Stepping Stones
A licensed child care center in Mission, Texas 78572
1607 E Griffin Pkwy Ste A, Mission, Texas 78572. (956) 424-9700.
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. Texas’s own record is on its child care search.
The short answer
Record last released by Texas HHSC on Nov 5, 2026.
- 25 deficiencies cited in the last three years Middle in Hidalgo County: 3
- 5 rated High by Texas, its most serious level (needs attention)
- 17 inspections on record
- Not rated Texas Rising Star rating
Each figure’s source sits beside it, in its section below.
What these words mean5
- Inspection (survey)
- A visit by state inspectors, often unannounced, who check a place against the rules it must meet. For nursing homes and other places Medicare pays, CMS calls these visits surveys: a standard survey of a nursing home comes at least every 15 months, and a complaint survey whenever a complaint calls for one. Source: CMS; 42 CFR 488.308.
- Deficiency, citation, violation
- What inspectors write up when a place didn’t meet a rule: the rule, what they saw, and when. CMS calls it a deficiency; states may say citation or violation. It is the inspectors’ finding, not a court’s, and the place is usually asked for a plan to correct it. Source: CMS, statement of deficiencies (Form CMS-2567); each state’s licensing agency.
- Texas’s risk levels
- Texas gives each child care deficiency a risk level, by how likely it is to harm a child: Low, Medium Low, Medium, Medium High or High. High is its most serious. Source: Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation.
- Licence status
- Whether the state’s licence lets the place operate now, in the state’s own words: licensed, on probation (allowed to keep operating on conditions, after problems), provisional, pending or expired. Source: Each state’s licensing agency.
- Capacity
- The most people the licence or certification lets the place care for at once: residents, children, beds or apartments, as the state counts them. It isn’t how many are there now. Source: Each state’s licensing agency.
What did inspectors find?
25 deficiencies cited in the last three years
The middle of the 479 child care providers in Hidalgo County had 3.
17 inspections on record. The latest, on Aug 17, 2026: 2 deficiencies cited.
Rated High by Texas: Supervision ensures each child?s safety, well-being, including physical proximity and auditory or visual awareness of each child?s on going activity, at the inspection on Apr 8, 2026
Rated High by Texas: AP Cribs - Only Snug Fitting Sheet and Crib Mattress Cover Allowed if Infant Younger than 12 Months of Age, at the inspection on Mar 23, 2026
Rated High by Texas: Activities for Infants - Not in Restrictive Device for more than 15 Minutes, at the inspection on Mar 13, 2026
2 more rated High; all are listed below.
Texas HHSC, deficiencies (non-compliance data) and inspections and investigations. Released Nov 5, 2026. Updated daily.
When those deficiencies happened
25 deficiencies in 6 months of the last 36. Last cited Aug 2026. Most serious: High. The last 3 years, to Nov 5, 2026.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Dec | |||||||||||
| 2024 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 2025 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 2026 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov |
Hover or focus a month to read it.
Hearth Record drew this from the dates and levels in the source’s own records.
Each deficiency, in Texas’s words
Grouped by visit, newest first, with the risk level Texas gave it, from Low to High.
Texas HHSC, deficiencies (non-compliance data). Released Nov 5, 2026. Updated daily.
Aug 17, 2026: inspection2 deficiencies
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Written Operational Policies - Preventing and Responding to Abuse and Neglect
“Operational policies are missing the following: (26)(C) Methods for increasing employee and parent awareness of prevention techniques for child abuse and neglect; (26)(D)Strategies for coordination between the center and appropriate community organizations; and (26)(E) Actions that the parent of a child who is a victim of abuse or neglect should take to obtain assistance and intervention.”
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Children’s Records Maintained
“Two of the children are no longer enrolled and health statement for two children are missing.”
Jul 20, 2026: inspection5 deficiencies
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Fire Drill Monthly - Exit in 3 Minutes
“Emergency practices form was reviewed: last fire drill and Fire Extinguisher / CO - Smoke detectors checks were completed on 03/24/2026.”
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Child/Caregiver Ratio - 12 or Fewer Children
“One caregiver was providing care for 10 children: three children 0-17mo, five 18mo-4yo, and two 5yo and up.”
