First Steps Learning Center
138 APPLEWHITE DR, Katy, TX 77450 · Harris County
Program
- Type
- Licensed center
- Licensed capacity
- 60
- Ages
- Infant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School
- Hours
- 06:30 AM-06:30 PM
- Director / administrator
- Elexus Johnson
- Phone
- (281) 392-9194
- Regulated since
- Jun 16, 2020
- HHSC IDs
- Operation 1342493 · number 1699246
- Official record
- HHSC Child Care Search
Violations by category
Year by year
| Year | Violations | Serious | Main categories |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 3 | Safety & premises (3) |
| 2024 | 9 | 5 | Illness & medication (1), Supervision & ratios (2), Safety & premises (2), Staff background & training (1), Records & paperwork (2), Other (1) |
| 2022 | 18 | 16 | Cleanliness & sanitation (1), Supervision & ratios (5), Safety & premises (4), Food & allergies (2), Staff background & training (1), Records & paperwork (1), Other (4) |
Enforcement actions
- Seen Oct 1, 2026 — Conditions on permit (HHSC operation record)
HHSC publishes these as current flags on the operation, not as dated actions. The date shown is when this site first saw the flag. The HHSC Child Care Search has the details.
Inspections, investigations & assessments
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Dec 20, 2025 Assessment · Deficiencies cited
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Safety & premises Serious
Documentation showing a fire inspection has been conducted since April 30,2024 was unavailable for review.
HHSC 746.5101(a) — Annual Fire Inspection - Before Initial Permit Issued and Every 12 Months
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2026-01-02. Correction verified 2025-12-22.
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Safety & premises Serious
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Nov 13, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Oct 30, 2025 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Safety & premises Serious
Documentation showing a fire inspection has been conducted since April 30,2024 was unavailable for review.
HHSC 746.5101(a) — Annual Fire Inspection - Before Initial Permit Issued and Every 12 Months
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2025-12-08. Correction verified 2025-12-19.
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Safety & premises Serious
Documentation showing a fire drill has been conducted was unavailable for review.
HHSC 746.5205(1) — Fire Drill Monthly - Exit in 3 Minutes
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2025-11-07. Correction verified 2025-11-07.
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Safety & premises Serious
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Nov 5, 2024 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Other Serious
Documentation an annual santiation inspection has been conducted was not available upon request.
HHSC 746.3401(a) — Annual Sanitation Inspection
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2024-11-15. Correction verified 2024-11-12.
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Safety & premises
Documentation showing a monthly inspection of the outdoor play space was unavailable upon request.
HHSC 746.4751(b) — Maintenance Procedures for Active Play - Monthly Maintenance Checklist
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2024-11-15. Correction verified 2024-11-12.
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Supervision & ratios
1 out of 4 children's files evluated did not contain a signed 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 2024-11-19. Correction verified 2024-11-05.
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Illness & medication Serious
1 out of 4 children's files evaluated did not contain a copy of the child's immunizations.
HHSC 746.613(b) — Immunization Records, Exceptions, and Exemptions Current
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2024-11-08. Correction verified 2024-11-05.
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Other Serious
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Sep 19, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jun 25, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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May 21, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Apr 16, 2024 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Apr 5, 2024 Report · Deficiencies cited
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Supervision & ratios Serious
Based upon the information obtained from the DFPS Investigation, there was sufficient evidence to support a violation of this standard.
HHSC 746.1205(a)(4) — Supervision ensures each child?s safety, well-being, including physical proximity and auditory or visual awareness of each child?s on going activity
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2024-05-17. Correction verified 2024-05-21.
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Supervision & ratios Serious
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Jan 3, 2024 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Staff background & training Serious
2 out 7 staff files evaulated did not contain current CPR/First Aid certification.
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 2024-01-12. Correction verified 2024-01-11.
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Safety & premises Serious
A fire drill has not been conducted since October 9, 2023.
HHSC 746.5205(1) — Fire Drill Monthly - Exit in 3 Minutes
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2024-01-17. Correction verified 2024-01-11.
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Records & paperwork
1 out of 7 staff files evaulated did not contain proof of education.
HHSC 746.901(2) — Required Personnel Records- Meets Requirements
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2024-01-12. Correction verified 2024-01-11.
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Records & paperwork
1 out of 7 staff files evaulated did not contain a notarized affidavit for employment.
HHSC 746.901(4) — Required Personnel Records - Required Affidavit
HHSC risk weight: Medium Low. Corrected 2024-01-12. Correction verified 2024-01-11.
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Staff background & training Serious
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Sep 1, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Aug 31, 2023 Report · No deficiencies cited (self-report)
No violations cited on this visit.
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Feb 23, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Feb 18, 2023 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Feb 8, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Aug 11, 2022 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Safety & premises Serious
An infant was observed sitting in a rocker without the safety straps fastened. Note: The caregiver removed the infant from the rocker during the inspection.
HHSC 746.2407 — Infant Care Area Furnishings and Equipment -Use of Safety Straps
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2022-08-11.
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Records & paperwork Serious
A child's record evaluated was missing the special needs acknowledgment on their admission form. Note: The parent sent an acknowledgment during the inspection.
