Tiny Steps Learning Center
121 S GEORGIA AVE, Mercedes, TX 78570 · Hidalgo County
Program
- Type
- Licensed center
- Licensed capacity
- 22
- Ages
- Infant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School
- Hours
- 06:00 AM-06:00 PM
- Director / administrator
- Rebecca Rodriguez
- Phone
- (956) 684-5314
- Regulated since
- Dec 22, 2022
- HHSC IDs
- Operation 1389108 · number 1728893
- Official record
- HHSC Child Care Search
Violations by category
Year by year
| Year | Violations | Serious | Main categories |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 0 | Illness & medication (1), Discipline & child guidance (1), Records & paperwork (1) |
| 2024 | 4 | 2 | Safety & premises (2), Other (2) |
| 2023 | 4 | 0 | Staff background & training (3), Other (1) |
| 2022 | 7 | 3 | Cleanliness & sanitation (2), Illness & medication (1), Supervision & ratios (1), Safety & premises (2), Staff background & training (1) |
| 2021 | 3 | 0 | Supervision & ratios (1), Other (2) |
Inspections, investigations & assessments
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Sep 16, 2026 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Oct 2, 2025 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Discipline & child guidance
The following written operational policies are incomplete: (18) Promotion of indoor and outdoor physical activity that is consistent with Subchapter F policy must include: (A)-(G); (20)Parent rights that are consistent with the rules in Division 5 of this subchapter(relating to Parent Rights);(26) Preventing and responding to abuse and neglect of children (A)-(E); (30) Procedures for supporting inclusive services to children with special care needs. The policy must address the requirements outlined in 746.2202 of this chapter(relating to What are my responsibilities when planning activities for a child in care with special care needs?).
HHSC 746.501(a)(1) — Written Operational Policies - Operating Times
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2025-10-16. Correction verified 2025-10-21.
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Illness & medication
Two children files are missing immunization records.
HHSC 746.603(a)(4) — Children's Records - Immunizations
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2025-10-17. Correction verified 2025-10-21.
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Records & paperwork
A caregivers file was not available for review during inspection.
HHSC 746.901 — Required Personnel Records
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2025-10-10. Correction verified 2025-10-21.
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Discipline & child guidance
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Nov 25, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
-
Nov 18, 2024 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Safety & premises Serious
Observed a 10 month old infant asleep in a crib while covered with a blanket.
HHSC 746.2415(b) — AP Cribs - Only Snug Fitting Sheet and Crib Mattress Cover Allowed if Infant Younger than 12 Months of Age
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2024-11-18. Correction verified 2024-11-25.
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Other
Facility does not have a current annual sanitation inspection.
HHSC 746.3401(a) — Annual Sanitation Inspection
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2024-12-02. Correction verified 2024-12-02.
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Other
Facility does not have a current annual certification regarding unsafe children's products.
HHSC 746.4135(b) — Children's Products- Annual Certification
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2024-11-25. Correction verified 2024-11-25.
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Safety & premises Serious
Facility does not have a current Fire Inspection.
HHSC 746.5101(a) — Annual Fire Inspection - Before Initial Permit Issued and Every 12 Months
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2024-12-02. Correction verified 2024-12-03.
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Safety & premises Serious
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Dec 15, 2023 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Staff background & training
A caregiver has not obtained one hour of training in the following topic: prevention, recognition and reporting of child maltreatment.
HHSC 746.1309(c) — Documented Annual Training - 1 hour in Prevention, Recognition and Reporting of child maltreatment
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2023-12-22. Correction verified 2023-12-22.
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Staff background & training
A caregiver has not obtained one hour of training in the following topics: recognizing and preventing shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma; understanding and using safe sleep practices and preventing sudden infant death syndrome and understanding early childhood brain development.
HHSC 746.1309(d) — Documented Annual Training - Caregivers of Children Under 24 Months Required
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2023-12-22. Correction verified 2023-12-22.
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Staff background & training
Staff files were reviewed and the following was not available for review: pre service for a caregiver and TB results; a second file was missing proof of education.
HHSC 746.1329(a) — Documentation of Training Requirements - Original Training Certification Card or Letter in each Employee's personnel record
HHSC risk weight: Medium Low. Corrected 2023-12-22. Correction verified 2023-12-22.
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Other
Facility is not current with children's products certification.
HHSC 746.4135(b) — Children's Products- Annual Certification
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2023-12-15. Correction verified 2023-12-15.
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Staff background & training
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Jun 23, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Nov 22, 2022 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Staff background & training Serious
In reviewing staff sign in/out logs it was found that there was a person working with no cleared background check. This person has been working since 11/1. (NOTE: The person has not been present this week)
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 at inspection. Corrected 2022-11-22.
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Staff background & training Serious
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Sep 23, 2022 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Illness & medication Serious
2 of the children's files reviewed were lacking immunizations. (NOTE: Corrected during inspection as immunizations were emailed to the director and she was able to print them)
HHSC 746.613(a) — Required Immunizations
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2022-09-23.
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Illness & medication Serious
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Sep 2, 2022 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Aug 15, 2022 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Cleanliness & sanitation
Not all children washed their hands prior to eating lunch. (NOTE: Corrected during inspection as the children were asked to wash their hands.)
HHSC 746.3417(1) — Children Handwashing Before Eating
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2022-08-15.
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Cleanliness & sanitation
The diaper changing mat in the infant room has several small tears that do not allow for proper sanitation.
HHSC 746.3503(a) — Diaper Changing Equipment - Smooth, Non-absorbent, Easy to Clean Surface
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2022-08-22. Correction verified 2022-09-02.
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Cleanliness & sanitation
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Jun 1, 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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Supervision & ratios
Although the operation is not licensed for afterschool children, the room assigned for the age group is currently not set up and is not organized and children's items are on the tables. (Pictures on file)
HHSC 746.3407 — Maintenance of Building, Grounds and Equipment
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2022-05-20. Correction verified 2022-06-01.
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Safety & premises
There have been no fire drills done since February. (One was attempted however the fire system was not operating properly)
HHSC 746.5205(1) — Fire Drill Monthly - Exit in 3 Minutes
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2022-05-31. Correction verified 2022-06-01.
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Safety & premises Serious
The electronic smoke detection system was not working properly when the button for a drill was activated. There was no alarm sound and the company did not call to verify a drill.
HHSC 746.5319 — Smoke Detectors Testing
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2022-05-20. Correction verified 2022-06-01.
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Supervision & ratios
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Mar 25, 2022 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Mar 11, 2022 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Feb 14, 2022 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Nov 10, 2021 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Other
Children's products was not available for review during inspection.
HHSC 746.4135(b) — Children's Products- Annual Certification
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2021-11-23. Correction verified 2021-11-19.
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Supervision & ratios
Written operational policies are incomplete.
HHSC 746.501(a)(1) — Written Operational Policies - Operating Times
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2021-11-23. Correction verified 2021-11-19.
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Other
Facility does not have a carbon monoxide in the building.
HHSC 746.5535(a)(1) — Install CO Detection System-Electric or Battery Operated-on Every Level of Each Building
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2021-11-23. Correction verified 2021-11-22.
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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, 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.