Tarkington Learning Center
2520 FM 163 RD, Cleveland, TX 77327 · Liberty County
Program
- Type
- Licensed center
- Licensed capacity
- 99
- Ages
- Infant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School
- Hours
- 06:30 AM-06:00 PM
- Director / administrator
- Tammy Fierro
- Phone
- (281) 432-2273
- Regulated since
- May 26, 2009
- HHSC IDs
- Operation 455650 · number 976906
- Official record
- HHSC Child Care Search
Violations by category
Year by year
| Year | Violations | Serious | Main categories |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8 | 6 | Cleanliness & sanitation (1), Supervision & ratios (3), Safety & premises (2), Records & paperwork (2) |
| 2025 | 12 | 9 | Cleanliness & sanitation (4), Supervision & ratios (1), Safety & premises (1), Staff background & training (3), Records & paperwork (1), Other (2) |
| 2024 | 3 | 3 | Safety & premises (1), Staff background & training (1), Other (1) |
| 2023 | 1 | 1 | Cleanliness & sanitation (1) |
| 2022 | 6 | 6 | Cleanliness & sanitation (1), Illness & medication (2), Safety & premises (1), Staff background & training (2) |
| 2021 | 1 | 0 | Records & paperwork (1) |
Enforcement actions
- Seen Oct 1, 2026 — Conditions on permit (HHSC operation record)
HHSC publishes these as current flags on the operation, not as dated actions. The date shown is when this site first saw the flag. The HHSC Child Care Search has the details.
Inspections, investigations & assessments
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Jul 10, 2026 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Records & paperwork Serious
The infant caregiver is not completing daily reports for infants to share with parents.
HHSC 746.2431 — Infant Daily Report - Share with Parent
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2026-07-24. Correction verified 2026-07-17.
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Supervision & ratios Serious
The operation has not had a health inspection since 8/28/2024
HHSC 746.3401(a) — Annual Sanitation Inspection
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2026-08-26. Correction verified 2026-08-17.
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Cleanliness & sanitation Serious
CCR observed cleaning supplies stored under an unlocked sink cabinet in both the toddler and school-age classrooms. Additionally, cleaning wipes, diaper ointments, a toy, baby wipes, and specks of dirt were noted on the diaper changing table in the toddler classroom. Correction made: The caregiver removed the cleaning supplies and ointments and cleaned the diaper table.
HHSC 746.3407 — Maintenance of Building, Grounds and Equipment
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2026-07-10.
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Safety & premises Serious
CCR observed two stationary equipment: a play equipment with a slide and a rocking equipment seat, not located within 6 feet away from the to-fro swing structure.
HHSC 746.4807(c) — Measurement of Use Zone for Swings - on Sides
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2026-07-24. Correction verified 2026-07-17.
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Supervision & ratios
The operation policy was not available for review during the inspection.
HHSC 746.503 — Provide Parents With Copy of Policies
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2026-07-24. Correction verified 2026-07-17.
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Supervision & ratios Serious
The operation has not had a fire inspection since 8/28/2024.
HHSC 746.5101(a) — Annual Fire Inspection - Before Initial Permit Issued and Every 12 Months
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2026-07-31. Correction verified 2026-07-22.
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Safety & premises Serious
CCR observed two fire extinguishers accessible to children on the floor in the school-age classroom. Correction made: The caregiver stored the fire extinguisher, and it was inaccessible to the children.
HHSC 746.5305 — Mounting of Fire Extinguishers
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2026-07-10.
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Records & paperwork
Attendance records for the director/owner were not available during the inspection.
HHSC 746.801(5) — Required Records Maintained and Made Available - Employees' Attendance
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2026-07-31. Correction verified 2026-08-06.
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Records & paperwork Serious
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Aug 1, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jul 9, 2025 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Records & paperwork
One caregivers file reviewed did not have the required signed affidavit. There was a blank affidavit in the caregivers file.
HHSC 746.901(4) — Required Personnel Records - Required Affidavit (Form 2985)
HHSC risk weight: Medium Low. Corrected 2025-07-23. Correction verified 2025-07-14.
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Staff background & training
One caregivers file reviewed did not contain their CPR/First aid training or their SIDS/Shaking Baby Syndrome training record or certificate.
HHSC 746.901(6) — Required Personnel Records -Training Hours
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2025-07-23. Correction verified 2025-07-14.
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Records & paperwork
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Mar 24, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Mar 11, 2025 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Staff background & training Serious
There was a person in the operation counted in child caregiver ratio who did not have a background check. The person in charge corrected this at the time of the inspection by having the person leave the operation.
HHSC 745.621(a)(2) — AP Initial background checks submitted - At the time you hire someone
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2025-03-11. Correction verified 2025-03-24.
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Other Serious
There was heater/fan that was on a shelf that was accessible to children. The person in charge corrected this at the time of the inspection by removing the heater/fan.
HHSC 746.3701(3) — Safety - Air Conditioners, Fans, Heaters Safeguarded
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2025-03-11.
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Other
There was an infant in a high chair that was not strapped in with the straps that were attached to the high chair. A caregiver corrected this at the time of the inspection by strapping the child in the chair.
HHSC 746.4501(b) — Chairs - Safety Straps Used if Required by Manufacturer
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2025-03-11.
