The Sandbox By The Bay Childcare Center LLC
814 MCMASTER RD, Alice, TX 78332 · Jim Wells County
Program
- Type
- Licensed center
- Licensed capacity
- 22
- Ages
- Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School
- Hours
- 07:00 AM-05:30 PM
- Director / administrator
- Sarah Gonzalez
- Phone
- (361) 396-4255
- Regulated since
- Aug 12, 2026
- HHSC IDs
- Operation 1509758 · number 1819087
- Official record
- HHSC Child Care Search
Violations by category
Year by year
| Year | Violations | Serious | Main categories |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 10 | 3 | Cleanliness & sanitation (1), Food & allergies (2), Staff background & training (2), Records & paperwork (2), Other (3) |
| 2025 | 15 | 9 | Cleanliness & sanitation (1), Illness & medication (1), Supervision & ratios (4), Food & allergies (1), Staff background & training (1), Records & paperwork (3), Other (4) |
Inspections, investigations & assessments
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Jul 16, 2026 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jun 18, 2026 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Other
Activity plan for the week was not available for review.
HHSC 746.2203(a) — Written Activity Plans
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2026-06-18. Correction verified 2026-06-25.
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Records & paperwork
Four employee files were reviewed. One file was missing the following: affidavit 2912 and 2985.
HHSC 746.901 — Required Personnel Records
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2026-06-22. Correction verified 2026-06-25.
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Other
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May 14, 2026 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Other
Four children's files were evaluated. Three files were missing the health statements signed by the parent.
HHSC 746.611(a)(3) — Health Statement parent sign - Dated within past yr, name/address health care professional, states child can participate. Follow by signed statement
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2026-05-18. Correction verified 2026-06-18.
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Other
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Apr 24, 2026 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Mar 27, 2026 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Records & paperwork Serious
Permit holder is not ensuring the center is operating in compliance with the minimum standards.
HHSC 746.113(a) — Operating in compliance with MS Rules Licensed
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2026-03-31. Correction verified 2026-04-24.
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Staff background & training Serious
Four employee files were evaluated. Two employees did not complete the pre-service training.
HHSC 746.1301(a)(2)(A) — Training Requirements for Employees, Caregivers, and Directors - Pre-Service Training
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2026-05-01. Correction verified 2026-05-14.
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Other
Written activity plan had periods of time of two hours for arrival. Children were observed fighting for toys, taking off their shoes, and wanting to leave the classroom.
HHSC 746.2205(a)(4) — Written Activity Plan - No Long Waiting Periods
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2026-03-27. Correction verified 2026-04-24.
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Food & allergies
Children were observed not following a routine. Children were running around the room, playing in different activities, aside from what the caregiver was covering. Food was observed to be served approximately one hour after the time listed on the schedule.
HHSC 746.2501(1) — Care Requirements for Toddlers - Routines Maintained
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2026-03-27. Correction verified 2026-04-24.
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Staff background & training
Children were observed walking around with cups, and laying down with sippy cups.
HHSC 746.2505(4)(C) — Furnishings and Equipment for Toddlers - Never Allow Toddlers to Sleep or Walk With Bottles and Training Cups
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2026-03-27. Correction verified 2026-04-24.
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Food & allergies
Food substitution during inspection was not documented in menu. Children were given pizza, instead of chicken alfredo.
HHSC 746.3313(1) — Daily Menus - Record Comparable Substitutions
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2026-03-27. Correction verified 2026-04-24.
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Cleanliness & sanitation Serious
Floor in classroom had stains. Two toilets had rings inside the toilet bowl. There were rocks on top of the diaper changing table. Paper liner used on diaper changing table was being disposed at the end of the day, instead of after each diaper change.
HHSC 746.3407 — Maintenance of Building, Grounds and Equipment
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2026-03-27. Correction verified 2026-04-24.
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Records & paperwork Serious
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Jan 7, 2026 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Nov 24, 2025 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Staff background & training Serious
Three employee files were evaluated. Two employees completed the CPR training 100 percent online. The training did not include hands on practice on a manikin.
HHSC 746.1315(b) — Each Caregiver and the Director Must Have Current Training in pediatric CPR
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2026-01-07. Correction verified 2026-01-07.
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Cleanliness & sanitation Serious
Caregiver did not wash her hands or the child's hands after diaper changing.
HHSC 746.3415(4) — Employee Handwashing After Diapering a Child
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2025-11-24.
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Food & allergies
Daily food menu was not available for review.
HHSC 746.401(6) — Posting Requirements - Daily menu, including all snacks and meals served by the child care center
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2025-12-19. Correction verified 2025-12-19.
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Supervision & ratios Serious
Locks down, sheltering and lock down drills have not been conducted by the operation.
HHSC 746.5205(1) — Fire Drill Monthly - Exit in 3 Minutes
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2025-12-19. Correction verified 2025-12-08.
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Supervision & ratios Serious
Smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detector have not been tested by the operation. Fire extinguishers have not been inspected by the operation.
HHSC 746.5319 — Smoke Detectors Testing
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2025-12-19. Correction verified 2025-12-08.
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Records & paperwork
Three employee files were evaluated. One employee file was not available for review. One file was pending form 2912.
HHSC 746.901 — Required Personnel Records
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2026-01-07. Correction verified 2026-01-07.
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Staff background & training Serious
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Oct 1, 2025 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Other
Activity plan was not available for review.
HHSC 746.2203(a) — Written Activity Plans
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2025-11-03. Correction verified 2025-11-06.
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Records & paperwork
Four children's files were evaluated. One file was pending the admission form.
HHSC 746.603(a)(2) — Children's Records - Admission Information
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2025-10-02. Correction verified 2025-10-02.
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Illness & medication Serious
Four children's records were reviewed. Three files did no have immunization records.
HHSC 746.613(a) — Required Immunizations
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2025-11-03. Correction verified 2025-11-06.
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Records & paperwork
Three employee files were not available for review.
HHSC 746.901 — Required Personnel Records
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2025-11-24. Correction verified 2025-11-24.
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Other
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Aug 7, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Aug 1, 2025 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Other
CPSC form was not available for review.
HHSC 746.4135(b) — Children's Products- Annual Certification
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2025-08-04. Correction verified 2025-08-07.
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Supervision & ratios Serious
Swing structure at the operation had a multiple occupancy swing.
HHSC 746.4603(5) — Prohibited Equipment - Multiple Occupancy Swings
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2025-08-04. Correction verified 2025-08-07.
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Other Serious
There was a composite play structure in the playground, consisting of swings and a slide and a clubhouse.
HHSC 746.4701(c) — Requirements for Swings - Not Attached to a Composite Structure
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2025-08-04. Correction verified 2025-08-07.
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Supervision & ratios Serious
To- fro swing structure at the operation had a use zone to the front and rear of approximately 13 feet. It requires a uze zone of 18 feet.
HHSC 746.4807(a) — Measurement of Use Zone for Swings - in Front and Rear
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2025-08-04. Correction verified 2025-08-07.
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Other Serious
Child care center did not have a carbon monoxide detector.
HHSC 746.5531 — Child-Care Center Must be Equipped with a Working Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detection System
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2025-08-04. Correction verified 2025-08-07.
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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, 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.