daycarefile
License activeChild-care center

Brightpath Smyrna

616 W Glenwood Ave, Smyrna, DE 19977 · Kent County (302) 653-4034 License #1510388
16
inspections on file
48
recorded violations
—
severity not classified by the state
Sep 2, 2026
last inspection

Inspection history

Source: Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing

Records held from Sep 27, 2021 onward. Earlier visits may exist in the agency’s own files.

Delaware publishes only visits where a regulation was cited, plus complaint investigations. Visits that found no violations do not appear in the state's data, so a gap between dates here does not mean the program went uninspected. Delaware does not publish a severity weight for its citations.

Inspection history for Brightpath Smyrna
DateKindOutcome as recordedViolationsOfficial record
Sep 2, 2026OCCL Standards ComplaintSubstantiated1Agency record
Jul 1, 2026OCCL Standards ComplaintNo Evidence to Substantiate0Agency record
Jun 9, 2026Unannounced Full Compliance Review6 regulations cited6Agency record
Feb 18, 2026OCCL Standards ComplaintSubstantiated1Agency record
Sep 17, 2025OCCL Standards ComplaintSubstantiated1Agency record
Aug 12, 2025OCCL Standards ComplaintSubstantiated1Agency record
Aug 1, 2025OCCL Standards ComplaintSubstantiated1Agency record
Jun 10, 2025Unannounced Full Compliance Review7 regulations cited7Agency record
Oct 14, 2024OCCL Standards ComplaintSubstantiated1Agency record
Jul 30, 2024OCCL Standards ComplaintSubstantiated1Agency record
Jun 12, 2024Unannounced Full Compliance Review6 regulations cited6Agency record
Oct 10, 2023OCCL Standards ComplaintNo Evidence to Substantiate0Agency record
Jun 22, 2023Unannounced Full Compliance Review5 regulations cited5Agency record
Dec 20, 2022Unannounced Full Compliance Review9 regulations cited9Agency record
Nov 14, 2022OCCL Standards ComplaintSubstantiated1Agency record
Sep 28, 202260-Day Visit7 regulations cited7Agency record

Violations

Text reproduced verbatim · Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing
How to read violations

Nearly every licensed provider accumulates some. A missing signature and an unlocked medicine cabinet are both “violations”, and they are not the same thing. Look at the class, the pattern over time and how quickly it was corrected — not the count alone.

Paperwork — records, postings, forms Standard — supervision, ratio, training Health & safety — direct risk to a child

Class is our grouping of the state’s own weights, reviewed per state. The agency’s own label is always shown beside it.

Sep 2, 2026OCCL Standards Complaint · 1 deficiency cited
Not classified
Substantiated complaint

“The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint on August 6, 2026, regarding lack of positive behavior supports and administration of medication procedures. An investigation was conducted on August 11, 2026. This complaint is substantiated for administration of medication procedures because according to video footage from August 3, 2026, to August 7, 2026, daily medication was only given on August 3, 2026, and August 5, 2026. Also, there was not a medication log for the medication for the month of August. There is no evidence to substantiate lack of behavior supports because staff stated they use a variety of techniques including redirection and conversation. Staff also stated they have never heard other staff threaten children as way of correction.”

Correction date not recorded
Jun 9, 2026Unannounced Full Compliance Review · 6 deficiencies cited
Not classified
30U — Personnel Files

“Ensure staff files are complete. Four staff need Administration of medication training. One staff needs CPR/ First Aid. Four staff nee PD plan. One staff needs review of safe sleep and abuse/neglect. Eight staff need OCCL's Health and Safety training. Six staff need job descriptions. Six staff need references. One staff needs adult abuse registry check. Four staff need health appraisal with TB. Seven staff need release of employment. Five staff need service letters.”

Corrected Sep 30, 2026 · Status as recorded: Completed
Not classified
40U — Child Files

“Ensure child files are complete. Two children need blood lead screening results. Three children need updated infant feeding statements. Nine children need updated MAR.”

