Kidz Explorer Daycare and Learning Center, LLC
A licensed child care center in Pharr, Texas 78577
1610 S Cage Blvd, Pharr, Texas 78577. (956) 781-8775.
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 Workforce Commission on Nov 2, 2026.
- 26 deficiencies cited in the last three years Middle in Hidalgo County: 3
- 6 rated High by Texas, its most serious level (needs attention)
- 43 inspections on record
- 3-Star 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?
26 deficiencies cited in the last three years
The middle of the 479 child care providers in Hidalgo County had 3.
43 inspections on record. The latest, on Sep 17, 2026: no violation found.
Rated High by Texas: AP Background check determination - If ineligible then you must immediately remove subject from operation and confirm to CBCU receipt of notice letter, at the report to the state on Jun 13, 2025
Rated High by Texas: Prohibited Punishments - No Harsh, Cruel or Unusual, at the report to the state on May 19, 2025
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 23, 2024
3 more rated High; all are listed below.
Texas HHSC, deficiencies (non-compliance data) and inspections and investigations. Released Oct 31, 2026. Updated daily.
When those deficiencies happened
26 deficiencies in 8 months of the last 36. Last cited Jun 2025. Most serious: High. The last 3 years, to Nov 2, 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 Oct 31, 2026. Updated daily.
Jun 13, 2025: report to the state4 deficiencies
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AP Background check determination - If ineligible then you must immediately remove subject from operation and confirm to CBCU receipt of notice letter
“Based on the information obtained during the course of the investigation, an individual with an ineligible background check determination has been present at the operation during operational hours.”
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Child/Caregiver Ratio - 18 Months Difference in Age
“Two caregivers were providing care for five children in the toddler room. The youngest child is 8mo and oldest is 30 months old. Age difference between youngest and oldest child exceeds 18 months. There were a total of 15 children present at the operation.”
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Complying with Laws and Rules
“Based on the information obtained during the course the investigation, permit holder’s actions resulted in multiple deficiencies and included the provision of a forged document.”
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Pest Extermination
“Based on the information obtained during the course of the investigation, building was treated for pests by a non-licensed individuals and operation was not treated by a licensed company during an on-going rodent issue.”
Jun 13, 2025: inspection3 deficiencies
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Additional Minimum Qualifications for Caregivers - HS Diploma, Equivalent, Certification of Completion
“Two out of four staff files reviewed have certificates that are not equivalent to a high school diploma.”
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Director Annual Training - Caring for children under 24 months
“One out of four staff files reviewed is missing safe sleep / shaken baby training.”
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Garbage Inaccessible to Children; Maintained in Sanitary Manner
“Rodent droppings were observed on the kitchen floor and cabinets and a dead rat/mouse was found in a sticky strap inside a storage room.”
May 19, 2025: report to the state2 deficiencies
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Prohibited Punishments - No Harsh, Cruel or Unusual
“Based on the information obtained during the investigation, a child was scorned by staff for having toilet training related accidents and child was threatened to receive a tongue injection for saying bad words.”
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Diaper Changing Steps- Prompt
“Based on the information obtained during the course of the investigation, staff were instructed to delay diaper / soiled clothes changes.”
Feb 13, 2025: inspection1 deficiency
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Written Operational Policies - Preventing and Responding to Abuse and Neglect
The inspectors’ words, 98 words
“Policies were reviewed and the following information is missing: (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 of prevention techniques for child abuse and neglect; 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.”
Sep 18, 2024: inspection1 deficiency
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Required Personnel Records
“One out of four staff / contractor files reviewed is missing start date, orientation / policies received statements, preemployment affidavit and notarized affidavit.”
Apr 23, 2024: inspection3 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
“Prek classroom was observed out of control. Children were hiting each other, climbing onto furniture and window sill.”
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Prohibited Punishments - Restrictive device for time out
“A child was placed in a high chair after misbehaving. Note: This was corrected at inspection when provider removed child from high chair.”
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Child/Caregiver Ratio - 18 Months Difference in Age
“A total of 13 children were present at the operation. 6 children ages 15mo-35mo were combined in the toddler room. The age difference between the youngest child and oldest child exceed 18 months. Note: This was corrected at inspection when one oldest child was moved to the prek room.”
Mar 7, 2024: inspection6 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
“Children were observed crying, climbing onto furniture, hitting each other and throwing toys.”
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Meal preparation, except when 12 or fewer children are in care
“A staff member counted towards ratio stepped out of room and into the kitchen to prepare breakfast.”
