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Childery

Daycares in Delaware

Delaware scores licensed daycares through Delaware Stars, the state's quality rating program. Delaware Stars scores providers on a 1 to 5 star scale, using the Environment Rating Scales combined with progress against state Quality Indicators and Key Practices.

Delaware's minimum legal requirements largely meet the standards published by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the leading professional accreditation body for early-childhood programs and the most widely cited benchmark for high-quality care, including a CDA-equivalent credential requirement for lead teachers that is stricter than what most states require. Delaware requires a Child Development Associate (CDA) or equivalent credential for lead teachers in licensed centers, where most states require only a high school diploma; NAEYC's professional standard is a bachelor's degree. The state caps infant ratios at 1:4 (matching NAEYC), toddler ratios at 1:6 (matching NAEYC), and preschool ratios at 1:12 (NAEYC: 1:10). Infant and toddler group sizes match NAEYC's recommended caps of 8 and 12; preschool group caps of 24 are above NAEYC's recommended 20. Pre-service training hours are not set in state rule, and required ongoing professional development is 18 hours per year (NAEYC: ≥25).

These minimum legal requirements apply to every licensed daycare in Delaware, regardless of its Delaware Stars rating. They are one of the Structural inputs in every Childery rating shown above. The rating distribution above combines that Structural input with Delaware Stars scores and other Process inputs to produce the Overall scores. For the full breakdown, see the Delaware methodology page.

1,250
Facilities
1,171
4 or 5 Stars (Childery composite)

Rating Distribution in Delaware

These are Childery's Overall Ratings (1–5 stars) — our composite that combines this state's QRIS where it exists, national accreditation (NAEYC, NAC, NECPA, NAFCC), federal Head Start CLASS scores, and the state regulatory baseline. They are not the state's stand-alone QRIS score. See our methodology for the full breakdown.

780(62%)
391(31%)
48(4%)
29(2%)
2(0%)

Mean rating across all displayed daycares in Delaware: 4.5 (Sample of 1,250).

Process rating across all displayed daycares in Delaware: 5.0 (Sample of 21).

Structural rating across all displayed daycares in Delaware: 4.5 (Sample of 1,250).

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Some of the Best Daycares in Delaware

4-H @ Lake Forest South
Harrington, DE
★★★★★ 5 Stars
4-H Afterschool @ Phillip Showell Elementary School
Selbyville, DE
★★★★★ 5 Stars
A Child's World Llc
Bear, DE
★★★★★ 5 Stars
A Leap of Faith Cdc, Inc. - Adams 4
Wilmington, DE
★★★★★ 5 Stars
A. Onedia Purnell
Seaford, DE
★★★★★ 5 Stars
A. S. Academy of Learning 1
Newark, DE
★★★★★ 5 Stars
Aamani Jardon Dba Little Roses Daycare
Newark, DE
★★★★★ 5 Stars
Abc Kids Academy
Newark, DE
★★★★★ 5 Stars
Abc Kids Academy Iii
Dover, DE
★★★★★ 5 Stars
Above & Beyond Preschool & Early Learning Center
Newark, DE
★★★★★ 5 Stars
Abr Early Learning
Wilmington, DE
★★★★★ 5 Stars
Abr Early Learning Too
Wilmington, DE
★★★★★ 5 Stars

Frequently Asked Questions

How many licensed daycares are in Delaware?
Childery tracks 1,250 licensed child care providers across Delaware.
How do Delaware daycares score on teaching quality?
Delaware daycares average 5.0 out of 5 on Childery's Process score, which combines state QRIS ratings, national accreditations (NAEYC, NAC, NECPA), and federal Head Start CLASS scores. 21 providers have classroom-quality data.
Which cities in Delaware have the most daycares?
The cities with the most licensed daycares in Delaware are Wilmington (320), Newark (146), and Dover (107).
Is there financial help for childcare in Delaware?
Delaware offers childcare financial assistance for income-eligible families. See income limits, waitlist status, priority groups, and how to apply.Childcare subsidies in Delaware
How do I choose a good daycare in Delaware?
Childery's guide covers what to look for when touring daycares in Delaware, questions to ask providers, and how to use quality ratings when comparing options.How to find a good daycare in Delaware
How does Childery rate daycares in Delaware?
Childery's Overall Rating (1–5 stars) combines Delaware's state QRIS where available, national accreditations (NAEYC, NAC, NECPA), federal Head Start CLASS scores, and the state regulatory baseline.View Childery's Delaware methodology