Corrected Oct 7, 2026 · Status as recorded: Completed
Not classified
53U — Outdoor Area

“Ensure there is enough material under the fall zones on playground. Ensure gates are self-closing/ self-latching.”

Corrected Jul 22, 2026 · Status as recorded: Completed
Not classified
59U — Hand Washing

“Ensure handwashing is conducted with staff and child after using the bathroom or changing diapers.”

Corrected Aug 21, 2026 · Status as recorded: Completed
Not classified
61U — Diapering and Soiled Clothing

“Ensure classrooms have a cleanable surface for changing diapers.”

Corrected Jun 9, 2026 · Status as recorded: Completed
Not classified
77U — Infant and Toddler Care

“Ensure pressure mounted gates are not used.”

Corrected Jun 9, 2026 · Status as recorded: Completed
Feb 18, 2026OCCL Standards Complaint · 1 deficiency cited
Not classified
Substantiated complaint

“The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint on January 21, 2026, regarding sanitation, improper staff-to-child ratio, choking hazards, not maintaining room temperatures, lack of positive behavior supports, lack of notification when a child is exposed to a contagious disease, and administration of medication procedures. An investigation was conducted on January 28, 2026. This complaint is substantiated for improper staff-to-child ratio because according to attendance records on November 18, 2025, the infant room was over ratio with one staff member and five infants from 7:50 am until 8:20 am; on January 13, 2026, the infant room was over ratio with one staff member and five infants from 8:02 am until 8:21am and on January 21, 2026, the pre-k opening room was over ratio with 16 children and 1 staff member from 6:57am until 7:00 am. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation of lack of sanitation because staff stated the center is cleaned daily and the center appeared clean during the visit. There is no evidence to substantiate choking hazards because staff stated they do a walk through of the classroom and pick up any little items left behind after the evening cleaning. There is no evidence to substantiate not maintaining room temperatures because staff stated the rooms are at a comfortable temperature and room temperatures were maintained during the visit. There is no evidence to support lack of behavior supports because staff stated they use redirection and calming techniques for discipline. There is no evidence to support lack of notification when exposed to a contagious disease because staff stated they inform parents through the application and at pick up time. There is no evidence to substantiate lack of administration of medication procedures because reviewed Medication Administration Records were completed correctly and corresponded with medication in the classroom. A concern noted was there was a staff member present on November 18, 2025, who did not have a completed background check. Another concern noted was there was no teacher trained in day-to-day operations on file in the event of the administrator s absence.”

Correction date not recorded
Sep 17, 2025OCCL Standards Complaint · 1 deficiency cited
Not classified
Substantiated complaint

“On August 21, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing received a complaint regarding lack of positive behavior supports, maximum group size, and health exclusions. An investigation was conducted on August 26, 2025. This complaint is substantiated for lack of positive behavior supports because staff admitted to using a harsh tone with a child. There is no evidence to substantiate for failing to comply with maximum group size because according to attendance records, the classroom was following proper staff-to-child ratio and maximum group size. There is no evidence to substantiate lack of health exclusions because staff stated parents were notified and children can return following doctor s orders.”

Correction date not recorded
Aug 12, 2025OCCL Standards Complaint · 1 deficiency cited
Not classified
Substantiated complaint

“The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding accident/injury procedures, lack of supervision, lack of positive behavior supports and intervention for child behaviors, and cell phone usage. An investigation was conducted on July 14, 2025. This complaint is substantiated for accident/injury procedures because Child #1 was hit in the face knocking their glasses off and the parent was not notified until pick up time. There is no evidence to substantiate lack of supervision because staff were present, and children were within their view during cleanup. There is no evidence to substantiate lack of positive behavior supports and intervention for child behaviors because staff stated they were following policies set in place by the center and provided reasonable consequences for the incident. There is no evidence to substantiate cell phone use because staff stated they were helping children clean up at the time of the incident, and there is a cell phone policy in place that the administrator enforces.”

