The Escuelita Learning Center

334 MORNINGSIDE RD, Brownsville, TX 78521 · Cameron County

30cited violations

6serious

32inspections & investigations

0enforcement actions

Program

Type: Licensed center
Licensed capacity: 51
Ages: Infant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School
Hours: 06:30 AM-10:00 PM
Director / administrator: Jorge Deferretis
Phone: (956) 408-7433
Regulated since: Jan 12, 2024
HHSC IDs: Operation 1428506 · number 1759510
Official record: HHSC Child Care Search

Violations by category

Supervision & ratios 6
Safety & premises 14
Staff background & training 4
Other 6

Year by year

Year	Violations	Serious	Main categories
2026	4	0	Safety & premises (4)
2025	4	0	Supervision & ratios (2), Safety & premises (2)
2023	20	6	Supervision & ratios (4), Safety & premises (6), Staff background & training (4), Other (6)
2022	2	0	Safety & premises (2)

Inspections, investigations & assessments

Apr 23, 2026 Inspection · No deficiencies cited

No violations cited on this visit.

HHSC inspection history
Apr 23, 2026 Inspection · No deficiencies cited

No violations cited on this visit.

HHSC inspection history · no longer published by HHSC; kept here
Feb 17, 2026 Inspection · No deficiencies cited

No violations cited on this visit.

HHSC inspection history · no longer published by HHSC; kept here
Feb 17, 2026 Inspection · No deficiencies cited

No violations cited on this visit.

HHSC inspection history
Feb 5, 2026 Report · Deficiencies cited
- Safety & premises
  During the investigation it was found that children who are too young and small to sit in a vehicle without a booster/car seat were transported without the appropriate seats. It was also found that more children were transported than the seatbelts available in the vehicle.
  
  HHSC 746.5607(a)(2) — Child Passenger Safety Seat System - Secure Each Child in Appropriate System According to Manufacturer's Instructions
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2026-04-10. Correction verified 2026-04-16.
- Safety & premises
  During the investigation it was learned that children who are not yet 12 years old were transported in the front seat of the vehicle.
  
  HHSC 746.5607(d) — Child Passenger Safety Seat System - Child 12 Years and Younger Must Not Ride in Front Seat
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2026-04-10. Correction verified 2026-04-16.
HHSC inspection history
Feb 5, 2026 Report · Deficiencies cited
- Safety & premises
  During the investigation it was found that children who are too young and small to sit in a vehicle without a booster/car seat were transported without the appropriate seats. It was also found that more children were transported than the seatbelts available in the vehicle.
  
  HHSC 746.5607(a)(2) — Child Passenger Safety Seat System - Secure Each Child in Appropriate System According to Manufacturer's Instructions
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2026-04-10. Correction verified 2026-04-16.
- Safety & premises
  During the investigation it was learned that children who are not yet 12 years old were transported in the front seat of the vehicle.
  
  HHSC 746.5607(d) — Child Passenger Safety Seat System - Child 12 Years and Younger Must Not Ride in Front Seat
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2026-04-10. Correction verified 2026-04-16.
HHSC inspection history · no longer published by HHSC; kept here
Dec 15, 2025 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
- Supervision & ratios
  One caregiver was supervising children in 2 rooms. A second caregiver was supervising children in another 2 rooms.
  
  HHSC 746.1613(a)(6) — Naptime Child/Caregiver Ratio - Caregivers Physically Present
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2025-12-15. Correction verified 2026-01-12.
- Safety & premises
  The most recent fire drill was completed on 09/11/2025.
  
  HHSC 746.5205(1) — Fire Drill Monthly - Exit in 3 Minutes
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2025-12-16. Correction verified 2026-01-12.
HHSC inspection history
Dec 15, 2025 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
- Supervision & ratios
  One caregiver was supervising children in 2 rooms. A second caregiver was supervising children in another 2 rooms.
  
  HHSC 746.1613(a)(6) — Naptime Child/Caregiver Ratio - Caregivers Physically Present
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2025-12-15. Correction verified 2026-01-12.
- Safety & premises
  The most recent fire drill was completed on 09/11/2025.
  
