Hearth Record

Smaller Scholars Montessori Academy

A licensed child care center in Houston, Texas 77079

14455 Grisby Rd, Houston, Texas 77079. (281) 556-8505.

Texas’s own record, on its child care search

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.

The last 24 months 20 deficiencies in 9 months of the last 36. Last cited Jun 2026. Most serious: High. Every month

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?

20 deficiencies cited in the last three years

The middle of the 2,139 child care providers in Harris County had 4.

12 inspections on record. The latest, on Jun 17, 2026: 1 deficiency cited.

Rated High by Texas: Annual Fire Inspection - Before Initial Permit Issued and Every 12 Months, at the assessment on Jun 17, 2026

Rated High by Texas: Annual Fire Inspection - Before Initial Permit Issued and Every 12 Months, at the inspection on Apr 23, 2026

Rated High by Texas: Prohibited Punishments - Placing Child in Locked or Dark Room, at the report to the state on Mar 20, 2026

2 more rated High; all are listed below.

Source:

Texas HHSC, deficiencies (non-compliance data) and inspections and investigations. Released Nov 5, 2026. Updated daily.

When those deficiencies happened

20 deficiencies in 9 months of the last 36. Last cited Jun 2026. Most serious: High. The last 3 years, to Nov 5, 2026.

20 deficiencies by month over the last 3 years. Each cell is one month.
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
2023 Dec
2024 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
2025 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
2026 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNov

Hover or focus a month to read it.

No visit on record Visited, nothing cited A stronger orange is more serious, on its source’s own levels, read onto four bands: from the least serious it publishes to the most
Source:

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.

Source:

Texas HHSC, deficiencies (non-compliance data). Released Nov 5, 2026. Updated daily.

Jun 17, 2026: assessment1 deficiency

  • Annual Fire Inspection - Before Initial Permit Issued and Every 12 Months

    “Documentation reviewed during the follow up inspection showed the last fire inspection was completed on April 2, 2025.”

    Rule 746.5101(a). High, by Texas’s label. Correction date, as Texas HHSC recorded it: Jul 1, 2026. Correction verified: Jul 10, 2026.

Apr 23, 2026: inspection1 deficiency

  • Annual Fire Inspection - Before Initial Permit Issued and Every 12 Months

    “Documentation reviewed during the follow up inspection showed the last fire inspection was completed on April 2, 2025.”

    Rule 746.5101(a). High, by Texas’s label. Correction date, as Texas HHSC recorded it: Jun 2, 2026. Correction verified: Jun 17, 2026.

Mar 24, 2026: inspection1 deficiency

  • Requirement of Gas Leak Inspection

    “The operation did not have a current gas inspection report for licensing to review. The last inspection was completed 2/9/24.”

    Rule 746.5401. Medium High, by Texas’s label. Correction date, as Texas HHSC recorded it: Apr 7, 2026. Correction verified: Apr 23, 2026.

Mar 20, 2026: report to the state1 deficiency

  • Prohibited Punishments - Placing Child in Locked or Dark Room

    “A caregiver placed a child alone in a dark restroom for approximately six minutes as a form of prohibited punishment.”

    Rule 746.2805(7). High, by Texas’s label. Correction date, as Texas HHSC recorded it: Apr 16, 2026. Correction verified: Apr 23, 2026.

Apr 15, 2025: inspection6 deficiencies

  • Fire Extinguishers Serviced

    “Fire extinguishers has not been serviced since August 2023.”

    Rule 746.5307(b). Medium High, by Texas’s label. Correction date, as Texas HHSC recorded it: Apr 29, 2025. Correction verified: Apr 30, 2025.

  • Medication No Longer Used

    “I observed an expired Epi pen for that is kept at the operation for a child in care with an allergy. The Epi pen expired in 12/2024. NOTE: This was corrected during the inspection, it was removed and sent home with parent.”

    Rule 746.3809. Medium, by Texas’s label. Corrected during the inspection. Correction date, as Texas HHSC recorded it: Apr 15, 2025.

  • Children’s Products- Annual Certification

    “The children’s product certification was last certified on 2/2/24.”

    Rule 746.4135(b). Medium, by Texas’s label. Correction date, as Texas HHSC recorded it: Apr 29, 2025. Correction verified: Apr 28, 2025.

  • Cots, Beds, Mats Labeled With Child’s Name

    “Nap mats were not properly labeled during the inspection.”

    Rule 746.4503(b). Medium, by Texas’s label. Correction date, as Texas HHSC recorded it: Apr 29, 2025. Correction verified: Apr 28, 2025.

  • Maintenance Procedures for Active Play - Monthly Maintenance Checklist

    “Playground checklist has not been completed since June 2024.”

    Rule 746.4751(b). Medium, by Texas’s label. Correction date, as Texas HHSC recorded it: Apr 29, 2025. Correction verified: Apr 28, 2025.

