The Learning Tree

1241 1ST ST, Hempstead, TX 77445 · Waller County

20cited violations

5serious

8inspections & investigations

0enforcement actions

Program

Type: Licensed center
Licensed capacity: 65
Ages: Infant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School
Hours: 05:00 AM-05:00 PM
Director / administrator: Paula Carroll
Phone: (979) 826-4703
Regulated since: Aug 22, 2016
HHSC IDs: Operation 1237815 · number 1620082
Official record: HHSC Child Care Search

Violations by category

Illness & medication 1
Supervision & ratios 5
Discipline & child guidance 2
Safety & premises 3
Staff background & training 3
Records & paperwork 1
Other 5

Year by year

Year	Violations	Serious	Main categories
2024	8	4	Supervision & ratios (1), Discipline & child guidance (2), Staff background & training (1), Other (4)
2023	10	1	Illness & medication (1), Supervision & ratios (3), Safety & premises (2), Staff background & training (2), Records & paperwork (1), Other (1)
2022	2	0	Supervision & ratios (1), Safety & premises (1)

Inspections, investigations & assessments

Dec 16, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited

No violations cited on this visit.

HHSC inspection history
Mar 20, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited

No violations cited on this visit.

HHSC inspection history
Dec 16, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited

No violations cited on this visit.

HHSC inspection history
Jul 10, 2024 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
- Staff background & training Serious
  A caregiver counted in the child-caregiver ratio was present in the infant classroom without an Eligible background check. Note: The caregiver was asked by the director to leave the premises. The caregiver left the operation.
  
  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 2024-07-10.
HHSC inspection history
Apr 11, 2024 Report · Deficiencies cited
- Other Serious
  Based on the information gathered during the DFPS investigation there is sufficient evidence to support the caregiver did not use good judgement by making children stand in a corner facing a wall and placing their hands over their heads and or on their heads.
  
  HHSC 746.1201(1) — Responsibilities of Employees and Caregivers -Demonstrate Competency, Good Judgment, Self-control
  
  HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2024-07-03. Correction verified 2024-07-10.
- Other
  Based on the information received during the DFPS investigation, there is sufficient evidence to support that children are allowed non-activity guided screen time.
  
  HHSC 746.2207(c)(1) — Screen Time Activities - Related to Planned Activities
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2024-07-03. Correction verified 2024-07-10.
- Discipline & child guidance Serious
  Based on the information received during the DFPS investigation, there is sufficient evidence to support that children in care are inappropriately disciplined.
  
  HHSC 746.2805(1) — Prohibited Punishments - Corporal Punishment
  
  HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2024-07-03. Correction verified 2024-07-10.
- Discipline & child guidance Serious
  Based on the information gathered during the DFPS investigation, there is sufficient evidence to support that children are left in time out for long periods of time.
  
  HHSC 746.2805(10) — Prohibited Punishments - Using Inappropriate Long Period of Silence or Inactivity Including Requiring Child to Remain in a Restrictive Device
  
  HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2024-07-03. Correction verified 2024-07-10.
HHSC inspection history
Jan 9, 2024 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
- Other
  Children 2 years old and younger were observed watching television. Note: This was corrected at inspection with the caregiver powered off the television and took the children to another class for free play.
  
  HHSC 746.2207(a) — Screen Time Activities - Not Used for Under Two
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2024-01-09.
- Other
  Two school age children were observed on their cell phones, not related to a planned activity. Note: this was corrected at inspection when the caregiver instructed the children to put the phones away.
  
  HHSC 746.2207(c)(1) — Screen Time Activities - Related to Planned Activities
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2024-01-09.
- Supervision & ratios
  The operation did not have a current sanitation inspection available for review during the inspection.
  
  HHSC 746.3401(a) — Annual Sanitation Inspection
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2024-01-23. Correction verified 2024-01-12.
HHSC inspection history
Jan 10, 2023 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
- Supervision & ratios
  The caregiver in charge was also counted in child-caregiver ratio. Note: This was corrected when the director arrived at the operation.
  
  HHSC 746.1203(6) — Responsibilities of Caregivers - Free of other activities
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2023-01-10.
- Staff background & training
  A caregiver counted in the child-caregiver ratio did not have current pediatric first aid training.
  
  HHSC 746.1315(a) — Each Caregiver and the Director Must Have Current Training in pediatric first aid with rescue breathing and choking.
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2023-01-17. Correction verified 2023-01-20.
- Staff background & training
  A caregiver counted in the child-caregiver ratio did not have current pediatric CPR training.
  
  HHSC 746.1315(b) — Each Caregiver and the Director Must Have Current Training in pediatric CPR
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2023-01-17. Correction verified 2023-01-20.
- Safety & premises
  The entry door to the infant classroom is loose and portion of the door is hanging off the hinges.
  
  HHSC 746.3407 — Maintenance of Building, Grounds and Equipment
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2023-01-17. Correction verified 2023-01-17.
- Illness & medication
  Several medication forms for children in care is not signed by the parent.
  
  HHSC 746.3803(a)(1) — Medication Authorization - Signed and Dated
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2023-01-13. Correction verified 2023-01-13.
- Safety & premises
  All fire drills for the year of 2022 exceeded the 3 minute required exit time.
  
  HHSC 746.5205(1) — Fire Drill Monthly - Exit in 3 Minutes
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2023-01-13. Correction verified 2023-01-17.
- Other
  There were 0 of 4 lock down drills conducted for the year of 2022.
  
  HHSC 746.5205(3) — Sheltering Drills for Lock-Down-4 times in a calendar year
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2023-01-13. Correction verified 2023-01-17.
- Supervision & ratios Serious
  Seven (7) children who are transported by the operation did not have emergency medical transport and treatment authorization forms
  
  HHSC 746.5617(a)(2) — Required Equipment in Vehicles - Emergency Medical Information
  
  HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2023-01-16. Correction verified 2023-01-20.
- Supervision & ratios
  6 children in care did not have a required health statement.
  
  HHSC 746.611(a)(1) — Required Health Statement - Written, dated within past year, indicates child is physically able to participate in operation's child-care program
  
  HHSC risk weight: Low. Corrected 2023-01-20. Correction verified 2023-02-03.
- Records & paperwork
  4 out 5 staff did not have proof of education in their personnel file.
  
  HHSC 746.901(2) — Required Personnel Records- Meets Requirements
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2023-01-16. Correction verified 2023-01-13.
HHSC inspection history
Jan 21, 2022 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
- Supervision & ratios
  The parent handbook was missing the following policies regarding activities: The benefits of physical activity and outdoor play; The duration of physical activity at your operation, both indoor and outdoor; and The plan to ensure physical activity occurs on days when extreme weather conditions prohibit or limit outdoor play.
  
  HHSC 746.501(a)(18) — Written Operational Policies - Promotion of Physical Activity
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2022-02-01. Correction verified 2022-01-24.
- Safety & premises
  One child's record was missing the address for the emergency contact.
  
  HHSC 746.605(6) — Required Admission Information - Emergency Contact
  
  HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2022-02-04. Correction verified 2022-01-24.
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 Learning Tree, 1241 1ST ST, Hempstead, TX 77445-5534 (operation ID 1237815, operation number 1620082), 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.