First Step Learning Center
701 NORWOOD LN, Hearne, TX 77859 · Robertson County
Program
- Type
- Licensed center
- Licensed capacity
- 120
- Ages
- Infant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School
- Hours
- 07:00 AM-05:30 PM
- Director / administrator
- Melissa Stewart
- Phone
- (979) 280-5588
- Regulated since
- Oct 1, 2003
- HHSC IDs
- Operation 224091 · number 826929
- Official record
- HHSC Child Care Search
Violations by category
Year by year
| Year | Violations | Serious | Main categories |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 0 | Staff background & training (1) |
| 2025 | 5 | 4 | Cleanliness & sanitation (1), Safety & premises (1), Staff background & training (2), Records & paperwork (1) |
| 2024 | 3 | 2 | Supervision & ratios (2), Other (1) |
| 2023 | 4 | 2 | Illness & medication (1), Supervision & ratios (2), Safety & premises (1) |
| 2022 | 10 | 8 | Illness & medication (1), Supervision & ratios (2), Discipline & child guidance (2), Safety & premises (3), Staff background & training (1), Other (1) |
Inspections, investigations & assessments
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Aug 18, 2026 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Staff background & training
3 out of 4 staff files reviewed did not have an hour of child maltreatment training in the training period reviewed. This was corrected at inspection when 2 of the staff members used the current training period child maltreatment training.
HHSC 746.1309(c) — Documented Annual Training - 1 hour in Prevention, Recognition and Reporting of child maltreatment
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2026-08-25. Correction verified 2026-08-18.
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Staff background & training
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Dec 23, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Oct 16, 2025 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Cleanliness & sanitation Serious
In one of the infant rooms, the handwashing sink was being used for washing bottles. This was corrected during the inspection when the caregiver and director were informed that the handwashing can't be used for bottles and the bottles were taken to the kitchen.
HHSC 746.2419(8) — Requirements for Feeding Infants - Other Use of Handwashing Sink
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2025-10-16.
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Safety & premises Serious
One child had a food allergy plan that was signed by the physician, but not the child's parent.
HHSC 746.3819 — Food Allergy Emergency Plan Signed by Parents and Health Care Professional
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2025-10-23. Correction verified 2025-10-16.
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Cleanliness & sanitation Serious
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Jan 15, 2025 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Staff background & training Serious
One caregiver was missing eight hours of annual training and the required training topics, and five caregivers were missing the required training topics.
HHSC 746.1301(a)(5)(A) — Training Requirements for Employees, Caregivers, and Directors - 24 Annual training
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2025-01-29. Correction verified 2025-01-27.
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Staff background & training Serious
The director was missing training in the following required topics: SIDs and shaken baby, abuse and neglect, emergency preparedness, communicable diseases, administering medication, responding to allergic reactions, understanding building and physical premises safety, and handling hazardous materials.
HHSC 746.1301(a)(6)(A) — Training Requirements for Employees, Caregivers, and Directors - 30 Annual Training
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2025-01-22. Correction verified 2025-01-21.
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Records & paperwork
Two caregivers who had been hired after September of 2023 did not have a pre-employment affidavit on file.
HHSC 746.901(5) — Required Personnel Records - Required Affidavit (Form 2912)
HHSC risk weight: Medium Low. Corrected 2025-01-22. Correction verified 2025-01-15.
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Staff background & training Serious
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Apr 25, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Apr 17, 2024 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Other Serious
A caregiver stated she had 13 children in care and it was determined she had 15 children in care.
HHSC 746.1205(a)(2) — Responsibilities of Caregivers - Know number of children responsible for
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2024-04-17. Correction verified 2024-04-25.
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Other Serious
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Apr 15, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Apr 11, 2024 Report · Deficiencies cited (self-report)
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Supervision & ratios Serious
Based on video footage viewed of the incident, it was determined the caregiver was not properly supervising the children. The caregiver was observed with her back to the children just prior to when the incident occurred.
HHSC 746.1205(a)(4) — Supervision ensures each child?s safety, well-being, including physical proximity and auditory or visual awareness of each child?s on going activity
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2024-04-15. Correction verified 2024-04-17.
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Supervision & ratios Serious
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Feb 15, 2024 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Supervision & ratios
The operation changed 2 infant classroom to classrooms that were utilized by Toddlers and did not notify Child Care Regulation. In addition, the operation is not utilizing 3 classrooms that are counted towards the capacity. One classroom has paint stored on the counter and no furniture in the classroom. Another classroom was utilized as storage. The 3rd classroom was changed to a teacher lounge. I reviewed with the Director Child Care Regulation's required notifications. During the inspection, the classrooms were remeasured and a new permit will be generated to reflect the changes.
HHSC 746.301(2) — Notification of Change in Space
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2024-02-15.
