Smaller Scholars Montessori Academy, Houston, TX

The Essentials

Summary

Across 19 licensing visits from July 2022 to June 2026, HHSC cited 28 deficiencies at Smaller Scholars Montessori Academy; 28 have a recorded correction.

Visits: 19; 2022–2026, inspections, investigations and assessments
Deficiencies: 28; Standards cited by HHSC inspectors
Corrected: 28; Of 28 deficiencies, with a recorded correction date
Investigations: 4; 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	3	7	2
2023	2	1	0
2024	7	9	2
2025	3	7	0
2026	4	4	3

What the Record Shows

28 of 28 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.
4 visits in this window included an investigation. HHSC publishes what an investigation cited, not what the report to it alleged.
The latest inspection, April 23, 2026, recorded 1 deficiency (most serious: High risk).

What to Ask About

Citation 746.5101(a), Cited in Three Visits
Citation 746.1205(a)(4), Cited in Two Visits
Citation 746.1315(a), Cited in Two Visits
Report Number of Employees, Cited in Two Visits

Report at a Glance

Facility: Smaller Scholars Montessori Academy
Address: 14455 Grisby Rd, Houston, TX 77079
Operation Number: TX-854889
License Type: Licensed child care center
Licensed Capacity: 100 children
Permit: Full Permit
Ages Served: toddlers, pre-kindergarten, school age
Hours: Mon–Fri, 7 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.

Jun 172026
Assessment
1 deficiency
- 746.5101(a)Annual Fire Inspection - Before Initial Permit Issued and Every 12 MonthsHigh riskCorrected Jul 1, 2026
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905251078
Apr 232026
Inspection
1 deficiency
- 746.5101(a)Annual Fire Inspection - Before Initial Permit Issued and Every 12 MonthsHigh riskCorrected Jun 2, 2026
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905069955
Mar 242026
Inspection
1 deficiency
- 746.5401Requirement of Gas Leak InspectionMedium-high riskCorrected Apr 7, 2026
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905069954
Mar 202026
Investigation
1 deficiency
Opened on a report the operation made itself.
- 746.2805(7)Prohibited Punishments - Placing Child in Locked or Dark RoomHigh riskCorrected Apr 16, 2026
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905207901
Apr 152025
Inspection
6 deficiencies
- 746.4751(b)Maintenance Procedures for Active Play - Monthly Maintenance ChecklistMedium riskCorrected Apr 29, 2025
- 746.4135(b)Children's Products- Annual CertificationMedium riskCorrected Apr 29, 2025
- 746.611(b)Health Statement on File within 1 Week of AdmissionMedium riskCorrected Apr 29, 2025
- 746.3809Medication No Longer UsedMedium riskCorrected Apr 15, 2025
- 746.5307(b)Fire Extinguishers ServicedMedium-high riskCorrected Apr 29, 2025
- 746.4503(b)Cots, Beds, Mats Labeled With Child's NameMedium riskCorrected Apr 29, 2025
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905069953
Jan 302025
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905069952
Jan 282025
Assessment
1 deficiency
- 746.303(b)Report Number of EmployeesMedium-low riskCorrected Jan 30, 2025
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905251077
Dec 202024
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905069951
Dec 172024
Investigation
1 deficiency
- 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 Jan 15, 2025
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905207900
May 132024
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905069950
May 32024
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905069949
May 12024
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 3, 2024
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905207899
Apr 242024
Inspection
6 deficiencies
- 746.1315(a)Each Caregiver and the Director Must Have Current Training in pediatric first aid with rescue breathing and choking.Medium-high riskCorrected May 15, 2024
- 746.4907(d)Installation and Maintenance of Loose-fill Surfacing - Proper Depth MaintainedMedium-high riskCorrected May 1, 2024
- 746.303(a)(4)Report Change in DirectorMedium-high riskCorrected Apr 24, 2024
- 746.1315(b)Each Caregiver and the Director Must Have Current Training in pediatric CPRMedium-high riskCorrected May 15, 2024
- 746.401(8)Posting Requirements - Telephone NumbersMedium-low riskCorrected Apr 24, 2024
- 746.1105(3)Minimum Qualifications Child Care Center Employees and Caregivers - AffidavitLow riskCorrected May 1, 2024
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905069948
Jan 182024
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), 905251076
Oct 162023
Inspection
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905069947
Jun 202023
Inspection
1 deficiency
- 746.605(5)Required Admission Information - Parents' Phone NumbersMedium-high riskCorrected Jun 27, 2023
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905069946
Nov 72022
Inspection
2 deficiencies
- 746.3417(3)Children Handwashing After Toileting or DiaperingMedium-high riskCorrected Nov 7, 2022
- 745.641AP Background check results - Must receive notification prior to allowing subject to be present at your operationHigh riskCorrected Nov 7, 2022
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905069945
Oct 252022
Investigation
No deficiencies
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905207898
Jul 132022
Inspection
5 deficiencies
- 746.1315(a)Each Caregiver and the Director Must Have Current Training in pediatric first aid with rescue breathing and choking.Medium-high riskCorrected Jul 27, 2022
- 746.5101(a)Annual Fire Inspection - Before Initial Permit Issued and Every 12 MonthsHigh riskCorrected Aug 15, 2022
- 746.603(a)(4)Children's Records - ImmunizationsMedium riskCorrected Jul 22, 2022
- 746.603(a)(3)Children's Records - Health StatementMedium riskCorrected Jul 22, 2022
- 746.605(11)Required Admission Information - Physician InformationMedium riskCorrected Jul 22, 2022
Source: Inspection, investigation or assessment, with the deficiencies cited (data.texas.gov: m5q4-3y3d and tqgd-mf4x), 905069944