  • Health Statement on File within 1 Week of Admission

    “2 out of 4 files reviewed did not have a health statement available for licensing to review.”

    Rule 746.611(b). Medium, by Texas’s label. Correction date, as Texas HHSC recorded it: Apr 29, 2025. Correction verified: Apr 28, 2025.

Jan 28, 2025: assessment1 deficiency

  • Report Number of Employees

    “Operation has not reported their staffing changes for the year 2024 by the due date of 1/15/2025. NOTE: Director provided proof of compliance same day.”

    Rule 746.303(b). Medium Low, by Texas’s label. Correction date, as Texas HHSC recorded it: Jan 30, 2025. Correction verified: Jan 28, 2025.

Dec 17, 2024: report to the state1 deficiency

  • Supervision ensures each child?s safety, well-being, including physical proximity and auditory or visual awareness of each child?s on going activity

    “Caregiver left a child unattended on a path leading from playground to the classroom for 9 minutes.”

    Rule 746.1205(a)(4). High, by Texas’s label. Correction date, as Texas HHSC recorded it: Jan 15, 2025. Correction verified: Jan 30, 2025.

May 1, 2024: report to the state1 deficiency

  • Supervision ensures each child?s safety, well-being, including physical proximity and auditory or visual awareness of each child?s on going activity

    “The director reported that a child was left outside unsupervised for 6-7 minutes.”

    Rule 746.1205(a)(4). High, by Texas’s label. Correction date, as Texas HHSC recorded it: May 3, 2024. Correction verified: May 13, 2024.

Apr 24, 2024: inspection6 deficiencies

  • Each Caregiver and the Director Must Have Current Training in pediatric first aid with rescue breathing and choking.

    “Caregiver did not have current First Aide training. Training expired in 2022.”

    Rule 746.1315(a). Medium High, by Texas’s label. Correction date, as Texas HHSC recorded it: May 15, 2024. Correction verified: May 13, 2024.

  • Each Caregiver and the Director Must Have Current Training in pediatric CPR

    “One caregiver did not have a current CPR training certificate, expired 2022. Another caregiver did not have hands-on CPR training.”

    Rule 746.1315(b). Medium High, by Texas’s label. Correction date, as Texas HHSC recorded it: May 15, 2024. Correction verified: May 13, 2024.

  • Report Change in Director

    “There was a change in director and licensing was not notified within 5 days that director was no longer associated with center. We were informed of the change at inspection.”

    Rule 746.303(a)(4). Medium High, by Texas’s label. Corrected during the inspection. Correction date, as Texas HHSC recorded it: Apr 24, 2024.

  • Installation and Maintenance of Loose-fill Surfacing - Proper Depth Maintained

    “Swings and slides did not have loosefill to proper depth.”

    Rule 746.4907(d). Medium High, by Texas’s label. Correction date, as Texas HHSC recorded it: May 1, 2024. Correction verified: Jun 12, 2024.

  • Posting Requirements - Telephone Numbers

    “Emergency telephone numbers were not posted. Corrected at inspection. Emergency numbers were posted during inspection.”

    Rule 746.401(8). Medium Low, by Texas’s label. Corrected during the inspection. Correction date, as Texas HHSC recorded it: Apr 24, 2024.

  • Minimum Qualifications Child Care Center Employees and Caregivers - Affidavit

    “One caregiver was missing a notarized affidavit of employment.”

    Rule 746.1105(3). Low, by Texas’s label. Correction date, as Texas HHSC recorded it: May 1, 2024. Correction verified: Jun 12, 2024.

Jan 18, 2024: assessment1 deficiency

  • Report Number of Employees

    “A review of the Employees Who Left Employment in 2023, revealed the center had not reported the number of employees who left employment in 2023 by January 15, 2024, as required.”

    Rule 746.303(b). Medium Low, by Texas’s label. Correction date, as Texas HHSC recorded it: Jan 19, 2024. Correction verified: Jan 18, 2024.

8 deficiencies older than three years
Jun 20, 2023: inspection1 deficiency

  • Required Admission Information - Parents’ Phone Numbers

    “1 out 6 children records reviewed was missing emergency contact address information.”

    Rule 746.605(5). Medium High, by Texas’s label. Correction date, as Texas HHSC recorded it: Jun 27, 2023. Correction verified: Jun 27, 2023.

Nov 7, 2022: inspection2 deficiencies

  • AP Background check results - Must receive notification prior to allowing subject to be present at your operation

    “A caregiver was observed in a classroom with 18 children present who had direct access to children. Another caregivers background check results are still pending and the caregiver was present with direct access to children. The operation has not obtained an eligibility notification from CBCU stating the individuals are eligible to be present. Corrected during Inspection”

    Rule 745.641. High, by Texas’s label. Correction date, as Texas HHSC recorded it: Nov 7, 2022. Correction verified: Dec 8, 2022.

