Smaller Scholars
1685 &1675 S DAIRY ASHFORD, Houston, TX 77077 · Harris County
Program
- Type
- Licensed center
- Licensed capacity
- 238
- Ages
- Infant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School
- Hours
- 07:00 AM-06:00 PM
- Director / administrator
- Ashley Nguyen
- Phone
- (281) 558-3515
- Regulated since
- Nov 14, 2005
- HHSC IDs
- Operation 284453 · number 854951
- Official record
- HHSC Child Care Search
Violations by category
Year by year
| Year | Violations | Serious | Main categories |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 0 | Cleanliness & sanitation (2), Illness & medication (1), Safety & premises (1), Other (1) |
| 2025 | 4 | 0 | Cleanliness & sanitation (2), Safety & premises (2) |
| 2024 | 3 | 0 | Cleanliness & sanitation (1), Illness & medication (1), Staff background & training (1) |
| 2023 | 4 | 3 | Discipline & child guidance (1), Safety & premises (1), Staff background & training (1), Other (1) |
| 2022 | 4 | 2 | Staff background & training (1), Other (3) |
Inspections, investigations & assessments
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Aug 6, 2026 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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May 5, 2026 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
-
Safety & premises
One infant was observed sleeping in a crib that was not labeled with the child's name
HHSC 746.2409(a)(10) — Safety Requirements for Cribs - Label for Each Infant
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2026-05-19. Correction verified 2026-06-10.
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Other
It was observed that feeding instructions for two infants were not signed or updated by the parent/guardian within the last 30 days.
HHSC 746.2421(b) — Written Feeding Instructions - Review and Update Every 30 Days
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2026-05-19. Correction verified 2026-06-10.
-
Cleanliness & sanitation
Observed ceiling tile hanging down in classroom with children present.
HHSC 746.3407(9) — Floors, ceilings and Walls in Good Repair and Clean
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2026-05-19. Correction verified 2026-06-10.
-
Illness & medication
I observed expired emergency medication in the mediation cabinet. NOTE: This was corrected during the inspection by removing the medication to go back home with parents
HHSC 746.3809 — Medication No Longer Used
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2026-05-05.
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Safety & premises
-
Mar 6, 2026 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
-
Mar 6, 2026 Assessment · Deficiencies cited
-
Cleanliness & sanitation
In rooms PR 4 and PR 5, I observed major cracks within the walls' interior. In the same rooms around the crack, the paint is starting to chip.
HHSC 746.3407(9) — Floors, ceilings and Walls in Good Repair and Clean
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2026-03-20. Correction verified 2026-03-17.
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Cleanliness & sanitation
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Dec 5, 2025 Assessment · Deficiencies cited
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Cleanliness & sanitation
In rooms PR 4 and PR 5, I observed major cracks within the walls' interior. In the same rooms around the crack, the paint is starting to chip.
HHSC 746.3407(9) — Floors, ceilings and Walls in Good Repair and Clean
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2026-02-05. Correction verified 2026-03-06.
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Cleanliness & sanitation
-
May 20, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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May 13, 2025 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Safety & premises
The wood borders around the playground were broken, exposing sharp parts of the wood and nails.
HHSC 746.3407 — Maintenance of Building, Grounds and Equipment
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2025-06-20. Correction verified 2025-07-18.
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Cleanliness & sanitation
In rooms PR 4 and PR 5, I observed major cracks within the walls' interior. In the same rooms around the crack, the paint is starting to chip.
HHSC 746.3407(9) — Floors, ceilings and Walls in Good Repair and Clean
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2025-10-16. Correction verified 2025-10-02.
-
Safety & premises
The last fire inspection was conducted on 4/25/24.
HHSC 746.5101(b) — Annual Fire Inspection - Conducted by Fire Marshal
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2025-06-20. Correction verified 2025-07-15.
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Safety & premises
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Mar 11, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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May 31, 2024 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Staff background & training
One employee did not have a valid hands on CPR training certificate.
HHSC 746.1315(b)(1) — CPR Training and Recertification Adhere to Guidelines-skill based
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2024-06-07. Correction verified 2024-06-20.
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Cleanliness & sanitation
I observed several rooms without trash cans covers.
HHSC 746.3407(8) — Garbage Inaccessible to Children; Maintained in Sanitary Manner
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2024-06-14. Correction verified 2024-06-20.
-
Illness & medication
I observed expired emergency medication in the mediation cabinet. NOTE: This was corrected during the inspection by removing the medication to go back home with parents.
HHSC 746.3809 — Medication No Longer Used
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2024-05-31.
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Staff background & training
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Jan 30, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Nov 7, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Nov 2, 2023 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Staff background & training Serious
The operation had one caregiver present who was counted in the child caregiver ratio and did not have an eligible background check.
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 2023-11-02. Correction verified 2023-11-07.
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Safety & premises
During the walkthrough on the playground, there was a plywood with a sharp nail sticking out. Along the toddlers playground fence there was a nail sticking up out of the board. NOTE: This was corrected during the inspection with the plywood being removed and nail being hammerd down into the wood.
HHSC 746.3701(5) — Safety - Play Materials and Equipment Safe
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2023-11-02.
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Staff background & training Serious
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Aug 21, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Aug 18, 2023 Report · Deficiencies cited
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Discipline & child guidance Serious
During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that a caregiver used prohibited punishment on a child in care.
HHSC 746.2805(1) — Prohibited Punishments - Corporal Punishment
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2023-10-16. Correction verified 2023-11-02.
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Other Serious
During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that a caregiver locked a child in the restroom.
HHSC 746.2805(7) — Prohibited Punishments - Placing Child in Locked or Dark Room
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2023-10-16. Correction verified 2023-11-02.
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Discipline & child guidance Serious
-
Jun 8, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Oct 27, 2022 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Oct 13, 2022 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Other Serious
The caregiver in room PR6 stated there were 17 children present, however 16 were counted.
HHSC 746.1203(2) — Responsibilities of Caregivers - Know Group Responsible For
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2022-10-13. Correction verified 2022-10-26.
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Other Serious
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Oct 4, 2022 Report · No deficiencies cited (self-report)
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jun 29, 2022 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jun 14, 2022 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Other Serious
The caregiver in room TR1 stated there were 8 children present, but there were 9 children present. The caregiver in room PR8 stated there were 8 children, then stated there were 9 children, but there were 10 children present.
HHSC 746.1203(2) — Responsibilities of Caregivers - Know Group Responsible For
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2022-06-14. Correction verified 2022-06-29.
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Staff background & training
2 caregiver in charge of children under 24 months old did not have the following trainings: 1. Understanding early childhood brain development. 2. Recognizing and preventing shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma.
HHSC 746.1309(d) — Documented Annual Training - Caregivers of Children Under 24 Months Required
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2022-06-28. Correction verified 2022-06-28.
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Other
The caregiver in room PR8 had 4 children napping in another classroom during her shift, but the children were not signed out on the name to face log. Note: This was corrected during the inspection.
HHSC 746.631(b) — Caregivers Have Access to Tracking System
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2022-06-14.
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Other 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.