Dawn's Early Light
SHECKELLS LANE, HUNTINGTOWN, MD 20639Childery Rating: 5/5
Data last updated ·
Quality Indicators
See Methodology →- Overall QualityCombines daily care quality (interactions, learning, environment) with structural features like staff-to-child ratios and teacher qualifications.5 / 5
- Process QualityThe quality of daily care — caregiver-child interactions, learning activities, and the emotional climate. Drawn from the state QRIS rating, accreditations, and Head Start CLASS observations.Not Available
- Structural QualityMeasurable features like staff-to-child ratios, group sizes, license status, and teacher qualifications. Provider-level data when available; otherwise the state regulatory baseline.5 / 5
Why this rating
This daycare earned 5 out of 5 stars overall. Structural quality reflects a license in good standing. The structural rating also includes Maryland's licensing baseline — what every licensed daycare in the state must meet. Maryland caps infant ratios at 1:3, toddler ratios at 1:3, and preschool ratios at 1:10. Lead teachers must hold a High School Diploma. Teachers must complete 12 hours of annual training. No objective process measures (e.g., state quality rating or national accreditation) are available for this daycare. The overall rating reflects structural features only.
Quality Recognitions & Accreditations
- Accreditations
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)Not Accredited
- National Accreditation Commission (NAC)Not Accredited
- National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA)Not Accredited
- National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC)Not Accredited
Facility Info
- Facility type
- Child Care Center
- Age groups served
- Infants, Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age
- Licensed capacity
- 106
- Teacher-child ratios & group sizesState Minimum Displayed
Age Max ratio Max group Infants 1:3 6 Toddlers 1:3 9 Preschool 1:10 20
Teacher Credentials
- Lead teacher credentialState Minimum Displayed
- High School Diploma
Inspection History
Across 2 inspections since 2025, the issues cited most often were Staff Qualifications & Background Checks (7), Children's Records & Files (5), and Emergency Preparedness & Drills (1). None of the 14 findings were critical.
See All 2 Inspection Visits
May 13, 20268 Findings8 Important
- During a Review of a Sampling of Children's Records13A.16.03.04C
During a review of a sampling of children's records, it was found that 11 emergency forms have not been updated, initialed and dated by the respective parent. The emergency form of a 17 month old boy is missing his physician's address and phone number. The Center was provided a copy of the Health
- During a Review of a Sampling of Children's Records13A.16.03.04D(1-2)
During a review of a sampling of children's records, it was found that a 22 month old boy is missing his Health Inventory Part I which is to be completed and signed by his parent. Please have the parent do so and send a copy of the Health Inventory Part I to OCC for the correction of this non-compl
- During a Review of a Sampling of Children's Records13A.16.03.04D(3)
During a review of a sampling of children's records, it was found that a 22 month old boy is missing his Health Inventory Part II which is to be completed and signed by his physician. Please have the physician do so and send a copy of the completed Health Inventory Part II to OCC for the correction
- During a Review of a Sampling of Children's Records, It Was Found That 8 Children Are Missing a Blood Lead Test13A.16.03.04E
During a review of a sampling of children's records, it was found that 8 children are missing a blood lead test. It may be that the child has not had a blood lead test, so the parent would need to schedule an appointment with their respective child's physician to get the blood lead test done. If t
- During a Review of a Sampling of Children's Records13A.16.03.04G
During a review of a sampling of children's records, it was found that a 22 month old boy has no record of having any immunizations and does not have any indication of his parent claiming a religious exemption. Seven other children were found to be missing age-appropriate immunization. Please info
- When Going Over the Associated Party List13A.16.03.06A(2)
When going over the Associated Party list, the Director indicated that one staff member had been deleted in August of 2025, but the Licensing Specialist has no record of receiving a 1203 to delete that staff member. When asked about another staff member, the Director reported that she has changed b
- A School-age Teacher Only Completed 3.5 Hours Out of the Required 12 Hours of Continued Training for Her Training Year…13A.16.06.10C(1)
A school-age teacher only completed 3.5 hours out of the required 12 hours of continued training for her training year 07/2024-07/2025. Please have her complete the remaining 8.5 hours of training as soon as possible and send the completed training certificates to OCC for the correction of this non
- The Emergency Disaster Plan Had Not Been Reviewed and Updated for Over a Year13A.16.10.01A(3)(d)
The emergency disaster plan had not been reviewed and updated for over a year. During the inspection, the Director reviewed the emergency plan, initialed and dated it for the update. Therefore, this non-compliance was corrected on-site.
May 6, 20256 Findings6 Important
- During the Inspection, a Sink in a Child's Bathroom Stall Was Found to Have Standing Water in It13A.16.05.08B
During the inspection, a sink in a child's bathroom stall was found to have standing water in it. It is unclear if the drain is completely clogged or just very slow draining. Either way a small amount of water can be a drowning hazard. Please repair the sink so that it drains properly. Please se
- The Director Could Not Find Her Certificate of Completion for MSDE's 2023 Basic Health and Safety Course13A.16.06.05C(3)
The Director could not find her certificate of completion for MSDE's 2023 Basic Health and Safety course. She was also late in completing MSDE's Basic Health and Safety course, but it is now completed. Please take the 2023 Basic Health and Safety course through MSDE and take a screenshot when comp
- During a Review of Staff Trainings13A.16.06.09C
During a review of staff trainings, it was found that six preschool teachers did not complete the required course from MSDE, 2024 Basic Health and Safety Update. However, all six of the preschool teachers have now completed the course, albeit late. Therefore, this non-compliance is already correct
- During a Review of Staff Trainings13A.16.06.10C(3)
During a review of staff trainings, it was found that a school-age teacher did not complete the required course from MSDE, 2024 Basic Health and Safety Update. However, she has now completed the course, albeit late. Therefore, this non-compliance is already corrected.
- An Aide Did Not Complete Six Hours of Training During Her Training Period Between 9/2023 and 9/202413A.16.06.12B(1)
An Aide did not complete six hours of training during her training period between 9/2023 and 9/2024. During that time period, she only completed 3.5 hours. In 2/2025, she completed another 1.5 hours. This still leaves her needing to complete an additional hour to put towards her 2023-2024 trainin
- During a Review of Staff Trainings13A.16.06.12B(3)
During a review of staff trainings, it was found that seven Aides did not complete the required course from MSDE, 2024 Basic Health and Safety Update. However, all of the seven Aides have now completed the course, albeit late. Therefore, this non-compliance is already corrected.
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