Delaware ChildcareLicensing Requirements
Stay compliant with Delaware DELACARE Regulations (Delaware Regulations for Early Care and Education) regulations. Bloomily helps Delaware childcare centers manage staff ratios, certifications, and emergency drills — all in one platform.
Staff-to-Child Ratios
Required ratios for Delaware licensed childcare facilities
| Age Group | Staff : Children | Max Group Size |
|---|---|---|
Infants (0-12 months) Infants birth to 12 months | 1:4 | 8 children |
Young Toddlers (12-24 months) Young toddlers 12-18 months | 1:4 | 8 children |
Older Toddlers (24-36 months) Older toddlers 18-24 months | 1:5 | 10 children |
toddler_2 Two-year-olds 24-36 months | 1:8 | 16 children |
Preschool (3-5 years) Preschool 3-4 years | 1:12 | 24 children |
prek Pre-K 4-5 years | 1:15 | 30 children |
School Age (5+ years) School-age 5+ years | 1:15 | 30 children |
Bloomily automatically monitors staff-to-child ratios in real-time and alerts you when you're approaching limits.
Required Certifications
Certifications required for Delaware childcare staff
Annual Training (Delaware)
Delaware requires minimum 18 clock hours annual professional development
Child Protection Registry Check (Delaware)
Delaware DSCYF Child Protection Registry check required
Criminal Background Check (Delaware)
Delaware State Police and FBI fingerprint background check required
Director Qualifications (Delaware)
Director qualifications per DELACARE including education and experience requirements
First Aid (Delaware)
Pediatric first aid certification required
Food Handler Certification (Delaware)
Food safety training for staff preparing food
Lead Teacher Qualifications (Delaware)
Lead teacher qualifications per DELACARE regulations
Mandated Reporter Training
California mandated reporter training for child abuse
Mandatory Reporter Training (Delaware)
Delaware mandatory reporter training on recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect
Medication Administration (Delaware)
Training for staff who administer medications to children
Orientation Training (Delaware)
Initial orientation training within first 90 days of employment
Pediatric CPR (Delaware)
Infant and child CPR certification required for all caregivers
Safe Sleep Training (Delaware)
Safe sleep training required for infant caregivers
Bloomily tracks certification expiration dates and sends automated renewal reminders before they lapse.
Emergency Drill Requirements
Required safety drills for Delaware childcare facilities
Required Drills
Fire Drill
Monthly fire drills required, documented with date, time, number of children, and evacuation time
Ref: DELACARE 5.15
Lockdown/Security
Lockdown/shelter-in-place drills twice per year
Ref: DELACARE 5.15
Evacuation
Full evacuation to alternate location annually
Ref: DELACARE 5.15
Severe Weather
Severe weather/tornado drills quarterly
Ref: DELACARE 5.15
Bloomily automatically schedules drills and tracks completion to ensure you never miss a requirement.
Pre-Inspection Checklist
50 items based on Delaware DELACARE Regulations (Delaware Regulations for Early Care and Education) requirements
Current OCCL license posted in visible location
Ref: DELACARE 1.1
License capacity not exceeded
Ref: DELACARE 1.2
Operating within licensed hours
Ref: DELACARE 1.3
Parent handbook current and available
Ref: DELACARE 1.5
Written policies and procedures current
Ref: DELACARE 1.5
Fee schedule posted or provided to parents
Ref: DELACARE 1.5
Liability insurance current and adequate
Ref: DELACARE 1.8
Required postings visible (license, emergency plans, menus)
Ref: DELACARE 1.9
OCCL contact information posted
Ref: DELACARE 1.9
Reporting requirements met (incidents, changes)
Ref: DELACARE 1.10
All staff have current background clearances (DSP and FBI)
Ref: DELACARE 2.5
Child Protection Registry checks completed
Ref: DELACARE 2.5
Director meets education/experience requirements
Ref: DELACARE 2.10
Lead teachers meet qualification requirements
Ref: DELACARE 2.15
All staff have current CPR certification
Ref: DELACARE 2.20
All staff have current First Aid certification
Ref: DELACARE 2.20
Mandatory reporter training completed (all staff)
Ref: DELACARE 2.22
Annual training requirements met (18 hours)
Ref: DELACARE 2.25
Orientation training completed within 90 days
Ref: DELACARE 2.30
Safe sleep training for infant caregivers
Ref: DELACARE 2.35
Medication administration training current
Ref: DELACARE 2.40
Staff files complete with required documentation
Ref: DELACARE 2.45
Enrollment forms complete for all children
Ref: DELACARE 4.10
Emergency contact information current
Ref: DELACARE 4.10
Immunization records current (DelVAX verified)
Ref: DELACARE 4.15
Health assessments on file
Ref: DELACARE 4.15
Authorized pickup persons documented
Ref: DELACARE 4.10
Allergy and special health needs documented
Ref: DELACARE 4.20
Medication authorization forms complete
Ref: DELACARE 4.25
Individual health care plans current (if applicable)
Ref: DELACARE 4.20
Daily attendance records maintained
Ref: DELACARE 4.30
Parent rights acknowledgment signed
Ref: DELACARE 1.5
First aid kit fully stocked and accessible
Ref: DELACARE 5.5
Medications stored properly (locked, labeled)
Ref: DELACARE 5.10
Cleaning and hazardous materials stored safely
Ref: DELACARE 3.35
Handwashing procedures followed and documented
Ref: DELACARE 5.25
Diapering and toileting procedures posted
Ref: DELACARE 5.30
Safe sleep practices followed (infants on back)
Ref: DELACARE 5.35
Food handling and safety requirements met
Ref: DELACARE 5.40
Illness exclusion policy current
Ref: DELACARE 5.20
Water temperature safe (120°F max)
Ref: DELACARE 3.30
Tobacco, alcohol, and weapons prohibited
Ref: DELACARE 3.40
Fire drill records current (monthly)
Ref: DELACARE 5.15
Severe weather drill records current (quarterly)
Ref: DELACARE 5.15
Lockdown drill records current (semi-annual)
Ref: DELACARE 5.15
Emergency evacuation plan posted and current
Ref: DELACARE 5.15
Fire extinguishers inspected and accessible
Ref: DELACARE 5.15
Emergency contact lists readily available
Ref: DELACARE 5.15
Staff-to-child ratios maintained at all times
Ref: DELACARE 3.25
Delaware STARS rating posted (if participating)
Ref: Delaware STARS
Track your Delaware compliance digitally
Bloomily keeps your checklist updated, tracks staff certifications, and alerts you before items expire.
Nearby State Requirements
Requirements vary by state. Click to view specific licensing requirements.
Ready to simplify Delaware compliance?
Join childcare centers across Delaware that use Bloomily to stay compliant and save hours every week.
60-day money-back guarantee. Cancel anytime.