Licensed Child Care Center · Houston, TX 77088
Between Oct 20, 2021 and Oct 20, 2026, the state cited ABC Children's Learning Center for 45 deficiencies — the Texas HHSC term for rule violations — over 14 routine inspections and 6 other visits (investigations or paperwork reviews); 9 were under rules the state weights High. The rule cited most often here is 746.605 (3 times, most recently Mar 5, 2026).
The state lists ABC Children's Learning Center as serving infant, toddler, pre-kindergarten, and school-age children, open 06:00 AM to 06:30 PM (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri). Programs on file: School Age Care, Before School Care, Meals Provided, After School Care, Snacks Provided, Transportation to/from School, Field Trips. Program type: Child Care Program.
Of the 45 violations at ABC Children's Learning Center, 9 fall under rules Texas weights High and 18 under Medium High; the state sets each rule’s weight by the risk a violation poses to children. How weights work
| Weight | Violations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| High | 9 | 20% |
| Medium High | 18 | 40% |
| Medium | 14 | 31% |
| Medium Low | 3 | 7% |
| Low | 1 | 2% |
ABC Children's Learning Center had 45 violations in five years, more than the median of 11 across Houston’s 923 licensed child care centers, and 2.7 per routine inspection against a median of 1.0 — a count of state records, not a rating.
12 rules were cited more than once at ABC Children's Learning Center in the last five years.
| Rule | Times | What the rule covers |
|---|---|---|
| 746.605 High | 3 | Before admitting a child, the center must collect set information, including the child's name and birth date, how to reach the parents, an emergency contact for when parents can't be reached, the people allowed to pick up the child, and permission to get emergency medical care. It must also record the child's special care needs, any allergies with a food allergy emergency plan if needed, and permission for transportation, field trips, or water activities if the center offers them. Official rule text · rule revised September 2024 Most recent: Mar 5, 2026 · first: Oct 12, 2022 |
| 746.1301 Medium High | 3 | New employees must complete orientation within seven days and before being alone with children, and caregivers must complete 24 hours of pre-service training (8 hours before being counted in the ratio and 16 more within 90 days) unless exempt. Caregivers and the director must complete pediatric first aid within 90 days and before being alone with children, and pediatric CPR within 90 days, keep both current, complete annual training every 12 months (24 hours for caregivers, 30 for the director), and take extra yearly training if they transport children under nine or take children to a pool. Official rule text (single-rule page) · rule revised September 2024 Most recent: Nov 14, 2022 · first: Oct 12, 2022 |
| 746.501 Medium | 3 | The center must have written policies on a long list of topics, including hours, how children are released, illness and exclusion, medication, medical emergencies, discipline, infant sleep, meals, immunizations, physical activity, parent rights, and its emergency plan. It must also tell parents that the area within 1,000 feet of the center is a gang-free zone. Official rule text · rule revised August 2024 Most recent: Oct 12, 2022 · first: Oct 12, 2022 |
| 746.1309 Medium | 2 | A caregiver's 24 hours of yearly training must fit the ages of the children in their care and cover set topics, including at least six hours on areas such as child development or guidance and discipline, and at least one hour on preventing, recognizing, and reporting child abuse and neglect. At least five of the hours must be instructor-led, and caregivers of children under 24 months must also have one hour on shaken baby syndrome, infant sleep practices and SIDS, and early brain development. Official rule text · rule revised September 2024 Most recent: Sep 29, 2026 · first: Oct 12, 2022 |
| 746.1311 Medium | 2 | A center director must complete 30 hours of training each year that fits the ages of the children served, including at least six hours on topics such as child development or guidance and discipline, at least one hour on preventing, recognizing, and reporting child abuse and neglect, and three to six hours on management or staff supervision depending on experience. At least six of the hours must be instructor-led. Official rule text · rule revised March 2023 Most recent: Sep 29, 2026 · first: Oct 12, 2022 |