  HHSC 746.5205(1) — Fire Drill Monthly - Exit in 3 Minutes
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2025-12-16. Correction verified 2026-01-12.
HHSC inspection history · no longer published by HHSC; kept here
Dec 16, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited

No violations cited on this visit.

HHSC inspection history
Dec 16, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited

No violations cited on this visit.

HHSC inspection history · no longer published by HHSC; kept here
Jun 24, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited

No violations cited on this visit.

HHSC inspection history
Jun 24, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited

No violations cited on this visit.

HHSC inspection history · no longer published by HHSC; kept here
Dec 20, 2023 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
- Other
  The most recent health inspection was completed on 10/31/2022.
  
  HHSC 746.3401(a) — Annual Sanitation Inspection
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2024-01-19. Correction verified 2024-01-25.
- Safety & premises Serious
  The most recent fire inspection was completed on 10/5/2022.
  
  HHSC 746.5101(a) — Annual Fire Inspection - Before Initial Permit Issued and Every 12 Months
  
  HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2023-12-27. Correction verified 2023-12-28.
HHSC inspection history
Dec 20, 2023 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
- Other
  The most recent health inspection was completed on 10/31/2022.
  
  HHSC 746.3401(a) — Annual Sanitation Inspection
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2024-01-19. Correction verified 2024-01-25.
- Safety & premises Serious
  The most recent fire inspection was completed on 10/5/2022.
  
  HHSC 746.5101(a) — Annual Fire Inspection - Before Initial Permit Issued and Every 12 Months
  
  HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2023-12-27. Correction verified 2023-12-28.
HHSC inspection history · no longer published by HHSC; kept here
Nov 29, 2023 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
- Staff background & training
  Two of four files reviewed were missing acknowledgement of orientation. One was completed during the inspection.
  
  HHSC 746.901(10) — Required Personnel Records- signed dated statement that employee attended abuse/neglect training
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2023-12-01. Correction verified 2023-12-05.
HHSC inspection history
Nov 29, 2023 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
- Staff background & training
  Two of four files reviewed were missing acknowledgement of orientation. One was completed during the inspection.
  
  HHSC 746.901(10) — Required Personnel Records- signed dated statement that employee attended abuse/neglect training
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2023-12-01. Correction verified 2023-12-05.
HHSC inspection history · no longer published by HHSC; kept here
Sep 8, 2023 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
- Safety & premises Serious
  The transportation vehicle transports 8 people including the driver. There is no child safety alarm in the vehicle.
  
  HHSC 746.5625(a) — Electronic Child Safety Alarm - is equipped in each vehicle
  
  HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2023-09-22. Correction verified 2023-10-06.
HHSC inspection history
Sep 8, 2023 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
- Safety & premises Serious
  The transportation vehicle transports 8 people including the driver. There is no child safety alarm in the vehicle.
  
  HHSC 746.5625(a) — Electronic Child Safety Alarm - is equipped in each vehicle
  
  HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2023-09-22. Correction verified 2023-10-06.
HHSC inspection history · no longer published by HHSC; kept here
Jul 28, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited

No violations cited on this visit.

HHSC inspection history · no longer published by HHSC; kept here
Jul 28, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited

No violations cited on this visit.

HHSC inspection history
Jun 29, 2023 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
- Safety & premises
  A 10 month old infant who is not yet walking independently is sleeping in a map.
  
  HHSC 746.2405(2) — Infant Care Area Furnishings and Equipment - Crib for Each Non-walking Infant Younger Than 12 Months of Age
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2023-06-30. Correction verified 2023-07-28.
- Other
  A toddler child in care was sleeping on an oversize stuffed animal.
  
  HHSC 746.4503(a) — Individual Cot, Bed, or Mat for Each Walking Child Through 4 Years of Age
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2023-07-03. Correction verified 2023-07-28.
HHSC inspection history
Jun 29, 2023 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
- Safety & premises
  A 10 month old infant who is not yet walking independently is sleeping in a map.
  
  HHSC 746.2405(2) — Infant Care Area Furnishings and Equipment - Crib for Each Non-walking Infant Younger Than 12 Months of Age
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2023-06-30. Correction verified 2023-07-28.
- Other
  A toddler child in care was sleeping on an oversize stuffed animal.
  
