Helping Hands Child Care
305 N GLASSCOCK BLVD, Alton, TX 78573 · Hidalgo County
Program
- Type
- Licensed center
- Licensed capacity
- 43
- Ages
- Infant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School
- Hours
- 07:00 AM-07:00 PM
- Director / administrator
- Diana Zarate
- Phone
- (956) 583-0668
- Regulated since
- Aug 15, 2013
- HHSC IDs
- Operation 1064609 · number 1477026
- Official record
- HHSC Child Care Search
Violations by category
Year by year
| Year | Violations | Serious | Main categories |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7 | 1 | Cleanliness & sanitation (1), Supervision & ratios (2), Safety & premises (2), Records & paperwork (1), Other (1) |
| 2025 | 2 | 0 | Cleanliness & sanitation (1), Illness & medication (1) |
| 2024 | 3 | 0 | Supervision & ratios (1), Other (2) |
| 2023 | 2 | 0 | Safety & premises (1), Staff background & training (1) |
| 2022 | 4 | 0 | Illness & medication (1), Supervision & ratios (1), Records & paperwork (1), Other (1) |
| 2021 | 1 | 0 | Supervision & ratios (1) |
Inspections, investigations & assessments
-
Jun 8, 2026 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
-
May 21, 2026 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
-
Supervision & ratios
Two caregivers were caring for 7 children of varying ages including infants in a toddler room during the naptime. The children combined were five toddler children and two infants. There was more than 18 month difference between the youngest child and oldest child in the group. The youngest child was 7 months of age and the oldest child was 34 months of age.
HHSC 746.1605(1) — Child/Caregiver Ratio - 18 Months Difference in Age
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2026-05-21. Correction verified 2026-06-08.
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Other
The activity plan posted in the pre-k room was not current. The date on the activity plan was for the week of 5/11-15/2026. Note:This was CORRECTED during the inspection as the current activity plan was posted.
HHSC 746.2205(a)(1) — Written Activity Plan - Group Name and Dates
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2026-05-21.
-
Supervision & ratios
A bowl with fruit was observed uncovered in the refrigerator. Note: This was addressed during inspection and the fruit was removed from the bowl and stored in a sealed plastic bag.
HHSC 746.3317(8) — Food Service and Preparation Requirement - Cover All Stored Food
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2026-05-21. Correction verified 2026-06-08.
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Cleanliness & sanitation
A soiled diaper was observed in an uncovered trash can in a children restroom. This posed a hazard as the soiled diaper was accessible to children in care.
HHSC 746.3505(f) — Diapering Procedures-Soiled Diapers Kept in a Sanitary Manner
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2026-05-21. Correction verified 2026-06-08.
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Safety & premises
The transportation vehicle's passengers side door did not open from the outside only from the inside of the vehicle.
HHSC 746.5603(c) — Types of Vehicles Used to Transport Children - Be Maintained Safely
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2026-05-26. Correction verified 2026-06-08.
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Safety & premises Serious
There was no emergency medical transport and treatment authorization forms for 3 of 4 children being transported. Note: This was CORRECTED during the inspection as the required information was obtained for each child and placed in the transportation vehicle binder.
HHSC 746.5617(a)(2) — Required Equipment in Vehicles - Emergency Medical Information
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2026-05-21.
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Records & paperwork
There were no time sheets available for review for both directors.
HHSC 746.801(5) — Required Records Maintained and Made Available - Employees' Attendance
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2026-06-01. Correction verified 2026-06-08.
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Supervision & ratios
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Jun 2, 2025 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Cleanliness & sanitation
A can of lysol disinfectant spray and plastic trash bags were observed under a sink in the toddler room. This posed a safety hazard as the door to the cabinet did not have a safety latch and items were accessivle to children. A small wasp nest and wasps were observed in the toddler playground. Note: This was CORRECTED during the inspection as the disinfectant spray, and plastic bags were removed from under the sink and stored in an area out of children's reach. The wasp nest was also removed during inspection.
HHSC 746.3701 — Safety - Areas Free From Hazards
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2025-06-02.
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Illness & medication
3 of 4 children's immunization records reviewed were not current.
HHSC 746.603(a)(4) — Children's Records - Immunizations
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2025-06-13. Correction verified 2025-06-04.
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Cleanliness & sanitation
-
Jul 23, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jun 26, 2024 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Other
Last Health / Sanitation inspection was conducted on 05/04/2023.
HHSC 746.3401(a) — Annual Sanitation Inspection
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2024-07-10. Correction verified 2024-06-27.
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Other
Four children under 4 years old did not have cot/mat to sleep on.
HHSC 746.4503(a) — Individual Cot, Bed, or Mat for Each Walking Child Through 4 Years of Age
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2024-06-28. Correction verified 2024-06-27.
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Supervision & ratios
Operation has a caterpillar Climb-N-Crawl structure in the toddler's playground, the structure is installed directly onto artificial grass turf.
HHSC 746.4901(a) — Active Play Surfacing In Use Zones - Loose Fill or Unitary Surfacing
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2024-07-10. Correction verified 2024-07-22.
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Other
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Aug 1, 2023 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Staff background & training
Six staff training records were reviewed. One staff member last completed transportation on 12/2020.
HHSC 746.1301(a)(7)(A) — Training Requirements for Employees, Caregivers, and Directors - Transportation training
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2023-08-08. Correction verified 2023-08-03.
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Safety & premises
Report for fire inspection conducted 12/30/2022 was not available for review at the time of inspection.
HHSC 746.801(11) — Required Records Maintained and Made Available - Fire Inspection Report, Including Written Approval for Above/Below Ground Level Care
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2023-08-08. Correction verified 2023-08-01.
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Staff background & training
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Aug 23, 2022 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Supervision & ratios
Four non-walking infants under the age of 12 were present and there are only three napping play-yards at operation.
HHSC 746.2405(2) — Infant Care Area Furnishings and Equipment - Crib for Each Non-walking Infant Younger Than 12 Months of Age
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2022-08-24. Correction verified 2022-08-29.
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Other
Napping play-yards have 1-4 in gaps between mat and play-yard edge.
HHSC 746.2411(2)(B) — Safety Requirements for Play Yards - Snug Fitting Sheets
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2022-08-30. Correction verified 2022-08-29.
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Illness & medication
One out of six children's records reviewed is missing immunization records.
HHSC 746.603(a)(4) — Children's Records - Immunizations
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2022-08-30. Correction verified 2022-09-01.
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Records & paperwork
Most recent sanitation report was not available for review at the time of inspection.
HHSC 746.801(12) — Required Records Maintained and Made Available - Sanitation Inspection Report
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2022-08-30. Correction verified 2022-08-24.
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Supervision & ratios
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Oct 13, 2021 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Supervision & ratios
The Emergency Evacuation & Relocation diagram in the operation did not have the designated location to meet outside.
HHSC 746.5207(a)(3) — Emergency Evacuation and Relocation Diagram - Designated Location
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2021-10-14. Correction verified 2021-10-14.
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Supervision & ratios
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
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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.