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Supervision & ratios
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Oct 24, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jul 19, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Mar 6, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Feb 24, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Feb 17, 2023 Report · Deficiencies cited
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Supervision & ratios Serious
While reviewing video footage at the operation it was seen that the supervision of children was not ensured when the caregivers ran out the room and children started walking out of the open door.
HHSC 746.1203(4) — Responsibilities of Caregivers - Supervision of Children
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2023-02-24. Correction verified 2023-03-06.
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Supervision & ratios
While doing a walk through at the operation there was not a local Licensing office telephone number posted for parents to see. This was corrected at the inspection when contact numbers were posted on the parent board.
HHSC 746.405(4) — Required posting of Emergency Telephone numbers- Local Licensing Office Phone Number
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2023-02-24.
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Illness & medication
The operation did not have incident reports for injuries that were known to have occurred with children in care.
HHSC 746.709 — Incident/Illness Report Form Storage
HHSC risk weight: Low. Corrected 2023-03-10. Correction verified 2023-03-06.
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Supervision & ratios Serious
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Feb 10, 2023 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Safety & premises Serious
While walking the outdoor play area there was not 6 inches of loose fill present underneath the slides.
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 2023-02-24. Correction verified 2023-02-15.
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Safety & premises Serious
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Jan 31, 2023 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Dec 1, 2022 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Staff background & training
Observed 10 staff files. All 10 files were missing SIDS/Shaken baby, Admin medication, food allergy, and hazardous material training.
HHSC 746.1309(e) — Documented Annual Training- Required Content
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2022-12-15. Correction verified 2022-12-16.
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Safety & premises Serious
Observed an infant sitting in a highchair without being strapped into the seat. It was corrected when the infant was taken out of the highchair.
HHSC 746.2407 — Infant Care Area Furnishings and Equipment -Use of Safety Straps
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2022-12-01.
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Safety & premises Serious
Observed the legs on playground equipment exposed which is a tripping hazard.
HHSC 746.3407 — Maintenance of Building, Grounds and Equipment
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2022-12-05. Correction verified 2022-12-05.
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Illness & medication Serious
Observed 10 children's files. 2 out of 10 files were missing immunizations.
HHSC 746.613(a) — Required Immunizations
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2022-12-15. Correction verified 2022-12-16.
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Staff background & training
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Oct 13, 2022 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Oct 10, 2022 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Other
Observed 2 infants sitting in highchairs and were not strapped in the chair. This was corrected when the caregivers strapped the children in.
HHSC 746.4501(b) — Chairs - Safety Straps Used if Required by Manufacturer
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2022-10-10.
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Other
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Oct 9, 2022 Report · Deficiencies cited (self-report)
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Supervision & ratios Serious
A child was able to leave the gated area and run towards the road and down the sidwalk before a ex-employee caught the child. The caregiver who was in charge at the time, was not aware the child left the playground until another caregiver informed them.
HHSC 746.1203(4) — Responsibilities of Caregivers - Supervision of Children
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2022-10-10. Correction verified 2022-10-13.
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Supervision & ratios Serious
During interviews it was found that a caregiver took two children inside, leaving 11 kids outside with one caregiver and the childrens ages were 1 year-2 years old. The specified age group was 18-23 months old. One caregiver can only have 9 children by themself at this age group. Another caregiver asked the caregiver when coming back outside to watch their group of children which left the 1-2 year old classroom out of ratio for longer period of time.
HHSC 746.1601 — Child/ Caregiver Ratio - 13 or More Children
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2022-10-10.
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Supervision & ratios Serious
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Apr 26, 2022 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Apr 13, 2022 Report · Deficiencies cited
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Safety & premises Serious
The edges around the concrete basketball court slab was found to be a tripping hazard on the playground.
HHSC 746.4751(a) — Maintenance Procedures for Active Play - Inspect Daily
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2022-05-03. Correction verified 2022-05-13.
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Safety & premises Serious
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Mar 4, 2022 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Feb 9, 2022 Report · Deficiencies cited (self-report)
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Discipline & child guidance Serious
During an investigation there was sufficient evidence to support a child was physically abused.
HHSC 746.1201(4) — AP Responsibilities of Employees and Caregivers -Ensure No Child Abused, Neglected, or Exploited
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2022-03-01. Correction verified 2022-03-04.
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Discipline & child guidance Serious
During the course of the investigation, it was found that a caregiver caused bodily injury to a child by forcefully grabbing, dragging, yelling at the child, and tossing the child to the ground in anger.
HHSC 746.2805 — Prohibited Punishments - No Harsh, Cruel or Unusual
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2022-03-01. Correction verified 2022-03-04.
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Discipline & child guidance Serious
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Feb 2, 2022 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Sep 20, 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, 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.