Correction date not recorded
Aug 1, 2025OCCL Standards Complaint · 1 deficiency cited
Not classified
Substantiated complaint

“The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint on July 7, 2025, regarding accident/injury reports, not providing truthful information, unqualified staff alone with children, child attendance, not informing parents of exposure to a contagious illness, and lack of behavior support. An investigation was conducted on July 14, 2025. This complaint was substantiated for child attendance because upon review of attendance records between June 30, 2025, and July 3, 2025, it was noted there were several classrooms where children were signed into a classroom but not signed out. There is no evidence to substantiate a lack of accident/ injury reports because administration and staff stated they complete them, and they were viewed at the visit. There is no evidence to substantiate not providing truthful information because staff stated they are often asked to provide more information to reports, not remove information. There is no evidence to substantiate unqualified staff being left alone because according to attendance records, all unqualified staff were in direct supervision of qualified staff. There is no evidence to substantiate not informing parents of contagious illness because administrators stated parents were informed through the center s app. There is no evidence to substantiate lack of behavior support because staff stated the administration is helpful and will make sure there is extra support when needed. A concern noted was, according to the attendance records, two classrooms were over maximum group size, three classrooms were over ratio and several classrooms did not accurately track the arrival and departure times of the staff.”

Correction date not recorded
Jun 10, 2025Unannounced Full Compliance Review · 7 deficiencies cited
Not classified
24U — Staff Qualifications

“Ensure the center's administrator has specialized training in infant/toddler and school age care.”

Corrected Oct 30, 2025 · Status as recorded: Completed
Not classified
30U — Personnel Files

“Ensure staff files are complete. Two staff need DEEDs certification. Four staff need CPR/First Aid training. Four staff Administration of Medication training. Three staff need OCCL's Health and Safety training, One staff needs two additional hours of training in health and safety. One staff needs two additional references. Six staff need health appraisals with TB results. Five staff need service letters with two documented attempts.”

Corrected Sep 1, 2025 · Status as recorded: Completed
Not classified
38U — Parents Right to Know

“Ensure Parents Right to Know log is completed with new and touring families.”

Corrected Aug 25, 2025 · Status as recorded: Completed
Not classified
40U — Child Files

“Ensure child files are complete. Three children need updated infant feeding statements. Three children need mat permissions. One child needs updated health appraisal. One child needs updated immunizations. One child needs blood lead screening results. Ten children need developmental plans.”

Corrected Jul 18, 2025 · Status as recorded: Completed
Not classified
45U — Hazardous Materials

“Ensure radon testing is completed every five years.”

Corrected Jul 8, 2025 · Status as recorded: Completed
Not classified
57U — Equipment

“Ensure classrooms have enough materials for the children to use. Four classrooms need blocks. Three classrooms need musical instruments. One classroom needs art supplies. Three classrooms need manipulatives. Two classrooms need science items. Two classrooms need dramatic play items. Two classrooms need sensory items.”

Corrected Jul 18, 2025 · Status as recorded: Completed
Not classified
72U — Feeding of Infants

“Ensure infant feeding statements are updated monthly. Two children need updated statements.”

Corrected Jul 18, 2025 · Status as recorded: Completed
Oct 14, 2024OCCL Standards Complaint · 1 deficiency cited
Not classified
Substantiated complaint

“The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding not meeting the needs of children, sanitation, not dressing children appropriately for the weather, confidentiality, not providing owner s contact information when requested, and not using respectful communication. An investigation was conducted on September 30, 2024. This complaint is substantiated for not dressing the children properly for the weather because staff admitted a child was outside in a diaper and a sweatshirt. This complaint is substantiated for not following the confidentiality policy because staff openly discussed a child s POC status. This complaint is substantiated for not using respectful communication because a staff member called another person a dumb b@#$% while in the center. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation of not meeting the needs of the children because staff stated they attend to and clean up the children throughout the day. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation of lack of sanitation because according to staff, the classrooms are cleaned daily. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation of not providing the owner s contact information because staff stated they offered to provide it when it was requested.”

