Report
TheVardellReport
Apples and Bananas
Licensed child care center
197 White Rock Loop
Rio Grande City, TX 78582
Report
← Apples and Bananas, free profile
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The Vardell Report.Apples and Bananas
The deeper story, beautifully organized. Available records, historical context, and questions worth asking.
- Provider Category
- Childcare
- Location
- Rio Grande City, TX
- Record Period
- 2021–2026
- Source Documents
- 10
This report is free. Vardell does not certify, grade or endorse; it shows what the record documents.
The Essentials
Summary
Across 9 licensing visits from November 2021 to July 2026, HHSC cited 17 deficiencies at Apples and Bananas; 17 have a recorded correction.
- Visits
- 9
- 2021–2026, 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 | 2 | 8 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| 2023 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 2025 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2026 | 2 | 2 | 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, July 8, 2026, recorded 2 deficiencies (most serious: Medium-high risk).
Report at a Glance
- Facility
- Apples and Bananas
- Address
- 197 White Rock Loop, Rio Grande City, TX 78582
- Operation Number
- TX-1668756
- License Type
- Licensed child care center
- Licensed Capacity
- 53 children
- Permit
- Full Permit
- Ages Served
- infants, toddlers, pre-kindergarten, school age
- Hours
- Mon–Fri, 7 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
2 deficiencies
- 746.1403(a)(3)(A)Training requirements for substitutes, volunteers, and contractors-Pediatric first aid with rescue breathingMedium-high riskCorrected Jul 17, 2026
- 746.1309(e)Documented Annual Training- Required ContentMedium riskCorrected Jul 17, 2026
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905116371
- 2026
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905116370
- 2025
Inspection
1 deficiency
- 746.603(a)Children's Records MaintainedMedium riskCorrected Aug 29, 2025
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905116369
- 2024
Inspection
2 deficiencies
- 746.2207(a)Screen Time Activities - Not Used for Under TwoMedium riskCorrected Sep 11, 2024
- 746.4907(a)(1)Installation and Maintenance of Loose-fill Surfacing - Six Inches if Equipment 5 Ft or LessMedium-high riskCorrected Sep 18, 2024
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905116368
- 2023
Inspection
1 deficiency
- 746.901(4)Required Personnel Records - Required AffidavitMedium-low riskCorrected Oct 20, 2023
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905116367
- 2022
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905116366
- 2022
Inspection
3 deficiencies
- 746.2207(a)Screen Time Activities - Not Used for Under TwoMedium riskCorrected Oct 25, 2022
- 746.3401(a)Annual Sanitation InspectionMedium-high riskCorrected Nov 10, 2022
- 746.1313Time Period of TrainingLow riskCorrected Nov 15, 2022
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905116365
- 2021
Inspection
1 deficiency
- 746.4501(b)Chairs - Safety Straps Used if Required by ManufacturerMedium riskCorrected Dec 17, 2021
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905116364
- 2021
Inspection
7 deficiencies
- 746.607Signed Admission FormLow riskCorrected Nov 26, 2021
- 746.2415(a)(1)Prohibited Equipment for Infants - Baby WalkersMedium-high riskCorrected Nov 19, 2021
- 746.3401(a)Annual Sanitation InspectionMedium-high riskCorrected Nov 26, 2021
- 746.1329(b)(1)Documentation of Training Requirements - Original Training Certification Card or Letter in each Employee's personnel recordMedium-low riskCorrected Nov 26, 2021
- 746.2207(c)(4)Screen Time Activities - Not Used During Eating or Rest TimesMedium riskCorrected Nov 19, 2021
- 746.5205(4)Documentation of DrillsMedium riskCorrected Nov 26, 2021
- 746.5101(a)Annual Fire Inspection - Before Initial Permit Issued and Every 12 MonthsHigh riskCorrected Nov 19, 2021
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905116363
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
Screen Time Activities - Not Used for Under Two, Cited in Two Visits
HHSC inspectors cited 746.2207(a) in October 2022 and September 2024. The agency describes it this way: Screen Time Activities - Not Used for Under Two. None rose above medium risk. Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
212122222324252626746.2207(a) across all 9 visits, oldest to newest - 2
Annual Sanitation Inspection, Cited in Two Visits
HHSC inspectors cited 746.3401(a) in November 2021 and October 2022. The agency describes it this way: Annual Sanitation Inspection. None rose above medium-high risk. Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
212122222324252626746.3401(a) across all 9 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 746.2207(a) was cited, and how do you check it now?
Screen Time Activities - Not Used for Under Two: cited in two visits, most seriously at medium risk.
- 02
What changed after 746.3401(a) was cited, and how do you check it now?
Annual Sanitation Inspection: 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 · 1668756
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 · 905116363
Visit Nov 19, 2021 · 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 · 905116364
Visit Dec 17, 2021 · 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 · 905116365
Visit Oct 25, 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 · 905116366
Visit Oct 31, 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 · 905116367
Visit Oct 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 · 905116368
Visit Sep 11, 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 · 905116369
Visit Aug 14, 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 · 905116370
Visit Mar 23, 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 · 905116371
Visit Jul 8, 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.