 12, 2023. This complaint is unsubstantiated because the licensing specialists observed the notification posted. |
| IA Investigation: no result yet | Delaware gives no summary. |
Who does the caring?
- Delaware doesn’t publish staffing levels for individual providers.
Who owns it?
- Delaware’s open data doesn’t list owners.
How is it rated?
- 2025: 2 facility injuries. No facility deaths reported.
- 2024: 2 facility injuries. No facility deaths reported.
Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing, Licensed Child Care Providers and Facilities. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated daily.
How does it compare nearby?
- Providers aren’t compared: Delaware lists only the visits that found violations, so a count can’t tell a clean record from one never visited.
Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing, Child Care Licensing Compliance Review Information. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated daily.
| Place | Violations cited in the last three years |
|---|---|
| Shell’s Early Learning Center - Camden This child care provider | Not given |
| St. Paul’s Nature Preschool | Not given |
| The Next Step Learning Center at Camden | Not given |
| Shell’s Early Learning Camden Center | Not given |
| Sandra Layte | Not given |
| Gwendolyn Rash | Not given |
| Annette D Radcliffe | Not given |
| Mary Skodzinski | Not given |
| Whatcoat Christian Preschool | Not given |
| Angela Smith | Not given |
| The Children’s Place II, Inc. | Not given |
| Boys & Girls Club @ W. B. Simpson Elementary School | Not given |
What the record doesn’t say
- Delaware doesn’t grade violations by severity, so read what was cited.
- Delaware’s open data lists a visit only when a violation was cited there, so visits that found nothing aren’t shown.
- Delaware publishes five years of reviews and complaints; this page shows the last three.
- Delaware doesn’t publish staffing levels or owners for individual providers.
- Delaware lists only the visits that found violations, so a provider with none listed may not have been visited at all: no count of violations is used to headline, filter or compare its providers.
Sources
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Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing, Licensed Child Care Providers and Facilities (iuzd-3dbt).
Released Oct 23, 2026 and checked Oct 24, 2026. Updated daily. Public Domain.
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Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing, Child Care Licensing Compliance Review Information (wb83-pkcv).
Released Oct 23, 2026 and checked Oct 24, 2026. Updated daily. Public Domain.
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Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing, Child Care Licensing Complaint Reviews (pnbd-85r6).
Released Oct 23, 2026 and checked Oct 24, 2026. Updated daily. Public Domain.
If you believe something here is wrong, a correction starts with the agency whose record this copies: Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing. Delaware’s own record is on data.delaware.gov. If Hearth Record copied something wrongly, it will fix it and log the correction publicly, with its date: how corrections work.
This copy of the record was made on Oct 24, 2026.
From the provider
The public record above comes first. Anything the provider adds will appear here, below it, and say who wrote it.
Replies
None. Replies aren’t open yet. When they open, the provider will be able to answer any finding for free, and the reply will show beside that finding, unedited and dated.
Paid listing
None. Paid listings aren’t open yet. When they open, anything paid for will say “Paid by the provider”, and paying will never change a finding, a rating or the order of results.