Stepping Stone School
5113 TIMBER CREEK DR, Tyler, TX 75703 · Smith County
Program
- Type
- Licensed center
- Licensed capacity
- 256
- Ages
- Infant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School
- Hours
- 06:30 AM-06:00 PM
- Director / administrator
- Monica Lary
- Phone
- (903) 566-1851
- Regulated since
- Sep 15, 2017
- HHSC IDs
- Operation 1287855 · number 1660972
- Official record
- HHSC Child Care Search
Violations by category
Year by year
| Year | Violations | Serious | Main categories |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 2 | Supervision & ratios (4) |
| 2025 | 1 | 0 | Other (1) |
| 2024 | 4 | 4 | Supervision & ratios (1), Discipline & child guidance (2), Other (1) |
| 2023 | 2 | 0 | Cleanliness & sanitation (1), Other (1) |
| 2022 | 5 | 4 | Supervision & ratios (1), Safety & premises (1), Records & paperwork (1), Other (2) |
| 2021 | 4 | 1 | Cleanliness & sanitation (1), Supervision & ratios (2), Other (1) |
Inspections, investigations & assessments
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Aug 4, 2026 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Apr 17, 2026 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Mar 19, 2026 Report · Deficiencies cited (self-report)
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Supervision & ratios Serious
This standard was reviewed in relation to the allegation and found to be deficient. There was enough evidence to substantiate the operation allowing children to be unsupervised while in the restroom.
HHSC 746.1205(a)(4) — Supervision ensures each child?s safety, well-being, including physical proximity and auditory or visual awareness of each child?s on going activity
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2026-04-17. Correction verified 2026-04-17.
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Supervision & ratios Serious
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Mar 19, 2026 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Mar 19, 2026 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Mar 6, 2026 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Supervision & ratios Serious
During a walk through of the operation, it was observed in an empty classroom a child left unattended for an unknown amount of time. The child was not found to be injured. This was brought to the person's in charge attention and quickly corrected.
HHSC 746.1205(a)(4) — Supervision ensures each child?s safety, well-being, including physical proximity and auditory or visual awareness of each child?s on going activity
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2026-03-06. Correction verified 2026-03-19.
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Supervision & ratios Serious
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Mar 5, 2026 Report · Deficiencies cited
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Supervision & ratios
This standard was reviewed in relation to the allegation and found to be deficient. The operation did not follow a child?s food allergy plan that was on file.
HHSC 746.605(15) — Required Admission Information-Child's allergies and Completed Food Allergy Plan
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2026-04-02. Correction verified 2026-04-17.
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Supervision & ratios
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Feb 24, 2026 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Feb 23, 2026 Report · Deficiencies cited
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Supervision & ratios
This standard was reviewed in relation to the allegation and found to be deficient. The operation was out of ratio with a 1:15 ratio with the specified age range being two years old.
HHSC 746.1601 — Child/ Caregiver Ratio - 13 or More Children
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2026-03-20. Correction verified 2026-04-17.
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Supervision & ratios
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Feb 3, 2026 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Sep 6, 2025 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Aug 11, 2025 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Other
During a review in the infant room, it was observed 7 students without updated feeding forms.
HHSC 746.2421(b) — Written Feeding Instructions - Review and Update Every 30 Days
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2025-08-25. Correction verified 2025-08-21.
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Other
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Mar 31, 2025 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Dec 4, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jun 25, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jun 22, 2024 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jun 21, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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May 30, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Apr 24, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Apr 23, 2024 Report · Deficiencies cited (self-report)
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Supervision & ratios Serious
This standard was reviewed in relation to the self-reported allegations and found to be deficient. Supervision was not met when a caregiver was observed to be sitting on the playground, instead of walking around to ensure that risk was reduced to all children. During this time an incident occurred that the caregiver was not aware of.
HHSC 746.1205(a)(4) — Supervision ensures each child?s safety, well-being, including physical proximity and auditory or visual awareness of each child?s on going activity
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2024-05-23. Correction verified 2024-05-30.
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Supervision & ratios Serious
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Apr 1, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Mar 28, 2024 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Mar 22, 2024 Report · Deficiencies cited
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Discipline & child guidance Serious
Based on a DFPS investigation this standard was reviewed in relation to the allegations and found to be deficient.
HHSC 746.1201(4) — AP Responsibilities of Employees and Caregivers -Ensure No Child Abused, Neglected, or Exploited
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2024-05-17. Correction verified 2024-05-30.
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Discipline & child guidance Serious
Based on a DFPS investigation this standard was reviewed in relation to the allegations and found to be deficient. A caregiver, who is no longer working for the operation, was seen attempting to push a child's head down to the table several different times.