Correction date not recorded
Jul 30, 2024OCCL Standards Complaint · 1 deficiency cited
Not classified
Substantiated complaint

“On July 2, 2024, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received seven complaints regarding accident/injury procedures, not properly washing bottles in the kitchen, diaper changing procedures, staff-to-child ratio, maximum group size, safe sleep procedures, and not following dietary procedures found in the parent handbook. An investigation was conducted on July 3, 2024. This complaint is substantiated for accident/injury procedures because injury reports for May 22, 2024, and May 24, 2024, were not signed by the parent. This complaint is substantiated for not following diaper changing procedures because diaper changes from June 17, 2024, through June 19, 2024, are documented as happening every 1.5 to 2.5 hours or not at all. This complaint is substantiated for improper staff-to-child ratio and maximum group size because on June 24, 2024, classroom 109 had up to 17 one-year-olds with three staff members from 12:00 pm until 4:50 pm. This complaint is substantiated for safe sleep procedures because children who are one and not walking were sleeping on cots and not in cribs. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation of not properly washing bottles after use because Staff #1 stated the parents send in enough bottles for the day and none are reused. There is no evidence to substantiate not following dietary procedures because it was listed on the child s profile and daily logs show the child did not eat food which was offered.”

Correction date not recorded
Jun 12, 2024Unannounced Full Compliance Review · 6 deficiencies cited
Not classified
30U — Personnel Files

“Ensure staff files are complete. Three staff need CPR/First Aid training. Seven staff need PD plan. Four staff need annual review of safe sleep. Four staff need annual review of abuse and neglect. One staff needs orientation. Five staff need OCCL's Health and Safety training. One staff needs application/resume. One staff needs a job description, Seven staff need references. One staff needs Employee Declaration. Three staff need letters of eligibility on file. Two staff need adult abuse registry. Two staff need adult health appraisals. Two staff need adult health appraisals with TB results. One staff needs a release of employment, Seven staff need service letters.”

Corrected Jul 18, 2024 · Status as recorded: Completed
Not classified
40U — Child Files

“Ensure child files are complete. One child needs hours of attendance. One child needs updated immunizations. Three children need blood lead screening results. One child needs Parents Right to Know on file. Five children need a development plan. One child needs mat permission.”

Corrected Jul 5, 2024 · Status as recorded: Completed
Not classified
49U — Indoor Space

“Ensure floors, walls and other surfaces are clean and in good repair, Walls in room 106 had several areas of drywall in need of repair.”

Corrected Jul 5, 2024 · Status as recorded: Completed
Not classified
53U — Outdoor Area

“Ensure fall zones are covered with at least 9 inches of mulch. Specialist noted the mulch was compact and sparse in spots.”

Corrected Jul 8, 2024 · Status as recorded: Completed
Not classified
63U — Administration of Medication

“Ensure to use the correct MAR form for the type of medication and use. Specialist noted several classrooms were using the wrong form sunscreen and diaper cream. Room 110 did not have MARs on file for sunscreen use.”

Corrected Jul 3, 2024 · Status as recorded: Completed
Not classified
67U — Transportation

“Ensure travel first aid kits are complete. Both travel bags were missing the following items: bandage tape, eye patch, roll gauze, thermometer, liquid soap, triangle bandage and the number for poison control.”

Corrected Jul 5, 2024 · Status as recorded: Completed
Jun 22, 2023Unannounced Full Compliance Review · 5 deficiencies cited
Not classified
30U — Personnel Files

“All staff files must be complete. -a professional development plan is needed for two staff. -The OOCL 7-hour Health and Safety Training for Early Childhood Professional is needed for 14 staff. -A job description is needed for one staff. -Reference letters are needed for five staff. -The Delaration and Drug/Alcohol Prohibition form is needed for one staff. -An eligibility letter is needed in the staff file for two staff. -Adult abuse registry check is needed for four staff. -A release of employment history form is needed for five staff. -Service letters or proof service letters were sent twice, are needed for five staff. -A full file is needed for Staff #23.”

Corrected Aug 14, 2023 · Status as recorded: Completed
Not classified
40U — Child Files

“All child files must be complete. -A blood lead screening result is needed for one child.”

