Shirley Smith
449 PIGEON VIEW LANE, NEW CASTLE, DE 19720Childery Rating: 4/5
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.4 / 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.4 / 5
Why this rating
This daycare earned 4 out of 5 stars overall. Structural quality reflects 1 complaint in the last 3 years and no injury reports on file. The structural rating also includes Delaware's licensing baseline — what every licensed daycare in the state must meet. Delaware caps infant ratios at 1:4, toddler ratios at 1:6, and preschool ratios at 1:12. Lead teachers must hold a High School Diploma. Teachers must complete 18 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
- Family Child Care Home
- Age groups served
- Infants, School-Age
- Licensed capacity
- 9
- Teacher-child ratios & group sizesState Minimum Displayed
Age Max ratio Max group Infants 1:4 8
Teacher Credentials
- Lead teacher credentialState Minimum Displayed
- High School Diploma
Inspection History
Across 2 inspections since 2024, the issues cited most often were Children's Records & Files (2), Parent Communication & Policies (1), and Emergency Preparedness & Drills (1). None of the 5 findings were critical.
See All 2 Inspection Visits
Jun 3, 20254 Findings4 Important
- Parents Right to Know Act21P
Submit parents right to know log to OCCL.
- Children's Files22P
Ensure child files are complete. Submit mat permission for Children #1 and 2. Submit health appraisal with immunizations and infant feeding schedule f
- Fire Safety30P
Submit fire drill for the month of June to OCCL.
- License Renewal8P
Submit notarized renewal application. This was corrected when the provider stated she submitted the renewal application on June 1, 2025.
Jun 5, 20241 Finding1 Important
- Children's Files22P
Ensure child files are complete. Submit health appraisal for Child #3.
Complaints & Safety Record
- Complaints (Last 36 Months)
- 1
- 11% of licensed capacity
- Reported injuries (Lifetime)
- 0
- 0% of licensed capacity
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