Higher Learning Academy

Personnel Files

“Ensure staff files are complete. Staff #1 and 4 need CPR/FA, Staff #5 needs training hours and application or resume. Staff #8 needs upon hire- orientation form, OCCL training, references, declaration and drug/alcohol statement, adult abuse registry check.”

Rule 30U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Feb 5, 2025.

Child Files

“Children #1 and 6 need an enrollment date. Children #5, 7, and 8 needs updated health appraisals and immunizations. Child #5 needs an MAR for their Epi-Pen.”

Rule 40U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Feb 5, 2025.

Indoor Space

“Clean or replace carpet in the two year old classroom and fix hole in the bottom baseboard of the wall and send a picture to OCCL.”

Rule 49U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Mar 6, 2025.

Outdoor Area

“Replace outdoor fence and ensure fence has 2 exits. Send a picture of repaired fence with exits to OCCL.”

Rule 53U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Feb 17, 2025.

Equipment

“Place science materials in the younger and older one year old room.”

Rule 57U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Feb 13, 2025.

Authority to Inspect Granted

“Ensure OCCL has immediate access to the center- this includes access to information, files, documents, and video recordings needed to determine compliance.”

Rule 5U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Feb 14, 2025.

Diapering and Soiled Clothing

“Ensure trash cans in the bathroom are foot operated. Send picture of fixed foot operated trash cans to OCCL.”

Rule 61U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Feb 10, 2025.

Activity Areas

“Place literacy items in the older one year old classroom.”

Rule 75U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Feb 5, 2025.

License Renewal

“Send in notarized renewal application.”

Rule 8U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Feb 4, 2025.

Indoor Space

“Ensure fragrances, incense, burning of candles are prohibited. Fragrance oil and diffuser were observed in the younger 1’s room. Remove diffuser and send a picture to OCCL.”

Rule 49U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Dec 18, 2024.

Toilet Facilities

“Replace ceiling tiles in the boys bathroom and hallway. Send proof of communication with the landlord regarding this issue to OCCL and work on replacing the tiles. This will be our last time citing for this non-compliance, or there will be further enforcement action.”

Rule 51U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Dec 18, 2024.

Diapering and Soiled Clothing

“Place diaper changing covers in the boy’s bathroom. There were none upon arrival.”

Rule 61U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Dec 23, 2024.

Administration of Medication

“Ensure melatonin “sleep spray” is not used. Sleep spray was observed in the younger 1’s classroom and is classified as medication and should not be used. Remove spray from classroom and send a picture to OCCL.”

Rule 63U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Dec 12, 2024.

Emergency Planning

“Ensure there is enough emergency water/snacks. Send a picture of emergency water to OCCL.”

Rule 66U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Dec 18, 2024.

Indoor Space

“Ensure trash, including diaper trash, is covered at all times. Both bathrooms and the one year old room did not have the trashcan covered. This was corrected at the visit.”

Rule 49U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Nov 19, 2024.

Toilet Facilities

“Ensure paper towels are available in the bathrooms. Send a picture.”

Rule 51U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Dec 2, 2024.

Equipment

“Music items needed in the new one year old room. Send a picture.”

Rule 57U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Nov 20, 2024.

Diapering and Soiled Clothing

“Replace ceiling tiles in the boys bathroom. Ensure disposable covers are used for diapering. Send a picture.”

Rule 61U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Dec 23, 2024.

Administration of Medication

“Ensure all prescribed medications stay in the original container and the medication logs are filled out. Send medication logs for the Nystatin and medication form for Child #1 and 2.”

Rule 63U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Dec 2, 2024.

Lesson Plans

“Ensure lesson plans are current and posted. The one year old room was completing theirs at the time of the visit. Another one year old room did not have a lesson plan posted. Both rooms were corrected at the visit.”

Rule 74U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Nov 19, 2024.

Activity Schedule

“Pre-K room schedule was not posted. This was corrected at the visit. Screen time may not be used for one-year-olds. A video with music was playing in both one year old classrooms. This was corrected at the visit.”

Rule 76U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Nov 19, 2024.

Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision

“Ensure classroom capacity is maintained in the Pre-K room. The max number of children is 11, but 12 children were present. Review capacity for all rooms and send a signed acknowledgment from all staff.”

Rule 27U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Nov 19, 2024.

General Qualifications

“While waiting for the results of the background check, a staff member must be supervised at all times. A staff member was observed alone with children and has not been determined eligible by the Criminal History Unit. Please submit an update to OCCL.”

Rule 28U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Oct 25, 2024.

Children’s Attendance

“Ensure attendance is accurate. 10 children were signed into the ones room, but several were in another room upon arrival. Send attendance for 1 week for older and younger ones. Attendance documentation shows staff not signed out.”

Rule 43U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Jan 1, 2025.

