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TheVardellReport
1st Step Early Learning Center
Licensed child care center
401 Fm 685 Ste 104
Pflugerville, TX 78660
Report
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The Vardell Report.1st Step Early Learning Center
The deeper story, beautifully organized. Available records, historical context, and questions worth asking.
- Provider Category
- Childcare
- Location
- Pflugerville, TX
- Record Period
- 2022–2026
- Source Documents
- 13
This report is free. Vardell does not certify, grade or endorse; it shows what the record documents.
The Essentials
Summary
Across 12 licensing visits from January 2022 to August 2026, HHSC cited 17 deficiencies at 1st Step Early Learning Center; 17 have a recorded correction.
- Visits
- 12
- 2022–2026, inspections, investigations and assessments
- Deficiencies
- 17
- Standards cited by HHSC inspectors
- Corrected
- 17
- Of 17 deficiencies, with a recorded correction date
- Investigations
- 0
- Licensing investigations, whatever prompted them
Deficiencies by Year
- Deficiencies
- Of which, high risk
* Partial year, through October 31, 2026.
| Year | Visits | Deficiencies | Of which, high risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 4 | 8 | 2 |
| 2025 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| 2026 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
What the Record Shows
- 17 of 17 deficiencies have a recorded correction date.
- HHSC’s files name no enforcement action in this window. They say whether a program is under corrective or adverse action, not what the action was.
- No investigation appears in this window. HHSC publishes what an investigation cited, not what the report to it alleged.
- The latest inspection, August 3, 2026, recorded 1 deficiency (most serious: Medium-high risk).
Report at a Glance
- Facility
- 1st Step Early Learning Center
- Address
- 401 Fm 685 Ste 104, Pflugerville, TX 78660
- Operation Number
- TX-976846
- License Type
- Licensed child care center
- Licensed Capacity
- 47 children
- Permit
- Full Permit
- Ages Served
- infants, toddlers, pre-kindergarten, school age
- Hours
- Mon–Fri, 6:30 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Record Window
- November 1, 2021 to October 31, 2026
Chronology
Inspection History
Every visit in the record window, newest first. A deficiency is a licensing standard Texas inspectors found was not met. HHSC publishes what an investigation cited, not what the report to it alleged.
- 2026
Inspection
1 deficiency
- 746.3407Maintenance of Building, Grounds and EquipmentMedium-high riskCorrected Aug 3, 2026
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905080087
- 2026
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905080086
- 2025
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905080085
- 2025
Inspection
4 deficiencies
- 746.4813(a)Measurement of Use Zone for Rotating and Rocking Equipment (Sitting)Medium-high riskCorrected Aug 15, 2025
- 746.3407Maintenance of Building, Grounds and EquipmentMedium-high riskCorrected Aug 15, 2025
- 746.2203(a)Written Activity PlansMedium riskCorrected Aug 15, 2025
- 746.4751(c)Maintenance Procedures for Active Play - Hazards Removed or RepairedMedium-high riskCorrected Aug 15, 2025
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905080084
- 2024
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905080083
- 2024
Inspection
1 deficiency
- 746.2426(a)(1)Infant May Not Sleep in a Restrictive DeviceHigh riskCorrected Sep 26, 2024
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905080082
- 2024
Inspection
1 deficiency
- 746.2409(a)(2)Safety Requirements for Cribs - Snug Fitting SheetsMedium-high riskCorrected Sep 23, 2024
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905080081
- 2024
Inspection
6 deficiencies
- 746.501(a)(20)Written Operational Policies - Parent RightsMedium riskCorrected Sep 27, 2024
- 746.1205(a)(2)Responsibilities of Caregivers - Know number of children responsible forHigh riskCorrected Sep 18, 2024
- 746.1105(4)Minimum Qualifications Employees and Caregivers - Affidavit (Form 2912)Low riskCorrected Sep 27, 2024
- 746.613(b)Immunization Records, Exceptions, and Exemptions CurrentMedium-high riskCorrected Oct 2, 2024
- 746.4003(b)First Aid Kit - Supplies Not ExpiredMedium riskCorrected Sep 18, 2024
- 746.2431Infant Daily Report - Share with ParentMedium-high riskCorrected Sep 18, 2024
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905080080
- 2023
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905080079
- 2023
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905080078
- 2022
Inspection
4 deficiencies
- 746.201(1)Policies Comply with RulesHigh riskCorrected Jan 9, 2023
- 746.1613(a)Reduction of child/caregiver naptime ratio by 50% allowed, If 13 or more children in care, children are 18 mo. or older and other standards metMedium riskCorrected Dec 22, 2022
- 746.613(b)Immunization Records, Exceptions, and Exemptions CurrentMedium-high riskCorrected Jan 9, 2023
- 746.2405(2)Infant Care Area Furnishings and Equipment - Crib for Each Non-walking Infant Younger Than 12 Months of AgeMedium-high riskCorrected Dec 22, 2022
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905080077
- 2022
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905080076
Texas gives every licensing standard one of five risk levels, from low to high, by how likely a deficiency is to harm a child.
