Licensed Child Care Center · Houston, TX 77088
Between Oct 20, 2021 and Oct 20, 2026, the state cited ABC Word Academy for 36 deficiencies — the Texas HHSC term for rule violations — over 12 routine inspections and 4 other visits (investigations or paperwork reviews); 3 were under rules the state weights High. The rule cited most often here is 746.3407 (4 times, most recently Jul 21, 2026).
The state lists ABC Word Academy as serving infant, toddler, pre-kindergarten, and school-age children, open 06:30 AM to 06:00 PM (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri). Programs on file: Meals Provided, Snacks Provided, Part Time Care, Transportation to/from School, Field Trips. Program type: Child Care Program.
Of the 36 violations at ABC Word Academy, 3 fall under rules Texas weights High and 15 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 | 3 | 8% |
| Medium High | 15 | 42% |
| Medium | 15 | 42% |
| Medium Low | 1 | 3% |
| Low | 2 | 6% |
ABC Word Academy had 36 violations in five years, more than the median of 11 across Houston’s 923 licensed child care centers, and 2.8 per routine inspection against a median of 1.0 — a count of state records, not a rating.
9 rules were cited more than once at ABC Word Academy in the last five years.
| Rule | Times | What the rule covers |
|---|---|---|
| 746.3407 Medium High | 4 | 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 Most recent: Jul 21, 2026 · first: Jun 16, 2025 |
| 746.801 Medium | 3 | 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 Most recent: Jul 21, 2026 · first: Sep 23, 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: Sep 23, 2022 · first: Sep 23, 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: Jul 21, 2026 · first: Sep 23, 2022 |
| 746.4135 Medium | 2 | The center must check the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall list and keep recalled children's products out of the center, except antiques or items being repaired that children cannot use or reach. Each year it must certify in writing on a state form that it has done this, and it must post a notice telling parents and staff how to find the recall list. Official rule text Most recent: Jul 21, 2026 · first: Sep 23, 2022 |
| 746.5207 Medium High | 2 | The center must keep an emergency diagram on file showing its floor plan, two exit paths from each room (unless the room opens straight outside at ground level), the outdoor meeting spot, and the indoor spot for sheltering from severe weather. A copy must be posted near the entrance or exit of every room children use, where children and staff can easily see it. Official rule text Most recent: Jun 16, 2025 · first: Sep 23, 2022 |
| 746.501 Medium | 2 | 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: Sep 12, 2023 · first: Sep 23, 2022 |
| 746.603 Low | 2 | The center must keep a record for each enrolled child, including the enrollment agreement, admission information, a health statement from a health-care professional, and immunization records, plus items such as sign-in and sign-out records and medication records when they apply. These records must be kept at the center, available during operating hours, generally until three months after the child's last day. Official rule text Most recent: Oct 28, 2022 · first: Sep 23, 2022 |
| 746.605 Medium | 2 | 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: Sep 23, 2022 · first: Sep 23, 2022 |
| Year | Routine inspections | All state visits | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 (from Oct 20) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 2 | 3 | 15 |
| 2023 | 4 | 5 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 4 | 6 | 12 |
| 2026 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
16 visits on record since Oct 20, 2021, newest first, including visits that found nothing.
| Date | Type | Rules checked | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 21, 2026 | Inspection | 1080 | 7 |
| Oct 15, 2025 | Inspection | 92 | 1 |
| Aug 4, 2025 | Inspection | 474 | 2 |
| Jun 16, 2025 | Inspection | 66 | 7 |
| Apr 15, 2025 | Inspection | — | None |
| Apr 10, 2025 | Investigation (report) | 4 | 1 |
| Jan 17, 2025 | Assessment | 1 | 1 |
| Aug 28, 2024 | Inspection | 799 | None |
| Nov 7, 2023 | Inspection | 1 | 1 |
| Sep 12, 2023 | Inspection | 455 | 1 |
| Aug 17, 2023 | Inspection | — | None |
| Jul 25, 2023 | Inspection | — | None |
| Date | Type | Rules checked | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 24, 2023 | Investigation (report) | 2 | None |
| Dec 7, 2022 | Inspection | 2 | None |
| Oct 28, 2022 | Assessment | 1 | 1 |
| Sep 23, 2022 | Inspection | 747 | 14 |
5 rules cited at ABC Word Academy 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 · Jul 21, 2026 · Inspection
During the inspection, CCR was not provided with the operation s liability insurance for review.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Jul 21, 2026 · Inspection
The operation has not validated the people list since December 31, 2025.