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Child/Caregiver Ratio - 18 Months Difference in Age
“Two staff members were providing care for 13 children ages 11mo to 4yo4mo. Age difference between youngest and oldest child was 41 months.”
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Documented Annual Training Area - 24 Hours Required
“One out of six staff training records reviewed is missing 12 of annual training including 1 hr of Abuse / Neglect training.”
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Required Personnel Records
“Six staff files were reviewed. One file is missing start date, center and personnel policies statement and orientation. Second file is missing foreign high school diploma. Third file is missing start date. Fourth file is start date, high school diploma, personnel / center policies statement, orientation and annual trainings (if applicable). Three out of six files reviewed are missing pre-employment affidavit.”
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Electronic Records-Available During Business Hours
“Children’s attenance records incluing time of arrival / departure and employee or parent initials were not available for review at the time of inspection.”
Feb 22, 2024: inspection2 deficiencies
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Director’s Absence - Caregiver in Charge Knows in Charge
“Staff member designated as person in charge was not aware of the assignment.”
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Child/Caregiver Ratio - 18 Months Difference in Age
“Two staff members were providing care for 14 children ages 11mo to 3yo3mo. Age difference between youngest and oldest child was 27 months.”
Feb 8, 2024: report to the state3 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
“Based on the information obtained during the course of the investigation, children were out of control and without proper supervision. Children were observed crying, getting up from their chairs during breakfast, throwing toys and climbing onto furniture. A 3yo child was left unsupervised in the restroom.”
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Nutrition and Food Service - Follow Meal Patterns
“Based on the information obtained during the course of the inspection, food items served during breakfast meal did not meet the meal patterns established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Child and Adult Care Food Program.”
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Using, Storing and Disposing of Hazardous Materials
“Based on the information obtained during the course of the investigation, cleaning products are kept accessible to children. Cleaning products were observed on a low cabinet in the restroom and children were observed using restroom unsupervised.”
Dec 28, 2023: inspection1 deficiency
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Written Operational Policies - Criteria for Extreme Weather
“Operational policies were reviewed and the following items are missing: (18)(A) Benefits of physical activity and outdoor play; (18) (B) The duration of physical activity at your operation, both indoor and outdoor; (18) (F) The criteria you will use to determine when extreme weather conditions pose a significant health risk that prohibits or limits outdoor play; (30) Procedures for supporting inclusive services to children with special care needs.”
34 deficiencies older than three years
Oct 13, 2023: inspection1 deficiency
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Director’s Absence - Qualified Caregiver in Charge
“A person in charge was designated during Director’s absence, however, person in charge was absent at arrival and no other person had been designated as person in charge.”
Oct 6, 2023: inspection5 deficiencies
-
No Blocked or Locked Doors as Exits
“Exits out of the toddler and prek rooms were blocked with bookcases.”
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Director’s Absence - Qualified Caregiver in Charge
“A person in charge was not designated during Director’s absence.”
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Responsibilities of caregivers-Set appropriate behavior expectations
“Children in the prek room were observed crying, screaming, fighting and throwing toys. Children were not observed participating in planned activities.”
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Maintenance of Building, Grounds and Equipment
“One out of two toilets in the girl’s toddler restroom is out of service. The same toilet was observed dirty as well as the urinal in the boy’s toddler restroom.”
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Safety - Play Materials and Equipment Safe
“Broken toys and pieces of broken plastic were observed in the playground.”
Sep 1, 2023: report to the state5 deficiencies
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Director Responsibilities - Operate in Compliance
“Based on the information obtained during the of course the investigation, Directors failed to guide operation into compliance and were regularly absent during transition times.”
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Administrative and clerical duties that take caregiver’s attention away from children
“Based on the information obtained during the course of the investigation, caregivers step in and out of classrooms to tend to parent’s needs during pick up time.”
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Responsibilities of caregivers-Set appropriate behavior expectations
“Based on the information obtained during the course of the investigation, classrooms were out of control. Children were observed wandering in and out of classroom and climbing onto furniture.”
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Floors, ceilings and Walls in Good Repair and Clean
“Based on the information obtained during the course of the investigation, it was determined floors were not regularly cleaned and a rug was observed with multiple stains.”
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Safety - Play Materials and Equipment Safe
“Based on the information obtained during the course of the investigation, operation’s playground had broken toys.”
Aug 3, 2023: inspection1 deficiency
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Child/Caregiver Ratio - 18 Months Difference in Age
“A total of 15 children were present at the operation. A group of six children were combined for naptime ranging from 16mo to 3yo. Age different is over 18months.”
