Caring Hand Learning Center
260 COMMERCIAL DR, Harker Heights, TX 76548 · Bell County
Program
- Type
- Licensed center
- Licensed capacity
- 265
- Ages
- Infant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School
- Hours
- 05:30 AM-05:30 PM
- Director / administrator
- Sherry Polk
- Phone
- (254) 690-7730
- Regulated since
- Apr 17, 2017
- HHSC IDs
- Operation 1259306 · number 1637846
- Official record
- HHSC Child Care Search
Violations by category
Year by year
| Year | Violations | Serious | Main categories |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 11 | 6 | Supervision & ratios (4), Discipline & child guidance (1), Safety & premises (2), Staff background & training (1), Records & paperwork (2), Other (1) |
| 2025 | 4 | 4 | Supervision & ratios (3), Safety & premises (1) |
| 2024 | 9 | 1 | Cleanliness & sanitation (2), Supervision & ratios (3), Safety & premises (1), Staff background & training (2), Other (1) |
| 2023 | 3 | 3 | Supervision & ratios (1), Records & paperwork (1), Other (1) |
| 2022 | 5 | 1 | Supervision & ratios (2), Safety & premises (2), Staff background & training (1) |
| 2021 | 3 | 1 | Supervision & ratios (2), Safety & premises (1) |
Inspections, investigations & assessments
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Sep 11, 2026 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Aug 28, 2026 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Supervision & ratios
During the follow up inspection, there were 2 caregivers with 37 children on the playground, exceeding maxium group size.
HHSC 746.1609 — Maximum Group Size 13 or More Children
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2026-08-28. Correction verified 2026-09-11.
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Supervision & ratios
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Aug 18, 2026 Inspection
No violations cited on this visit.
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Aug 14, 2026 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Aug 10, 2026 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Other Serious
During an inspection, 4 caregivers did not know how many children they were responsible for.
HHSC 746.1205(a)(2) — Responsibilities of Caregivers - Know number of children responsible for
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2026-08-10. Correction verified 2026-08-18.
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Supervision & ratios Serious
During an inspection, it was observed a caregiver left a classroom, leaving the children unattended, to grab something from another room.
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 2026-08-10. Correction verified 2026-08-18.
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Safety & premises Serious
During a monitoring inspection, a 6-month-old infant was observed to be asleep on the floor. This was corrected when the caregiver picked the infant up and put them in their crib.
HHSC 746.2424 — Infants sleep in Designated Crib, Cot, Bed, or Mat
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2026-08-10. Correction verified 2026-08-18.
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Safety & premises Serious
During a monitoring inspection, a 6-month-old infant was observed sleeping in a restrictive device. This was corrected when the caregiver removed the child from the device and place them in their crib.
HHSC 746.2426(a)(2) — Infant May Not Sleep in a Restrictive Device - Remove the infant from the device and place the infant in a crib as soon as possible
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2026-08-10. Correction verified 2026-08-18.
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Discipline & child guidance Serious
During an inspection, a child was observed placed in a stroller, strapped in, as a way of guidance so they would not run off. This was corrected when the caregiver removed the child from the stroller.
HHSC 746.2805(8) — Prohibited Punishments - Restrictive device for time out
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2026-08-10. Correction verified 2026-08-18.
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Records & paperwork
Two children were missing health statements from a healthcare professional.
HHSC 746.603(a)(3) — Children's Records - Health Statement
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2026-09-18.
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Supervision & ratios
After reviewing staff files, 6 staff were missing the 2985 affidavit, 4 were missing copy of photo identification, 5 were missing education verification, and 3 were missing a signed statement of overview for operation policies and personnel policies.
HHSC 746.901 — Required Personnel Records
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2026-09-18.
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Other Serious
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Aug 6, 2026 Report · Deficiencies cited
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Staff background & training Serious
During an investigation, there was evidence to suggest a caregiver was present at the operation before receiving an eligible background check.
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 2026-09-04. Correction verified 2026-09-11.
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Supervision & ratios
During an investigation inspection, two classrooms were observed to be out of ratio. This was corrected when another went into each room.
