The Apple Tree Daycare, INC. III
3722 S SUGAR RD, Edinburg, TX 78539 · Hidalgo County
Program
- Type
- Licensed center
- Licensed capacity
- 144
- Ages
- Infant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School
- Hours
- 06:30 AM-07:00 PM
- Director / administrator
- Thelma Flores
- Phone
- (956) 318-1138
- Regulated since
- Jul 28, 2015
- HHSC IDs
- Operation 1169041 · number 1557927
- 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 | 10 | 6 | Safety & premises (4), Food & allergies (1), Staff background & training (2), Records & paperwork (1), Other (2) |
| 2024 | 5 | 3 | Illness & medication (1), Safety & premises (1), Staff background & training (1), Other (2) |
| 2023 | 2 | 1 | Cleanliness & sanitation (2) |
| 2022 | 6 | 3 | Cleanliness & sanitation (1), Other (5) |
| 2021 | 2 | 1 | Food & allergies (1), Other (1) |
Inspections, investigations & assessments
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May 8, 2026 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Mar 5, 2026 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Staff background & training
Director completed 30 annual training hours of which 7 hours were self-study training. The self-study trainings are the required annual training topics.
HHSC 746.1309(g) — Documented Annual Training-Self-Instructional 80%
HHSC risk weight: Medium Low. Corrected 2026-03-09. Correction verified 2026-03-09.
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Staff background & training
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Oct 22, 2025 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Sep 23, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Apr 1, 2025 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Staff background & training Serious
An employee was responsible for supervising a group of children; however, this individual does not fulfill the educational requirements necessary to qualify as a caregiver. Corrected at Inspection: A qualified caregiver was placed in the classroom.
HHSC 746.1107(2) — Additional Minimum Qualifications for Caregivers - HS Diploma, Equivalent, Certification of Completion
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2025-04-01.
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Staff background & training Serious
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Mar 14, 2025 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Other Serious
Employees did not know the person in charge in the absence of the director.
HHSC 746.1013(c) — Director's Absence - Employees Know Who Is in Charge
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2025-03-17. Correction verified 2025-04-01.
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Staff background & training Serious
Three caregivers completed Pediatric CPR training online without hands-on skill-based instruction, and practice.
HHSC 746.1315(b)(1) — CPR Training and Recertification Adhere to Guidelines-skill based
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2025-03-19. Correction verified 2025-04-01.
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Food & allergies
The group of toddlers were viewing a children's video while waiting for their meal.
HHSC 746.2207(c)(4) — Screen Time Activities - Not Used During Eating or Rest Times
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2025-03-14. Correction verified 2025-04-01.
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Safety & premises Serious
There were three vents and ceiling fans with dust and debris.
HHSC 746.3407 — Maintenance of Building, Grounds and Equipment
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2025-03-17. Correction verified 2025-04-01.
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Safety & premises Serious
A child with a diagnosed food allergy did not have a Food Allergy Emergency Plan.
HHSC 746.3819 — Food Allergy Emergency Plan Signed by Parents and Health Care Professional
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2025-03-19. Correction verified 2025-04-01.
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Other
There was a torn mat used by a child during naptime.
HHSC 746.4503(a) — Individual Cot, Bed, or Mat for Each Walking Child Through 4 Years of Age
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2025-03-14. Correction verified 2025-04-01.
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Safety & premises Serious
The fire extinguisher was not secured in one of the transportation vehicles.
HHSC 746.5617(a)(5) — Required Equipment in Vehicles - Fire Extinguisher
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2025-03-17. Correction verified 2025-04-01.
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Safety & premises
The documentation for the fire drills and sheltering/lockdown drills was not fully completed for 2024. There were several dates missing on the forms.
HHSC 746.801(10) — Required Records Maintained and Made Available - Safety Documentation for Emergency Drills, Fire Extinguishers, & Smoke Detectors
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2025-03-17. Correction verified 2025-04-01.
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Records & paperwork
The director did not have a time sheets.
HHSC 746.801(5) — Required Records Maintained and Made Available - Employees' Attendance
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2025-03-17. Correction verified 2025-04-01.
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Other Serious
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Oct 29, 2024 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Other
1 out of 10 employee files reviewed is missing translation of education.
HHSC 746.1111 — Education Outside of U.S.
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2024-11-29. Correction verified 2024-11-26.
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Staff background & training Serious
2 out of 10 employee files reviewed are missing First Aid and CPR Training.
HHSC 746.1301(a)(3)(A) — Training Requirements for Employees, Caregivers, and Directors - Pediatric First Aid with Rescue Breathing
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2024-11-05. Correction verified 2024-11-26.