Context
Patterns Worth Examining
A repeated citation can merit attention, but context and corrective action must be reviewed before drawing a conclusion.
- 1
Maintenance of Building, Grounds and Equipment, Cited in Two Visits
HHSC inspectors cited 746.3407 in August 2025 and August 2026. The agency describes it this way: Maintenance of Building, Grounds and Equipment. None rose above medium-high risk. Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
222223232424242425252626746.3407 across all 12 visits, oldest to newest - 2
Immunization Records, Exceptions, and Exemptions Current, Cited in Two Visits
HHSC inspectors cited 746.613(b) in December 2022 and September 2024. The agency describes it this way: Immunization Records, Exceptions, and Exemptions Current. None rose above medium-high risk. Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
222223232424242425252626746.613(b) across all 12 visits, oldest to newest
For Your Next Visit
Questions to Ask on Your Visit
Bring these to the tour. Each one comes from something in the record; the reason is under the question.
- 01
What changed after 746.3407 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Maintenance of Building, Grounds and Equipment: cited in two visits, most seriously at medium-high risk.
- 02
What changed after 746.613(b) was cited, and how do you check it now?
Immunization Records, Exceptions, and Exemptions Current: cited in two visits, most seriously at medium-high risk.
- 03
What is the ratio in the room my child would join, and how is every child accounted for at nap time, pickup and on the playground?
Ratios change through the day, so they are worth counting yourself on a visit.
- 04
Has the center ever been under corrective or adverse action, and what changed afterward?
HHSC’s files name no enforcement action in this window. They say whether a program is under corrective or adverse action, not what the action was.
The Evidence
Sources and Coverage
Program details, licensing visits and the deficiencies cited at each are published by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission's Child Care Regulation in its daily files on data.texas.gov.
- Child Care Licensing operations (data.texas.gov)View Dataset ↗
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 976846
Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x)View Dataset ↗
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 905080076
Visit Jan 7, 2022 · Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x)View Dataset ↗
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 905080077
Visit Dec 22, 2022 · Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x)View Dataset ↗
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 905080078
Visit Jan 3, 2023 · Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x)View Dataset ↗
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 905080079
Visit Nov 22, 2023 · Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x)View Dataset ↗
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 905080080
Visit Sep 18, 2024 · Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x)View Dataset ↗
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 905080081
Visit Sep 23, 2024 · Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x)View Dataset ↗
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 905080082
Visit Sep 26, 2024 · Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x)View Dataset ↗
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 905080083
Visit Sep 30, 2024 · Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x)View Dataset ↗
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 905080084
Visit Aug 7, 2025 · Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x)View Dataset ↗
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 905080085
Visit Sep 5, 2025 · Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x)View Dataset ↗
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 905080086
Visit Jan 12, 2026 · Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x)View Dataset ↗
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 905080087
Visit Aug 3, 2026 · Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Coverage
Record windowNovember 1, 2021 – October 31, 2026
- This record is HHSC's list of operations as of October 2026, with the inspections, investigations and assessments in HHSC's files, which run from November 2021.
- Listed family homes (one caregiver with up to three unrelated children, listed with HHSC but not inspected on a schedule) are not in this record.
- HHSC's narrative for each deficiency is left out because it can name children, parents and staff; the rule cited, its risk level and the correction dates are kept.
What This Report Cannot Tell You
- Inspector narratives
- Published by HHSC but left out of this record because they can name people.
- Enforcement actions
- HHSC's files say whether an operation is under corrective or adverse action, not what the action was.
- Complaints not investigated
- Reports HHSC screened out without an investigation are not published.
- Staff qualifications and turnover
- Not part of the published licensing record.
Historical coverage varies by agency and location. Missing records do not mean that no complaint or violation occurred.
Data architecture: Cierto supplies the source-backed machine-readable bundle. Life by Vardell independently creates the narrative, design, and consumer report.