Lil School House Cottage
A licensed child care center in Buffalo Gap, Texas 79508
618 West St, Buffalo Gap, Texas 79508. (325) 572-3500.
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The short answer
Record last released by Texas HHSC on Nov 5, 2026.
- 2 deficiencies cited in the last three years Middle in Taylor County: 2
- 0 rated High by Texas, its most serious level
- 31 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?
2 deficiencies cited in the last three years
The middle of the 74 child care providers in Taylor County had 2.
31 inspections on record. The latest, on Aug 6, 2026: 2 deficiencies cited.
Texas HHSC, deficiencies (non-compliance data) and inspections and investigations. Released Nov 5, 2026. Updated daily.
When those deficiencies happened
2 deficiencies in 1 month of the last 36. Last cited Aug 2026. Most serious: Medium 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 6, 2026: inspection2 deficiencies
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Each Caregiver and the Director Must Have Current Training in pediatric CPR
“A caregiver had an expired CPR training which expired July 2026.”
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Maintenance Procedures for Active Play - Monthly Maintenance Checklist
“The operation does not have a safety checklist for active play space areas.”
25 deficiencies older than three years
Aug 28, 2023: inspection1 deficiency
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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
“Upon entry, a caregiver was observed down the hall and out of their classroom where 6 children ages 18mo-20mo were left unsupervised. This was corrected at inspection when the caregiver entered the classroom with the children.”
Jun 20, 2023: inspection5 deficiencies
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Sanitize Potty-Chairs
“Potty chairs used in the two year old room had dried urine around the rim. Furthermore, the small urinal contained urine. This was corrected at inspection when the potty chairs were sanitized and the urinal was emptied.”
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Employee Handwashing After Diapering a Child
“A caregiver in the infant room did not wash hands after diapering a child and did not sanitize the diaper changing table. Furthermore, the caregiver did not was the infant’s hands after diapering. Thsi was corrected at inspection when the caregiver washed their hands, washed the infants hands and sanitized the changing table.”
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Safety - Areas Free From Hazards
“3 outlets were observed to not have protective covers. The outdoor area had a green electrical cord in reach of children in care. The toddler room had diaper cream that stated “keep out of reach in children” accessible to children in care on top of the toilet. This was corrected at inspection when plug covers were placed on the outlets. The electrical cord was removed from the outdoor area and the diaper cream was placed out of reach of children.”
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Posting of Activity Plan
“2 classrooms did not have activity plans posted for reivew.”
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Children’s Products- Annual Certification
“The CPSC form had not been certified since July of 2020. This was corrected at the inspection when the form was certified.”
May 9, 2023: inspection5 deficiencies
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Responsibilities of Caregivers - Know number of children responsible for
“A caregiver in the 18 month to 3 yr old napping room with combined ages groups was unware of how many children they were responsible for. The caregiver stated they had 8 children in their group. However, there were 7 children in the group the caregiver was responsible for. There were 14 children total in the napping room. There were 2 caregivers in the room.”
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AP Cribs - Only Snug Fitting Sheet and Crib Mattress Cover Allowed if Infant Younger than 12 Months of Age
“There was a 9 month old infant sleeping in the crib with a blanket covering their face. This was corrected at inspection when the blanket was removed from the crib.”
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Personal use of electronic devices, such as cell phones, MP3 players, tablets, and video games
“A caregiver in the toddler room and a caregiver in the infant room were observed using their phones for personal use while supervising children.”
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Child/ Caregiver Ratio - 13 or More Children
“The infant room had 7 infants with one caregiver. The ages of the infants: 6 months, 7 months, 7 months, 9 months, 9 months, 12 months, 13 months.”
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Infant Care Area Furnishings and Equipment -Use of Safety Straps
“2 toddlers were observed not buckled into the toddler table seats during snack time. This was corrected at inspection when the children were buckled in.”
Mar 29, 2023: report to the state2 deficiencies
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Prohibited Punishments - Corporal Punishment
“During the course of the investigation it was determined that a caregiver threatened corporal punishment with a belt towards children in care.”
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Firearms, Hunting Knives, Bows and Arrows, Weapons Prohibited Unless Residence
“It was determined through the course of the investigation that a caregiver entered the operation with a firearm on their person and did not immediately remove it from the operation.”
Mar 29, 2023: inspection1 deficiency
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Child/ Caregiver Ratio - 13 or More Children
“The infant room was out of ratio with 2 caregivers and 11 infants with a specified age group of 11 months. This was corrected at inspection when an infant’s parent arrived to pick up an infant.”
Mar 14, 2023: report to the state2 deficiencies
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Child/ Caregiver Ratio - 13 or More Children
“It was determined while reviewing video footage that a caregiver exited the classroom leaving one caregiver alone for approximately 14 minutes to supervise 6 infants.”