HHSC 746.2805 — Prohibited Punishments - No Harsh, Cruel or Unusual
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2024-05-17. Correction verified 2024-05-30.
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Other Serious
Based on a DFPS investigation this standard was reviewed in relation to the allegations and found to be deficient. A child was viewed being in time-out for about 30 minutes consecutively.
HHSC 746.2805(10) — Prohibited Punishments - Using Inappropriate Long Period of Silence or Inactivity Including Requiring Child to Remain in a Restrictive Device
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2024-05-17. Correction verified 2024-05-30.
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Discipline & child guidance Serious
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Feb 23, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jan 9, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Dec 29, 2023 Report · Deficiencies cited
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Cleanliness & sanitation
This standard was reviewed in relation to the allegation and found to be deficient. The child was not promptly changed when they became while still in care.
HHSC 746.3501(1) — Diaper Changing Steps- Prompt
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2024-02-09. Correction verified 2024-02-23.
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Cleanliness & sanitation
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Dec 21, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Dec 12, 2023 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Other
During a review of the infant classroom, it was observed no feeding instructions could be presented during the inspection.
HHSC 746.2421(a) — Written Feeding Instructions - Signed and Dated by Parent or Health-Care Professional
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2023-12-28. Correction verified 2023-12-28.
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Other
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Sep 26, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Sep 25, 2023 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Feb 6, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Dec 28, 2022 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Dec 21, 2022 Report · Deficiencies cited (self-report)
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Other Serious
During the investigation, it was learned that the director was aware that a caregiver does not meet the physical requirements for the age group they are assigned to.
HHSC 746.1003(3) — Director Responsibilities - Employee Assignments
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2023-01-25. Correction verified 2023-02-06.
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Supervision & ratios Serious
This standard was reviewed in relation to the self-reported allegations and found to be deficient. The children in the classroom were not being properly supervised which led to a child being injured.
HHSC 746.1203(4) — Responsibilities of Caregivers - Supervision of Children
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2023-01-25. Correction verified 2023-02-06.
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Other Serious
During an investigation, it was learned that a caregiver was yelling at the children as a form of discipline.
HHSC 746.2805(6) — Prohibited Punishments - Humiliating, Rejecting, Yelling
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2023-01-25. Correction verified 2023-02-06.
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Other Serious
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Oct 3, 2022 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Sep 8, 2022 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Safety & premises Serious
While during a walk through of the playground, it was observed by licensing the play structure that is under review for a current investigation allegation that is meant to be a riding toy. However, this toy is also being used by the children as monkey bars.
HHSC 746.4603(2) — Prohibited Equipment - Allows Children To Fall Inside Structure Onto Other Parts
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2022-09-22. Correction verified 2022-10-03.
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Safety & premises Serious
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Sep 6, 2022 Report · Deficiencies cited
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Records & paperwork
This standard was reviewed in relation to the allegations and found to be deficient. The center did not notify licensing in the appropriate 48 hour time frame when a child was injured was seen by a medical professional.
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 2022-10-06. Correction verified 2022-10-17.
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Records & paperwork
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Apr 5, 2022 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Apr 1, 2022 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jan 5, 2022 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Dec 14, 2021 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Nov 23, 2021 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Cleanliness & sanitation
While conducting a walk through of the operation, it was observed by licensing a hole on the side of one of the classroom building. The hole is roughly 6 inches big.
HHSC 746.3407(9) — Floors, ceilings and Walls in Good Repair and Clean
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2021-12-07. Correction verified 2021-12-14.
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Cleanliness & sanitation
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Nov 22, 2021 Report · Deficiencies cited
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Supervision & ratios Serious
This standard was reviewed in relation to a reported allegation and found to be deficient. Based on interviews with staff and children, the caregiver sits on a bench during outdoor time. Supervision is not being met when the caregiver sits on the bench and fails to intervene when children are fighting.
HHSC 746.1203(4) — Responsibilities of Caregivers- Supervision of Children
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2021-12-21. Correction verified 2022-01-05.
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Other
This standard was reviewed and found to be deficient. Based on interviews with caregivers and children, there have been several fights happening in their class. The children are not in control if they are fighting one another on several occasions.
HHSC 746.1203(5) — Responsibilities of Caregivers - Children in Control
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2021-12-21. Correction verified 2022-01-05.
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Supervision & ratios
This standard was reviewed and found to be deficient. The operation did not inform the parent of a less serious injuries at pick up.
HHSC 746.307(c) — Parental Notification of Less Serious Injuries
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2021-12-21. Correction verified 2022-01-05.
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Supervision & ratios Serious
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.