A daycare license in Delaware is issued by Delaware Department of Education (DDOE), Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL), which administers childcare licensing statewide. Providers must keep 7 documents on file for staff and children and meet 6 staff-to-child ratios by age group. Renewal: Annual license renewal required. The checklist below covers what belongs in each file and what has to stay current.
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Informational only — not legal advice, and not a statement of what Delaware Department of Education (DDOE), Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) requires today. GetDocsSigned is not affiliated with or endorsed by Delaware Department of Education (DDOE), Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL). Requirements change; confirm with your licensing representative before relying on anything on this page.
Free Checklists
See a ready-made enrollment packet →Delaware childcare licensing is administered by the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) within the Delaware Department of Education. All facilities providing care for 7 or more children must be licensed. Delaware requires lead screening for all children prior to enrollment and developmental screening for enrolled children.
| Age Group | Staff : Children |
|---|---|
| Under 12 months | 1:4 |
| 12–23 months | 1:6 |
| 24–35 months | 1:8 |
| 3 years | 1:10 |
| 4 years and older | 1:12 |
| School age | 1:15 |
Ratios shown are a summary and have not yet been checked against Delaware Department of Education (DDOE), Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL)'s rule text. Confirm with the agency before relying on them. Source: Delaware OCCL Child Care Licensing
Enrollment Form
Complete enrollment with emergency contacts and authorized pickup persons.
Immunization Records
Current immunization records required on file per Delaware DPH schedule.
Medical/Health Assessment
Physician-signed health report required for enrollment.
Lead Screening Documentation
Lead screening results required for all children prior to enrollment.
Emergency Contact Information
Names and phone numbers of emergency contacts and authorized pickup persons.
Emergency Medical Authorization
Parental consent for emergency medical care.
Medication AuthorizationConditional
Written parental authorization for any medication to be administered.
GetDocsSigned tracks every one of these per file and flags what’s missing or expiring.
Start freeSummary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Delaware OCCL Child Care Licensing
Exemption Policy
Medical and religious exemptions are permitted. Contact the Delaware Division of Public Health for current exemption procedures.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Delaware OCCL Child Care Licensing
Minimum Age
18 years
Background Check
Fingerprinting through Delaware State Police required for all staff. Renewed every 5 years.
Lead Teacher Education
Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or equivalent ECE coursework required for lead teacher positions.
Assistant Education
High school diploma or GED required. Pre-service training required before working with children.
CPR / First Aid
Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification required. At least one certified staff member on-site at all times.
Continuing Education
Annual professional development training required per Delaware Stars quality rating standards.
Director Qualifications
Director must meet OCCL qualification standards, typically requiring ECE credential plus administrative experience.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Delaware OCCL Child Care Licensing
Inspection Frequency
At least one unannounced inspection annually. Additional inspections based on complaints or compliance history.
License Renewal
Annual license renewal required.
Application Process
Contact the OCCL to begin the application process. Includes background checks, facility inspection, and documentation review.
Licensing Fee
Varies by capacity. Contact the OCCL for current fee schedule.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Delaware OCCL Child Care Licensing
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Delaware OCCL Child Care Licensing
These are the pages this summary was checked against. The agency's published rules govern; where this page and the agency differ, the agency is right.
Ratios, required documents, and inspection schedules vary from state to state. If you operate near a border, run a second location, or are deciding where to open, start with the states in the South Atlantic.
Daycare Enrollment Forms Checklist: Every Document You Need Per Child
The complete list of documents required per child, with state-specific variations.
How to Prepare for a Daycare Licensing Inspection
Step-by-step checklist covering child files, staff records, ratios, and facility safety.
Staff-to-Child Ratios by State: The Complete Comparison
Compare infant, toddler, and preschool ratio requirements across all 50 states.
Daycare Immunization Requirements by State
Required vaccines and exemption policies — medical only, religious, or philosophical.
One link. Parents complete child information, emergency contacts, pickup, immunizations, health details, and consents on their phone, and the finished packet lands in your account as a PDF. Free to start, no card.