Thurman E Dorsey Head Start Eoac
3221 SPEIGHT AVE, Waco, TX 76711 · Mclennan County
Program
- Type
- Licensed center
- Licensed capacity
- 280
- Ages
- Infant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School
- Hours
- 07:30 AM-03:30 PM
- Director / administrator
- Norma Fornols
- Phone
- (254) 753-5324
- Regulated since
- Feb 28, 1995
- HHSC IDs
- Operation 137990 · number 511031
- Official record
- HHSC Child Care Search
Violations by category
Year by year
| Year | Violations | Serious | Main categories |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 0 | Safety & premises (1), Other (1) |
| 2025 | 9 | 5 | Supervision & ratios (3), Discipline & child guidance (1), Staff background & training (2), Records & paperwork (1), Other (2) |
| 2024 | 9 | 4 | Supervision & ratios (2), Discipline & child guidance (3), Staff background & training (3), Other (1) |
| 2022 | 2 | 2 | Supervision & ratios (1), Discipline & child guidance (1) |
Inspections, investigations & assessments
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Mar 25, 2026 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Other
The cots in classroom P were not labeled. This was corrected during the inspection when the caregiver labeled the cots with the children's names.
HHSC 746.4503(b) — Cots, Beds, Mats Labeled With Child's Name
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2026-03-25.
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Safety & premises
There were two small slides on the early headstart playground that did not have mulch in the use zones. This was corrected during the inspection when the slides were removed from the playground.
HHSC 746.4907(a)(1) — Installation and Maintenance of Loose-fill Surfacing - Six Inches if Equipment 5 Ft or Less
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2026-03-25.
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Other
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Aug 19, 2025 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Other
The pre-k classes only had 75 minutes of moderate to vigorous active play on the activity plan.
HHSC 746.2206(2)(B) — Written Activity Plan - Active Play Pre K - 90 Minutes of Moderate to Vigorous
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2025-08-26. Correction verified 2025-08-22.
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Other
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Jun 25, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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May 23, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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May 19, 2025 Report · Deficiencies cited
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Records & paperwork Serious
During the investigation, there was sufficient evidence found to determine that a caregiver did not demonstrate good judgment or competency when they witnessed another caregiver using inappropriate discipline and did not intervene or report it.
HHSC 746.1201(1) — Responsibilities of Employees and Caregivers -Demonstrate Competency, Good Judgment, Self-control
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2025-06-13. Correction verified 2025-06-25.
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Discipline & child guidance Serious
During the investigation, there was sufficient evidence found to determine that a caregiver used inappropriate discipline when they had a child hit another child in care.
HHSC 746.2805 — Prohibited Punishments - No Harsh, Cruel or Unusual
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2025-06-13. Correction verified 2025-06-25.
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Other Serious
During the investigation, there was sufficient evidence found to determine that a caregiver yelled at children in care while disciplining them
HHSC 746.2805(5) — Prohibited Punishments - Humiliating, Rejecting, Yelling
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2025-06-13. Correction verified 2025-06-25.
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Supervision & ratios Serious
During the investigation, there was sufficient evidence found to determine that the operation did not report to Child Care Regulation within two days as required when a caregiver had a child hit another child in care.
HHSC 746.305(a)(6) — Report Situation Placing Children at Risk
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2025-06-13. Correction verified 2025-06-25.
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Supervision & ratios Serious
During the investigation, there was sufficient evidence found to determine the operation did not notify parents immediately as required when a caregiver had a child hit another child in care.
HHSC 746.307(b)(4) — Parental Communication - Situation that Placed a Child at Risk
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2025-06-13. Correction verified 2025-06-25.
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Records & paperwork Serious
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Feb 4, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jan 29, 2025 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Staff background & training
One caregiver had expired first aid and CPR.
HHSC 746.1301(a)(3)(A) — Training Requirements for Employees, Caregivers, and Directors - Pediatric First Aid with Rescue Breathing
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2025-02-07. Correction verified 2025-02-18.
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Supervision & ratios
Two 12-17-month-old rooms were combined and using reduced naptime ratio. This was corrected during the inspection when a second caregiver was placed in the room so that the room was not using reduced ratio.
HHSC 746.1613(a) — Reduction of child/caregiver naptime ratio by 50% allowed, If 13 or more children in care, children are 18 mo. or older and other standards met
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2025-01-29. Correction verified 2025-02-04.