Corrected Jul 21, 2023 · Status as recorded: Completed
Not classified
49U — Indoor Space

“Shampoo the carpet in the your three-year-old room.”

Corrected Jul 17, 2023 · Status as recorded: Completed
Not classified
50U — Kitchen and Food Preparation

“The thermometer in the refrigerator must read 41 degrees F. or below, It read 44 degrees F.”

Corrected Jul 17, 2023 · Status as recorded: Completed
Not classified
8U — License Renewal

“A renewal application must be submitted 60 days prior to license expiration. Please send to OCCL.”

Corrected Jul 17, 2023 · Status as recorded: Completed
Dec 20, 2022Unannounced Full Compliance Review · 9 deficiencies cited
Not classified
24U — Staff Qualifications

“Ensure the administrator has a DEEDS 3.0 certificate with the required school-age specialized training.”

Corrected Mar 13, 2023 · Status as recorded: Completed
Not classified
30U — Personnel Files

“Ensure staff files are complete. Staff #1, Staff #2, Staff #4, Staff #6, Staff #7, Staff #9, Staff #11, Staff #12, Staff #16, Staff #18, and Staff #19 needs professional developmental plans. Staff #3 needs two references, and second attempts for service letters. Staff #8 needs CPR/First Aid, administration of medication, orientation, two references, and second attempts for service letters. Staff #10 needs two references, and second attempts for service letters. Staff #13 needs a second attempt for service letters. Staff #17 needs two references, health appraisal with TB, release of employment, and corresponding service letters. Staff #18 needs administration of medication, two references, and a health appraisal with TB. Staff #20 needs criminal history determination, a health appraisal with TB, and service letters. Staff #19 needs criminal history determination.”

Corrected Mar 15, 2023 · Status as recorded: Completed
Not classified
36U — Staff Attendance

“Ensure attendance documents the exact arrival and departure for all staff. According to attendance, Staff #9 was alone with up to 14 children, the youngest was one-year-old. Staff #10 signed out of the classroom at 8:37 a.m. but the children remained signed in until 8:41 a.m. The ten older one-year-olds were also signed onto another classrooms attendance record. This was discussed and corrected.”

Corrected Dec 20, 2022 · Status as recorded: Completed
Not classified
40U — Child Files

“Ensure child files are complete. Child #2 needs an infant feeding schedule. Child #5 needs a health appraisal with immunizations. Child #6 needs a developmental plan. Child #8 needs a developmental plan. Child #9 needs a lead test result. Child #10 needs a developmental plan, screen time and transportation permission. Child #11 needs a developmental plan. Child #12 needs a developmental plan, screen time and transportation permission. Child #13 needs lead test results. Child #14 needs a developmental plan, screen time and transportation permission. Child #15 needs health appraisal with immunization, and parents right to know permission. Child #16 needs a developmental plan. Child #17 needs a developmental plan. Child #18 needs a developmental plan. Child #19 needs a developmental plan. Child #20 needs parents right to know permission.”

Corrected Feb 14, 2023 · Status as recorded: Completed
Not classified
43U — Children's Attendance

“Ensure attendance documents the exact arrival and departure for all children. According to attendance, Staff #9 was alone with up to 14 children, the youngest was one-year-old. Staff #10 signed out of the classroom at 8:37 a.m. but the children remained signed in until 8:41 a.m. The ten older one-year-olds were also signed onto another classrooms attendance record. This was discussed and corrected.”

Corrected Dec 20, 2022 · Status as recorded: Completed
Not classified
45U — Hazardous Materials

“Ensure incense/ candles are not on site. This was discussed and corrected when two glade air wick wax fragrances were removed from the classroom.”

Corrected Dec 20, 2022 · Status as recorded: Completed
Not classified
49U — Indoor Space

“Ensure all areas are clean and in good repair. Clean the toilet rooms in school-age and the preschool classroom. Repair the cracked window sill in the school-age classroom. Replace the broken trashcan lid in the school-age and three-year-old classroom. Repair the baseboard in the closed classroom. Repair the broken tile in the three-year-old classroom. Remove the torn stroller.”