  • Children Handwashing After Toileting or Diapering

    “It was observed that two caregivers once completing diaper changing did not wash the children’s hands. Corrected during Inspection.”

    Rule 746.3417(3). Medium High, by Texas’s label. Corrected during the inspection. Correction date, as Texas HHSC recorded it: Nov 7, 2022.

Jul 13, 2022: inspection5 deficiencies

  • Annual Fire Inspection - Before Initial Permit Issued and Every 12 Months

    “There was no current fire inspection avalable for this operation.”

    Rule 746.5101(a). High, by Texas’s label. Correction date, as Texas HHSC recorded it: Aug 15, 2022. Correction verified: Jul 20, 2022.

  • Each Caregiver and the Director Must Have Current Training in pediatric first aid with rescue breathing and choking.

    “Current first aid and CPR training was missing for the director.”

    Rule 746.1315(a). Medium High, by Texas’s label. Correction date, as Texas HHSC recorded it: Jul 27, 2022. Correction verified: Jul 15, 2022.

  • Children’s Records - Health Statement

    “Health statement was missing on file for four out of eight records checked.”

    Rule 746.603(a)(3). Medium, by Texas’s label. Correction date, as Texas HHSC recorded it: Jul 22, 2022. Correction verified: Jul 25, 2022.

  • Children’s Records - Immunizations

    “Immunization record was missing on file for two out of eight records checked.”

    Rule 746.603(a)(4). Medium, by Texas’s label. Correction date, as Texas HHSC recorded it: Jul 22, 2022. Correction verified: Jul 21, 2022.

  • Required Admission Information - Physician Information

    “Doctor’s information was missing on file for three out of eight records checked.”

    Rule 746.605(11). Medium, by Texas’s label. Correction date, as Texas HHSC recorded it: Jul 22, 2022. Correction verified: Jul 25, 2022.

All 19 visits on record
Inspections, investigations and reports to the state
DateVisitWhat the record says
Jun 17, 2026Assessment1 deficiency cited
Apr 23, 2026Inspection1 deficiency cited
Mar 24, 2026Inspection1 deficiency cited
Mar 20, 2026Report to the state1 deficiency cited
Apr 15, 2025Inspection6 deficiencies cited
Jan 30, 2025InspectionNo violation found
Jan 28, 2025Assessment1 deficiency cited
Dec 20, 2024InspectionNo violation found
Dec 17, 2024Report to the state1 deficiency cited
May 13, 2024InspectionNo violation found
May 3, 2024InspectionNo violation found
May 1, 2024Report to the state1 deficiency cited
Apr 24, 2024Inspection6 deficiencies cited
Jan 18, 2024Assessment1 deficiency cited
Oct 16, 2023InspectionNo violation found
Jun 20, 2023Inspection1 deficiency cited
Nov 7, 2022Inspection2 deficiencies cited
Oct 25, 2022Report to the stateNo violation found
Jul 13, 2022Inspection5 deficiencies cited

Is it licensed?

  • Licensed Center, permit issued Jan 3, 2006.
  • Its permit has conditions.
  • Licensed for ages: Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School.
  • Capacity: 100 children.
Source:

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.
  • 4 reports to the state on record; Texas doesn’t publish whether they were .
Source:

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.
Source:

Texas Workforce Commission, subsidy providers and Texas Rising Star. Released Nov 5, 2026. Updated daily.

How does it compare nearby?

  • Among 2139 child care providers in Harris County, the middle value for deficiencies cited in the last three years was 4; this one had 20.
Source:

Texas HHSC, deficiencies (non-compliance data). Released Nov 5, 2026. Updated daily.

12 of the 2,139 in Harris County, as the source lists them, same ZIP code first
PlaceDeficiencies, 3 years
Smaller Scholars Montessori Academy This child care provider20
Yorkshire Academy4
Memorial Dr UMC Childrens Weekday School5
Woodcreek Child Development Center4
YMCA Afterschool @ Wolfe Elementary0
Bridgepoint Early Learning Academy10
Ikids U at Nottingham Elementary School6
YMCA Afterschool @ Thornwood Elementary0
Ikids U at Wilchester Elementary School11
Ikids U at Sherwood Elementary School2
After 3 After School Program at Rummel Creek0
Nabor House Community14
After 3 After School Program @ Meadow Wood4

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

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.

Source:

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.

How to read a record

Four things every record does, shown on an example record made up for this guide.

An example record, made up for this guide

An example nursing home

Made up for this guide: no real place is shown

Not fully inspected in over two years (CMS flag)

11 health citations at the latest inspection cycle

The state average is 14.3.

Source:

CMS, State and US Averages and Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated monthly.

From the homeNone yet. Replies and paid listings aren’t open, and when they open they will sit here, below the record.

1 of 4

Every fact names its source.

Who published it, when, and how often it changes sit beside each fact, with a link to the agency’s own file.

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