The Pumpkin Patch Early Learning Center LLC
A licensed child care center in Dover, Delaware 19904
1160 Walker Rd, Dover, Delaware 19904. (302) 724-5172.
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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?
2 visits with violations in the last three years, the latest on Nov 27, 2023; Delaware doesn’t list visits that found nothing.
13 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
13 violations in 1 month of the last 36. Last cited Nov 2023. 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.
Nov 27, 2023: unannounced2 violations
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Personnel Files
“Ensure staff fiels are complete. Staff #1, #2, #3, #4, and #5 need the OCCL Health & Safety training. Please send documentation of completed courses to OCCL.”
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Child Files
“Ensure children’s files are complete. Child #4, #5, #6, and #8 need current health appraisals. Child #4 needs blood lead screening results.”
Nov 20, 2023: unannounced Full Compliance Review11 violations
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Governing Body
“Ensure there are enough qualified staff present to fulfill administrative, and food service, and other duties. There were three qualified and one unqualified present with 3 classrooms open. There were not enough people to provide breaks. Submit a staffing plan by November 22nd.”
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Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision
“Ensure supervision of children is maintained at all times. A staff member stated she was responsible for cooking lunch and taking care of a classroom. This was corrected at the visit when OCCL assisted with staffing and another staff member began cooking lunch.”
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Personnel Files
“Staff files must be accessible at all times. The administrator said she did not have access to the locked office where staff files are kept. An unannounced visit will be conducted to view staff files. Submit a plan of action of procedure that allows admin to have access to files.”
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Parents Right to Know
“Submit current Parent’s Right to Know Log.”
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Child Files
“Children’s files must be accessible at all times. The administrator said she did not have access to the locked office where the children’s files are kept. An unannounced visit will be conducted to view children’s files. Submit a plan of action with procedure used to allow admin to have access to files.”
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Kitchen and Food Preparation
“Ensure prepared and stored food is labeled with contents and date of preparation or expiration. It was observed that the food being stored did not contain expiration dates. Submit picture of food correctly labeled.”
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Outdoor Area
“Ensure the fence has a self-closing mechanism. It was observed that the latch on the outdoor fence is not closing properly. Submit a picture of self-closing fence. Ensure climbing equipment is following fall zone regulations. It was observed that the little slide was not in a fall zone area. Submit picture of slide in a fall zone area.”
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Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments
“Ensure safe sleep practices are being used. It was observed that an infant’s mattress sheet was loose. OCCL spoke with the staff member, and it was corrected at visit.”
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Meals and Snacks
“Ensure menu changes are documented. It was observed that the posted menu did not match what was being served. Submit an updated menu for the week of 11/20 - 11/23.”
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Feeding of Infants
“Ensure written feeding schedules are current. It was observed that the posted infant feeding schedule was not current. Submit a picture of the current infant feeding schedule. Ensure infants are held for bottle feeding when too young to use a feeding chair. It was observed that an infant was propped up with their bottle instead of being held. OCCL spoke with the staff member, and it was corrected immediately. CAV”
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License Renewal
“Ensure renewal application is submitted at least 60 days before license expiration. Send completed renewal application.”
All 2 visits on record
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 27, 2023 | Unannounced | 2 violations cited |
| Nov 20, 2023 | Unannounced Full Compliance Review | 11 violations cited |
Is it licensed?
- Licensed Child Care Center.
- Ages served, in Delaware’s words: 1 year through 12 years.
- Takes part in: Child Care Food Program (meals reimbursed), Purchase of Care (state-subsidized child care).
- Licence number 1453946.
- Capacity: 56 children.
Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing, Licensed Child Care Providers and Facilities. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated daily.
Has Delaware acted against it?
- 2 complaint investigations in the last three years. Results, in Delaware’s words: Substantiated (2).