In plain English: When a person with a background check stops being associated with the operation, the operation must mark them inactive within seven days. It must also confirm its current list of people with background checks every three months, or once a year for licensed and registered child-care homes and listed family homes. Official rule text
Medium High · Jul 21, 2026 · Inspection
The driver who transports the children has a CPR and First Aid certification that has expired on 4/3/2026.
In plain English: Each caregiver and the center director must hold a current certificate in pediatric first aid (including rescue breathing and choking) and in pediatric CPR. A new caregiver may work with children before getting the CPR certificate, but at least one employee or caregiver with a current pediatric CPR certificate must be on the premises whenever children are in care. Official rule text
Medium High · Jul 21, 2026 · Inspection
The operation does not have documentation stating that a health inspection is not required.
In plain English: The center must have a sanitation inspection by a local sanitation official before its first permit and at least once every 12 months, unless it is in a public school building run by the local school district. If no inspection is available, the center must get written proof of that from a sanitation official or county judge and keep it at the center. Official rule text
Medium · Jul 21, 2026 · Inspection
The toddler caregiver is missing the following training: Emergency preparedness. Controlling the spread of communicable diseases. Administering medication. Food allergies. Understanding building and physical premises safety. Handling, storing, and disposing of hazardous materials.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Jul 21, 2026 · Inspection
CCR observed that in the infant room, the wall baseboard was peeling off along with the paint. Additionally, CCR observed a hole in the wall behind the door in the toddler classroom.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Jul 21, 2026 · Inspection
The operation did not complete the children's products certification form, nor was it provided to CCR during the inspection.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Oct 15, 2025 · Inspection
The operation emergency preparedness plan is missing how the children under 24 months will be evacuated or relocated.
In plain English: The center's written emergency plan must explain how staff will evacuate, relocate, or shelter and lock down children, including children under 24 months and those who need extra help, and how every child will be accounted for. It must also cover how the center will contact authorities and parents, bring each child's emergency contacts and medical authorization, keep caring for children until they are picked up, and reunite them with parents. Official rule text
Medium High · Aug 4, 2025 · Inspection
The operation current fire inspection was not available during the inspection.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Aug 4, 2025 · Inspection
The soft seats have visible wear and tear and are no longer waterproof, making the equipment difficult to sanitize and increasing the risk of bacteria growth. Correction: The caregiver removed the torn soft seats from the classroom.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Jun 16, 2025 · Inspection
In the Pre-K Classroom, CCR observed a spider cocoon near the toy boxes and a dead cricket. CCR also noticed a broken tile beneath the sink. CCR noticed a rug rolled up and leaning against the wall in the toddler's classroom.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Jun 16, 2025 · Inspection
CR did not observe an activity schedule posted in each classroom.
In plain English: The center must keep certain items posted at all times, including its license, the letter or form from its most recent licensing inspection or investigation, its emergency evacuation diagram, each group's activity plan, the daily menu, and a list of current employees' first and last names. It must also post required state notices and phone numbers and a list of children's food allergies that need an emergency plan. Official rule text
Medium · Jun 16, 2025 · Inspection
The 3rd and 4th grade classroom does not have enough popular equipment to prevent the children from competing.
Official text of rule 746.2605
High · Jun 16, 2025 · Inspection
CCR observed cleaning products that were not stored away near the sinks, making them accessible to children.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Jun 16, 2025 · Inspection
The operation emergency plan is missing a designated location where all caregivers and children will meet.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Jun 16, 2025 · Inspection
The 5th and 6th grade classrooms do not have play areas during the activity.
Official text of rule 746.2703
Medium · Jun 16, 2025 · Inspection
In each classroom, CCR did not observe any storage areas for children to place their personal belongings.
Official text of rule 746.4505
Medium · Apr 10, 2025 · Investigation (report)
There was sufficient evidence that the operation did not obtain a parent's signature when sharing incident reports.
