The R.a.n.c.h.
A licensed child care center in Hico, Texas 76457
211 S Walnut St, Hico, Texas 76457. (254) 796-4549.
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.
- 12 deficiencies cited in the last three years Middle in Hamilton County: 1
- 4 rated High by Texas, its most serious level (needs attention)
- 18 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?
12 deficiencies cited in the last three years
The middle of the 5 child care providers in Hamilton County had 1.
18 inspections on record. The latest, on Apr 8, 2026: no violation found.
Rated High by Texas: Prohibited Punishments - Humiliating, Rejecting, Yelling, at the report to the state on Oct 20, 2025
Rated High by Texas: Responsibilities of Employees and Caregivers -Demonstrate Competency, Good Judgment, Self-control, at the report to the state on Sep 7, 2024
Rated High by Texas: Prohibited Punishments - Corporal Punishment, at the report to the state on Aug 8, 2024
1 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
12 deficiencies in 5 months of the last 36. Last cited Oct 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.
Oct 21, 2025: inspection1 deficiency
-
Garbage Inaccessible to Children; Maintained in Sanitary Manner
“Two small garbage cans were observed on the playground area without lids and accessible to children. The garbage cans were removed during the inspection.”
Oct 20, 2025: report to the state5 deficiencies
-
Prohibited Punishments - Humiliating, Rejecting, Yelling
“There was sufficient evidence found during the investigation to show that prohibited punishment was used when caregivers yelled at children.”
-
Personal use of electronic devices, such as cell phones, MP3 players, tablets, and video games
“There was sufficient evidence found during the investigation to show that staff engaged in personal cell phone use while responsible for supervising children in the classroom,”
-
Employees Discipline Own Children
“There was sufficient evidence found during the investigation to show that employees used prohibited punishment at the operation when discipling their own children.”
-
Fire Drill Monthly - Exit in 3 Minutes
“The last fire drill documented was observed to have been completed in July 2025.”
-
Written Activity Plans - Plan Followed by Caregiver
“There was sufficient evidence found during the investigation to show that written activity plans were not being followed.”
May 8, 2025: inspection1 deficiency
-
Requirement of Gas Leak Inspection
“The last gas leak inspection was observed to have been completed in April of 2023. The gas leak test was scheduled during the inspection..”
Sep 7, 2024: report to the state1 deficiency
-
Responsibilities of Employees and Caregivers -Demonstrate Competency, Good Judgment, Self-control
“There was sufficient evidence found during the investigation to show that one caregiver used poor judgement when speaking to a child using inappropriate language.”
Aug 8, 2024: report to the state2 deficiencies
-
Prohibited Punishments - Corporal Punishment
“There was sufficient evidence found during the investigation to show that corporal punishment and threats of corporal punishment were used. One caregiver was found to use threats of corporal punishment and to have used a fly swatter and their hand to discipline children.”
-
Prohibited Punishments - Humiliating, Rejecting, Yelling
“There was sufficient evidence found during the investigation to show that caregivers used prohibited punishment when yelling at children in care.”
Jun 13, 2024: inspection2 deficiencies
-
Documented Annual Training- Required Content
“3 out of the 5 caregivers file selected for review were missing required training topics related to health and safety.”
-
Documentation of Drills
“The operation has not documented a fire drill since January 2024, This was corrected at inspection today when the operation practiced and documented the fire drill.”
15 deficiencies older than three years
Sep 28, 2023: inspection2 deficiencies
-
Transportation Safety Training -Director and Employee Complete 2 Hours Annually
“Personnel that transport children in care did not have current transportation training.”
-
Child Passenger Safety Seat System - Not expired or damaged in accident
“The booster seats located in the transportation van were expired.”
Jun 2, 2023: inspection1 deficiency
-
AP Background check results - Must receive notification prior to allowing subject to be present at your operation
“A new employee was clocked in and on the play yard with children in care and other caregivers and the background check is still pending,The caregiver was sent home which brought the operation into compliance.”
May 8, 2023: inspection1 deficiency
-
AP Cribs - Only Snug Fitting Sheet and Crib Mattress Cover Allowed if Infant Younger than 12 Months of Age
“An 11 month-old child was observed sleeping in a crib and a blanket was covering the infant. The blanket was removed during the inspection, bringing the operation into compliance.”
Apr 24, 2023: inspection3 deficiencies
-
Safety - Electrical Outlets Covered
“4 outlets observed without proper covers. This was corrected when the covers were replaced. There were fans within reach of children in 3 classrooms. The fans were removed during the inspection.”