Hazardous Materials

“Bleach was accessible under the sink in the boys bathroom and cleaners were accessible in the one year old classroom. Remove them or put locks on the cabinet and send pictures.”

Rule 45U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Oct 24, 2024.

Indoor Space

“Ensure trash is covered at all times. Trash was uncovered in the ones room and both bathrooms, where they are also used for diapering. Send pictures. Ensure no trash is stored on the floor.”

Rule 49U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Oct 24, 2024.

Toilet Facilities

“Clean the intake ventilation fan in the boys bathroom and order/install replacement ceiling tiles. Send pictures or receipts.”

Rule 51U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Dec 18, 2024.

Equipment

“One year old classroom needs music, sensory, and manipulative materials. Send pictures.”

Rule 57U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Nov 15, 2024.

Diapering and Soiled Clothing

“Ensure trash is covered at all times. Trash was uncovered in the ones room and both bathrooms, where they are also used for diapering. Send pictures. Ensure no trash is stored on the floor. Disposable covers are needed for all changing areas. Send pictures.”

Rule 61U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Dec 23, 2024.

Emergency Planning

“Ensure there is enough emergency water available. Send a picture.”

Rule 66U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Oct 28, 2024.

Meals and Snacks

“Nutrigrain bars and water were served for breakfast. Ensure all meals meet required components. Send planned menu for the week of 10/28/2024.”

Rule 71U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Oct 28, 2024.

Lesson Plans

“Lesson plan was not current in the two’s room. Pre-K lesson plan is missing a healthy habits and music activity. Ensure staff are trained in what classifies as social-emotional activities. Send one week’s plans for infants, ones, and twos.”

Rule 74U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Oct 24, 2024.

Personnel Files

“Submit for Staff #1: Review of abuse/neglect and safe sleep, orientation form, health and safety training, application/resume, job description, 4 references, service letter attempt with release of employment history, employee declaration and drug/alcohol statement, adult abuse registry check.”

Rule 30U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Oct 24, 2024.

Staff Attendance

“Ensure staff are signing out when leaving the classroom. Two staff in the threes room weren’t signed out and one child in the Pre-K room wasn’t signed in. Send one weeks attendance to OCCL.”

Rule 36U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Sep 23, 2024.

Children’s Attendance

“Ensure all children are signed in. One child in the Pre-K room wasn’t signed in. Send one weeks attendance to OCCL.”

Rule 43U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Sep 23, 2024.

Equipment

“Remove or repair broken shelf near the literacy area that is coming apart. Send pictures to OCCL.”

Rule 57U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Sep 26, 2024.

Meals and Snacks

“Ensure afternoon snack contains two of the required components. Animal crackers and water were served. This will be checked at a follow-up visit.”

Rule 71U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Sep 23, 2024.

Activity Areas

“Ensure there are sufficient manipulatives, art, and construction materials in the three year old classroom. Send pictures to OCCL.”

Rule 75U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Sep 24, 2024.

Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision

“Ensure classroom capacity in the three-year-old classroom is maintained. Agreement with OCCL regarding classroom capacities was with the one and Pre-K rooms. The three-year-old room was over its capacity with 15 children present. The room capacity is 10 children. Review the center’s measured capacity space and send a confirmation of understanding to OCCL.”

Rule 27U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Sep 6, 2024.

General Qualifications

“Ensure staff are supervised at all times until eligibility is determined. Staff #1 was observed changing a child’s diaper in the bathroom but is not DEEDS qualified or determined eligible to work with children by the Criminal History Unit. Submit Staff #1’s out of state results to CHU and send eligibility letter by 8/28/2024. Staff #1 submitted her out of state request receipt, dated 8/19/2024.”

Rule 28U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Aug 27, 2024.

Personnel Files

“Ensure staff files are complete: Annual review of safe sleep for Staff #3, 5, and 7. Professional Development plan for Staff #3. Annual review of child abuse and neglect for Staff #1-8. Orientation form for Staff #1-8. OCCL’s Health and Safety training for Staff #1 and 5. Job Description for Staff #3. Release of Employment for Staff #2, 3, 5, and 8. Service letters for Staff #1-8. References for Staff #3-8. Adult abuse registry for Staff #4-8. Employee declaration for Staff #4. Date of Hire for Staff #6 and 8.”

Rule 30U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Sep 20, 2024.

Staff Attendance

“Ensure all staff sign in and out for their lunch breaks. All staff did not sign in and out. Send one week’s of attendance for all classrooms reflecting lunch and bathroom breaks to OCCL.”

Rule 36U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Sep 6, 2024.

Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments

“Ensure nap cots are 18 inches apart. Cots in the one year old classroom were too close together. Separate nap cots and send a picture to OCCL of spaced out cots during nap time.”

Rule 56U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Aug 27, 2024.