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Written Operational Policies - Immunizations
The inspectors’ words, 134 words
“Operational policies were reviewed and missing th following information: (11) immunization requirements; (12) hearing and vision screening requirements; (13) enrollment procedures; (18)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f) and (g) indoor and outdoor physical activity policy; (20) parent’s rights; (23)(a) how parents may access the minimum standards online; (23)(c) how parents may access HHSC website; (26)(A) Abuse / Neglect required annual training for employees; (26)(B) Methods for increasing employee and parent awareness of issues regarding child abuse and neglect; (26)(C) Methods for increasing employee and parent awareness of prevention techniques for child abuse and neglect; (26)(D)Strategies for coordination between the center and appropriate community organizations; (26)(E) Actions that the parent of a child who is a victim of abuse or neglect should take to obtain assistance and intervention; and (3) Procedures for supporting inclusive services for children with special needs.”
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Children’s Records Maintained
“Four children’s records were reviewed. One file was not available for review. Three files are missing health statement. One file is missing start date and another file is missing clarification regarding an allergy.”
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Required Personnel Records -Training Hours
“Records for the last full training year for two out of two staff files reviewed were not available at the time of inspection.”
Apr 8, 2026: inspection2 deficiencies
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Supervision ensures each child?s safety, well-being, including physical proximity and auditory or visual awareness of each child?s on going activity
“One caregiver was providing care for 9 children, however, 3 of the children were in separate classroom with the lights off.”
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Child/Caregiver Ratio - 12 or Fewer Children
“One caregiver was providing care for nine children; three children 0-17mo and six children 18mo-4yo.”
Apr 2, 2026: inspection1 deficiency
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Child/Caregiver Ratio - 12 or Fewer Children
“One caregiver was providing care for six children; 3 children 0-17mo and 3 children 18mo-4yo.”
Mar 23, 2026: inspection2 deficiencies
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AP Cribs - Only Snug Fitting Sheet and Crib Mattress Cover Allowed if Infant Younger than 12 Months of Age
“An infant under 12mo was observed asleep in play-yard with two blankets and two cuddle plush blankets.”
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Child/Caregiver Ratio - 12 or Fewer Children
“One caregiver was providing care for eight children; 3 children 0-17mo and 4 children 18mo-4yo.”
Mar 13, 2026: inspection2 deficiencies
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Activities for Infants - Not in Restrictive Device for more than 15 Minutes
“An infant-age child remained in high chair and exerciser for over 15 minutes.”
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Written Activity Plans - Plan Followed by Caregiver
“Staff and children were not observed participating / following the daily schedule.”
Sep 22, 2025: inspection1 deficiency
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Maintenance of Building, Grounds and Equipment
“Vinyl baseboards in restrooms remain detached and there is a broken floor tile in the main room. Note: Broken toy-car was removed from playground. No dead insects were observed during inspection. Electric panel in the infant room was covered.”
Sep 12, 2025: inspection7 deficiencies
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Child-Care Center Must be Equipped with a Working Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detection System
“Operation does not have a carbon monoxide detector. Infant room does not have a smoke detector.”
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Maintenance of Building, Grounds and Equipment
“There is a broken toy-cart in the playground. A dead roach, spider webs and an uncovered eletric panel were observed in the infant room. Vinyl baseboards in one of the restrooms are detached.”
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Fire Drill Monthly - Exit in 3 Minutes
“Last fire drill and Smoke Detector / Fire Extinguisher checks were conducted on 05/2025. Prior drills were completed within 5-10 minutes.”
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Daily Menus - Record Comparable Substitutions
“Food items served during the day do not match the menu posted.”
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Children’s Products- Annual Certification
“Children’s Products Certification form was last signed / certified on 08/25/2022.”
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Cots, Beds, Mats Labeled With Child’s Name
“Infant play-yards are not labeled and napping mats are labeled by number but assignment list is not up to date.”
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Children’s Records - Immunizations
“Three out of four children’s files reviewed are missing immunization records.”
