Delaware childcare licensing is administered by the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) within the Delaware Department of Education. All facilities providing care for 7 or more children must be licensed. Delaware requires lead screening for all children prior to enrollment and developmental screening for enrolled children.
| Age Group | Staff : Children | Max Group Size |
|---|---|---|
| Under 12 months | 1:4 | 8 |
| 12–23 months | 1:6 | 12 |
| 24–35 months | 1:8 | 16 |
| 3 years | 1:10 | 20 |
| 4 years and older | 1:12 | 24 |
| School age | 1:15 | 30 |
Enrollment Form
Complete enrollment with emergency contacts and authorized pickup persons.
Immunization Records
Current immunization records required on file per Delaware DPH schedule.
Medical/Health Assessment
Physician-signed health report required for enrollment.
Lead Screening Documentation
Lead screening results required for all children prior to enrollment.
Emergency Contact Information
Names and phone numbers of emergency contacts and authorized pickup persons.
Emergency Medical Authorization
Parental consent for emergency medical care.
Medication AuthorizationConditional
Written parental authorization for any medication to be administered.
Exemption Policy
Medical and religious exemptions are permitted. Contact the Delaware Division of Public Health for current exemption procedures.
Minimum Age
18 years
Background Check
Fingerprinting through Delaware State Police required for all staff. Renewed every 5 years.
Lead Teacher Education
Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or equivalent ECE coursework required for lead teacher positions.
Assistant Education
High school diploma or GED required. Pre-service training required before working with children.
CPR / First Aid
Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification required. At least one certified staff member on-site at all times.
Continuing Education
Annual professional development training required per Delaware Stars quality rating standards.
Director Qualifications
Director must meet OCCL qualification standards, typically requiring ECE credential plus administrative experience.
Inspection Frequency
At least one unannounced inspection annually. Additional inspections based on complaints or compliance history.
License Renewal
Annual license renewal required.
Application Process
Contact the OCCL to begin the application process. Includes background checks, facility inspection, and documentation review.
Licensing Fee
Varies by capacity. Contact the OCCL for current fee schedule.
Daycare Enrollment Forms Checklist: Every Document You Need Per Child
The complete list of documents required per child, with state-specific variations.
How to Prepare for a Daycare Licensing Inspection
Step-by-step checklist covering child files, staff records, ratios, and facility safety.
Staff-to-Child Ratios by State: The Complete Comparison
Compare infant, toddler, and preschool ratio requirements across all 50 states.
Daycare Immunization Requirements by State
Required vaccines and exemption policies — medical only, religious, or philosophical.
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