Report
TheVardellReport
A Step Above Preparatory Academy Inc.
Licensed child care center
5203 Fm 521 Rd
Arcola, TX 77583
Report
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The Vardell Report.A Step Above Preparatory Academy Inc.
The deeper story, beautifully organized. Available records, historical context, and questions worth asking.
- Provider Category
- Childcare
- Location
- Arcola, TX
- Record Period
- 2022–2026
- Source Documents
- 12
This report is free. Vardell does not certify, grade or endorse; it shows what the record documents.
The Essentials
Summary
Across 11 licensing visits from June 2022 to September 2026, HHSC cited 15 deficiencies at A Step Above Preparatory Academy Inc.; 15 have a recorded correction.
- Visits
- 11
- 2022–2026, inspections, investigations and assessments
- Deficiencies
- 15
- Standards cited by HHSC inspectors
- Corrected
- 15
- Of 15 deficiencies, with a recorded correction date
- Investigations
- 3
- 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 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| 2023 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| 2024 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| 2026 | 2 | 7 | 1 |
What the Record Shows
- 15 of 15 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.
- 3 visits in this window included an investigation. HHSC publishes what an investigation cited, not what the report to it alleged.
- The latest inspection, September 30, 2026, recorded no deficiencies.
Report at a Glance
- Facility
- A Step Above Preparatory Academy Inc.
- Address
- 5203 Fm 521 Rd, Arcola, TX 77583
- Operation Number
- TX-1395446
- License Type
- Licensed child care center
- Licensed Capacity
- 95 children
- Permit
- Full Permit
- Ages Served
- infants, toddlers, pre-kindergarten, school age
- Hours
- Mon–Fri, 5:30 a.m.–6:30 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
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905088555
- 2026
Inspection
7 deficiencies
- 746.3407Maintenance of Building, Grounds and EquipmentMedium-high riskCorrected Sep 28, 2026
- 746.901(4)Required Personnel Records - Required Affidavit (Form 2985)Medium-low riskCorrected Sep 18, 2026
- 746.2426(a)(1)Infant May Not Sleep in a Restrictive DeviceHigh riskCorrected Sep 16, 2026
- 746.1013(a)(3)Director's Absence - Caregiver in Charge Has Access to All RecordsMedium riskCorrected Sep 16, 2026
- 746.603(a)(4)Children's Records - ImmunizationsMedium riskCorrected Sep 25, 2026
- 746.5537(a)(1)Electric or Battery-Operated Carbon Monoxide Detector-Install new Battery in Each CO Detector AnnuallyMedium-high riskCorrected Sep 18, 2026
- 746.4907(d)Installation and Maintenance of Loose-fill Surfacing - Proper Depth MaintainedMedium-high riskCorrected Oct 9, 2026
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905088554
- 2025
Inspection
3 deficiencies
- 746.4907(a)(1)Installation and Maintenance of Loose-fill Surfacing - Six Inches if Equipment 5 Ft or LessMedium-high riskCorrected Sep 29, 2025
- 746.3701Safety - Areas Free From HazardsMedium-high riskCorrected Sep 29, 2025
- 746.801(3)Required Records Maintained and Made Available - Personnel and Training RecordsMedium riskCorrected Sep 19, 2025
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905088553
- 2025
Investigation
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905215512
- 2024
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905088552
- 2023
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905088551
- 2023
Inspection
2 deficiencies
- 746.2405(4)Infant Care Area Furnishings and Equipment - Hand-washing SinkMedium-high riskCorrected Sep 27, 2023
- 746.3407Maintenance of Building, Grounds and EquipmentMedium-high riskCorrected Oct 27, 2023
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905088550
- 2023
Investigation
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905215511
- 2022
Inspection
2 deficiencies
- 746.3407Maintenance of Building, Grounds and EquipmentMedium-high riskCorrected Oct 14, 2022
- 746.603(a)(4)Children's Records - ImmunizationsMedium riskCorrected Oct 14, 2022
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905088549
- 2022
Inspection
1 deficiency
- 746.3407(9)Floors, ceilings and Walls in Good Repair and CleanMedium-high riskCorrected Jul 5, 2022
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905088548
- 2022
Investigation
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905215510
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 Three Visits
HHSC inspectors cited 746.3407 in October 2022, September 2023 and September 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.
2222222323232425252626746.3407 across all 11 visits, oldest to newest - 2
Children's Records - Immunizations, Cited in Two Visits
HHSC inspectors cited 746.603(a)(4) in October 2022 and September 2026. The agency describes it this way: Children's Records - Immunizations. None rose above medium risk. Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
2222222323232425252626746.603(a)(4) across all 11 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 three visits, most seriously at medium-high risk.
- 02
What changed after 746.603(a)(4) was cited, and how do you check it now?
Children's Records - Immunizations: cited in two visits, most seriously at medium 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 · 1395446
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 · 905215510
Visit Jun 27, 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 · 905088548
Visit Jul 5, 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 · 905088549
Visit Oct 5, 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 · 905215511
Visit Sep 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 · 905088550
Visit Sep 27, 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 · 905088551
Visit Dec 11, 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 · 905088552
Visit Sep 24, 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 · 905215512
Visit Mar 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 · 905088553
Visit Sep 17, 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 · 905088554
Visit Sep 16, 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 · 905088555
Visit Sep 30, 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.