  HHSC 746.4503(a) — Individual Cot, Bed, or Mat for Each Walking Child Through 4 Years of Age
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2023-07-03. Correction verified 2023-07-28.
HHSC inspection history · no longer published by HHSC; kept here
May 19, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited

No violations cited on this visit.

HHSC inspection history · no longer published by HHSC; kept here
May 19, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited

No violations cited on this visit.

HHSC inspection history
May 4, 2023 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
- Supervision & ratios
  There was more than 18 months between the youngest and oldest children in care in a classroom. The youngest child in the group was 8 months old. The oldest child was 3 years old.
  
  HHSC 746.1605(1) — Child/Caregiver Ratio - 18 Months Difference in Age
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2023-05-04. Correction verified 2023-05-19.
- Supervision & ratios
  The children were divided into two groups for naptime. One in each classroom. There was one caregiver supervising both groups.
  
  HHSC 746.1613(a)(6) — Naptime Child/Caregiver Ratio - Caregivers Physically Present
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2023-05-04. Correction verified 2023-05-19.
- Other Serious
  A five month old was left unsupervised in the infant room. The center has an open concept. The child can be heard from other areas in the center but there was no caregiver in charge of the child.
  
  HHSC 746.2401(7) — Basic Requirements for Infants - Never Unsupervised
  
  HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2023-05-04. Correction verified 2023-05-19.
- Staff background & training
  The staff records were incomplete during the inspection.
  
  HHSC 746.901 — Required Personnel Records
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2023-05-19. Correction verified 2023-05-19.
HHSC inspection history
May 4, 2023 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
- Supervision & ratios
  There was more than 18 months between the youngest and oldest children in care in a classroom. The youngest child in the group was 8 months old. The oldest child was 3 years old.
  
  HHSC 746.1605(1) — Child/Caregiver Ratio - 18 Months Difference in Age
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2023-05-04. Correction verified 2023-05-19.
- Supervision & ratios
  The children were divided into two groups for naptime. One in each classroom. There was one caregiver supervising both groups.
  
  HHSC 746.1613(a)(6) — Naptime Child/Caregiver Ratio - Caregivers Physically Present
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2023-05-04. Correction verified 2023-05-19.
- Other Serious
  A five month old was left unsupervised in the infant room. The center has an open concept. The child can be heard from other areas in the center but there was no caregiver in charge of the child.
  
  HHSC 746.2401(7) — Basic Requirements for Infants - Never Unsupervised
  
  HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2023-05-04. Correction verified 2023-05-19.
- Staff background & training
  The staff records were incomplete during the inspection.
  
  HHSC 746.901 — Required Personnel Records
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2023-05-19. Correction verified 2023-05-19.
HHSC inspection history · no longer published by HHSC; kept here
Apr 14, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited

No violations cited on this visit.

HHSC inspection history
Apr 14, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited

No violations cited on this visit.

HHSC inspection history · no longer published by HHSC; kept here
Dec 30, 2022 Inspection · No deficiencies cited

No violations cited on this visit.

HHSC inspection history
Dec 30, 2022 Inspection · No deficiencies cited

No violations cited on this visit.

HHSC inspection history · no longer published by HHSC; kept here
Dec 20, 2022 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
- Safety & premises
  The interest centers have not been set up.
  
  HHSC 746.2605(1)(A) — Furnishings and Equipment for Pre-Kindergarten Age Interest Centers Clearly Defined
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2022-12-30. Correction verified 2022-12-30.
HHSC inspection history · no longer published by HHSC; kept here
Dec 20, 2022 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
- Safety & premises
  The interest centers have not been set up.
  
  HHSC 746.2605(1)(A) — Furnishings and Equipment for Pre-Kindergarten Age Interest Centers Clearly Defined
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2022-12-30. Correction verified 2022-12-30.
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 The Escuelita Learning Center, 334 MORNINGSIDE RD, Brownsville, TX 78521-4960 (operation ID 1428506, operation number 1759510), 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, 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.