Jul 21, 2023: inspection2 deficiencies
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Child/Caregiver Ratio - 18 Months Difference in Age
“Fourteen children ages 16mo-7yo were combined in the school-age room for naptime.”
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Documented Annual Training- Required Content
“Three staff training reviewed and missing trainings on the following topics: Food Allergies Administering Medications Communicable Diseases Building and Physical Premises Safety”
Jul 7, 2023: inspection5 deficiencies
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Annual Fire Inspection - Before Initial Permit Issued and Every 12 Months
“Last Fire Inspection was conducted on 06/21/2022.”
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Each Caregiver and the Director Must Have Current Training in pediatric CPR
“One out of six staff training records reviewed has a first aid / CPR certification that expired 4/7/2023.”
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Immunization Records, Exceptions, and Exemptions Current
“One out of six children’s records reviewed is missing immunizations exemption affidavit.”
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Documented Annual Training- Required Content
“Six staff trainings records were reviewed. One of the files was not available for review at the time of the inspection. Two of the files are missing trainings on the following topics: Hazardous Materials Food Allergies Administering Medications Emergency Preparednesses Communicable Diseases Building and Physical Premises Safety”
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Children’s Products- Annual Certification
“Children’s Products Certiication Form was last certified / signed on 06/30/2022.”
Jun 9, 2023: inspection1 deficiency
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Child/Caregiver Ratio - 18 Months Difference in Age
“Children ages 4mo-7yo were combined in one classroom. A total of 22 children were present at the operation.”
Jun 8, 2023: report to the state2 deficiencies
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Prohibited Punishments - Restrictive device for time out
“Based on the information obtained during the course of the investigation, it was found that staff has placed children in highchairs and used safety straps to prevent children from getting up during time-out.”
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Written Activity Plan - No Long Waiting Periods
“Based on the information obtained during the course of the investigation, children remain in highchairs for long periods of time and without activities.”
Jan 10, 2023: inspection4 deficiencies
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Child/ Caregiver Ratio - 13 or More Children
“One caregiver was caring for 7 children ages 6mo, 7mo, 8mo, 13mo, 13mo, 14mo, 14mo. Note: A substitute caregiver arrived to operation to assist in the infant-age classroom.”
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Requirements for Feeding Infants - Other Use of Handwashing Sink
“There were children’s bottles, gallon of water and formula container on the infant’s hand washing sink. Note: Food items were removed from hand washing sink and formula was moved to the fridge in the kitchen.”
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Fenced Outdoor Activity Space -Gates Locked
“Outdoor gate was locked. Caregiver supervising a group a children in the playground indicated key is located in the office.”
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Written Feeding Instructions - Review and Update Every 30 Days
“Feeding instructions for 3 children not yet eating table food were last reviewed and signed by parent on 11/6/2022, 12/5/2022 and 12/6/2022.”
Sep 6, 2022: 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
“Two children ages 4mo and 11mo were observed asleep with a blanket.”
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Installation and Maintenance of Loose-fill Surfacing - Six Inches if Equipment 5 Ft or Less
“There are two slides in the playground; one with a height of 24 in and the second with a height of 21 inches. There is no surfacing surrounding the slides.”
Aug 19, 2022: inspection6 deficiencies
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Transportation Safety Training -Director and Employee Complete 2 Hours Annually
“One out of six staff training records reviewed is missing transportation training.”
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Garbage Inaccessible to Children; Maintained in Sanitary Manner
“Girl’s school-age and toddler restrooms have trash cans without lids. Used toilet paper and a diaper were observed in the trash cans.”
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Installation and Maintenance of Loose-fill Surfacing - Six Inches if Equipment 5 Ft or Less
“There are two slides in the playground; one with a height of 24 in and the second with a height of 21 inches. There is no surfacing surrounding the slides.”
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Electronic or Battery-Operated Carbon Monoxide Detector-Check All Detectors Monthly
“No carbon monoxide and fire extinguisher checks have not been conducted nor documented for 2022. Last fire drill was documented on 6/3/2022, per provider a fire drill was conducted during July but was not documented.”
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Napping Floor Mats Marked with Sleeping Side Distinguished
“Napping mats are labeled with the children’s names on both sides but do not have a way to distinguish the floor from the child’s side. Cribs and play-yards in the infant room are not labeled with the children’s names.”
