Smart Start Learning Center
913 W MONTE CRISTO RD, Edinburg, TX 78541 · Hidalgo County
Program
- Type
- Licensed center
- Licensed capacity
- 32
- Ages
- Infant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School
- Hours
- 07:00 AM-06:00 PM
- Director / administrator
- Blanca Garza
- Phone
- (956) 588-5064
- Regulated since
- Aug 8, 2024
- HHSC IDs
- Operation 1470866 · number 1792181
- Official record
- HHSC Child Care Search
Violations by category
Year by year
| Year | Violations | Serious | Main categories |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 0 | Safety & premises (1) |
| 2025 | 7 | 2 | Supervision & ratios (1), Safety & premises (1), Staff background & training (1), Other (4) |
| 2024 | 3 | 1 | Supervision & ratios (1), Safety & premises (1), Other (1) |
Inspections, investigations & assessments
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Jul 21, 2026 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
-
Safety & premises
A monthly fire drill was not conducted for the month of June 2026.
HHSC 746.5205(1) — Fire Drill Monthly - Exit in 3 Minutes
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2026-07-21. Correction verified 2026-07-21.
-
Safety & premises
-
Dec 19, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
-
Aug 28, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
-
Aug 13, 2025 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
-
Staff background & training Serious
An employee was present at the childcare operation without an eligible background check letter. The employee previously had a provisional background check but was inactivated for failing to follow through the process.
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 2025-08-13. Correction verified 2025-08-13.
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Other
There was no current activity plan for the school age and toddler group.
HHSC 746.2205(a)(1) — Written Activity Plan - Group Name and Dates
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2025-08-14. Correction verified 2025-08-14.
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Other
There were no feeding instructions for two infants.
HHSC 746.2421(a) — Written Feeding Instructions - Signed and Dated by Parent or Health-Care Professional
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2025-08-15. Correction verified 2025-08-19.
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Other
The outdoor area was reduced without notifying Child Care Regulation.
HHSC 746.301(2) — Notification of Change in Space
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2025-08-15. Correction verified 2025-08-28.
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Other Serious
There was a bucket of water in the kitchen which became accessible when a child ran into the kitchen. The door leading to the kitchen did not lock.
HHSC 746.3701(9) — Safety - Bodies of Water Inaccessible to Children
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2025-08-13. Correction verified 2025-08-28.
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Staff background & training Serious
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Feb 21, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Feb 12, 2025 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Safety & premises
A gap has developed beneath the wooden fence due to the neighbor's dog digging, which could pose a safety concern for children engaged in outdoor play.
HHSC 746.3407 — Maintenance of Building, Grounds and Equipment
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2025-02-14. Correction verified 2025-02-21.
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Supervision & ratios
The fire practice documentation indicated fire drills have not been conducted in a monthly basis. The last fire drill conducted was in October 2024. The sheltering/severe weather and lock down drills were not conducted four times in 2024. The fire extinguishers in the operation were last serviced in December 2023.
HHSC 746.801(10) — Required Records Maintained and Made Available - Safety Documentation for Emergency Drills, Fire Extinguishers, & Smoke Detectors
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2025-02-14. Correction verified 2025-02-21.
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Safety & premises
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Aug 7, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jun 18, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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May 13, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Mar 11, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Feb 13, 2024 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Other
Sanitation inspection not available at application inspection.
HHSC 746.3401(a) — Annual Sanitation Inspection
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2024-03-15. Correction verified 2024-03-11.
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Supervision & ratios
Fence in operation measures less than the four feet of required outdoor fencing.
HHSC 746.4305 — Fenced Outdoor Activity Space
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2024-03-15. Correction verified 2024-03-11.
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Safety & premises Serious
Fire inspection not available at application inspection.
HHSC 746.5101(a) — Annual Fire Inspection - Before Initial Permit Issued and Every 12 Months
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2024-03-15. Correction verified 2024-03-11.
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Other
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, 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.