Corrected Feb 8, 2023 · Status as recorded: Completed
Not classified
53U — Outdoor Area

“Ensure fall zones are protected. Add mulch to ensure 9-inches of mulch is present around fall zone areas.”

Corrected Jan 13, 2023 · Status as recorded: Completed
Not classified
58U — Sanitation

“Ensure each classroom has soap/water and disinfectant. This was corrected when soap/water were added to the school-age classroom.”

Corrected Dec 20, 2022 · Status as recorded: Completed
Nov 14, 2022OCCL Standards Complaint · 1 deficiency cited
Not classified
Substantiated complaint

“On October 20, 2022, OCCL received a complaint regarding improper staff-to-child ratio and not following accident and injury procedures. An investigation was conducted on October 26, 2022. This complaint is substantiated for improper staff-to-child ratios because according to attendance records from the date of the visit, Staff #5 was alone with nine two-year-old children from 7:51 a.m. until 8:00 a.m. According to attendance records for October 7, 2022, Staff #3 was alone with five children from 7:56 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., the youngest child was an infant. Staff #10 was alone with five children from 8:16 a.m. until 8:45 a.m. and with up to five children again from 3:26 p.m. until 4:55 p.m.; the youngest child was an infant in both instances. Child #1 did not have a departure time documented. Staff #7 and Staff #11 had up to 17 one-year-old children until 8:30 a.m., the youngest child was one-year-old. Child #2 did not have an arrival time documented. Staff #11 was alone with up to nine one-year-old children from 8:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Staff was alone with up to 13 children until 9:00 a.m., the youngest child was one-year-old. According to attendance records for October 20, 2022, Staff #3 was alone with five children from 7:40 a.m. until 7:53, the youngest child was an infant. Staff #7 was alone with up to eight one-year-old children until 8:13 a.m. Staff #11 was alone with up to 11 children until 9:57 a.m., the youngest child was one-year-old. Additional concerns noted were staff and child attendance records were incomplete because Staff #12 was not signed into the one-year-old classroom, Staff #6 did not sign onto the two-year-old attendance record when she arrived at 8:00 a.m., Child #1 did not have a departure time documented on October 7, 2022, and Child #2 did not have an arrival time documented on October 7, 2022. Two additional staff confirmed Staff #6 did arrive at 8:00 a.m. and was present with the two-year-old classroom.”

Correction date not recorded
Sep 28, 202260-Day Visit · 7 deficiencies cited
Not classified
24U — Staff Qualifications

“Submit school-age specialization training to DEEDS for the facilities early childhood administrator.”

Corrected Dec 20, 2022 · Status as recorded: Completed
Not classified
27U — Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision

“According to attendance, one staff was alone with six infants from 7:40 until 8:25 a.m. This was corrected by the arrival of a second staff member.”

Corrected Sep 28, 2022 · Status as recorded: Completed
Not classified
30U — Personnel Files

“Ensure staff files are complete. Staff #1 needs CPR/ First Aid, two references, and a service letter. Staff #2 needs pending out of state check and a service letter. Staff #3 needs eligibility letter on file and a service letter. Staff #4 needs employee declaration, drug/alcohol statement, health appraisal with TB., and service letters. Staff #5 needs one reference. Staff #6 needs an eligibility letter.”

Corrected Dec 20, 2022 · Status as recorded: Completed
Not classified
36U — Staff Attendance

“Ensure attendance reflects the exact location, arrival and departure for all staff.”

Corrected Oct 4, 2022 · Status as recorded: Completed
Not classified
40U — Child Files

“Ensure child files are complete. Child #5 needs a developmental plan.”

Corrected Oct 17, 2022 · Status as recorded: Completed
Not classified
43U — Children's Attendance

“Ensure attendance reflects the exact location, arrival and departure for all children.”

Corrected Oct 4, 2022 · Status as recorded: Completed
Not classified
74U — Lesson Plans

“Ensure lesson plans are complete for all classrooms.”

Corrected Oct 17, 2022 · Status as recorded: Completed

Nearby providers