In plain English: When the center fills out an incident or illness report for a child, it must give the parent a copy and get the parent's signature showing they reviewed or received it within 48 hours of the incident. 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.
In plain English: 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
High · Nov 7, 2023 · Inspection
A new hire was in the classroom where children were in care without an eligible background check. The new hire was removed from the classroom.
In plain English: An operation must get notice from the state's background check unit that a person is eligible, eligible with conditions, or provisionally eligible with conditions before letting that person be at the operation. While waiting, the person may attend orientation or pre-service training only if they have no contact with children in care. Official rule text
Medium · Sep 12, 2023 · Inspection
The operational policies lacked a policy on vaccine preventable diseases for its employees.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised August 2024
Low · Oct 28, 2022 · Assessment
As of 10/28/22, documentation of the required vision and hearing screening has not been provided. This deficiency is being re-cited. Please provide the required information 11/11/22. Of the eight children's records evaluated, two lacked documentation of a hearing and vision screening.
Plain-English explanation above
High · Sep 23, 2022 · Inspection
The Emergency Preparedness Plan does not state how staff will evacuate with the following information: 1. Parent and emergency contact telephone numbers for each child 2. Authorization for emergency care 3. How staff will care for children until they have been released to the parent 4. How children will be evacuated and/or relocated to the safe area or alternate shelter. 5. How children under 2 yrs old or with limited mobility will be evacuated. 6. The name and address of the alternate shelter 7. The emergency telephone number on file with Child Care Regulation. 8. How you will communicate with local emergency authorities, parents and Child Care Regulation. 9. How children will be re-united with their parents
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised August 2024
Medium · Sep 23, 2022 · Inspection
The director did not receive training in the following topics for the January 2021-January 2022 training year: 1. Administering medications 2. Food allergies 3. Handling, storing and disposing of hazardous mater The completion of the traininggs will be considered make-up training hours and will not be counted towards the current training year.
In plain English: 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
Medium · Sep 23, 2022 · Inspection
A copy of the current health inspection was not available for review.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Sep 23, 2022 · Inspection
Of the four personnel records evaluated, one caregiver did not receive training in the following topics for the September 2020-September 2021 training year: 1. Administering medications 2. Food allergies 3. Handling, storing and disposing of hazardous materials. The completion of the traininggs will be considered make-up training hours and will not be counted towards the current training year.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised September 2024
Medium High · Sep 23, 2022 · Inspection
Of the eight children's records evaluated, five lacked the address of the emergency contact.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised September 2024
Medium · Sep 23, 2022 · Inspection
Of the eight children's records evaluated, one lacked the name, address and telephone number of the child's doctor or an emergency care facility.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised September 2024
Medium High · Sep 23, 2022 · Inspection
Of the four personnel records evaluated, one has not completed First Aid Training.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised September 2024
Low · Sep 23, 2022 · Inspection
Of the eight children's records evaluated, two lacked documentation of a hearing and vision screening.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Sep 23, 2022 · Inspection
The loose fill surfacing is not being maintained at the depth of 6 inches. Also, in some areas the grass has overgrown the loose fill surfacing.
In plain English: 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
Medium · Sep 23, 2022 · Inspection
The Chidlren's Product Certification form is not being completd annually. The form was last completed in September 2019.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Sep 23, 2022 · Inspection
Of the four personnel records evaluated, three did not complete an orientation covering the following topics: 1. Administering medications 2. Food allergies 3. Handling, disposing and storing of hazardous materials
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised September 2024
Medium High · Sep 23, 2022 · Inspection
Of the four personnel records evaluated, two are not current with CPR training.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised September 2024
Medium High · Sep 23, 2022 · Inspection
The emergency relocation and evacuation diagram does not show the relocation area inside of the building.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Sep 23, 2022 · Inspection
A composite play structure is on the center's playground. The structure includes swings, a slide and a climbing apparatus. This type of play structure is not on playgrounds for child care centers.
Official text of rule 746.4701
Based on the kinds of rules cited at ABC Word Academy:
More in ZIP 77088 and all of Houston.
This page reports the state’s records for ABC Word Academy; 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).