Cradles and Crayons, El Paso, TX · The Vardell Report

The Essentials

Summary

Across 31 licensing visits from November 2021 to October 2026, HHSC cited 22 deficiencies at Cradles and Crayons; 22 have a recorded correction.

Visits: 31; 2021–2026, inspections, investigations and assessments
Deficiencies: 22; Standards cited by HHSC inspectors
Corrected: 22; Of 22 deficiencies, with a recorded correction date
Investigations: 8; Licensing investigations, whatever prompted them

Deficiencies by Year

Deficiencies
Of which, high risk

* Partial year, through October 31, 2026.

Deficiencies by year
Year	Visits	Deficiencies	Of which, high risk
2021	1	0	0
2022	2	7	1
2023	10	11	3
2024	3	1	0
2025	7	1	0
2026	8	2	2

What the Record Shows

22 of 22 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.
8 visits in this window included an investigation. HHSC publishes what an investigation cited, not what the report to it alleged.
The latest inspection, October 30, 2026, recorded no deficiencies.

What to Ask About

Employee Handwashing After Diapering a Child, Cited in Two Visits

Report at a Glance

Facility: Cradles and Crayons
Address: 2230 N Zaragoza Rd Ste 101, El Paso, TX 79938
Operation Number: TX-1672845
License Type: Licensed child care center
Licensed Capacity: 64 children
Permit: Full Permit
Ages Served: infants, toddlers, pre-kindergarten, school age
Hours: Mon–Fri, 5:30 a.m.–6 p.m.
Conditions on Permit: Yes
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.

Oct 302026
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905117560
Aug 252026
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905117559
Jul 282026
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905117558
Jul 202026
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905117557
Jul 182026
Investigation
2 deficiencies
- 746.2805(10)Prohibited Punishments - Using Inappropriate Long Period of Silence or Inactivity Including Requiring Child to Remain in a Restrictive DeviceHigh riskCorrected Aug 18, 2026
- 746.1201(1)Responsibilities of Employees and Caregivers -Demonstrate Competency, Good Judgment, Self-controlHigh riskCorrected Aug 18, 2026
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905225658
May 52026
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905117556
Apr 22026
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905117555
Mar 312026
Investigation
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905225657
Dec 152025
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905117554
Dec 112025
Inspection
1 deficiency
- 746.3415(4)Employee Handwashing After Diapering a ChildMedium-high riskCorrected Dec 11, 2025
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905117553
Sep 32025
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905117552
May 192025
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905117551
Apr 142025
Investigation
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905225656
Feb 192025
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905117550
Feb 182025
Investigation
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905225655
May 292024
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905117549
Jan 172024
Assessment
1 deficiency
- 746.303(b)Report Number of EmployeesMedium-low riskCorrected Jan 19, 2024
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905252982
Jan 32024
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905117548
Aug 312023
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905117547
Jul 52023
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905117546
Jun 162023
Inspection
5 deficiencies
- 746.3415(4)Employee Handwashing After Diapering a ChildMedium-high riskCorrected Jun 16, 2023
- 746.1605(1)Child/Caregiver Ratio - 18 Months Difference in AgeMedium-high riskCorrected Jun 16, 2023
- 746.2419(8)Requirements for Feeding Infants - Other Use of Handwashing SinkMedium-high riskCorrected Jun 16, 2023
- 746.2207(a)Screen Time Activities - Not Used for Under TwoMedium riskCorrected Jun 16, 2023
- 746.3317(8)Food Service and Preparation Requirement - Cover All Stored FoodMedium-high riskCorrected Jun 16, 2023
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905117545
Jun 122023
Investigation
2 deficiencies
- 746.3317Food Service and Preparation Requirement - Safe and SanitaryMedium-high riskCorrected Jun 16, 2023
- 746.3407(12)Mark Cleaning Supplies, Toxic Materials; Keep Separate from Food and Inaccessible to ChildrenHigh riskCorrected Jun 16, 2023
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905225653
Jun 122023
Investigation
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905225654
May 102023
Investigation
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905225652
Mar 162023
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905117544
Mar 102023
Inspection
2 deficiencies
- 746.2415(b)AP Cribs - Only Snug Fitting Sheet and Crib Mattress Cover Allowed if Infant Younger than 12 Months of AgeHigh riskCorrected Mar 10, 2023
- 746.2426(a)(1)Infant May Not Sleep in a Restrictive DeviceHigh riskCorrected Mar 10, 2023
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905117543
Feb 132023
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905117542
Feb 32023
Investigation
2 deficiencies
- 746.2421(b)Written Feeding Instructions - Review and Update Every 30 DaysMedium riskCorrected Mar 6, 2023
- 746.631(a)Sign-in and Sign-out Tracking SystemMedium-high riskCorrected Mar 6, 2023
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905225651
Oct 202022
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905117541
Oct 42022
Inspection
7 deficiencies
- 746.605(11)Required Admission Information - Physician InformationMedium riskCorrected Oct 18, 2022
- 746.1315(a)Each Caregiver and the Director Must Have Current Training in pediatric first aid with rescue breathing and choking.Medium-high riskCorrected Oct 18, 2022
- 746.801(3)Required Records Maintained and Made Available - Personnel and Training RecordsMedium riskCorrected Oct 18, 2022
- 746.1315(b)Each Caregiver and the Director Must Have Current Training in pediatric CPRMedium-high riskCorrected Oct 18, 2022
- 746.605(12)Required Admission Information - Emergency Medical AuthorizationHigh riskCorrected Oct 18, 2022
- 746.4503(b)Cots, Beds, Mats Labeled With Child's NameMedium riskCorrected Oct 18, 2022
- 746.1305(b)Pre-service Training for Caregivers of Children Under 24 MonthsMedium-high riskCorrected Oct 18, 2022
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905117540
Nov 12021
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905117539