Lesson Plans

“Submit updated lesson plans for the three and pre-k rooms.”

Rule 74U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Aug 28, 2024.

Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision

Rule 27U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Jul 1, 2024.

Indoor Space

“Ensure TV’s are not placed on top of the shelves and accessible to children. Remove TV from shelf and send a picture to OCCL. Not in the way of the children.”

Rule 49U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Jul 24, 2024.

Kitchen and Food Preparation

“Replace refrigerator and send receipt or invoice to OCCL. CACFP will be contacted if receipt is not presented.”

Rule 50U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Jul 29, 2024.

Pools and Swimming

“Wading pools are prohibited. Remove wading pool and review regulation 54 and send a signed acknowledgment to OCCL.”

Rule 54U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Aug 7, 2024.

Feeding of Infants

“Update infant feeding schedule for Child #1 and Child #2.”

Rule 72U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Aug 2, 2024.

Personnel Files

“Ensure staff files are complete. All staff need eligibility letters in their files and 2 documented attempts at sending the service letter. Staff #3 needs CPR/FA, orientation form, health appraisal, release of employment, and 2 documented attempts for the service letter. Staff #4 needs a health appraisal. Staff #7 needs CPR/FA and 2 more refences.”

Rule 30U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Jun 18, 2024.

Kitchen and Food Preparation

“Ensure kitchen refrigerator is 40 degrees or below. Current temperature read 60 degrees. Replace refrigerator or take a picture showing 40 degrees to OCCL.”

Rule 50U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Aug 1, 2024.

Meals and Snacks

“Ensure any changes to the menu are documented and families are notified. The posted menu did not match what was for breakfast, and the provider did not inform families of the change. Review Regulation 71 and send a signed acknowledgement to OCCL.”

Rule 71U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Jun 4, 2024.

Insurance Coverage

“Submit updated liability insurance.”

Rule 16U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: May 1, 2024.

Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision

“Ensure accurate ratios and group size are maintained. Upon entry, all classrooms except the infant room were present in the three’s room. There were 35 children and 6 teachers present. The youngest was one year old. Review Regulation 27 regarding max group size and child ratio’s and send a signed acknowledgement to OCCL.”

Rule 27U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Jun 4, 2024.

Personnel Files

“Ensure all staff files are complete: Service letters/attempts at sending service letters for Staff #1-9. Eligibility letters for Staff #1-9. Release of employment for Staff #3. Health appraisal and TB for Staff #3,4, and 7. Employee Declaration for Staff #3. References for Staff #3, 4, 7. App/Resume/or Data Sheet for Staff #3 and 9. Orientation for Staff #3. CPR/First Aid for Staff #3 and 7. Start Date/Date of Hire for Staff #3, 4, and 7. All paperwork must be witnessed by program administrator.”

Rule 30U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Jun 18, 2024.

Child Files

“Submit MAR log for Child #1.”

Rule 40U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Jun 4, 2024.

Children’s Attendance

“Ensure children’s attendance is accurate. Two children were not signed in, in the fours/fives room. Send 1 week attendance to OCCL.”

Rule 43U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: May 21, 2024.

Indoor Space

“Ensure garbage is covered in all classrooms. The infants, ones, threes, fours/fives rooms did not have lids on the trashcans. Send a picture of trashcan lids for all rooms to OCCL.”

Rule 49U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: May 7, 2024.

Toilet Facilities

“Fix vent fan in the girls bathroom and send a video of fan in use to OCCL.”

Rule 51U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: May 9, 2024.

Meals and Snacks

“Ensure updated food menu is posted and updated, and menu is followed. Posted menu was not updated and cereal, milk, fruit, was not on today’s menu. Send updated menu to OCCL.”

Rule 71U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: May 1, 2024.

Lesson Plans

“Ensure lesson plan is posted and updated. The infants, ones, pre-k, rooms did not have updated lesson plans. The two’s room did not have accurate social-emotional components, and the three’s room did not have music and food components. Send updated lesson plans for all rooms to OCCL, with accurate components.”

Rule 74U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: May 1, 2024.

Activity Schedule

“Ensure schedule for all classrooms are posted. Send schedule for all classrooms to OCCL.”

Rule 76U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: May 1, 2024.

Governing Body

“A licensee shall have an organized system of business management and have sufficient staff. During the visit on January 18, 2024, there was not sufficient staff available within the center to allow for appropriate lunch breaks, bathroom breaks, preparing meals, or opening the door for visitors. Submit an updated staffing plan to show sufficient staffing schedule within the center by January 26, 2024. The staffing plan shall include which ages of the children each staff member will be working with at all times.”

Rule 15U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Mar 28, 2024.

Insurance Coverage

“Ensure a current copy of liability insurance is up to date for the center. Send to OCCL when complete.”

Rule 16U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Jan 24, 2024.

