Merit Children's Academy Lakewood, Dallas, TX

The Essentials

Summary

Across 32 licensing visits from February 2022 to June 2026, HHSC cited 14 deficiencies at Merit Children's Academy Lakewood; 14 have a recorded correction.

Visits: 32; 2022–2026, inspections, investigations and assessments
Deficiencies: 14; Standards cited by HHSC inspectors
Corrected: 14; Of 14 deficiencies, with a recorded correction date
Investigations: 9; 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	0	0	0
2022	5	1	0
2023	2	0	0
2024	5	5	2
2025	12	4	3
2026	8	4	2

What the Record Shows

14 of 14 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.
9 visits in this window included an investigation. HHSC publishes what an investigation cited, not what the report to it alleged.
The latest inspection, June 24, 2026, recorded no deficiencies.

What to Ask About

Citation 746.1205(a)(4), Cited in Two Visits
Report Situation Placing Children at Risk, Cited in Two Visits
Citation 746.3819, Cited in Two Visits

Report at a Glance

Facility: Merit Children's Academy Lakewood
Address: 6210 E Mockingbird Ln, Dallas, TX 75214
Operation Number: TX-1734742
License Type: Licensed child care center
Licensed Capacity: 170 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.

Jun 242026
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905151291
Jun 222026
Investigation
1 deficiency
- 746.1601Child/ Caregiver Ratio - 13 or More ChildrenMedium-high riskCorrected Aug 6, 2026
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905238585
Jun 52026
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905151290
May 192026
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905151289
May 192026
Investigation
1 deficiency
Opened on a report the operation made itself.
- 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 May 28, 2026
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905238584
May 122026
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905151288
May 82026
Investigation
1 deficiency
Opened on a report the operation made itself.
- 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 Jun 2, 2026
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905238583
May 12026
Inspection
1 deficiency
- 746.3819Food Allergy Emergency Plan Signed by Parents and Health Care ProfessionalMedium-high riskCorrected May 5, 2026
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905151287
Dec 302025
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905151286
Dec 192025
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905151285
Dec 172025
Investigation
2 deficiencies
- 746.305(a)(6)Report Situation Placing Children at RiskHigh riskCorrected Jan 13, 2026
- 746.803(a)Required Records StorageMedium-low riskCorrected Jan 13, 2026
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905238582
Oct 232025
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905151284
Oct 222025
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905151283
Oct 212025
Investigation
1 deficiency
- 746.1201(1)Responsibilities of Employees and Caregivers -Demonstrate Competency, Good Judgment, Self-controlHigh riskCorrected Dec 18, 2025
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905238581
Jun 112025
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905151282
May 302025
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905151281
May 202025
Inspection
1 deficiency
- 746.1205(a)(2)Responsibilities of Caregivers - Know number of children responsible forHigh riskCorrected May 20, 2025
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905151280
May 162025
Investigation
No deficiencies
Opened on a report the operation made itself.
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905238580
Apr 162025
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905151279
Apr 152025
Investigation
No deficiencies
Opened on a report the operation made itself.
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905238579
Dec 162024
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905151278
Nov 212024
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905151277
Nov 202024
Investigation
2 deficiencies
- 746.305(a)(6)Report Situation Placing Children at RiskHigh riskCorrected Dec 9, 2024
- 746.2805(3)Prohibited Punishments - Grabbing and PullingHigh riskCorrected Dec 9, 2024
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905238578
Aug 62024
Inspection
3 deficiencies
- 746.1315(b)(1)CPR Training and Recertification Adhere to Guidelines-skill basedMedium-high riskCorrected Aug 23, 2024
- 746.3819Food Allergy Emergency Plan Signed by Parents and Health Care ProfessionalMedium-high riskCorrected Aug 9, 2024
- 746.1315(a)Each Caregiver and the Director Must Have Current Training in pediatric first aid with rescue breathing and choking.Medium-high riskCorrected Aug 23, 2024
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905151276
Feb 222024
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905151275
Sep 62023
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905151274
Mar 12023
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905151273
Jul 132022
Inspection
1 deficiency
- 746.801(2)Required Records Maintained and Made Available - Infant Feeding InstructionsMedium riskCorrected Jul 18, 2022
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905151272
Jul 12022
Investigation
No deficiencies
Opened on a report the operation made itself.
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905238577
Jun 72022
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905151271
May 172022
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905151270
Feb 282022
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905151269

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
Citation 746.1205(a)(4), Cited in Two Visits
HHSC inspectors cited 746.1205(a)(4) in May 2026 and May 2026. The agency describes it this way: Supervision ensures each child?s safety, well-being, including physical proximity and auditory or visual awareness of each child?s on going activity. The most serious of these was recorded at high risk. Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
2222222222232324242424242525252525252525252525252626262626262626746.1205(a)(4) across all 32 visits, oldest to newest
2
Report Situation Placing Children at Risk, Cited in Two Visits
HHSC inspectors cited 746.305(a)(6) in November 2024 and December 2025. The agency describes it this way: Report Situation Placing Children at Risk. The most serious of these was recorded at high risk. Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
2222222222232324242424242525252525252525252525252626262626262626746.305(a)(6) across all 32 visits, oldest to newest
3
Citation 746.3819, Cited in Two Visits
HHSC inspectors cited 746.3819 in August 2024 and May 2026. The agency describes it this way: Food Allergy Emergency Plan Signed by Parents and Health Care Professional. None rose above medium-high risk. Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
2222222222232324242424242525252525252525252525252626262626262626746.3819 across all 32 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 746.1205(a)(4) was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation 746.1205(a)(4): cited in two visits, including high-risk standards.
02
What changed after 746.305(a)(6) was cited, and how do you check it now?
Report Situation Placing Children at Risk: cited in two visits, including high-risk standards.
03
What changed after 746.3819 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation 746.3819: cited in two visits, most seriously at medium-high risk.
04
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.
05
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 · 1734742
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 · 905151269
Visit Feb 28, 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 · 905151270
Visit May 17, 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 · 905151271
Visit Jun 7, 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 · 905238577
Visit Jul 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 · 905151272
Visit Jul 13, 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 · 905151273
Visit Mar 1, 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 · 905151274
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 · 905151275
Visit Feb 22, 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 · 905151276
Visit Aug 6, 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 · 905238578
Visit Nov 20, 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 · 905151277
Visit Nov 21, 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 · 905151278
Visit Dec 16, 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 · 905238579
Visit Apr 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 · 905151279
Visit Apr 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 · 905238580
Visit May 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 · 905151280
Visit May 20, 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 · 905151281
Visit May 30, 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 · 905151282
Visit Jun 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 · 905238581
Visit Oct 21, 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 · 905151283
Visit Oct 22, 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 · 905151284
Visit Oct 23, 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 · 905238582
Visit Dec 17, 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 · 905151285
Visit Dec 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 · 905151286
Visit Dec 30, 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 · 905151287
Visit May 1, 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 · 905238583
Visit May 8, 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 · 905151288
Visit May 12, 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 · 905151289
Visit May 19, 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 · 905238584
Visit May 19, 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 · 905151290
Visit Jun 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 · 905238585
Visit Jun 22, 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 · 905151291
Visit Jun 24, 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.