HHSC 746.605(13) — Required Admission Information - Special Needs Statement
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2022-08-11.
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Safety & premises Serious
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Jun 14, 2022 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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May 18, 2022 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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May 9, 2022 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Other Serious
A 4-month-old child was observed asleep in a restrictive device (bouncer). A photo was taken.
HHSC 746.2426 — Infant May Not Sleep in a Restrictive Device
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2022-05-09. Correction verified 2022-05-18.
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Other Serious
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May 4, 2022 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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May 2, 2022 Report · Deficiencies cited (self-report)
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Supervision & ratios Serious
During this investigation, it was determined caregiver supervision was not maintained, which resulted in a child being inappropriately touched by another child in the operation's restroom.
HHSC 746.1203(4) — Responsibilities of Caregivers- Supervision of Children
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2022-06-07. Correction verified 2022-06-14.
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Supervision & ratios Serious
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Apr 29, 2022 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Other Serious
A caregiver in the infant room (2m to 1yr) did not know the number of children present. The caregiver stated their were 5 children present. There were 7 children present.
HHSC 746.1203(2) — Responsibilities of Caregivers - Know Group Responsible For
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2022-04-29. Correction verified 2022-05-04.
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Other Serious
A caregiver was observed on their cellphone during naptime in the 3yr to 5yr old classroom.
HHSC 746.1203(6) — Responsibilities of Caregivers - Free of other activities
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2022-04-29. Correction verified 2022-05-04.
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Staff background & training Serious
The Director does not have current transportation training.The Director is the person who transports the school-age children to and from school.
HHSC 746.1301(7)(A) — Training Requirements for Employees, Caregivers, and Directors - Transportation Training
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2022-05-02. Correction verified 2022-05-03.
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Supervision & ratios Serious
The operational policies handbook is missing the following: 746.501: (14) Transportation; (24) emergency preparedness plan; (29)(b)(2) gang-free zone Note: The Director added these policies to the handbook during the inspection.
HHSC 746.201(1) — Policies Comply with Rules
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2022-04-29.
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Safety & premises Serious
A 7 month old child was observed asleep on a boppy in their crib. Later during the inspection, another 7 month old child was observed sleeping in a crib with a pacifier and pacifer attachment. Note: A photo was taken.
HHSC 746.2415(b) — AP Cribs - Only Snug Fitting Sheet and Crib Mattress Cover Allowed if Infant Younger than 12 Months of Age
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2022-04-29. Correction verified 2022-05-04.
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Food & allergies Serious
Four infant bottles were not labeled with each child's first and last name.
HHSC 746.2419(6) — Requirements for Feeding Infants - Label Bottles/Cups
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2022-05-02. Correction verified 2022-05-02.
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Food & allergies
Two infants, ages 4m and 7m, who are not ready for table food did not have updated infant feeding instruction sheets available for review.
HHSC 746.2421(b) — Written Feeding Instructions - Review and Update Every 30 Days
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2022-05-03. Correction verified 2022-05-02.
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Other Serious
A 2 month old was observed alseep in a restrictive device (rocker). Note: A phone was taken.
HHSC 746.2426 — Infant May Not Sleep in a Restrictive Device
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2022-04-29. Correction verified 2022-05-04.
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Safety & premises Serious
Two 7 month old children were observed swaddled and asleep in their cribs. A 2 month old was observed swaddled and asleep in a rocker chair. Note: Photos were taken.
HHSC 746.2428 — No Swaddling of Infant Unless Completed Sleep Exception Form on File
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2022-04-29. Correction verified 2022-05-04.
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Safety & premises Serious
A 7 month old was observed asleep in their crib with their head covered with a hat.The hat was placed over the child's head, eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. Note: A photo was taken.
HHSC 746.2429 — Covering Infant's Head or Crib
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2022-04-29. Correction verified 2022-05-04.
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Cleanliness & sanitation Serious
Both restrooms at the operation were unsanitary. One restroom contained urine inside of the toilet, toilet paper on the floor, and the trash can was overflowing with toilet paper.The other restroom had toilet paper on the floor. Note: The Director cleaned both restrooms during the inspection.
HHSC 746.3407 — Maintenance of Building, Grounds and Equipment
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2022-04-29.
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Supervision & ratios
The operation did not have a current staff list posted. Note: The Director updated the staff list during the inspection.
HHSC 746.401(9) — Posting Requirements - List entitled "Current Employees"--sized at least 81/2 X 11 inches, printed legibly, include employee first and last name
HHSC risk weight: Medium Low. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2022-04-29.
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Supervision & ratios Serious
The operation does not have a current fire inspection report available for review. The last inspection conducted was on 3/15/2021.
HHSC 746.5103 — Documentation of Fire Inspection
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2022-05-06. Correction verified 2022-05-02.
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Supervision & ratios Serious
One of the operations emergency exit doors (back door) cannot open. It is blocked by a wooden step located on the outside of the door. Note: A photo was taken.
HHSC 746.5209(c) — No Blocked or Locked Doors as Exits
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2022-05-06. Correction verified 2022-05-02.
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Other Serious
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.