The Vardell Report.Little Steps Academy

Across 24 licensing visits from November 2021 to September 2026, HHSC cited 44 deficiencies at Little Steps Academy; 44 have a recorded correction.

Visits

24

2021–2026, inspections, investigations and assessments

Deficiencies

44

Standards cited by HHSC inspectors

Corrected

44

Of 44 deficiencies, with a recorded correction date

Investigations

4

Licensing investigations, whatever prompted them

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.

1. Sep 22026

   Inspection

   No deficiencies

   Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905105869

2. May 272026

   Inspection

   No deficiencies

   Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905105868

3. May 152026

   Assessment

   1 deficiency

   • 745.509Licensed Operations Required FeesHigh riskCorrected May 15, 2026

   Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905252550

4. Apr 212026

   Inspection

   No deficiencies

   Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905105867

5. Apr 172026

   Investigation

   2 deficiencies

   • 746.2431(3)Infant Daily Report - Times of Diaper ChangesMedium-high riskCorrected May 15, 2026
   • 746.2431(2)Infant Daily Report - Times and Amount of FoodMedium-high riskCorrected May 15, 2026

   Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905221586

6. Jan 72026

   Inspection

   No deficiencies

   Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905105866

7. Jan 22026

   Inspection

   2 deficiencies

   • 746.4751(c)Maintenance Procedures for Active Play - Hazards Removed or RepairedMedium-high riskCorrected Jan 9, 2026
   • 746.3701Safety - Areas Free From HazardsMedium-high riskCorrected Jan 9, 2026

   Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905105865

8. Oct 22025

   Inspection

   No deficiencies

   Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905105864

9. Jul 112025

   Investigation

   2 deficiencies

   • 746.1013(a)(2)Director's Absence - Caregiver in Charge Knows ResponsibilitiesMedium riskCorrected Sep 17, 2025
   • 746.1013(a)(1)Director's Absence - Caregiver in Charge Knows in ChargeMedium-high riskCorrected Sep 17, 2025

   Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905221585

10. Feb 102025

    Inspection

    No deficiencies

    Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905105863

11. Jan 162025

    Assessment

    1 deficiency

    • 746.303(b)Report Number of EmployeesMedium-low riskCorrected Jan 24, 2025

    Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905252549

12. Dec 312024

    Inspection

    4 deficiencies

    • 746.2206(3)(A)Written Activity Plan - Child-Initiated - Equipment/Materials In ReachMedium riskCorrected Jan 10, 2025
    • 746.2405(5)Infant Care Area Furnishings and Equipment -Sufficient Number of ToysMedium-high riskCorrected Jan 10, 2025
    • 746.2415(c)(2)Crib Mattress Cover - Snug-Fitting and ThinMedium-high riskCorrected Jan 10, 2025
    • 746.1301(a)(2)(A)Training Requirements for Employees, Caregivers, and Directors - Pre-Service TrainingMedium-high riskCorrected Jan 31, 2025

    Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905105862

13. Feb 292024

    Inspection

    No deficiencies

    Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905105861

14. Feb 272024

    Inspection

    1 deficiency

    • 746.4751(a)Maintenance Procedures for Active Play - Inspect DailyMedium-high riskCorrected Mar 4, 2024

    Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905105860

15. Jan 172024

    Assessment

    1 deficiency

    • 746.303(b)Report Number of EmployeesMedium-low riskCorrected Jan 18, 2024

    Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905252548

16. Oct 192023

    Inspection

    No deficiencies

    Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905105859

17. Oct 122023

    Inspection

    12 deficiencies

    • 746.3417(3)Children Handwashing After Toileting or DiaperingMedium-high riskCorrected Oct 13, 2023
    • 746.2203(b)Written Activity Plans - Plan Followed by CaregiverMedium riskCorrected Oct 16, 2023
    • 746.4503(a)Individual Cot, Bed, or Mat for Each Walking Child Through 4 Years of AgeMedium riskCorrected Oct 13, 2023
    • 746.605(6)Required Admission Information - Emergency ContactMedium-high riskCorrected Oct 16, 2023
    • 746.3701Safety - Areas Free From HazardsMedium-high riskCorrected Oct 16, 2023
    • 746.1205(a)(3)Responsibilities of Caregivers - Know children's names and agesMedium-high riskCorrected Oct 13, 2023
    • 746.403(b)Posting Requirements - Child's Food Allergy PlansMedium-high riskCorrected Oct 16, 2023
    • 746.603(a)(3)Children's Records - Health StatementMedium riskCorrected Oct 20, 2023
    • 746.3819Food Allergy Emergency Plan Signed by Parents and Health Care ProfessionalMedium-high riskCorrected Oct 20, 2023
    • 746.801(5)Required Records Maintained and Made Available - Employees' AttendanceMedium riskCorrected Oct 16, 2023
    • 746.3415(4)Employee Handwashing After Diapering a ChildMedium-high riskCorrected Oct 13, 2023
    • 745.641AP Background check results - Must receive notification prior to allowing subject to be present at your operationHigh riskCorrected Oct 12, 2023

    Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905105858

18. Sep 62023

    Inspection

    No deficiencies

    Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905105857

19. Aug 292023

    Inspection

    7 deficiencies

    • 746.1203(3)(B)Meal preparation, except when 12 or fewer children are in careMedium-high riskCorrected Aug 29, 2023
    • 746.631(a)Sign-in and Sign-out Tracking SystemMedium-high riskCorrected Aug 29, 2023
    • 746.1615Child/Caregiver Ratio - Opening/ClosingMedium riskCorrected Aug 29, 2023
    • 746.3701Safety - Areas Free From HazardsMedium-high riskCorrected Aug 29, 2023
    • 746.2403(6)Infant Care Area - Not Used as a PassagewayMedium-high riskCorrected Aug 29, 2023
    • 746.2405(1)Infant Care Area Furnishings and Equipment - Adult-sized ChairMedium-high riskCorrected Aug 29, 2023
    • 746.2417(2)(B)Activities for Infants - Not in Restrictive Device for more than 15 MinutesHigh riskCorrected Aug 29, 2023

    Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905105856

20. Aug 282023

    Investigation

    3 deficiencies

    • 746.201(9)Complying with Laws and RulesMedium-high riskCorrected Sep 1, 2023
    • 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 activityHigh riskCorrected Aug 29, 2023
    • 746.2401(7)Basic Requirements for Infants - Never UnsupervisedHigh riskCorrected Sep 1, 2023

    Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905221584

21. Nov 12022

    Inspection

    No deficiencies

    Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905105855

22. Nov 232021

    Inspection

    No deficiencies

    Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905105854

23. Nov 122021

    Inspection

    8 deficiencies

    • 746.305(a)(4)Report Outbreak of Communicable IllnessMedium-high riskCorrected Nov 15, 2021
    • 746.3415(4)Employee Handwashing After Diapering a ChildMedium-high riskCorrected Nov 15, 2021
    • 746.3505(e)Diapering Procedures - Sanitizing Diaper Changing AreaMedium-high riskCorrected Nov 15, 2021
    • 746.3703(a)People Whose Behavior/Health Threatens Children Not PresentHigh riskCorrected Nov 15, 2021
    • 746.2409(a)(2)Safety Requirements for Cribs - Snug Fitting SheetsMedium-high riskCorrected Nov 15, 2021
    • 746.3417(3)Children Handwashing After Toileting or DiaperingMedium-high riskCorrected Nov 15, 2021
    • 746.2409(a)(3)Safety Requirements for Cribs - Waterproof, Washable MattressMedium-high riskCorrected Nov 15, 2021
    • 746.2409(a)(4)Safety Requirements for Cribs - Secure SupportsMedium-high riskCorrected Nov 15, 2021

    Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905105853

24. Nov 102021

    Investigation

    No deficiencies

    Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905221583

Texas gives every licensing standard one of five risk levels, from low to high, by how likely a deficiency is to harm a child.

A repeated citation can merit attention, but context and corrective action must be reviewed before drawing a conclusion.

1. 1

   Safety - Areas Free From Hazards, Cited in Three Visits

   HHSC inspectors cited 746.3701 in August 2023, October 2023 and January 2026. The agency describes it this way: Safety - Areas Free From Hazards. None rose above medium-high risk. Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.

   212121222323232323242424242525252526262626262626746.3701 across all 24 visits, oldest to newest
2. 2

   Report Number of Employees, Cited in Two Visits

   HHSC inspectors cited 746.303(b) in January 2024 and January 2025. The agency describes it this way: Report Number of Employees. None rose above medium-low risk. Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.

   212121222323232323242424242525252526262626262626746.303(b) across all 24 visits, oldest to newest
3. 3

   Employee Handwashing After Diapering a Child, Cited in Two Visits

   HHSC inspectors cited 746.3415(4) in November 2021 and October 2023. 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.

   212121222323232323242424242525252526262626262626746.3415(4) across all 24 visits, oldest to newest
4. 4

   Children Handwashing After Toileting or Diapering, Cited in Two Visits

   HHSC inspectors cited 746.3417(3) in November 2021 and October 2023. The agency describes it this way: Children Handwashing After Toileting or Diapering. None rose above medium-high risk. Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.

   212121222323232323242424242525252526262626262626746.3417(3) across all 24 visits, oldest to newest

Bring these to the tour. Each one comes from something in the record; the reason is under the question.

1. 01

   What changed after 746.3701 was cited, and how do you check it now?

   Safety - Areas Free From Hazards: cited in three visits, most seriously at medium-high risk.

2. 02

   What changed after 746.303(b) was cited, and how do you check it now?

   Report Number of Employees: cited in two visits, none above medium-low risk.

3. 03

   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.

4. 04

   What changed after 746.3417(3) was cited, and how do you check it now?

   Children Handwashing After Toileting or Diapering: cited in two visits, most seriously at medium-high risk.

5. 05

   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.

6. 06

   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.

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 · 1626087

  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 · 905221583

  Visit Nov 10, 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 · 905105853

  Visit Nov 12, 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 · 905105854

  Visit Nov 23, 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 · 905105855

  Visit Nov 1, 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 · 905221584

  Visit Aug 28, 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 · 905105856

  Visit Aug 29, 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 · 905105857

  Visit Sep 6, 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 · 905105858

  Visit Oct 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 · 905105859

  Visit Oct 19, 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 · 905252548

  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 · 905105860

  Visit Feb 27, 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 · 905105861

  Visit Feb 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 · 905105862

  Visit Dec 31, 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 · 905252549

  Visit Jan 16, 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 · 905105863

  Visit Feb 10, 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 · 905221585

  Visit Jul 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 · 905105864

  Visit Oct 2, 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 · 905105865

  Visit Jan 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 · 905105866

  Visit Jan 7, 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 · 905221586

  Visit Apr 17, 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 · 905105867

  Visit Apr 21, 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 · 905252550

  Visit May 15, 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 · 905105868

  Visit May 27, 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 · 905105869

  Visit Sep 2, 2026 · Published Oct 31, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026

  View Dataset ↗

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.