Waco Child Development Center
1301 ROSS AVE, Waco, TX 76706 · Mclennan County
Program
- Type
- Licensed center
- Licensed capacity
- 110
- Ages
- Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School
- Hours
- 06:30 AM-05:30 PM
- Director / administrator
- Debbie Miller
- Phone
- (254) 753-5981
- Regulated since
- Feb 11, 1987
- HHSC IDs
- Operation 102897 · number 223177
- Official record
- HHSC Child Care Search
Violations by category
Year by year
| Year | Violations | Serious | Main categories |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 2 | Food & allergies (1), Staff background & training (1), Other (1) |
| 2025 | 2 | 2 | Safety & premises (2) |
| 2024 | 9 | 7 | Supervision & ratios (4), Discipline & child guidance (2), Staff background & training (1), Records & paperwork (1), Other (1) |
| 2022 | 1 | 1 | Records & paperwork (1) |
| 2021 | 2 | 2 | Supervision & ratios (1), Safety & premises (1) |
Inspections, investigations & assessments
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Aug 21, 2026 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jun 22, 2026 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Apr 27, 2026 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Mar 16, 2026 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Mar 12, 2026 Report · Deficiencies cited
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Staff background & training Serious
There was sufficient evidence found during the investigation to show that a person without an eligible background check had access to children in care.
HHSC 745.621(a)(7) — AP Initial background checks submitted - At the time you become aware of anyone requiring a background check under 745.605
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2026-04-10. Correction verified 2026-04-27.
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Other Serious
There was sufficient evidence found during the investigation to show that prohibited punishment was used when yelling was used towards children.
HHSC 746.2805(5) — Prohibited Punishments - Humiliating, Rejecting, Yelling
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2026-04-10. Correction verified 2026-04-27.
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Food & allergies
There was sufficient evidence found during the investigation to show that candy was used as a reward for good behavior.
HHSC 746.3301(h) — Nutrition and Food Service - Food not a reward
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2026-04-10. Correction verified 2026-04-27.
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Staff background & training Serious
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Feb 4, 2026 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Oct 10, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jul 9, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jun 26, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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May 7, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Apr 7, 2025 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Safety & premises Serious
One of four of the transportation vehicles did not have a first aid kit available for review. The other 3 vehicles were missing or had expired supplies from the first aid kits that were added during the inspection.
HHSC 746.5617(a)(6) — Required Equipment in Vehicles - First-aid Kit
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2025-04-14. Correction verified 2025-04-17.
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Safety & premises Serious
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Mar 22, 2025 Report · Deficiencies cited
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Safety & premises Serious
There was sufficient evidence found during the DFPS investigation to show that an employee did not use good judgment when one child was allowed to sleep on the van during transport, deviating from typical transportation plans without notifying other staff or parents.
HHSC 746.1201(1) — Responsibilities of Employees and Caregivers -Demonstrate Competency, Good Judgment, Self-control
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2025-04-28. Correction verified 2025-05-07.
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Safety & premises Serious
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Feb 26, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Dec 23, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Dec 19, 2024 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Dec 19, 2024 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Nov 18, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Nov 15, 2024 Report · 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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Oct 3, 2024 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Staff background & training Serious
HHSC will recommend an administrative penalty as a result of this citation, per HRC section 42.078. Ms. Dempsey was present at operation upon inspection. Ms. Dempsey has received the ineligible letter and is not to be providing care.
HHSC 745.635(2) — AP Background check determination - If ineligible then you must immediately remove subject from operation and confirm to CBCU receipt of notice letter
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2024-10-03. Correction verified 2024-11-18.
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Discipline & child guidance Serious
Based on the evidence of the DFPS investigation, a caregiver neglected a child in care when the child was left on the bus.
HHSC 746.1201(4) — AP Responsibilities of Employees and Caregivers -Ensure No Child Abused, Neglected, or Exploited
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2024-10-03. Correction verified 2024-10-03.
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Supervision & ratios Serious
A child was left unattended in the transportation vehicle. The operation reported to Child Care Regulation the day of the incident on 08/16/2024 by email.
HHSC 746.305(a)(6) — Report Situation Placing Children at Risk
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2024-10-03. Correction verified 2024-10-03.
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Supervision & ratios Serious
During the follow-up inspection the operation was found in compliance as the caregiver responsible for leaving a child on the bus was terminated.
HHSC 746.5605(4) — AP Safety Precautions for Loading and Unloading Children - No Child Unattended
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2024-10-03. Correction verified 2024-10-03.
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Staff background & training Serious
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Aug 19, 2024 Report · Deficiencies cited
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Discipline & child guidance Serious
Based on the evidence of the DFPS investigation, a caregiver neglected a child in care when the child was left on the bus.
HHSC 746.1201(4) — AP Responsibilities of Employees and Caregivers -Ensure No Child Abused, Neglected, or Exploited
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2024-10-03. Correction verified 2024-10-03.
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Supervision & ratios Serious
A child was left unattended in the transportation vehicle. The operation reported to Child Care Regulation the day of the incident on 08/16/2024 by email.
HHSC 746.305(a)(6) — Report Situation Placing Children at Risk
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2024-10-03. Correction verified 2024-10-03.
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Supervision & ratios Serious
During the follow-up inspection the operation was found in compliance as the caregiver responsible for leaving a child on the bus was terminated.
HHSC 746.5605(4) — AP Safety Precautions for Loading and Unloading Children - No Child Unattended
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2024-10-03. Correction verified 2024-10-03.
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Discipline & child guidance Serious
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Jul 10, 2024 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Other
Gas leak inspection was 5/22. A current inspection needs to be updated.
HHSC 746.5401 — Requirement of Gas Leak Inspection
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2024-07-24. Correction verified 2024-07-24.
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Other
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Jan 23, 2024 Assessment · Deficiencies cited
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Records & paperwork
A review of the Employees Who Left Employment in 2023 data from January 18, 2024, revealed the center had not reported the number of employees who left employment in 2023 by January 15, 2023, as required.
HHSC 746.303(b) — Report Number of Employees
HHSC risk weight: Medium Low. Corrected 2024-02-01. Correction verified 2024-01-25.
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Records & paperwork
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Dec 7, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jul 14, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jul 11, 2023 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Apr 20, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Sep 8, 2022 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Aug 3, 2022 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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May 25, 2022 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Apr 12, 2022 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jan 31, 2022 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jan 10, 2022 Assessment · Deficiencies cited
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Records & paperwork Serious
During an investigation, it was determined that two occurrences that placed children at risk were not reported to Child Care Regulation in a timely manner.
HHSC 746.305(a)(6) — Report Situation Placing Children at Risk
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2022-01-10. Correction verified 2022-01-14.
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Records & paperwork Serious
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Dec 31, 2021 Report · Deficiencies cited
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Supervision & ratios Serious
During an investigation, it was determined a caregiver left a child unsupervised on the playground for approximately 10 minutes.
HHSC 746.1203(4) — Responsibilities of Caregivers- Supervision of Children
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2022-01-25. Correction verified 2022-01-31.
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Safety & premises Serious
During an investigation, it was determined that a caregiver left a child unattended on a vehicle for approximately 15 minutes.
HHSC 746.5605(4) — AP Safety Precautions for Loading and Unloading Children - No Child Unattended
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2022-01-25. Correction verified 2022-01-31.
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Supervision & ratios 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.