Oct 17, 2024: inspection3 deficiencies
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Policies Comply with Rules
The inspectors’ words, 292 words
“The operational policies reviewed were missing the followng information: (1) Promotion of indoor and outdoor physical activity that is consistent with Subchapter F of this chapter (relating to Developmental Activities and Activity Plan); policies must include: (A) The benefits of physical activity and outdoor play; (B) The duration of physical activity at your operation, both indoor and outdoor; (C) The type of physical activity (structured and unstructured) that children may engage in at your operation; (D) Each setting in which your physical activity program will take place; (E) The recommended clothing and footwear that will allow a child to participate freely and safely in physical activities; (F) The criteria you will use to determine when extreme weather conditions pose a significant health risk that prohibits or limits outdoor play; and (G) A plan to ensure physical activity occurs on days when extreme weather conditions prohibit or limit outdoor play. (2) Parent rights; (3) Preventing and responding to abuse and neglect of children, including: (A) Required annual training for employees; (B) Methods for increasing employee and parent awareness of issues regarding child abuse and neglect, including warning signs that a child may be a victim of abuse or neglect and factors indicating a child is at risk for abuse or neglect; (C) Methods for increasing employee and parent awareness ofprevention techniques for child abuse and neglect; (D) Strategies for coordination between the center and appropriate community organizations; and (E) Actions that the parent of a child who is a victim of abuse or neglect should take to obtain assistance and intervention, including procedures for reporting child abuse or neglect; (4) Procedures for supporting inclusive services to children with special care needs. The policy must address the requirements outlined in minimum standard rule ?746.2202”
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Written Activity Plan - Group Name and Dates
“The activity plans posted in the infant room and toddler/pre-k room did not include the age group the activity plan is designed for and the dates (daily, weekly, or monthly) the plan covers. Note: This was CORRECTED during the inspection as the missing information was documented on the activity plans.”
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Children’s Records Maintained
“There were no records available for review for two children in care. A child’s record reviewed was missing the immunization documentation.”
23 deficiencies older than three years
Oct 27, 2023: inspection2 deficiencies
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Daily Menus - Record Comparable Substitutions
“The daily menu posted in the front lobby and kitchen were not current. The menu was from the month of August and did not match the food items served during lunch. Note: This was CORRECTED during the inspection as the current menu was printed and posted in the front lobby and kitchen.”
-
Required Records Maintained and Made Available - Children’s Records
“A record was not available for review for a child in care. 1 of 4 children’s records reviewed was missing the child’s immunization record.”
Apr 10, 2023: inspection2 deficiencies
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Child/Caregiver Ratio - 18 Months Difference in Age
“There was more than an 18 month difference when older children of varying ages and an infant were combined during naptime. The oldest child in the group was 4 years of age and the youngest child was 15 months old.”
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Naptime Child/Caregiver Ratio - Additional Employee Required
“An additional employee was not present in the building during naptime when more than 13 children were in care.”
Oct 21, 2022: inspection6 deficiencies
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Safety - Areas Free From Hazards
“The caregivers personal purse was observed on top of a children’s shelf. The purse posed a safety hazard as it was within children’s reach. A fence in the outdoor playground enclosing the air conditioner unit was not maintained. The fence was observed with an exposed screw. This posed a safety hazard as the thread and tip of the screw were exposed and accessible to children. Note: The purse was removed and stored in an area out of children’s reach.”
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Documented Annual Training Area - 24 Hours Required
“A caregiver was missing 24 of 24 clock hours in required annual training for the training year 11/25/2020 - 11/24/2021.”
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Director Annual Training 30 Hours Required
“The directorr was missing 30 of 30 clock hours in required annual training for the training year 11/25/2020 - 11/24/2021.”
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Child/Caregiver Ratio - 12 or Fewer Children
The inspectors’ words, 96 words
“Child/Caregiver ratios were not met when a caregiver was caring for 8 children of varying ages. The children in the group were an infant between 0-12 months of age and 7 children between 18 months to 3 years of age. Based on the ratio chart the number of children one caregiver may supervise when 12 or fewer children are present at the child-care center is 1 infant between 0-17 months of age and a maximum of 5 children between the ages of 18 months to 4 years age. The group was of ratio by 2 children.”
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Required Records Maintained and Made Available - Children’s Records
“There were no records available for review for two children in care.”
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Required Records Maintained and Made Available - Safety Documentation for Emergency Drills, Fire Extinguishers, & Smoke Detectors
“The emergency practices form was not maintained. The last fire drill document was on April 2022. The safety documentation for fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and Carbon Monoxide detector was not maintained. The last date documented on the form was April 2022.”
