First Step Learning Center
5641 SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL AVE, Dallas, TX 75235 · Dallas County
Program
- Type
- Licensed center
- Licensed capacity
- 365
- Ages
- Infant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School
- Hours
- 06:30 AM-06:30 PM
- Director / administrator
- Wendy Mireault
- Phone
- (214) 352-8608
- Regulated since
- Dec 1, 1998
- HHSC IDs
- Operation 155177 · number 535928
- Official record
- HHSC Child Care Search
Violations by category
Year by year
| Year | Violations | Serious | Main categories |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | 5 | Cleanliness & sanitation (4), Safety & premises (1) |
| 2023 | 6 | 4 | Supervision & ratios (1), Staff background & training (1), Records & paperwork (2), Other (2) |
| 2022 | 2 | 1 | Staff background & training (1), Other (1) |
| 2021 | 1 | 1 | Safety & premises (1) |
Inspections, investigations & assessments
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Dec 22, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jun 12, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
-
Jun 9, 2025 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
-
May 19, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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May 12, 2025 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Dec 30, 2024 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Cleanliness & sanitation Serious
During the inspection, it was observed that caregivers were engaged in washing dishes and mopping the floor while children were seated at a kidney-shaped table and appearing to fall asleep. This situation was addressed and corrected during the inspection process.
HHSC 746.1203(3)(C) — Janitorial duties
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2024-12-30.
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Cleanliness & sanitation Serious
Caregiver did not wash her hands after assiting a child in the restroom.
HHSC 746.3415(5) — Employee Handwashing After Assisting a Child with Toileting
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2024-12-30.
-
Cleanliness & sanitation Serious
During the inspection, it was observed that several classrooms contained bleach, cleaning supplies, and air freshener within reach of children. This was corrected at inspection. The items were moved to a higher shelf or locked cabinet.
HHSC 746.3701 — Safety - Areas Free From Hazards
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2024-12-30.
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Cleanliness & sanitation Serious
A bucket of mop water was observed in a children's bathroom, providing direct access to its contents. This was corrected at inspection. The bucket was empited.
HHSC 746.3701(9) — Safety - Bodies of Water Inaccessible to Children
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2024-12-30.
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Cleanliness & sanitation Serious
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Nov 18, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Nov 6, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Mar 12, 2024 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
-
Safety & premises Serious
6 of infant cribs inspected had loose fitting sheets on the mattress.
HHSC 746.2409(a)(2) — Safety Requirements for Cribs - Snug Fitting Sheets
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2024-03-12.
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Safety & premises Serious
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Feb 20, 2024 Assessment · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Dec 1, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Dec 1, 2023 Report · Deficiencies cited
-
Records & paperwork Serious
A parent of a child in care notified the staff about concerns over a possible injury the child may have sustained while in care. However, the staff did not notify licensing of the possible injury that may have placed a child at risk of harm.
HHSC 746.305(a)(6) — Report Situation Placing Children at Risk
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2024-02-20. Correction verified 2024-02-29.
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Records & paperwork Serious
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Nov 21, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Nov 6, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Nov 2, 2023 Report · Deficiencies cited
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Records & paperwork Serious
The staff did not request the identification of an individual when arrived to pick up a child and the individual had never been to the center before.
HHSC 746.4103(b) — Policies for Release of Children - Record Identity of Person
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2023-11-21. Correction verified 2023-12-01.
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Records & paperwork Serious
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May 8, 2023 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Staff background & training Serious
During a inspection staff member was present prior to receiving their background check determination. This was corrected at inspection when the staff member was asked to leave.
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 2023-05-08. Correction verified 2023-05-25.
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Other
Fourteen infant feeding instruction reviewed had not been updated within the required time frame.
HHSC 746.2421(b) — Written Feeding Instructions - Review and Update Every 30 Days
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2023-05-12. Correction verified 2023-05-25.
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Staff background & training Serious
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Apr 19, 2023 Report · Deficiencies cited
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Other Serious
This standard was evaluated as part of an investigation and was deficient. It was determined that the morning caregiver failed to notify the evening caregiver of the child incident before parent pick up.
HHSC 746.1203(10) — Responsibilities of Caregivers - Share Information with Incoming Caregivers
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2023-06-21. Correction verified 2023-06-29.
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Supervision & ratios
The operation did not notify the parent upon pick when their child had an injury.
HHSC 746.307(c) — Parental Notification of Less Serious Injuries
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2023-06-21. Correction verified 2023-06-28.
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Other Serious
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Mar 31, 2023 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Dec 19, 2022 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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May 12, 2022 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Staff background & training Serious
When reviewing personnel files 11 of the11 files reviewed were missing the 24 hours of annual training as required.
HHSC 746.1301(5)(A) — Training Requirements for Employees and Caregivers - 24 Annual Training
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2022-05-26. Correction verified 2022-06-09.
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Staff background & training Serious
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Jan 14, 2022 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jan 12, 2022 Report · Deficiencies cited
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Other
During an inspection, children were seated at a table in bucket chairs equipped with safety straps, however, neither of the children had the safety straps fastened.
HHSC 746.4501(b) — Chairs - Safety Straps Used if Required by Manufacturer
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2022-01-14.
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Other
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Dec 7, 2021 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Safety & premises Serious
A chair used to feed infants/toddlers at a table did not have the required safety strap. The chair was in use at the time of the inspection. This was corrected during the inspection.
HHSC 746.2407 — Infant Care Area Furnishings and Equipment -Use of Safety Straps
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2021-12-07.
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Safety & premises 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, 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.