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Staff background & training
Out of seven staff files reviewed, two were missing statements that they received the center and personnel policies and attended orientation with an overview on the center's policy on abuse and neglect, and one was missing a start date. This was corrected during the inspection when the required statements and start date were completed by the caregivers.
HHSC 746.901 — Required Personnel Records
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2025-01-29.
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Staff background & training
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Nov 4, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Sep 5, 2024 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Supervision & ratios
The parent handbook did not address all of the required parent's rights.
HHSC 746.501(a)(20) — Written Operational Policies - Parent Rights
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2024-09-19. Correction verified 2024-09-06.
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Supervision & ratios
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May 16, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Apr 15, 2024 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Staff background & training
Out of eight staff files reviewed, six of the staff had not received training in understanding building and physical premises safety.
HHSC 746.1309(e) — Documented Annual Training- Required Content
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2024-04-29. Correction verified 2024-04-19.
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Supervision & ratios
The operation did not have hearing and vision screening results for a child over four years old. This was corrected during the inspection when a qualified staff member completed a hearing and vision screening with the child and the results were placed in the child's file.
HHSC 746.603(a)(6) — Children's Records - Vision and Hearing Screening
HHSC risk weight: Low. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2024-04-15.
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Staff background & training
Out of eight staff files reviewed, two did not have statements that they had received the operational and personnel policies or that they had attended orientation that inlcuded an overview of the center's policy on abuse and neglect. This was corrected during the inspection when the two staff members signed statements acknowledging that they had recieved the policies and attended an orientation that included the center's abuse/neglect policy.
HHSC 746.901 — Required Personnel Records
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2024-04-15.
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Staff background & training
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Mar 26, 2024 Report · Deficiencies cited
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Staff background & training
It was determined through the course of the investigation that a caregiver, who was allowed unsupervised access to children in care and has been employed by the operation for more than 90 days, had a CPR certification that expired in 2021.
HHSC 746.1315(b) — Each Caregiver and the Director Must Have Current Training in pediatric CPR
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2024-04-10. Correction verified 2024-04-09.
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Staff background & training
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Mar 22, 2024 Report · Deficiencies cited
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Discipline & child guidance Serious
During the DFPS investigation, there was sufficient evidence to show that a child in care was abused.
HHSC 746.1201(4) — AP Responsibilities of Employees and Caregivers -Ensure No Child Abused, Neglected, or Exploited
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2024-05-13. Correction verified 2024-05-16.
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Other Serious
During the DFPS investigation, there was sufficient evidence to show that a caregiver grabbed a child, lifted the child by both wrists, and twisted the child's arm.
HHSC 746.2805(3) — Prohibited Punishments - Grabbing and Pulling
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2024-05-13. Correction verified 2024-05-16.
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Discipline & child guidance Serious
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Jan 30, 2024 Report · Deficiencies cited
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Discipline & child guidance Serious
During the DFPS investigation, there was sufficient evidence to show that a caregiver inappropriately disciplined a child by grabbing the child's arm, yanking the child up from the carpet, shaking the child, and yelling at the child.
HHSC 746.2805 — Prohibited Punishments - No Harsh, Cruel or Unusual
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2024-04-01. Correction verified 2024-04-15.
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Discipline & child guidance Serious
During the DFPS investigation, there was sufficient evidence to show that the operation did not notify a parent immediately of an allegation that their child was abused.
HHSC 746.307(a) — Parental Communication - Notify Immediately about Allegation of Abuse, Neglect or Exploitation
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2024-04-01. Correction verified 2024-04-15.
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Discipline & child guidance Serious
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Nov 16, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jul 6, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Aug 26, 2022 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Mar 28, 2022 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Mar 25, 2022 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Mar 24, 2022 Report · Deficiencies cited (self-report)
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Discipline & child guidance Serious
Based on the information gathered during the investigation it was found that prohibit punishment was being used with children in care.
HHSC 746.2805 — Prohibited Punishments - No Harsh, Cruel or Unusual
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2022-03-25. Correction verified 2022-03-28.
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Supervision & ratios Serious
Based on the information gathered it was found that the operation did not notify licensing within the required timeframe of allegations made about prohibited punishment of a child in care.
HHSC 746.305(a)(6) — Report Situation Placing Children at Risk
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2022-03-25. Correction verified 2022-03-28.
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Discipline & child guidance Serious
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Feb 14, 2022 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Feb 13, 2022 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Oct 6, 2021 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Sep 24, 2021 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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.