| 746.303 Medium Low | 2 | The center must tell the state in writing within five days when its designee, the head of its governing body, their address, or its director changes. Each year by January 15, it must report online how many employees stopped working there during the previous year. Official rule text Most recent: Jan 21, 2026 · first: Jan 17, 2025 |
| 746.1601 Medium High | 2 | In centers licensed for 13 or more children, one caregiver may supervise at most 4 infants under 12 months, 5 children 12 to 17 months, 9 children 18 to 23 months, 11 two-year-olds, 15 three-year-olds, 18 four-year-olds, 22 five-year-olds, or 26 children ages 6 to 13. The limit is based on the group's specified age as the rules define it. Official rule text (single-rule page) Most recent: Sep 30, 2024 · first: Dec 7, 2022 |
| 746.1605 Medium High | 2 | In a center with 13 or more children in care, infants may be grouped with older children only if the oldest child in the group is no more than 18 months older than the youngest. Centers with 12 or fewer children in care may combine ages under a separate rule. Official rule text · rule revised March 2023 Most recent: Sep 30, 2024 · first: Nov 14, 2022 |
| 746.4907 Medium High | 2 | Loose-fill surfacing under play equipment must be kept at least six inches deep when the highest play surface is five feet or lower, and at least nine inches deep when it is higher. It may not be laid over concrete or asphalt or used indoors, and equipment posts must be marked to show the required depth. Official rule text Most recent: Oct 9, 2023 · first: Oct 25, 2021 |
| 746.2207 Medium | 2 | Centers may not use screen time for children under two. For older children, screen time may only add to other activities, not replace them, and it must be tied to planned learning goals, age-appropriate, no more than one hour a day, free of ads and violence, and not used during meals, snacks, naps, or rest times. Official rule text Most recent: Nov 14, 2022 · first: Oct 12, 2022 |
| 746.5625 High | 2 | A vehicle that seats eight or more, is used to transport children, and was bought or leased on or after December 31, 2013, must have an electronic child alarm that is installed and maintained per the maker's instructions and used on every trip with children. Before turning off the alarm at the rear of the vehicle, the driver or a designated employee must account for every child and walk through the vehicle to check that no child is left inside. Official rule text · rule revised March 2023 Most recent: Nov 14, 2022 · first: Oct 12, 2022 |
| 746.901 Medium | 2 | The center must keep a file at the center for each employee, caregiver, substitute, and volunteer, available during operating hours. It must include items such as start and end dates, proof of age and education qualifications, the required state affidavit forms (Forms 2985 and 2912), training records, proof that background checks were requested, and a copy of a photo ID. Official rule text · rule revised August 2024 Most recent: Oct 12, 2022 · first: Oct 12, 2022 |
| Year | Routine inspections | All state visits | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 (from Oct 20) | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| 2022 | 5 | 6 | 24 |
| 2023 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 2025 | 1 | 3 | 6 |
| 2026 | 2 | 4 | 7 |
20 visits on record since Oct 20, 2021, newest first, including visits that found nothing.
| Date | Type | Rules checked | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 29, 2026 | Inspection | 615 | 5 |
| Mar 17, 2026 | Inspection | — | None |
| Mar 5, 2026 | Investigation (report) | 7 | 1 |
| Jan 21, 2026 | Assessment | 1 | 1 |
| Oct 13, 2025 | Investigation (self-report) | 8 | 4 |
| Sep 30, 2025 | Inspection | 651 | 1 |
| Jan 17, 2025 | Assessment | 1 | 1 |
| Oct 15, 2024 | Inspection | 3 | None |
| Sep 30, 2024 | Inspection | 629 | 4 |
| Nov 7, 2023 | Inspection | 1 | None |
| Oct 27, 2023 | Investigation (report) | 1 | None |
| Oct 9, 2023 | Inspection | 643 | 1 |
| Date | Type | Rules checked | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 20, 2022 | Inspection | 1 | None |
| Dec 7, 2022 | Inspection | 5 | 1 |
| Nov 14, 2022 | Inspection | 7 | 5 |
| Oct 12, 2022 | Inspection | 558 | 18 |
| Jun 27, 2022 | Inspection | 1 | None |
| Jun 17, 2022 | Investigation (report) | 1 | None |
| Nov 18, 2021 | Inspection | 3 | 1 |
| Oct 25, 2021 | Inspection | 525 | 2 |
9 rules cited at ABC Children's Learning Center changed after some of these citations (marked “rule revised”), so the wording that applied at the time may differ from our plain-English explanation.