Jan 13, 2022: inspection2 deficiencies
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Maintenance of Building, Grounds and Equipment
“The metal door leading into the center from the outdoor playground was observed with rust and significant amounts of loose corrosion. The rust at the bottom part of the door ate through the metal, leaving holes in the door which pose a safety hazard to children during outdoor play. Plastic bags containing soiled diapers were observed hanging from the door handle in the outdoor playground. Note: The plastic bags with soiled diapers were removed and discarded.”
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Diapering Procedures-Soiled Diapers Kept in a Sanitary Manner
“Soiled diapers were observed in the same trash can with no cover next to the infant room. This standard was re-cited. Note: This was addressed with the director and the trash bag containing the soiled diapers was removed and disposed of.”
Nov 22, 2021: inspection11 deficiencies
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Each Caregiver and the Director Must Have Current Training in pediatric first aid with rescue breathing and choking.
“The director and a caregiver did not have current training in pediatric first aid with rescue breathing and choking. The expiration dates on the certificates were July 2021 and August 2021.”
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Each Caregiver and the Director Must Have Current Training in pediatric CPR
“The director and a caregiver did not have current training in pediatric CPR. The expiration dates on the certificates were July 2021 and August 2021.”
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Infant Care Area Furnishings and Equipment -Use of Safety Straps
“An infant was observed sitting on a high chair without the safety straps fastened.”
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Safety Requirements for Play Yards - Snug Fitting Sheets
“There was no sheet covering the mattress of a play yard that was in use for an infant. Note: This was CORRECTED during the inspection as a fitted sheet was provided and placed on the play yard’s mattress.”
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Diapering Procedures-Soiled Diapers Kept in a Sanitary Manner
“A caregiver did not properly sanitize the diaper changing table after conducting a diaper change. The caregiver was observed only spraying a mixture of clorox and water to sanitize the diaper changing mat. A soiled diaper was observed in a trash can with no cover next to the infant room. Note: This was addressed with the operation and the trash bag containing the soiled diapers was removed and disposed of.”
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Safety - Areas Free From Hazards
“A water hose was observed on the floor in the outdoor playground within children’s reach posing as a tripping hazard. Note: This was CORRECTED during the inspection as the water hose was stored out of children’s reach.”
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Food Allergy Emergency Plan Signed by Parents and Health Care Professional
“The food allergy emergency plan reviewed for a child with a known food allergy was incomplete and missing the child’s heath care professional’s signature.”
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Documented Annual Training Area - 24 Hours Required
“A caregiver was missing 14 of 24 clock hours in required annual training for the training year 11/25/2019 - 11/24/2020.”
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Director Annual Training 30 Hours Required
“The director was missing 9 of 30 clock hours in required annual training for the training year 11/25/2019 - 11/24/2020.”
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Written Operational Policies - Promotion of Physical Activity
The inspectors’ words, 127 words
“The operational policies reviewed were missing the following information: The Promotion of indoor and outdoor physical activity that is consistent with Subchapter F of this chapter (relating to Developmental Activities and Activity Plan); your policies must include: (A) The benefits of physical activity and outdoor play; (B) The duration of physical activity at your operation, both indoor and outdoor; (C) The type of physical activity (structured and unstructured) that children may engage in at your operation; (D) Each setting in which your physical activity program will take place; (E) The recommended clothing and footwear that will allow a child to participate freely and safely in physical activities; and (F) A plan to ensure physical activity occurs on days when extreme weather conditions prohibit or limit outdoor play.”
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Children’s Records Maintained
“There were no records available for review for two children in care. One of 4 records reviewed was missing the child’s immunization record.”