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
Employee Handwashing After Diapering a Child, Cited in Two Visits
HHSC inspectors cited 746.3415(4) in June 2023 and December 2025. The agency describes it this way: Employee Handwashing After Diapering a Child. None rose above medium-high risk. Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
21222223232323232323232323242424252525252525252626262626262626746.3415(4) across all 31 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 746.3415(4) was cited, and how do you check it now?
Employee Handwashing After Diapering a Child: cited in two visits, most seriously at medium-high risk.
02
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.
03
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)
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 1672845
Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
View Dataset ↗
Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x)
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 905117539
Visit Nov 1, 2021 · Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
View Dataset ↗
Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x)
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 905117540
Visit Oct 4, 2022 · Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
View Dataset ↗
Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x)
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 905117541
Visit Oct 20, 2022 · Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
View Dataset ↗
Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x)
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 905225651
Visit Feb 3, 2023 · Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
View Dataset ↗
Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x)
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 905117542
Visit Feb 13, 2023 · Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
View Dataset ↗
Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x)
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 905117543
Visit Mar 10, 2023 · Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
View Dataset ↗
Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x)
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 905117544
Visit Mar 16, 2023 · Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
View Dataset ↗
Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x)
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 905225652
Visit May 10, 2023 · Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
View Dataset ↗
Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x)
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 905225653
Visit Jun 12, 2023 · Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
View Dataset ↗
Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x)
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 905225654
Visit Jun 12, 2023 · Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
View Dataset ↗
Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x)
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 905117545
Visit Jun 16, 2023 · Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
View Dataset ↗
Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x)
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 905117546
Visit Jul 5, 2023 · Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
View Dataset ↗
Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x)
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 905117547
Visit Aug 31, 2023 · Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
View Dataset ↗
Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x)
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 905117548
Visit Jan 3, 2024 · Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
View Dataset ↗
Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x)
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 905252982
Visit Jan 17, 2024 · Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
View Dataset ↗
Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x)
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 905117549
Visit May 29, 2024 · Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
View Dataset ↗
Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x)
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 905225655
Visit Feb 18, 2025 · Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
View Dataset ↗
Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x)
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 905117550
Visit Feb 19, 2025 · Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
View Dataset ↗
Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x)
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 905225656
Visit Apr 14, 2025 · Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
View Dataset ↗
Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x)
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 905117551
Visit May 19, 2025 · Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
View Dataset ↗
Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x)
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 905117552
Visit Sep 3, 2025 · Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
View Dataset ↗
Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x)
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 905117553
Visit Dec 11, 2025 · Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
View Dataset ↗
Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x)
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 905117554
Visit Dec 15, 2025 · Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
View Dataset ↗
Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x)
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 905225657
Visit Mar 31, 2026 · Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
View Dataset ↗
Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x)
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 905117555
Visit Apr 2, 2026 · Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
View Dataset ↗
Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x)
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 905117556
Visit May 5, 2026 · Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
View Dataset ↗
Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x)
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 905225658
Visit Jul 18, 2026 · Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
View Dataset ↗
Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x)
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 905117557
Visit Jul 20, 2026 · Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
View Dataset ↗
Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x)
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 905117558
Visit Jul 28, 2026 · Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
View Dataset ↗
Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x)
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 905117559
Visit Aug 25, 2026 · Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
View Dataset ↗
Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x)
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation · 905117560
Visit Oct 30, 2026 · Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
View Dataset ↗

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.