Medium · Sep 29, 2026 · Inspection
CCR reviewed two caregiver files and found that the required training on understanding building and physical premises safety was missing. Additionally, the Pre-K teacher was missing all the required special safety topics training.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Sep 29, 2026 · Inspection
The operation has goats, a rooster, and chickens on the premises. During the inspection, no documentation of health statements from a veterinarian was provided.
Official text of rule 746.3903
Medium High · Sep 29, 2026 · Inspection
CCR observed three goats loose and feces on the ground in the area where they are housed on the side of the operation, the same area also serves as an emergency exit route for children.
Official text of rule 746.3901
Medium · Sep 29, 2026 · Inspection
CCR reviewed the directors' files and observed that the director/owner and the second director is missing the required training on understanding building and physical premises safety.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Sep 29, 2026 · Inspection
The directors have not been documenting their attendance, and records were unavailable during the inspection.
In plain English: The center must keep certain records ready for state review during operating hours, including children's records, staff and training records, the director's certificate, staff time sheets, proof of liability insurance (or written notice to parents that it has none), playground checklists, and records of emergency drills, fire extinguishers, and smoke detectors. It must also keep its most recent fire, sanitation, and (if needed) gas inspection reports and its daily sign-in and sign-out system. Official rule text
Medium High · Mar 5, 2026 · Investigation (report)
CCR reviewed a child s admission form and observed that it was missing a statement regarding the child's special care needs. Correction: CCR reviewed the standards with the director and emphasized the importance of having parents document any special care needs or treatments for their child. Additionally, the child is no longer enrolled.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium Low · Jan 21, 2026 · Assessment
A review of the Employees Who Left Employment in 2025 data from January 20, 2026, revealed that the center had not reported the number of employees who left employment in 2025 by January 15, 2026, as required.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Oct 13, 2025 · Investigation (report)
A caregiver failed to wash their hands with soap and water after cleaning a child's blood from an injury.
In plain English: Employees must wash their hands at set times, including on arrival, before handling food or medication or feeding a child, after diapering or helping a child use the toilet, after their own toileting, and after wiping noses or handling other bodily fluids. They must also wash after outdoor activities, handling animals or raw food, eating or smoking, using cleaners or chemicals, and removing gloves. Official rule text
Medium · Oct 13, 2025 · Investigation (report)
Video footage obtained during the investigation shows stationary equipment located less than six feet away from the fence on the toddlers playground.
In plain English: The use zone around stationary play equipment (other than slides and soft contained play equipment) must extend at least six feet in every direction from the equipment's edge, and it may not overlap other use zones. Official rule text
Medium High · Oct 13, 2025 · Investigation (report)
It was determined that a caregiver had used the handwashing sink located near the diaper-changing table in the infant's room to clean a child's wound after an injury. The infant's caregiver also used this sink to clean the infant's bottle and wash their hands.
In plain English: Caregivers must hold infants up to six months old, and older infants who cannot sit up on their own, while feeding them, and must never prop a bottle. Bottles and cups must be labeled with the infant's first name and last initial, infants may not walk around or sleep with a bottle or cup, the hand-washing sink and diaper-changing surface may not be used for food or bottle preparation, and high chair trays must be sanitized before each use. Official rule text
Medium High · Oct 13, 2025 · Investigation (report)
Video footage reveals caregivers not wearing gloves while handling blood after a child's injury.
Official text of rule 746.3425
Medium High · Sep 30, 2025 · Inspection
On the toddler playground, CCR observed an unsecured utility box that protects the ground utility lines. The box was not secured to the ground. The operation attempted to use a crawl-through tunnel to cover the utility box, but because of the tunnel s openings, it does not prevent children from accessing the underground utility lines.