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 746.5101(a), Cited in Three Visits
HHSC inspectors cited 746.5101(a) in July 2022, April 2026 and June 2026. The agency describes it this way: Annual Fire Inspection - Before Initial Permit Issued and Every 12 Months. 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.
22222223232424242424242425252526262626746.5101(a) across all 19 visits, oldest to newest
2
Citation 746.1205(a)(4), Cited in Two Visits
HHSC inspectors cited 746.1205(a)(4) in May 2024 and December 2024. 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.
22222223232424242424242425252526262626746.1205(a)(4) across all 19 visits, oldest to newest
3
Citation 746.1315(a), Cited in Two Visits
HHSC inspectors cited 746.1315(a) in July 2022 and April 2024. The agency describes it this way: Each Caregiver and the Director Must Have Current Training in pediatric first aid with rescue breathing and choking. None rose above medium-high risk. Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
22222223232424242424242425252526262626746.1315(a) across all 19 visits, oldest to newest
4
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.
22222223232424242424242425252526262626746.303(b) across all 19 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 746.5101(a) was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation 746.5101(a): cited in three visits, including high-risk standards.
02
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.
03
What changed after 746.1315(a) was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation 746.1315(a): cited in two visits, most seriously at medium-high risk.
04
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.
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.
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.

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 · 854889
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 · 905069944
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 · 905207898
Visit Oct 25, 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 · 905069945
Visit Nov 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 · 905069946
Visit Jun 20, 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 · 905069947
Visit Oct 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 · 905251076
Visit Jan 18, 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 · 905069948
Visit Apr 24, 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 · 905207899
Visit May 1, 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 · 905069949
Visit May 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 · 905069950
Visit May 13, 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 · 905207900
Visit Dec 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 · 905069951
Visit Dec 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 · 905251077
Visit Jan 28, 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 · 905069952
Visit Jan 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 · 905069953
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 · 905207901
Visit Mar 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 · 905069954
Visit Mar 24, 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 · 905069955
Visit Apr 23, 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 · 905251078
Visit Jun 17, 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.