HHSC 746.1601 — Child/ Caregiver Ratio - 13 or More Children
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2026-08-10. Correction verified 2026-08-18.
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Records & paperwork
During an investigation, there was sufficient evidence to show there was not a written notice to parents when there was a lice outbreak.
HHSC 746.307(e) — Parental Notification of Infestation
HHSC risk weight: Medium Low. Corrected 2026-09-04. Correction verified 2026-09-04.
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Staff background & training Serious
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Oct 30, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Oct 29, 2025 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Oct 18, 2025 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Sep 17, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Aug 22, 2025 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Safety & premises Serious
During the walkthrough, I observed that one slide was broken in the middle, and there were rocks inside.
HHSC 746.4601(7) — Safety Requirements for Active Play Equipment - No Pinch, Crush, or Shear Points
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2025-09-10. Correction verified 2025-09-17.
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Safety & premises Serious
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Jul 1, 2025 Report · Deficiencies cited
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Supervision & ratios Serious
During a DFPS investigation operation staff were found to provide a parent of a child in care inaccurate information regarding an incident that occurred with their child.
HHSC 746.1201(1) — Responsibilities of Employees and Caregivers -Demonstrate Competency, Good Judgment, Self-control
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2025-08-06. Correction verified 2025-08-22.
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Supervision & ratios Serious
During a DFPS investigation a child in care was observed to have been left alone on the playground for about 10 minutes.
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 2025-08-06. Correction verified 2025-08-22.
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Supervision & ratios Serious
During a DFPS investigation, it was determined operation staff did not notify CCR about a child left alone on the playground.
HHSC 746.305(a)(6) — Report Situation Placing Children at Risk
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2025-08-06. Correction verified 2025-08-22.
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Supervision & ratios Serious
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Feb 19, 2025 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jan 7, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Dec 16, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Dec 13, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Dec 12, 2024 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Nov 26, 2024 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Supervision & ratios
Three vehicles used for transportation was observed and does not have current registration stickers.
HHSC 746.5603(c) — Types of Vehicles Used to Transport Children - Be Maintained Safely
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2024-12-06. Correction verified 2024-12-04.
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Staff background & training
1 staff did not have the required affidavit, background verification, CPR and First Aid, high school diploma. for review. A second staff did not have annual trainings.
HHSC 746.901 — Required Personnel Records
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2024-12-02. Correction verified 2024-11-26.
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Supervision & ratios
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Nov 14, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Nov 7, 2024 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Other
Two caregivers were observed on personal cell phones while caring for children. This was corrected during the inspection when the caregiver put the device away.
HHSC 746.1203(3)(D) — Personal use of electronic devices, such as cell phones, MP3 players, tablets, and video games
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2024-11-07. Correction verified 2024-11-14.
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Cleanliness & sanitation Serious
A caregiver was observed allowing a child to go to the bathroom unsupervised. The caregiver then left the classroom leaving the children unsupervised.
HHSC 746.1205(a)(5) — Responsibilities of Caregivers - Intervene to ensure each child's safety
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2024-11-07. Correction verified 2024-11-14.
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Supervision & ratios
A caregiver was observed in the classroom with 6 children bringing the classroom out of ratio by 1. This was corrected when the caregiver returned to the room.
HHSC 746.1507(1) — Determining Child/Caregiver Ratios - Basis
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2024-11-07. Correction verified 2024-11-14.
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Cleanliness & sanitation
There must not be any peeling paint or separation of border which can cause a hazard.
HHSC 746.3407(9) — Floors, ceilings and Walls in Good Repair and Clean
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2024-11-29. Correction verified 2024-12-13.
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Safety & premises
The parent board was missing the written activity plans for each age group, a list of the current employees, the emergency evacuation plan, and the most recent licensing inspection.
HHSC 746.401(1) — Posting Requirements - License
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2024-11-15. Correction verified 2024-11-14.
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Supervision & ratios
The vehicles used for transportation did not have the required registration.
HHSC 746.5603(c) — Types of Vehicles Used to Transport Children - Be Maintained Safely
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2024-11-15. Correction verified 2024-12-06.
