The Discovery Barn

202 GAINES ST, Brazoria, TX 77422 · Brazoria County

18cited violations

2serious

9inspections & investigations

0enforcement actions

Program

Type: Licensed center
Licensed capacity: 131
Ages: Infant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School
Hours: 06:00 AM-06:00 PM
Director / administrator: Carolyn Helm
Phone: (979) 798-5696
Regulated since: Oct 6, 2017
HHSC IDs: Operation 1287971 · number 1661049
Official record: HHSC Child Care Search

Violations by category

Cleanliness & sanitation 3
Illness & medication 2
Supervision & ratios 2
Safety & premises 4
Staff background & training 5
Other 2

Year by year

Year	Violations	Serious	Main categories
2026	7	0	Illness & medication (2), Safety & premises (2), Staff background & training (3)
2024	3	1	Supervision & ratios (1), Staff background & training (2)
2023	8	1	Cleanliness & sanitation (3), Supervision & ratios (1), Safety & premises (2), Other (2)

Inspections, investigations & assessments

Jul 7, 2026 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
- Staff background & training
  One caregiver has not completed the topics under this section.
  
  HHSC 746.1309(c) — Documented Annual Training - 1 hour in Prevention, Recognition and Reporting of child maltreatment
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2026-07-17. Correction verified 2026-07-08.
- Staff background & training
  A caregiver has not completed the training topics under this standard. They are missing: Recognizing and preventing shaken baby syndrome, understanding safe sleep and preventing sudden infant death, and understanding early brain development.
  
  HHSC 746.1309(d) — Documented Annual Training - Caregivers of Children Under 24 Months Required
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2026-07-10. Correction verified 2026-07-08.
- Staff background & training
  A caregiver is missing topics under this standard. The caregiver is missing the following: preventing and responding to food allergies, understanding building and physical premises safety, and Handling, storing, and disposing of hazardous materials.
  
  HHSC 746.1309(e) — Documented Annual Training- Required Content
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2026-07-17. Correction verified 2026-07-08.
- Safety & premises
  The gate between the big kid playground and the preschool playground is rusted which caused the bottom part to break in two different sections. The structure on the school age playground has a broken piece on the back side. On the toddler playground there is a broken step on the little tykes slide structure.
  
  HHSC 746.3407 — Maintenance of Building, Grounds and Equipment
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2026-07-20. Correction verified 2026-07-09.
- Illness & medication
  Two children's files out of ten reviewed did not have current shot records.
  
  HHSC 746.603(a)(4) — Children's Records - Immunizations
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2026-07-17. Correction verified 2026-07-15.
- Safety & premises
  One child with a listed food allergy does not have an emergency food allergy plan.
  
  HHSC 746.605(15) — Required Admission Information-Child's allergies and Completed Food Allergy Plan
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2026-07-17. Correction verified 2026-07-15.
- Illness & medication
  Two children's files do not have current exemptions on file. The exemptions have expired.
  
  HHSC 746.615(a) — Exemptions for Immunization Requirements Must Meet Criteria Specified by DSHS
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2026-07-24. Correction verified 2026-07-15.
HHSC inspection history
Jul 15, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited

No violations cited on this visit.

HHSC inspection history
Jul 18, 2024 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
- Staff background & training Serious
  A caregiver was observed with out a background check eligiblity notification and was in the classroom. Note: The caregiver was sent home.
  
  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 2024-07-18. Correction verified 2024-07-22.
- Staff background & training
  One caregiver did not have CPR that was in person. The training was an online course that does not meet the standards.
  
  HHSC 746.1315(b)(1) — CPR Training and Recertification Adhere to Guidelines-skill based
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2024-08-02. Correction verified 2024-08-08.
HHSC inspection history
Jan 19, 2024 Assessment · Deficiencies cited
- Supervision & ratios
  The operation has not reported the number of employees who left employment as required by January 15, 2024.
  
  HHSC 746.303(b) — Report Number of Employees
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium Low. Corrected 2024-01-22. Correction verified 2024-01-23.
HHSC inspection history
Aug 10, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited

No violations cited on this visit.

HHSC inspection history
Jul 25, 2023 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
- Cleanliness & sanitation
  The toilet seat in the red room is peeling and no longer sanitizable.
  
  HHSC 746.3407 — Maintenance of Building, Grounds and Equipment
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2023-08-11. Correction verified 2023-08-10.
HHSC inspection history
Jul 18, 2023 Report · Deficiencies cited
- Safety & premises
  Infants were observed sitting in the table without the use of safety straps. One caregiver interviewed for the investigation has admitted to not using the straps when children are in the table. Note: The importance of using the straps were explained to the caregivers. Infants were strapped in before I left the room.
  
  HHSC 746.2407 — Infant Care Area Furnishings and Equipment -Use of Safety Straps
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2023-07-25. Correction verified 2023-08-10.
- Other Serious
  During my inspection a caregiver was over heard using an agressive tone with the children who were not listening. Note: The director went into the classroom and spoke with the caregiver regarding their tone.
  
  HHSC 746.2805(6) — Prohibited Punishments - Using Harsh, Abusive or Profane Language
  
  HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2023-07-25. Correction verified 2023-08-10.
- Safety & premises
  A child was observed in the romper room to be sleeping in front of one of the exit doors. Note: a picture was taken and the child was moved.
  
  HHSC 746.2909(1) — Arrangement of Napping Equipment - Not Blocking Entrances or Exits
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2023-07-25. Correction verified 2023-08-10.
- Cleanliness & sanitation
  Children in the infant room were being fed snack directly on the table.
  
  HHSC 746.3317(6) — Food Service and Preparation Requirement - Use Sanitary Holders
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2023-07-25. Correction verified 2023-08-10.
- Cleanliness & sanitation
  One classroom was observed with paint chipping on different parts of the walls. Note: Pictures were taken.
  
  HHSC 746.3407(9) — Floors, ceilings and Walls in Good Repair and Clean
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2023-08-11. Correction verified 2023-08-10.
- Other
  The first aid kit in the infant and toddler building is missing Tweezers and antiseptic.
  
  HHSC 746.4003(a) — First Aid Kit - Incomplete Kit
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2023-07-28. Correction verified 2023-08-10.
- Supervision & ratios
  Based on the information obtained during the interviews it was determined that the operation has not practiced a fire drill since at least May of 2023.
  
  HHSC 746.5205(1) — Fire Drill Monthly - Exit in 3 Minutes
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2023-08-11. Correction verified 2023-08-10.
HHSC inspection history
Sep 25, 2022 Report · No deficiencies cited

No violations cited on this visit.

HHSC inspection history
Sep 15, 2022 Inspection · No deficiencies cited

No violations cited on this visit.

HHSC inspection history

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

Letter text

Dear Open Records Coordinator,

Under the Texas Public Information Act, Texas Government Code Chapter 552, I request copies of the following Child Care Regulation records for The Discovery Barn, 202 GAINES ST, Brazoria, TX 77422-7638 (operation ID 1287971, operation number 1661049), for January 1, 2019 to the present:

1. Every inspection, assessment and investigation report, including the deficiencies cited and the operation's corrective actions.
2. Every complaint and self-report intake and its finding.
3. Every corrective or adverse action (evaluation, probation, suspension, revocation, denial, administrative penalty) with related correspondence.
4. Every plan of action or correction the operation submitted, and HHSC's response.

I understand that information made confidential by law (for example the identities of children, families and reporters) may be redacted; please release the remainder. Please provide the records electronically by email. If the cost will exceed $40, please send me an itemized estimate first.

Thank you,

[Your name]
[Email] · [Phone]

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.