Dewitt-lavaca Early Headstart
813 CULPEPPER ST., Yoakum, TX 77995 · Dewitt County
Program
- Type
- Licensed center
- Licensed capacity
- 48
- Ages
- Infant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten
- Hours
- 07:45 AM-03:15 PM
- Director / administrator
- Maria Capetillo
- Phone
- (361) 212-3642
- Regulated since
- Apr 24, 2018
- HHSC IDs
- Operation 1294623 · number 1665634- 11191
- Official record
- HHSC Child Care Search
Violations by category
Year by year
| Year | Violations | Serious | Main categories |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 0 | Other (1) |
| 2025 | 9 | 2 | Supervision & ratios (2), Discipline & child guidance (1), Safety & premises (2), Staff background & training (2), Records & paperwork (1), Other (1) |
| 2024 | 4 | 1 | Cleanliness & sanitation (1), Supervision & ratios (2), Safety & premises (1) |
Inspections, investigations & assessments
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Apr 15, 2026 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Other
One infant lacked an infant feeding instructions.
HHSC 746.2421(a) — Written Feeding Instructions - Signed and Dated by Parent or Health-Care Professional
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2026-04-17. Correction verified 2026-04-15.
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Other
-
Oct 27, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
-
Oct 21, 2025 Report · No deficiencies cited (self-report)
No violations cited on this visit.
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Oct 14, 2025 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
-
Staff background & training
Four out of six employee files evaluated lacked current SIDS/Shaken Baby training.
HHSC 746.1309(d) — Documented Annual Training - Caregivers of Children Under 24 Months Required
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2025-10-17. Correction verified 2025-10-15.
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Safety & premises
There is an opening on the playground between the ground and the lattice in which children may crawl through. In addition, one board on the walk way is detached and lifted up, posing a hazard.
HHSC 746.3701 — Safety - Areas Free From Hazards
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2025-10-20. Correction verified 2025-10-27.
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Other
The children's product safety recall list had not been certified within the past year.
HHSC 746.4135(b) — Children's Products- Annual Certification
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2025-10-15. Correction verified 2025-10-15.
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Supervision & ratios Serious
The operation did not have a current fire inspection on file.
HHSC 746.5101(a) — Annual Fire Inspection - Before Initial Permit Issued and Every 12 Months
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2025-10-24. Correction verified 2025-10-23.
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Records & paperwork
Three out of six employee files evaluated lacked a pre employment affidavit on file.
HHSC 746.901(5) — Required Personnel Records - Required Affidavit (Form 2912)
HHSC risk weight: Medium Low. Corrected 2025-10-17. Correction verified 2025-10-15.
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Staff background & training
-
Aug 19, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jul 22, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jul 18, 2025 Report · Deficiencies cited (self-report)
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Discipline & child guidance Serious
Based upon preponderance of evidence gathered it was determined that a caregiver used inappropriate discipline, by throwing a tablet, which resulted in a child being struck.
HHSC 746.2805 — Prohibited Punishments - No Harsh, Cruel or Unusual
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2025-08-15. Correction verified 2025-08-19.
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Discipline & child guidance Serious
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May 29, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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May 22, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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May 20, 2025 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Apr 22, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Mar 13, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Feb 28, 2025 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Staff background & training
The employee list was last validated 9-3-24.
HHSC 745.651(2)(A) — Background Check Validation - Every 3 months each operation, other than a licensed, registered, or listed home, must validate current list
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2025-03-03. Correction verified 2025-02-28.
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Supervision & ratios
The operation failed to notify Child Care Regulation there was a change in director.
HHSC 746.303(a)(4) — Report Change in Director
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2025-03-03. Correction verified 2025-02-28.
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Safety & premises
Children did not have drinking water available during outdoor play.
HHSC 746.3301(f)(1) — Nutrition and Food Service - Drinking water available at every snack, mealtime, and during and after active play
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2025-02-28. Correction verified 2025-03-13.
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Staff background & training
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May 2, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Apr 23, 2024 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Cleanliness & sanitation Serious
Purell sanitation wipes were observed on the ground in two bathrooms. Note: This was corrected when the wipes were stored out of the reach of the children.
HHSC 746.3407(12) — Mark Cleaning Supplies, Toxic Materials; Keep Separate from Food and Inaccessible to Children
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2024-04-23.
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Safety & premises
The gate on the playground had an opening large enough for a small child to fit through.
HHSC 746.3701 — Safety - Areas Free From Hazards
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2024-04-30. Correction verified 2024-05-02.
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Supervision & ratios
The operational policies lacked the criteria that will be used to determine if weather is appropriate for outdoor play.
HHSC 746.501(a)(18)(F) — Written Operational Policies - Criteria for Extreme Weather
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2024-04-25. Correction verified 2024-05-02.
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Supervision & ratios
The operational policies lacked information regarding children with special needs.
HHSC 746.501(a)(30) — Written Operational Policies - Support inclusive services
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2024-04-25. Correction verified 2024-05-02.
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Cleanliness & sanitation Serious
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May 10, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Apr 28, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Mar 1, 2022 Inspection · 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.