-
Administering Medication - Original Container with Child’s Name, Date
“A bottle of Tylenol was in an infant’s cubby. There was no authorization form, the medication was expired, and it was for 2?11-year-olds. This was corrected on-site during the inspection when the bottle was removed from the classroom during this inspection. The risk was mitigated because the child was not present, and the medication seal had not been broken, so no Tylenol had been given to this child.”
-
Liability Insurance Requirements - Provide Proof of Coverage Annually by Anniversary Date of Issuance
“Providers must update their insurance on their portal annually.”
Apr 20, 2023: 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
“It was determined a caregiver has left their classroom occasionally to open the secondary door.”
Jul 8, 2022: inspection4 deficiencies
-
Child/Caregiver Ratio - 18 Months Difference in Age
“A 7 month old child was observed sitting in a stroller in the school age class. The oldest child in this group was 11 years old. The infant was removed from the classroom bringing the operation into compliance.”
-
Safety - Air Conditioners, Fans, Heaters Safeguarded
The inspectors’ words, 105 words
“A box fan was being used in the prek class, and it was on top of the short file cabinet. The fan was in reach of the children in care. It was determined the prek classroom was outside in a breeze way, and the caregiver took the child inside the Gym to use the restroom. There were multiple paint containers and a can of lysol on the floor in the restoom. This was corrected when the children came into the main building and had no additional need to use the bathroom in the gym. Verbal TA was provided at he last inspection regarding the fans.”
-
Fenced Outdoor Activity Space
“It was determined the prek class were spending outdoor time in the drive-thru covered awning of the church. There was no fence and this a non-licensed space. The children came back inside bringing the operation into compliance.”
-
Screen Time Activities - Related to Planned Activities
“Children in the school age class were observed playing games on their personal cell phones and IPads. Based on observations, this was not a structured planned activity with a educational purpose. The devices were put up during the inspection, bringing the operation into compliance.”
Jun 29, 2022: inspection3 deficiencies
-
Training Requirements for Employees and Caregivers - Pre-service Training
“It was found that various training records were not available. Some employee have not completed the 24 hours in annual training, annual reporting abuse is not in the training records, and one employee that only works summers, had no training hours.”
-
Child/ Caregiver Ratio - 13 or More Children
“The infant class had 6 children, 2 -11 month olds, 2 -16 month olds, and 2 20 month old. The group had 1 caregiver. The group was out of ratio. This was corrected when one of the children were moved to another room which brought the operation into compliance.”
-
Children’s Records - Admission Information
“Of the 5 children records reviewed, complete names, addresses, and phone number of emergency contact and emergency treatment authorizations were missing, one child had no enrollment form.”
All 24 visits on record
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 8, 2026 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Feb 20, 2026 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Feb 18, 2026 | Report to the state | No violation found |
| Dec 3, 2025 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Oct 21, 2025 | Inspection | 1 deficiency cited |
| Oct 20, 2025 | Report to the state | No violation found |
| Oct 20, 2025 | Report to the state | 5 deficiencies cited |
| May 8, 2025 | Inspection | 1 deficiency cited |
| Nov 7, 2024 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Sep 16, 2024 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Sep 7, 2024 | Report to the state | 1 deficiency cited |
| Aug 12, 2024 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Aug 8, 2024 | Report to the state | 2 deficiencies cited |
| Jun 13, 2024 | Inspection | 2 deficiencies cited |
| Sep 28, 2023 | Inspection | 2 deficiencies cited |
| Jun 13, 2023 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Jun 2, 2023 | Inspection | 1 deficiency cited |
| May 19, 2023 | Inspection | No violation found |
| May 8, 2023 | Inspection | 1 deficiency cited |
| Apr 24, 2023 | Inspection | 3 deficiencies cited |
| Apr 20, 2023 | Report to the state | 1 deficiency cited |
| Jul 21, 2022 | Inspection | No violation found |
| Jul 8, 2022 | Inspection | 4 deficiencies cited |
| Jun 29, 2022 | Inspection | 3 deficiencies cited |
Is it licensed?
- Licensed Center, permit issued Feb 6, 2008.
- Accepts state child care subsidies.
- Licensed for ages: Infant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School.
- Capacity: 45 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 5 child care providers in Hamilton County, the middle value for deficiencies cited in the last three years was 1; this one had 12.
Texas HHSC, deficiencies (non-compliance data). Released Oct 31, 2026. Updated daily.
| Place | Deficiencies, 3 years |
|---|---|
| The R.a.n.c.h. This child care provider | 12 |
| Hamilton Early Head Start | 0 |
| Lisa Blackwell | Not given |
| The Robin’s Nest | 2 |
| Bright Beginnings | 1 |
| St John Lutheran Preschool | 1 |
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.