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Staff background & training
1 staff did not have the required affidavit, background verification, CPR and First Aid, high school diploma. for review. A second staff did not have annual trainings.
HHSC 746.901 — Required Personnel Records
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2024-11-22. Correction verified 2024-12-02.
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Other
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Nov 13, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jun 20, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jun 15, 2023 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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May 26, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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May 17, 2023 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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May 9, 2023 Report · Deficiencies cited
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Supervision & ratios Serious
It was found that one child gained access to the operation's outdoor playground by a propped open door. The child was found to be left unsupervised for about 2-3 minutes.
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 2023-06-02. Correction verified 2023-06-20.
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Records & paperwork Serious
An incident placing a child at risk was not reported to Child Care Regulation as required.
HHSC 746.305(a)(6) — Report Situation Placing Children at Risk
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2023-06-02. Correction verified 2023-06-20.
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Supervision & ratios Serious
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Feb 22, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Feb 21, 2023 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Feb 11, 2023 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Feb 3, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jan 20, 2023 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Other Serious
One caregiver stated that they were responsible for 7 children. There were 6 children observed in the classroom.
HHSC 746.1203(2) — Responsibilities of Caregivers - Know Group Responsible For
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2023-01-20. Correction verified 2023-02-03.
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Other Serious
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Jan 17, 2023 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Nov 15, 2022 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Safety & premises
One plastic playground structure was observed to be in disrepair and cracks were covered with tape. The director stated that the equipment would be removed and children would not use the equipment.
HHSC 746.4751(c) — Maintenance Procedures for Active Play - Hazards Removed or Repaired
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2022-11-22. Correction verified 2022-11-21.
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Safety & premises
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Nov 10, 2022 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jul 20, 2022 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jun 10, 2022 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Staff background & training
It was found that one caregiver did not have current transportation training and is frequently transporting children in the operation van.
HHSC 746.1316(a) — Transportation Safety Training -Director and Employee Complete 2 Hours Annually
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2022-06-17. Correction verified 2022-06-17.
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Staff background & training
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Jun 9, 2022 Report · Deficiencies cited
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Supervision & ratios Serious
It was found during this investigation, that one child was left outside on the playground unsupervised.
HHSC 746.1203(4) — Responsibilities of Caregivers - Supervision of Children
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2022-07-08. Correction verified 2022-07-20.
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Supervision & ratios
It was found during the investigation that one child was present at the operation without enrollment information.
HHSC 746.603(a)(2) — Children's Records - Admission Information
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2022-07-08. Correction verified 2022-07-20.
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Supervision & ratios Serious
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Jun 8, 2022 Report · Deficiencies cited
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Safety & premises
One caregiver, responsible for transporting children, was unable to provide a current driver's license and there was not one on file. The caregiver will not transport children until a valid driver's license is obtained.
HHSC 746.901(9) — Required Personnel Records- Current Driver's License
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2022-07-07.
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Safety & premises
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May 6, 2022 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Apr 25, 2022 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Dec 9, 2021 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Dec 1, 2021 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Supervision & ratios
During the follow-up inspection it was observed that there were 37 children in a combined nap room with an average age of 3 years old. Nap ratio was over by 7 children.
HHSC 746.1613(b) — Naptime Child/Caregiver Ratio
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2021-12-01. Correction verified 2021-12-08.
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Supervision & ratios
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Nov 16, 2021 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Supervision & ratios
During the monitoring inspection it was observed that the operation was reducing number of caregivers during naptime for children that were under 18 months old. There was a combined nap room with children ranging from 13 months to 2 years old in a 1 caregiver to 16 children 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 2021-11-17. Correction verified 2021-12-01.
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Safety & premises Serious
During the monitoring inspection it was found that the vans used to transport were not equipped with working electronic child safety alarms.
HHSC 746.5625(b) — Electronic Child Safety Alarm - installed and maintained according to manufacturer's instructions
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2021-11-23. Correction verified 2021-12-01.
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Supervision & ratios
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Oct 13, 2021 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Oct 12, 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.