Merit Children's Academy

5835 PENROSE AVE, Dallas, TX 75206 · Dallas County

5cited violations

5serious

19inspections & investigations

0enforcement actions

Program

Type: Licensed center
Licensed capacity: 102
Ages: Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School
Hours: 07:00 AM-06:00 PM
Director / administrator: Kira Jackson
Phone: (214) 764-0179
Regulated since: Jun 19, 2025
HHSC IDs: Operation 1492009 · number 1806606
Official record: HHSC Child Care Search

Violations by category

Cleanliness & sanitation 1
Discipline & child guidance 1
Other 3

Year by year

Year	Violations	Serious	Main categories
2025	5	5	Cleanliness & sanitation (1), Discipline & child guidance (1), Other (3)

Inspections, investigations & assessments

Jul 9, 2026 Inspection · No deficiencies cited

No violations cited on this visit.

HHSC inspection history
Jun 29, 2026 Report · No deficiencies cited (self-report)

No violations cited on this visit.

HHSC inspection history
Jun 11, 2026 Inspection · No deficiencies cited

No violations cited on this visit.

HHSC inspection history
Dec 3, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited

No violations cited on this visit.

HHSC inspection history
Nov 5, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited

No violations cited on this visit.

HHSC inspection history
Nov 3, 2025 Report · Deficiencies cited (self-report)
- Other Serious
  It was determined that a caregiver inappropriately grabbed a child resulting in multiple contusions to the child's arm.
  
  HHSC 746.2805(3) — Prohibited Punishments - Grabbing and Pulling
  
  HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2025-11-21. Correction verified 2025-12-03.
HHSC inspection history
Oct 22, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited

No violations cited on this visit.

HHSC inspection history
Oct 14, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited

No violations cited on this visit.

HHSC inspection history
Oct 10, 2025 Report · Deficiencies cited (self-report)
- Other Serious
  It was determined that a caregiver inappropriately grabbed a child resulting in minor abrasions being left on the child's arm.
  
  HHSC 746.2805(3) — Prohibited Punishments - Grabbing and Pulling
  
  HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2025-11-03. Correction verified 2025-11-05.
HHSC inspection history
Jul 29, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited

No violations cited on this visit.

HHSC inspection history
Jul 11, 2025 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
- Cleanliness & sanitation Serious
  A cleaning spray was left on a shelf in reach of children in the classroom. The operation came into complaince when the spray was moved to the cabinet.
  
  HHSC 746.3407(12) — Mark Cleaning Supplies, Toxic Materials; Keep Separate from Food and Inaccessible to Children
  
  HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2025-07-11.
HHSC inspection history
Jul 10, 2025 Report · Deficiencies cited (self-report)
- Other Serious
  A caregiver inappropriately grabbed a child, resulting in minor abrasions on the child's arm.
  
  HHSC 746.2805(3) — Prohibited Punishments - Grabbing and Pulling
  
  HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2025-07-25. Correction verified 2025-07-29.
HHSC inspection history
May 19, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited

No violations cited on this visit.

HHSC inspection history
Apr 16, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited

No violations cited on this visit.

HHSC inspection history
Apr 4, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited

No violations cited on this visit.

HHSC inspection history
Apr 2, 2025 Report · Deficiencies cited (self-report)
- Discipline & child guidance Serious
  A child was handled in a harsh manner when a caregiver forced the child onto a nap mat.
  
  HHSC 746.2805 — Prohibited Punishments - No Harsh, Cruel or Unusual
  
  HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2025-04-08. Correction verified 2025-04-16.
HHSC inspection history
Mar 26, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited

No violations cited on this visit.

HHSC inspection history
Feb 20, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited

No violations cited on this visit.

HHSC inspection history
Nov 14, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited

No violations cited on this visit.

HHSC inspection history

Get the full file

HHSC publishes inspections, investigations and assessments from October 2017 onward, with each cited deficiency and its risk weight. Investigation narratives, complaint files and older history require a public information request. The Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552) gives anyone the right to ask. You don't have to say why.

Email the request Printable letter (fax or mail)

Send to: HHSC Open Records Coordinator, MC-1070 · OpenRecordsRequest@hhs.texas.gov · fax 512-424-6586 · 4601 W. Guadalupe Street, Austin, Texas 78751-3146 · agency instructions

Show the letter text

Letter text

Dear Open Records Coordinator,

Under the Texas Public Information Act, Texas Government Code Chapter 552, I request copies of the following Child Care Regulation records for Merit Children's Academy, 5835 PENROSE AVE, Dallas, TX 75206-5591 (operation ID 1492009, operation number 1806606), for January 1, 2019 to the present:

1. Every inspection, assessment and investigation report, including the deficiencies cited and the operation's corrective actions.
2. Every complaint and self-report intake and its finding.
3. Every corrective or adverse action (evaluation, probation, suspension, revocation, denial, administrative penalty) with related correspondence.
4. Every plan of action or correction the operation submitted, and HHSC's response.

I understand that information made confidential by law (for example the identities of children, families and reporters) may be redacted; please release the remainder. Please provide the records electronically by email. If the cost will exceed $40, please send me an itemized estimate first.

Thank you,

[Your name]
[Email] · [Phone]

If something is happening now, report a concern to HHSC Child Care Regulation. For suspected abuse, contact your county child protective services or law enforcement.

Source: Texas Health and Human Services Commission, via Child Care Regulation datasets on data.texas.gov. Last read Oct 1, 2026. Violation text is HHSC's own wording. The categories are ours, added to help you scan. About this data.