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Child/Caregiver Ratio - 18 Months Difference in Age
“It was determined while viewing video footage that a school age child was allowed to enter the infant room and play on the floor along with the infants.”
Feb 23, 2023: inspection1 deficiency
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Child/ Caregiver Ratio - 13 or More Children
“During naptime a classsroom was observed out of ratio when a caregiver left the room. The room required 3 caregivers during naptime. The ages in the room were 12 months - 24 months. There were 23 children in the room. This was corrected inspection when another caregiver entered the room.”
Jun 21, 2022: inspection2 deficiencies
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No Swaddling of Infant Unless Completed Sleep Exception Form on File
“A five month old was swaddled and sleeping in the playyard. Photo taken.”
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Safety - Areas Free From Hazards
“The older aged playground was observed to have multiple hazards. There was a water hose strung out across the playground. Other hazards observed were trash bags full of leaves, miracle grow fertilizer, a large metal screw and a broken piece of wood. Photos taken.”
Mar 29, 2022: inspection6 deficiencies
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Safety Requirements for Play Yards - Snug Fitting, Firm, Flat Mattress Designed for Use in Play Yard and No Extra Pads
“A play yard in the infant room had an extra mattress pad to make it more cushioned. This was removed at inspection.”
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Food Service and Preparation Requirement - No Foods That Present Choking Risk
“Infants aged 10 to 16 months old were observed to be eating pretzels for snack. These were removed at inspection.”
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Food Service and Preparation Requirement - Use Sanitary Holders
“Infants were observed to be eating on the front porch and picking up snacks off of the front porch that was soiled with dirty. The front porch also was not a safe area for them to be eating as they could easily fall through the slats of the porch.”
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Maintenance of Building, Grounds and Equipment
“Trash cans without lids were observed to have soiled diapers. Diaper changing pads were observed to be torn which reduces ability to properly sanitize them.”
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Sanitize Tables Tops, Furniture and Similar Equipment
“The play pens where infants sleep were observed to be soiled with dirt and pebbles from outside.”
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Director Annual Training 30 Hours Required
“The center director has not maintained the required 30 annual training hours.”
All 34 visits on record
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 6, 2026 | Inspection | 2 deficiencies cited |
| Sep 30, 2025 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Dec 10, 2024 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Jun 12, 2024 | Inspection | No violation found |
| May 15, 2024 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Apr 16, 2024 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Mar 28, 2024 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Feb 21, 2024 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Jan 4, 2024 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Dec 19, 2023 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Nov 30, 2023 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Oct 25, 2023 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Sep 11, 2023 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Aug 28, 2023 | Inspection | 1 deficiency cited |
| Jul 19, 2023 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Jun 20, 2023 | Inspection | 5 deficiencies cited |
| May 23, 2023 | Inspection | No violation found |
| May 9, 2023 | Inspection | 5 deficiencies cited |
| Apr 5, 2023 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Mar 29, 2023 | Report to the state | 2 deficiencies cited |
| Mar 29, 2023 | Inspection | 1 deficiency cited |
| Mar 15, 2023 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Mar 14, 2023 | Report to the state | 2 deficiencies cited |
| Mar 7, 2023 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Feb 23, 2023 | Inspection | 1 deficiency cited |
| Nov 15, 2022 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Oct 25, 2022 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Oct 19, 2022 | Report to the state | No violation found |
| Aug 31, 2022 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Jul 1, 2022 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Jun 21, 2022 | Inspection | 2 deficiencies cited |
| Apr 8, 2022 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Mar 29, 2022 | Inspection | 6 deficiencies cited |
| Nov 10, 2021 | Inspection | No violation found |
Is it licensed?
- Licensed Center, permit issued Jan 25, 2021.
- Licensed for ages: Infant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School.
- Capacity: 61 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.
- 3 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?
- Texas Rising Star: 3-Star (the middle of three levels).
Texas Workforce Commission, subsidy providers and Texas Rising Star. Released Nov 5, 2026. Updated daily.
How does it compare nearby?
- Among 74 child care providers in Taylor County, the middle value for deficiencies cited in the last three years was 2; this one had 2.
Texas HHSC, deficiencies (non-compliance data). Released Nov 5, 2026. Updated daily.
| Place | Deficiencies, 3 years |
|---|---|
| Lil School House | 2 |
| Lil School House Cottage This child care provider | 2 |
| Alliance After School Care at Buffalo Gap | 0 |
| Aldersgate Abilene Methodist Church Academy | 7 |
| YMCA of Abilene- Preschool Center | 2 |
| Arlene Coleman Bell | Not given |
| Blest Beginnings | 2 |
| Amber’s Angels Family Child Care | 0 |
| New Beginnings Childcare Academy | 22 |
| Little Saints Early Childhood Center | 3 |
| Maurita Jo Jenkins | 1 |
| Jaime Abila | Not given |
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 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).
-
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).
-
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
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Paid listing
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