In plain English: The center must clean, repair, and maintain its building, grounds, and equipment to protect children's health. This includes sanitizing toys that children put in their mouths, keeping garbage out of children's reach, keeping floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair, and labeling cleaning supplies and storing them away from food and out of children's reach. Official rule text
Medium Low · Jan 17, 2025 · Assessment
A review of the Employees Who Left Employment in 2023 data from January 17, 2025, revealed that the center had not reported the number of employees who left employment in 2024 by January 15, 2025, as required.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Sep 30, 2024 · Inspection
A caregiver had 16 children, in the breakfast room, specified age group was 3 years old. The caregiver was one over required ratio. Corrected: When a caregiver arrived and took a group of children with her to a classroom next door.
Plain-English explanation above
High · Sep 30, 2024 · Inspection
A one month old infant was sleeping in a car seat. Corrected: When caregiver took the infant out of the car seat.
In plain English: An infant may not sleep in a restrictive device unless the center has a completed Sleep Exception Form with a health-care professional's signed statement that it is medically necessary. Without that form, if an infant falls asleep in such a device, the caregiver must move the infant to a crib as soon as possible. Official rule text
High · Sep 30, 2024 · Inspection
A child was left alone in the restroom while caregiver attended to other children in the classroom area, the restroom used was not in the classroom but next door to the classroom
In plain English: Each caregiver must know which children they are responsible for, how many there are, and each child's name and age. The caregiver must stay close enough to see or hear what each child is doing, as the situation calls for, and be able to step in when needed. Official rule text
Medium High · Sep 30, 2024 · Inspection
A caregiver had 16 children in her group ages from 1 month old child and the oldest was 5 years old. The oldest child was older than 18 months from the yongest child in care.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Oct 9, 2023 · Inspection
The outdoor play area was not covered with at least 6 inches of mulch.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Dec 7, 2022 · Inspection
There were six children, ages 9 months to 23 months with one caregiver. The specified age group was 12-17 months old. With this specified age group, one caregiver can care for five children. This was corrected at inspection when the oldest child was moved to another classroom.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Nov 14, 2022 · Inspection
The television was being watched by children during breakfast time.
Plain-English explanation above
High · Nov 14, 2022 · Inspection
A follow-up inspection was conducted and compliance was not met. This deficiency is being re-cited. The required electronic child safety alarm has not been installed.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised March 2023
Medium High · Nov 14, 2022 · Inspection
A 9 month old infant was in a classroom with a 3 year old child. Infants can't be combined with children that are more than 18 months older than the youngest child in the group. This was corrected at inspection.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised March 2023
Medium High · Nov 14, 2022 · Inspection
A follow-up inspection was conducted and compliance was not met. This deficiency is being re-cited. The caregiver is lacking 8 clock hours of pre-service training.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised September 2024
Medium High · Nov 14, 2022 · Inspection
A caregiver did not know the ages of the children she was responsible for.
In plain English: Caregivers must know and follow the state minimum standards and supervise children at all times. They must not be pulled away by tasks unrelated to caring for children, such as paperwork, janitorial work, or personal use of phones and other devices, and must pass along each child's information and parent instructions to the next shift. Official rule text · rule revised March 2023
High · Oct 12, 2022 · Inspection
Of the 10 children's records evaluated, one lacked authorization for emergency medical care.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised September 2024
Medium · Oct 12, 2022 · Inspection
The parent handbook does not inform parents of the vaccination requirements for staff.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised August 2024
Low · Oct 12, 2022 · Inspection
Of the 10 personnel records evaluated, one lacked a health statement from a health care professional.
In plain English: For each child who does not attend pre-K or school away from the center, the center must have a health statement on file within one week of admission. This is usually a written statement from a health-care professional who examined the child in the past year saying the child can take part in the program; the rule also allows a parent's religious affidavit, or a parent's interim statement followed by the professional's statement within 12 months. Official rule text
Medium · Oct 12, 2022 · Inspection
Of the 10 personnel records evaluated, caregivers did not receive 24 clock hours of training in the required topics. The caregivers will need to complete make-up training hours that will not count towards the current training year.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised September 2024
Medium · Oct 12, 2022 · Inspection
Of the 10 children's records evaluated, two acked the name and address of the school the children attend.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised September 2024
Medium High · Oct 12, 2022 · Inspection
Of the 10 staff records evaluated, one caregiver did not complete the required 24 clock hours of required pre-service training.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised September 2024
Medium High · Oct 12, 2022 · Inspection
The amount of medication given and the time was not documented on the medication log for several days in August 2022 and September 2022. This was corrected at inspection.