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 10, 2024 | OCCL Standards Complaint: Substantiated | On March 26, 2023, the Office of Child Care Licensing received a complaint regarding improper staff-to-child ratio, on-site telephone requirements, and not keeping the facility clean. The complaint is substantiated for improper staff-to-child ratio because on March 19, 2024, Staff #4, who is not qualified, was left alone during nap time from 2:04 p.m. until 3:00 p.m., and during the visit an assistant teacher was alone in the building with up to eight children. The complaint is substantiated for not having an onsite telephone because on March 26, 2024, the licensing supervisor called the publicly listed facility phone. No one answered and the phone went to voicemail. The voicemail stated the phone number that was called was a different phone number. The licensing supervisor also received a text message from the other phone number which stated, Please text me. This phone number belongs to the future owner. In addition, during the visit the licensing specialist called the facility telephone, and it was answered by the current owner who was not present at the facility. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation of the facility not being clean because the classrooms observed were clean and organized Several additional concerns were noted. The exact arrival time of Child #1 was not documented. There was not a child file was on site for Child #1. No security procedures were in use that limit the access to the children to authorized people because the licensing specialist observed the administrator open the unlocked front door then lock the front door after she and a child entered the facility while the other staff member was in another part of the facility with the children. A teacher trained in day-to-day operations was not present because an assistant teacher was alone in the building with up to eight children from 6:00 a.m. until the administrator arrived at 7:13 a.m. Attendance records were not available at the visit. According to attendance recor ds, the Pre-K classroom exceeded the measured capacity on March 18, 2024, March 19, 2024, and March 21, 2024. All classrooms had stained ceiling tiles, holes in the walls, and peeling paint. Non-compliance Cited: Reg #17: A licensee must have an on-site publicly listed phone number. On March 26, 2024, the licensing supervisor called the publicly listed facility phone. No one answered and the phone went to voicemail. The voicemail stated the phone number that was called was a different phone number. The licensing supervisor also received a text message from the other phone number which stated, Please text me. This phone number belongs to the future owner. In addition, during the visit the licensing specialist called the facility telephone, and it was answered by the current owner who was not present at the facility Non-compliance Cited: Reg #26: When the early childhood administrator is not present, a licensee shall ensure a staff member who is qualified as at least an early childhood teacher is present and designated as responsible for the center. This staff member must receive documented training in the emergency procedures, opening and closing procedures, location of and access to child and staff files, and supervision of children and staff. According to attendance records from 6:00 a.m. until 7:13 a.m. Staff #1, an assistant teacher, was alone with eight children until the administrator signed in at 7:13 a.m. Non-compliance Cited: Reg #27: Ensure staff-to-child ratio is maintained through the assignment of qualified staff present with the children. On March 19, 2024, Staff #4, who is not qualified, was left alone with 20 children during nap time from 2:04 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. Ensure there are at least two staff present when there are seven or more children in the facility. An assistant teacher was alone in the building with up to eight children. Non-compliance Cited: Reg #40: Have an on-site confidential paper or accessi ble electronic file for each child. Child #1 did not have a file onsite. Non-compliance Cited: Reg #43: Have and use a system for documenting children s attendance that includes the exact arrival and departure times in the child s classroom and be entered at the time of the arrival and departure of the child. During the visit, one child was not signed in. Non-compliance Cited: Reg #49: The facility must have at least 35 square feet of usable floor space for each child in each area or room used by children. According to attendance records, the Pre-K classroom exceeded the measured capacity on March 18, 2024, March 19, 2024, and March 21, 2024. Ensure all areas, furnishings, and equipment of the center are in a clean, hazard-free, and safe condition. Floors, walls, counter surfaces, toilets, and surfaces or finishes must be cleanable and in good repair. All classrooms need stained ceiling tiles replaced, peeling paint needs to be repaired, and the holes in the walls need to be repaired. Ensure there are security procedures in place to limit access. No security procedures were in use that limit the access to the children to authorized people because the licensing specialist observed the administrator open the unlocked front door then lock the front door after she and a child entered the facility while the other staff member was in another part of the facility with the children. |
| Feb 21, 2024 | OCCL Standards Complaint: Substantiated | On January 29, 2024, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding staff-to-child ratio, staff using a cell phone when caring for children, failing to complete comprehensive background check requirements, and changing ownership of the center without OCCL approval. An investigation was conducted on January 31, 2024. This complaint is substantiated for improper staff-to-child ratio and failing to complete comprehensive background check requirements because attendance records show the administrator was present with seven children, the youngest was an infant, from 8:38 am until 8:47 am on January 29, 2024, and according to the administrator, Person #2 is onsite during the hours of operation and Person #2 does not have a comprehensive background check. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation of staff using a cell phone for personal use while caring for children because the administrator stated she only uses her cell phone to document Brightwheel entries. There is no evidence to substantiate a change in ownership because OCCL leadership determined Ms. Giddens is still the current owner. Additional concerns noted were the infant and toddler classrooms diaper-only foot-activated trash cans were inoperable. The infant classroom bottles needed labeled, and the wall needed repair and paint. The preschool classroom child attendance was documented incorrectly, activity areas defined for art, dramatic play, blocks, and manipulatives were needed, and materials for all children enrolled in the classroom for science, manipulatives, sensory, art, and additional music materials were also needed. The pre-k classroom needed a lid on the trash can. Attendance records from January 25, 2024, and January 26, 2024, show a staff member did not sign in when they provided a lunch break in a classroom. |
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?
- No facility injuries reported. 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 |
|---|---|
| The Pumpkin Patch Early Learning Center LLC This child care provider | Not given |
| Miracles of Life Child Care | Not given |
| Dover’s Childrens Village Too | Not given |
| Greater Dover Boys and Girls Club | Not given |
| Mattie Rena Duffie | Not given |
| Lakeisheia Booker | Not given |
| Tyra Ceo | Not given |
| De Colores Home Learning Center | Not given |
| Tilithia Allen | Not given |
| Janet M. Denton | Not given |
| Rivers of Learning Academy, LLC | Not given |
| Little Kid’s Swagg Learning Center, LLC Too | Not given |
| Sunshine Home Childcare, LLC | 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.