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Safety & premises Serious
Observed documentation of last fire drill conducted on 1-31-24.
HHSC 746.5205(1) — Fire Drill Monthly - Exit in 3 Minutes
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2024-10-31. Correction verified 2024-11-26.
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Other Serious
Carbon Monoxide Detector had not been tested for the year 2024. *This was corrected at inspection when the Carbon Monoxide Detector was tested and in compliance.
HHSC 746.5537(a)(2) — Electronic or Battery-Operated Carbon Monoxide Detector-Check All Detectors Monthly
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2024-10-29.
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Illness & medication
9 out of 10 childrens records reviewed is missing the following: 1) Admission Date 2) Emergency Contact Address, Special Care Statement, Healthcare Provider Statement, Immunization Information 3) Emergency Contact other than a parent 4) Emergency Contact Address, Emergency Care Authorization, Special Care Statement 5) Date of Admission, Special Care Statement 6) Date of Admission, 7) Date of Admission, Name of School/Address/Phone Number 8) Date of Admission, Address of Emergecny Contact, Special Care Statement, School information, Healthcare Statement, Immunization records, Permission to ride bus/walk 9) Iimmunization Records
HHSC 746.603(a) — Children's Records Maintained
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2024-11-12. Correction verified 2024-11-26.
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Other
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Nov 10, 2023 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Cleanliness & sanitation Serious
In the infant classroom there was a garbage can that was accessible to the children. NOTE: This was corrected at inspection when caregiver removed the trash can from the classroom.
HHSC 746.3407(8) — Garbage Inaccessible to Children; Maintained in Sanitary Manner
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2023-11-10.
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Cleanliness & sanitation
In the toddler classroom there was an ointment in one of the children's cubbies that was not labeled. NOTE: This was corrected at inspection when caregiver labeled the diaper ointment.
HHSC 746.3501(5) — Diaper Changing Steps-Label Powders, Lotions, Etc. with Name
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2023-11-10.
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Cleanliness & sanitation Serious
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Dec 13, 2022 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Nov 29, 2022 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Other
A Pre-K child was observed using caregiver's phone to watch videos not related to planned activities. NOTE: Phone was removed and activities were resumed.
HHSC 746.2207(c)(1) — Screen Time Activities - Related to Planned Activities
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2022-11-29. Correction verified 2022-12-13.
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Other Serious
A caregiver was observed yelling at a child during the inspection.
HHSC 746.2805(6) — Prohibited Punishments - Humiliating, Rejecting, Yelling
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2022-11-29. Correction verified 2022-12-13.
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Other
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Nov 16, 2022 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Other
Documentation of education outside of U.S. for one caregiver does not provide proof of high school or GED completion. Documentation of education outside of U.S. for another caregiver was not translated to English.
HHSC 746.1111 — Education Outside of U.S.
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2022-11-28. Correction verified 2022-11-29.
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Other
Two groups of children were observed watching cartoons on television not related to planned activities. NOTE: This was corrected by caregivers switching TV shows to material related to planned activities.
HHSC 746.2207(c)(1) — Screen Time Activities - Related to Planned Activities
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2022-11-16. Correction verified 2022-11-29.
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Cleanliness & sanitation Serious
A caregiver washed a child's hands in the sink designated to wash dishes and other food items.
HHSC 746.2419(8) — Requirements for Feeding Infants - Other Use of Handwashing Sink
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2022-11-16. Correction verified 2022-11-29.
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Other Serious
Three out of nine infants were observed sleeping in restrictive devices (swings). Children were not removed as soon as possible. NOTE: This was corrected by caregivers removing children from restrictive devices.
HHSC 746.2426 — Infant May Not Sleep in a Restrictive Device
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2022-11-16. Correction verified 2022-11-29.
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Other
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Dec 10, 2021 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Dec 6, 2021 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Other
Three children under the age for 2 were observed watching television during a transition in the toddler classroom. NOTE: This was corrected during inspection as television was turned off and another activity was initiated.
HHSC 746.2207(a) — Screen Time Activities - Not Used for Under Two
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2021-12-06. Correction verified 2021-12-10.
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Food & allergies Serious
An infant's bottle was being supported by a blanket while infant was feeding on a restrictive device. NOTE: This was corrected during inspection as infant began to be fed by a caregiver.
HHSC 746.2419(3) — Requirements for Feeding Infants - Never Prop Bottles
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2021-12-06. Correction verified 2021-12-10.
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Other
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.