In plain English: Medication must be given as the label directs or as the child's health-care professional changes in writing, only to the child it is meant for, from the original container labeled with the child's full name and the date it was brought in, and never after it expires. Each dose must be recorded with the child's name, the medication, the date, time, and amount, and the employee's full name, and the records kept for at least three months. Official rule text
High · Oct 12, 2022 · Inspection
The emergency preparedness plan is lacking the following information: 1. How children under 2 and with limited mobility will be evacuated. 2. How children will be cared for during the emergency. 3. How children will be reunited with their parents.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised August 2024
High · Oct 12, 2022 · Inspection
One van was not equipped with a First Aid Kit. This was corrected at inspection.
In plain English: Each vehicle used to transport children must carry a list of the children on board, their emergency medical authorization forms, parent and emergency phone numbers, the center's name and phone number, a fire extinguisher approved by a fire marshal, and a first-aid kit. The driver must have a current driver's license. Official rule text
Medium High · Oct 12, 2022 · Inspection
A person that has been working as a caregiver does not have a high diploma or GED; therefore, they do not meet caregiver qualifications.
In plain English: Each caregiver must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma, a high school equivalent, or a high school certificate of coursework completion, in addition to meeting the standards for all employees. Official rule text
Medium · Oct 12, 2022 · Inspection
Of the 10 personnel records evaluated, two lacked photo identification.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised August 2024
Medium High · Oct 12, 2022 · Inspection
One van driver and one of the directors has not completed a transportation safety course.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised September 2024
Medium · Oct 12, 2022 · Inspection
The parent handbook does not inform parents of the requirement for physicaal activity and outdoor activity.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised August 2024
High · Oct 12, 2022 · Inspection
Two vans used to transport children are not equipped with the required electronic child safety alarm.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised March 2023
Medium · Oct 12, 2022 · Inspection
The director did not receive 30 clock hours of training in all of the required topics for their respective training years. Make-up hours will need to be completed that will not count towards the current training year.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised March 2023
Medium Low · Oct 12, 2022 · Inspection
Of the 10 staff records evaluated, one lacked a notarized affidavit,
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised August 2024
High · Oct 12, 2022 · Inspection
Of the 10 children's records evalujated, four are behind with required immunizations.
In plain English: Each child from birth through age 14 must meet and keep meeting the state health department's immunization requirements, and the center must keep current immunization records, including any exemptions or exceptions. Required immunizations must be complete by the admission date, unless an exemption is verified by then or a homeless or foster child is admitted provisionally for up to 30 days. Official rule text
Medium · Oct 12, 2022 · Inspection
Children under the age of 2 were watching television. This was corrected at inspection.
Plain-English explanation above
High · Nov 18, 2021 · Inspection
During the follow up inspection, the fire inspection had expired on 11/11/21.
In plain English: The center must have a fire inspection by a state or local fire marshal before its first permit is issued and at least once every 12 months. Centers in public school buildings run by the local school district are exempt, and if no inspection is available the center must get written proof of that from a fire marshal or county judge. Official rule text
Medium · Oct 25, 2021 · Inspection
A 10 month old's infant feeding sheet was not signed and dated since July 2021.
In plain English: For an infant who is not yet eating table food, the center must get written feeding instructions signed and dated by a parent or health-care professional, and must follow them. The center must review and update the instructions with the parent every 30 days until the infant can eat table food. Official rule text
Medium High · Oct 25, 2021 · Inspection
There was no at least 6 inches of mulch installed in the 4-5 year old playground. Dirt was exposed.
Plain-English explanation above
Based on the kinds of rules cited at ABC Children's Learning Center:
More in ZIP 77088 and all of Houston.
This page reports the state’s records for ABC Children's Learning Center; it is not a rating, a recommendation, or a background check, and may not be used for employment, tenant, credit, or insurance decisions.
Explanations follow the current rules (HHSC minimum standards, revised December 2025).