All 17 visits on record
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 17, 2026 | Inspection | 2 deficiencies cited |
| Jul 20, 2026 | Inspection | 5 deficiencies cited |
| Apr 17, 2026 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Apr 8, 2026 | Inspection | 2 deficiencies cited |
| Apr 2, 2026 | Inspection | 1 deficiency cited |
| Mar 23, 2026 | Inspection | 2 deficiencies cited |
| Mar 13, 2026 | Inspection | 2 deficiencies cited |
| Sep 22, 2025 | Inspection | 1 deficiency cited |
| Sep 12, 2025 | Inspection | 7 deficiencies cited |
| Oct 17, 2024 | Inspection | 3 deficiencies cited |
| Oct 27, 2023 | Inspection | 2 deficiencies cited |
| Apr 20, 2023 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Apr 10, 2023 | Inspection | 2 deficiencies cited |
| Dec 2, 2022 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Oct 21, 2022 | Inspection | 6 deficiencies cited |
| Jan 13, 2022 | Inspection | 2 deficiencies cited |
| Nov 22, 2021 | Inspection | 11 deficiencies cited |
Is it licensed?
- Licensed Center, permit issued Nov 19, 2014.
- Licensed for ages: Infant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School.
- Capacity: 25 children.
Texas HHSC, child care operations. Released Nov 5, 2026. Updated daily.
Has Texas acted against it?
- No corrective or adverse action by Texas on record.
- 0 reports to the state on record; Texas doesn’t publish whether they were A complaint allegation the state investigated and found true: the evidence showed it more likely than not happened. Inconclusive means the evidence couldn’t show it either way. Neither inconclusive nor unsubstantiated proves it didn’t happen. Source: California Department of Social Services, complaint findings; each state’s licensing agency..
Texas HHSC, child care operations and inspections and investigations. Released Nov 5, 2026. Updated daily.
Who does the caring?
- Texas doesn’t publish staffing levels for individual providers. State rules set staff-to-child ratios by age.
Who owns it?
- Texas’s open data doesn’t list owners.
How is it rated?
- Not rated in Texas Rising Star.
Texas Workforce Commission, subsidy providers and Texas Rising Star. Released Nov 5, 2026. Updated daily.
How does it compare nearby?
- Among 479 child care providers in Hidalgo County, the middle value for deficiencies cited in the last three years was 3; this one had 25.
Texas HHSC, deficiencies (non-compliance data). Released Nov 5, 2026. Updated daily.
| Place | Deficiencies, 3 years |
|---|---|
| Instituto Bilingue Montessori San Jose | 17 |
| Stepping Stones This child care provider | 25 |
| Noly Learning Academy | 8 |
| Mickey’s Learning Academy | 11 |
| Finger Prints Learning Day Care | 22 |
| Colegio Bilingue Trinidad | 12 |
| Kids Rock Learning Academy, LLC | 7 |
| Lily’s Little Kids Day Care Center | 17 |
| The Little Club Development Center Inc. | 6 |
| Kiddie Academy | 5 |
| Mission Early Head Start Academy | 2 |
| A+ Appletree Academy | 20 |
What the record doesn’t say
- Texas doesn’t publish whether a complaint was substantiated.
- Texas rates some paperwork slips as High risk, so read what was actually cited.
- Texas doesn’t publish staffing levels or owners for individual providers.
Sources
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Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child care operations (bc5r-88dy).
Released Nov 5, 2026 and checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated daily. Creative Commons 1.0 Universal (Public Domain Dedication).
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Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Inspections and investigations (m5q4-3y3d).
Released Nov 5, 2026 and checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated daily. Creative Commons 1.0 Universal (Public Domain Dedication).
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Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Deficiencies (non-compliance data) (tqgd-mf4x).
Released Nov 5, 2026 and checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated daily. Creative Commons 1.0 Universal (Public Domain Dedication).
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Texas Workforce Commission, Subsidy providers and Texas Rising Star.
Released Nov 5, 2026 and checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated daily. No licence stated.
If you believe something here is wrong, a correction starts with the agency whose record this copies: Texas HHSC or Texas Workforce Commission. Texas’s own record is on its child care search. If Hearth Record copied something wrongly, it will fix it and log the correction publicly, with its date: how corrections work.
This copy of the record was made on Nov 5, 2026.
From the provider
The public record above comes first. Anything the provider adds will appear here, below it, and say who wrote it.
Replies
None. Replies aren’t open yet. When they open, the provider will be able to answer any finding for free, and the reply will show beside that finding, unedited and dated.
Paid listing
None. Paid listings aren’t open yet. When they open, anything paid for will say “Paid by the provider”, and paying will never change a finding, a rating or the order of results.