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Maintenance Procedures for Active Play - Monthly Maintenance Checklist
“Active play space and equipment checks were last documented 6/15/2022.”
All 49 visits on record
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 17, 2026 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Apr 27, 2026 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Apr 8, 2026 | Report to the state | No violation found |
| Jan 22, 2026 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Sep 23, 2025 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Jul 29, 2025 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Jun 20, 2025 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Jun 13, 2025 | Inspection | 3 deficiencies cited |
| Jun 13, 2025 | Report to the state | 4 deficiencies cited |
| May 19, 2025 | Report to the state | 2 deficiencies cited |
| May 14, 2025 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Apr 4, 2025 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Mar 3, 2025 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Feb 13, 2025 | Inspection | 1 deficiency cited |
| Jan 24, 2025 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Dec 18, 2024 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Nov 14, 2024 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Oct 3, 2024 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Sep 18, 2024 | Inspection | 1 deficiency cited |
| Aug 7, 2024 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Jul 22, 2024 | Inspection | No violation found |
| May 9, 2024 | Inspection | No violation found |
| May 2, 2024 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Apr 23, 2024 | Inspection | 3 deficiencies cited |
| Mar 19, 2024 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Mar 7, 2024 | Inspection | 6 deficiencies cited |
| Feb 22, 2024 | Inspection | 2 deficiencies cited |
| Feb 12, 2024 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Feb 8, 2024 | Report to the state | 3 deficiencies cited |
| Dec 28, 2023 | Inspection | 1 deficiency cited |
| Oct 23, 2023 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Oct 13, 2023 | Inspection | 1 deficiency cited |
| Oct 6, 2023 | Inspection | 5 deficiencies cited |
| Sep 11, 2023 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Sep 1, 2023 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Sep 1, 2023 | Report to the state | 5 deficiencies cited |
| Aug 8, 2023 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Aug 3, 2023 | Inspection | 1 deficiency cited |
| Jul 21, 2023 | Inspection | 2 deficiencies cited |
| Jul 7, 2023 | Inspection | 5 deficiencies cited |
| Jun 16, 2023 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Jun 9, 2023 | Inspection | 1 deficiency cited |
| Jun 8, 2023 | Report to the state | 2 deficiencies cited |
| Jan 18, 2023 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Jan 10, 2023 | Inspection | 4 deficiencies cited |
| Sep 12, 2022 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Sep 6, 2022 | Inspection | 2 deficiencies cited |
| Aug 19, 2022 | Inspection | 6 deficiencies cited |
| Nov 17, 2021 | Inspection | No violation found |
Is it licensed?
- Licensed Center, permit issued Jul 1, 2019.
- Licensed for ages: Infant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School.
- Capacity: 64 children.
Texas HHSC, child care operations. Released Oct 31, 2026. Updated daily.
Has Texas acted against it?
- No corrective or adverse action by Texas on record.
- 6 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 Oct 31, 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?
- Texas Rising Star: 3-Star (the middle of three levels).
Texas Workforce Commission, subsidy providers and Texas Rising Star. Released Nov 2, 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 26.
Texas HHSC, deficiencies (non-compliance data). Released Oct 31, 2026. Updated daily.
| Place | Deficiencies, 3 years |
|---|---|
| Kidz Explorer Daycare and Learning Center, LLC This child care provider | 26 |
| Maria Alonso | 3 |
| Go-Go Kids Learning Academy | 2 |
| Bright Minds Academy | 1 |
| Little Bright Minds Child Development Center | 0 |
| Longoria Head Start Center | 0 |
| Kaleidoscope Early Childhood Learning Knowledge Center | 0 |
| Little Golden Playschool | 2 |
| Little Heaven’s Learning Center | 2 |
| Cisneros Day Care Center | 0 |
| My Little Sunshine Learning Center | 2 |
| Immaculata Pre-Primary | 2 |
| Kids & Todd’s Learning Center, LLC | 4 |
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
-
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child care operations (bc5r-88dy).
Released Oct 31, 2026 and checked Nov 2, 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 Oct 31, 2026 and checked Nov 2, 2026. Updated daily. Creative Commons 1.0 Universal (Public Domain Dedication).
-
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Deficiencies (non-compliance data) (tqgd-mf4x).
Released Oct 31, 2026 and checked Nov 2, 2026. Updated daily. Creative Commons 1.0 Universal (Public Domain Dedication).
-
Texas Workforce Commission, Subsidy providers and Texas Rising Star.
Released Nov 2, 2026 and checked Nov 2, 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 2, 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.