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Staff background & training Serious
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Mar 6, 2025 Report · Deficiencies cited
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Staff background & training Serious
Based on the information gathered during the investigation inspection, the Director allowed a person with no background check to supervise children alone, turned off the water during a freeze which resulted in proper handwashing techniques not being used for employees and children, a pipe busting causing a leak, and not reporting to Licensing when a child received medical attention when a shelf fell on the child.
HHSC 746.1003(1) — Director Responsibilities - Operate in Compliance
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2025-03-17. Correction verified 2025-03-24.
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Supervision & ratios Serious
It was found during the investigation that the operation did not report to Licensing that a child received medical treatment when a shelf fell on the child.
HHSC 746.305(a)(2) — AP Report Child Injury Requiring Medical Treatment by a Health-Care Professional or Hospitalization
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2025-03-17. Correction verified 2025-03-24.
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Safety & premises Serious
During the inspection it was found that a ceiling tile was missing and above the tile was a pipe that was leaking water.
HHSC 746.3407 — Maintenance of Building, Grounds and Equipment
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2025-03-17. Correction verified 2025-03-24.
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Cleanliness & sanitation Serious
Based on the information gathered when the water was turned off employee's hands were not being properly washed. Baby wipes and hand sanitizer were being used.
HHSC 746.3415(1) — Employee Handwashing Before Eating or Handling Food
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2025-03-17. Correction verified 2025-03-24.
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Cleanliness & sanitation Serious
Based on the information gathered when the water was turned off employee's hands were not being properly washed. Baby wipes and hand sanitizer were being used.
HHSC 746.3415(5) — Employee Handwashing After Assisting a Child with Toileting
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2025-03-17. Correction verified 2025-03-24.
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Cleanliness & sanitation Serious
Based on the information gathered when the water was turned off children's hands were not being properly washed. Baby wipes and hand sanitizer were being used.
HHSC 746.3417(1) — Children Handwashing Before Eating
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2025-03-17. Correction verified 2025-03-24.
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Cleanliness & sanitation Serious
Based on the information gathered when the water was turned off children's hands were not being properly washed. Baby wipes and hand sanitizer were being used.
HHSC 746.3417(3) — Children Handwashing After Toileting or Diapering
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2025-03-17. Correction verified 2025-03-24.
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Staff background & training Serious
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Aug 26, 2024 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Staff background & training Serious
The Director and the employee who transport children both had expired transportation training. The Director and the employee are getting the training done today before they transport children.
HHSC 746.1316(a) — Transportation Safety Training -Director and Employee Complete 2 Hours Annually
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2024-08-26. Correction verified 2024-08-26.
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Other Serious
The Sanitation Inspection expired on 3/15/2024. The Director is going to correct this by getting the Sanitation Inspection done.
HHSC 746.3401(a) — Annual Sanitation Inspection
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2024-09-02. Correction verified 2024-08-28.
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Safety & premises Serious
The Fire Inspection expired on 3/15/2024. The Director is going to correct this by getting the Fire Inspection done.
HHSC 746.5101(a) — Annual Fire Inspection - Before Initial Permit Issued and Every 12 Months
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2024-09-02. Correction verified 2024-08-28.
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Staff background & training Serious
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Sep 7, 2023 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Cleanliness & sanitation Serious
There was a diaper changing mat that had a tear in it. The Director corrected this at the time of the inspection by replacing the mat.
HHSC 746.3503(a) — Diaper Changing Equipment - Smooth, Non-absorbent, Easy to Clean Surface
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2023-09-07.
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Cleanliness & sanitation Serious
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Mar 23, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Sep 14, 2022 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Safety & premises Serious
The nap cots in two classrooms were placed too close together which caused there to not be sufficient walking space around the cots. This was corrected that the time of the inspection by the caregivers rearranging the nap cots to provide sufficient walking space around each cot.
HHSC 746.2909(3) — Arrangement of Napping Equipment -Provides Sufficient Walking and Work Space
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2022-09-14.
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Safety & premises Serious
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Jan 26, 2022 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Cleanliness & sanitation Serious
There were five trash cans without lids that made trash accessible to children.
HHSC 746.3407(8) — Garbage Inaccessible to Children; Maintained in Sanitary Manner
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2022-02-01. Correction verified 2022-01-28.
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Cleanliness & sanitation Serious
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Jan 23, 2022 Report · Deficiencies cited (self-report)
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Staff background & training Serious
There was a person in the operation who did not have a cleared background check. The person left the operation during the inspection.
HHSC 745.641 — AP Background check results - Must receive notification prior to allowing subject to be present at your operation
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2022-01-26. Correction verified 2022-01-28.
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Staff background & training Serious
Caregivers and staff admitted that they give children candy as a reward for toilet training.
HHSC 746.2805(2) — Prohibited Punishments - Associated with Food, Naps, or Toilet Training
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2022-01-26. Correction verified 2022-01-28.
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Illness & medication Serious
The Director did not notify the health department or licensing that a person tested positive for COVID.
HHSC 746.305(a)(4) — Report Outbreak of Communicable Illness
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2022-01-27. Correction verified 2022-01-27.
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Illness & medication Serious
Not all parents were notified that a person in the center tested positive for COVID.
HHSC 746.307(d) — Parental Notification of Communicable Disease
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2022-01-27. Correction verified 2022-01-28.
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Staff background & training Serious
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Oct 6, 2021 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Records & paperwork
The menu did not have what the children ate today. The Director corrected this by making the proper substitutions.
HHSC 746.3313(1) — Daily Menus - Record Comparable Substitutions
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2021-10-06.
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Records & paperwork
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
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.