Kids First Learning Academy
A licensed child care center in Pharr, Texas 78577
225 W Park Ave, Pharr, Texas 78577. (956) 638-6988.
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.
- 8 deficiencies cited in the last three years Middle in Hidalgo County: 3
- 1 rated High by Texas, its most serious level (needs attention)
- 10 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?
8 deficiencies cited in the last three years
The middle of the 479 child care providers in Hidalgo County had 3.
10 inspections on record. The latest, on Jan 28, 2026: 1 deficiency cited.
Rated High by Texas: AP Background check results - Must receive notification prior to allowing subject to be present at your operation, at the inspection on Feb 25, 2025
Texas HHSC, deficiencies (non-compliance data) and inspections and investigations. Released Nov 5, 2026. Updated daily.
When those deficiencies happened
8 deficiencies in 3 months of the last 36. Last cited Jan 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.
Jan 28, 2026: inspection1 deficiency
-
Children’s Products- Annual Certification
“The Children’s Product Certification has not been certified since 2022.”
Jan 22, 2026: assessment1 deficiency
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Report Number of Employees
“A review of the Employees Who Left Employment in 2025 data from January 20, 2026, determined the center had not reported the number of employees who left employment in 2025 by January 15, 2026, as required.”
Feb 25, 2025: inspection4 deficiencies
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AP Background check results - Must receive notification prior to allowing subject to be present at your operation
“There was a caregiver at the center that had a deactivated background check. NOTE: This was corrected at inspection when the caregiver was sent home.”
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Food Service and Preparation Requirement - Poisonous/Toxic Materials Stored Separate from Food
“In the kitchen counter top there were cleaning supplies were food is prepped. NOTE: This was corrected during the inspection when the caregiver stored the cleaning supplies away from the area where food is prepped.”
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Annual Fire Inspection - Conducted by Fire Marshal
“Fire inspection has expired, it has not been conducted since 3/27/2023.”
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Diaper Changing Steps-Label Powders, Lotions, Etc. with Name
“In the infant room there a labeled diaper rash cream in another childs bin. NOTE: This was corrected during the inspection when caregiver removed the diaper rash cream from the bin and disposed of it in the garbage bin.”
Mar 21, 2024: inspection2 deficiencies
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Documented Annual Training- Required Content
“Two of the four employee records are missing annual trainings: Hazardous materials, allergic reactions, medical administrations, building safety, communicable diseases, emergency preparedness, 1 hour abuse/neglect,”
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Required Personnel Records - Dates of Employment
“One of the 4 employee records reviewed is missing the application form that includes date of employment.”
12 deficiencies older than three years
Apr 11, 2023: inspection1 deficiency
-
Maintenance Procedures for Active Play - Monthly Maintenance Checklist
“In the outdoor playground area there was a broken toy accessible to the children. NOTE: This was corrected at inspection when caregiver removed the toy from the playground area and disposed of it in the large garbage bin outside of the operation.”
Mar 27, 2023: inspection1 deficiency
-
Annual Fire Inspection - Conducted by Fire Marshal
“Fire inspection is expired, the date the fire inspection was last conducted was on October 25, 2021.”
Oct 20, 2022: inspection2 deficiencies
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Maintenance Procedures for Active Play - Inspect Daily
“The outdoor area was inspected and was not kept in a sanitary manner. Leaves were all over the play area on top of toys making the toys to be unsanitary for the children to use. There were spider webs in the play structure.”
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Posting Requirements - List entitled “Current Employees”--sized at least 81/2 X 11 inches, printed legibly, include employee first and last name
“Employees list was posted but had not been updated to have the new employees on the list. NOTE: This was corrected at inspection when the list was updated and posted on the wall.”
Mar 30, 2022: inspection4 deficiencies
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Posting Requirements - Activity Plans for each group of children in the child care center
“Activity plan and daily menu was not posted with required postings for parents to see.”
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Cots, Beds, Mats Labeled With Child’s Name
“Child was observed on incorrect mat that was not labeled with the child’s name. NOTE: This was corrected at inspection when caregiver moved the child to the mat labeled with the child’s name.”
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Children’s Records Maintained
“Student records were reviewed during inspection the following documents were missing: 2 out of 4 student records were missing a statement of the child s health from a health-care professional. 1 out of 4 student records was missing Immunization record.”
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Required Personnel Records
The inspectors’ words, 97 words
“While reviewing staff records the following was missing: 4 out of the 4 staff records were missing the employment date. NOTE: This was corrected at inspection when caregiver wrote down the date of employment. 1 out of the 4 staff records had an expired driver’s license. NOTE: This was corrected at inspection when director made a copy of the new driver’s license and put it in the staff’s file. 2 out of 4 staff files needed to fill out the orientation section on form 2947. NOTE: This was corrected at inspection when director filled out the section.”
Mar 1, 2022: assessment1 deficiency
-
Report Number of Employees
“A review of the Employees Who Left Employment in 2021 data from February 23, 2022, revealed that the center had not reported the number of employees who left employment in 2021 by February 22, 2022, as required.”
Jan 26, 2022: inspection2 deficiencies
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Background Checks Kept Confidential
“Back ground check was missing from 4 out of 4 staff files. NOTE: Director printed out the background checks for 4 out of the 4 missing employee background forms.”
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Posting Requirements - Letter or form from the most recent Licensing Inspection or Investigation
“Operation did not have the most recent licensing form posted. NOTE: This was corrected at inspection when director printed the form 2936 and posted it on the parent notification wall at the entrance of the operation.”
Dec 20, 2021: inspection1 deficiency
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Garbage Inaccessible to Children; Maintained in Sanitary Manner
“Garbage bins in two restrooms did not have a lid on them making garbage accessible to children. NOTE: This was corrected at inspection when caregiver removed the garbage bins from the restrooms.”
All 14 visits on record
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 28, 2026 | Inspection | 1 deficiency cited |
| Jan 22, 2026 | Assessment | 1 deficiency cited |
| Feb 25, 2025 | Inspection | 4 deficiencies cited |
| Mar 21, 2024 | Inspection | 2 deficiencies cited |
| Apr 11, 2023 | Inspection | 1 deficiency cited |
| Mar 27, 2023 | Inspection | 1 deficiency cited |
| Mar 16, 2023 | Report to the state | No violation found |
| Oct 20, 2022 | Inspection | 2 deficiencies cited |
| Sep 19, 2022 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Sep 9, 2022 | Report to the state | No violation found |
| Mar 30, 2022 | Inspection | 4 deficiencies cited |
| Mar 1, 2022 | Assessment | 1 deficiency cited |
| Jan 26, 2022 | Inspection | 2 deficiencies cited |
| Dec 20, 2021 | Inspection | 1 deficiency cited |
Is it licensed?
- Licensed Center, permit issued Apr 25, 2022.
- Accepts state child care subsidies.
- Licensed for ages: Infant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School.
- Capacity: 36 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.
- 2 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 479 child care providers in Hidalgo County, the middle value for deficiencies cited in the last three years was 3; this one had 8.
Texas HHSC, deficiencies (non-compliance data). Released Nov 5, 2026. Updated daily.
| Place | Deficiencies, 3 years |
|---|---|
| Kids First Learning Academy This child care provider | 8 |
| 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
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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
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Paid listing
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