Staff Qualifications

“An Early Childhood Intern may not be alone with infants. An Early Childhood Intern was alone with 9 children including two infants. This was corrected at the visit.”

Rule 24U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Jan 18, 2024.

Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision

“Ensure ratios for all classrooms are met at all times. A staff member was alone with 9 children including 2 infants. Two Staff who were not determined eligible in the system were alone with 11 children. Send two weeks attendance documentation for all classrooms by February 15, 2024.”

Rule 27U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Apr 4, 2024.

General Qualifications

“Ensure staff are fingerprinted and determined eligible before the start of employment. Two staff were present and working and not determined eligible. This was corrected when LS Brady sent staff home.”

Rule 28U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Jan 18, 2024.

Personnel Files

Rule 30U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Mar 28, 2024.

First Aid and CPR Training

“No staff at the center have current hand-on- CPR training. Ensure there is certified staff member on site at all times. Send copies of CPR/First Aid for all staff.”

Rule 35U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Apr 4, 2024.

Staff Attendance

Rule 36U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Apr 4, 2024.

Child Files

“Ensure all child files are complete. Child #5,6,7,14 need updated Health Appraisals. Child #3,6,7,14 need immunizations. Child # 1,2,3,4,6,7,11, 14 need blood lead level results. Child #13 needs transportation permission. Send to OCCL when complete.”

Rule 40U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Mar 28, 2024.

Indoor Space

“Ensure all Cleaning Chemicals are locked. Both the girls and boys bathrooms had cleaning chemicals accessible to children in care. This was corrected at the visit when the administrator removed the cleaning chemicals from under the bathroom sinks.”

Rule 49U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Jan 18, 2024.

Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments

“Ensure all classroom have labeled rest equipment. All rooms in the center except the Infant room need labeled sleep equipment along with a chart if sleep equipment is labeled by number. Send a picture of the the list of children assigned to the numbered sleep equipment for each classroom. (Provider only corrected labeled equipment without providing a list of the children assigned to each cot).”

Rule 56U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Apr 3, 2024.

First Aid Kits

“Ensure First Aid Kit is complete. First aid kit did not include roll gauze or triangular bandage. Send a picture to OCCL when First Aid Kit items are complete.”

Rule 65U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Feb 1, 2024.

Feeding of Infants

“Ensure all bottles are labeled in the infant room. Send a picture of the labeled bottles to OCCL when complete. This was corrected at the visit when the Infant Teacher labeled the bottles.”

Rule 72U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Jan 18, 2024.

Lesson Plans

“None of the classroom in the center had current lesson plans posted. Send 2 weeks worth of lesson plans to OCCL for each classroom in the center. Send pictures to OCCL of current Lesson Plans being posted outside of each classroom that are labeled for each age group served at the center.”

Rule 74U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Apr 4, 2024.

Activity Schedule

“A licensee shall ensure screen time activities, such as watching television, are prohibited for children under the age of two. On January 18, 2024, LS Brady and LS Hackett observed the television on in the one-year-old room where infants and one-year-olds children were present. Submit two weeks worth of lesson plans to OCCL that include age-appropriate activities for one-year-olds to OCCL.”

Rule 76U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Mar 28, 2024.

Infant and Toddler Care

“Ensure Infant Daily logs are completed and available and filled out for each infant in care. Send one weeks worth of infant daily logs to OCCL when complete.”

Rule 77U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Mar 14, 2024.

Interactions with Infants

“Two infants were observed sitting in Bumbo seats on the floor of the one-year-old-classroom for a period of more than 30 minutes. They did not have an activity offered to them., Send two weeks worth of lesson plans for the infant room including age-appropriate activities for all infants in care.”

Rule 78U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Apr 4, 2024.

Interactions with Toddlers

“A licensee shall ensure staff members interact with Toddlers as required. During the visit on January 18, 2024, LS Brady and LS Hackett did not see staff members offer or provide activities for children in care. Send two weeks worth of lesson plans for all Toddler classrooms including activities to be offered while children are in care.”

Rule 79U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Apr 4, 2024.

Interactions with Preschool and School-Age Children

“A licensee shall ensure staff members interact with pre-school age children and provide and offer age-appropriate activities such as those found in the Delaware Early Learning Foundations. On January 18, 2024, LS Brady and LS Hackett did not observe staff offering age-appropriate activities to pre-school children while in care. Send two weeks worth of lesson plans to OCCL including activities offered throughout the day to OCCL.”

Rule 80U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Apr 4, 2024.

License Renewal

“Ensure an annual renewal application is submitted 60 days prior to license expiration. Send to OCCL when complete. Ensure 2024 Business License is current, and posted in the center. Send a copy to OCCL when complete.”

Rule 8U. Correction date, as Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing recorded it: Jan 24, 2024.