Licensed Child Care Center · Houston, TX 77077
Between Oct 20, 2021 and Oct 20, 2026, the state cited America's Choice Children Center for 40 deficiencies — the Texas HHSC term for rule violations — over 16 routine inspections and 6 other visits (investigations or paperwork reviews); 10 were under rules the state weights High. The rule cited most often here is 746.3407 (11 times, most recently Jun 11, 2026).
The state lists America's Choice Children 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, Drop-In Care, Part Time Care, Transportation to/from School, Field Trips. Program type: Child Care Program.
Of the 40 violations at America's Choice Children Center, 10 fall under rules Texas weights High and 26 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 | 10 | 25% |
| Medium High | 26 | 65% |
| Medium | 4 | 10% |
| Medium Low | 0 | 0% |
| Low | 0 | 0% |
America's Choice Children Center had 40 violations in five years, more than the median of 11 across Houston’s 923 licensed child care centers, and 2.3 per routine inspection against a median of 1.0 — a count of state records, not a rating.
8 rules were cited more than once at America's Choice Children Center in the last five years.
| Rule | Times | What the rule covers |
|---|---|---|
| 746.3407 Medium High | 11 | 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: Jun 11, 2026 · first: Jan 19, 2022 |
| 746.3701 Medium High | 7 | All areas children can reach must be free of hazards. The rule lists examples such as childproof covers on outlets for children under five, heaters and fans mounted out of reach or guarded, poisonous plants kept out of reach, pools, buckets, and other water kept away from children, and TVs anchored so they cannot tip over. Official rule text · rule revised September 2024 Most recent: Jun 11, 2026 · first: Jul 11, 2023 |
| 746.2419 Medium High | 3 | 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 Most recent: May 22, 2026 · first: Aug 4, 2022 |
| 746.605 Medium 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: May 22, 2026 · first: Aug 4, 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: Jun 11, 2026 · first: May 22, 2026 |
| 746.5603 Medium High | 2 | The state does not regulate which type of vehicle a center uses to transport children, but it sorts vehicles into general purpose vehicles, small school buses, and large school buses for its other transportation rules. Every vehicle must be kept in "safe operating condition" at all times, in the rule's words. Official rule text Most recent: May 22, 2026 · first: Jun 3, 2024 |
| 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: Jun 3, 2024 · first: Aug 4, 2022 |
| 746.4503 Medium | 2 | Each walking child through age four must have an individual waterproof or washable cot, bed, or mat to sleep or rest on, provided by the center or the parent. Each must be labeled with the child's name (or a number with an assignment map), and floor mats must be marked so the sleeping side can be told apart from the floor side. Official rule text Most recent: Jul 11, 2023 · first: Aug 4, 2022 |
| Year | Routine inspections | All state visits | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 (from Oct 20) | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 2022 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| 2023 | 3 | 4 | 8 |
| 2024 | 3 | 5 | 12 |
| 2025 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| 2026 | 2 | 2 | 10 |
22 visits on record since Oct 20, 2021, newest first, including visits that found nothing.
| Date | Type | Rules checked | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 11, 2026 | Inspection | 8 | 3 |
| May 22, 2026 | Inspection | 687 | 7 |
| May 29, 2025 | Inspection | 583 | 2 |
| Feb 4, 2025 | Inspection | 1 | None |
| Jan 30, 2025 | Investigation (report) | 3 | None |
| Jun 26, 2024 | Inspection | 7 | None |
| Jun 3, 2024 | Inspection | 685 | 7 |
| May 28, 2024 | Investigation (report) | 2 | 1 |
| Mar 22, 2024 | Inspection | 5 | 4 |
| Mar 20, 2024 | Investigation (report) | 4 | None |
| Aug 11, 2023 | Inspection | 2 | None |
| Jul 24, 2023 | Inspection | 3 | 3 |
| Date | Type | Rules checked | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 12, 2023 | Investigation (report) | 5 | 1 |
| Jul 11, 2023 | Inspection | 572 | 4 |
| Aug 30, 2022 | Inspection | — | None |
| Aug 26, 2022 | Investigation (report) | 1 | None |
| Aug 15, 2022 | Inspection | 4 | None |
| Aug 4, 2022 | Inspection | 678 | 6 |
| Jan 28, 2022 | Inspection | 1 | None |
| Jan 19, 2022 | Inspection | 1 | 1 |
| Oct 27, 2021 | Inspection | — | None |
| Oct 26, 2021 | Investigation (report) | 1 | 1 |
4 rules cited at America's Choice Children 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 High · Jun 11, 2026 · Inspection
There was not at least 6 inches of loose-fill on the playground under the playground structure.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Jun 11, 2026 · Inspection
Observed the playground fence with broken sharp pieces exposed that are accessible to children.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Jun 11, 2026 · Inspection
Observed 2 dead roaches that were accessible to children near the children restrooms. NOTE: This was corrected during the inspection by removing the insects and disposing of them.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · May 22, 2026 · Inspection
There was not at least 6 inches of loose-fill on the playground under the playground structure.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · May 22, 2026 · Inspection
Observed the playground fence with broken sharp pieces exposed that are accessible to children.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · May 22, 2026 · Inspection
Observed 3 out of 4 children files without an emergency contact listed.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · May 22, 2026 · Inspection
Observed 2 infant bottles not properly labeled. -
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · May 22, 2026 · Inspection
When the inspector asked the caregiver the youngest child's age, the caregiver stated, "The youngest child is 12 months old." The youngest child in the classroom is 18 months old.
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 · May 22, 2026 · Inspection
Observed the transportation van with the check engine light on. The windshield has a long visible crack in the window.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · May 22, 2026 · Inspection
Observed 3 electrical outlets not covered in the toddlers classroom with children present.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · May 29, 2025 · Inspection
Observed a bowl and spoon in the hand washing sink in the infant room. NOTE: This was corrected by removing the bowl and spoon out of the hand washing sink.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · May 29, 2025 · Inspection
Observed several brown ceiling tiles throughout the operation.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Jun 3, 2024 · Inspection
Two out of three vans had seatbelts that did not work properly.
Plain-English explanation above
High · Jun 3, 2024 · Inspection
I observed cleaning products that were accessible to children in the children's restroom. NOTE: This was corrected during the inspection by being removed out of the reach of children.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Jun 3, 2024 · Inspection
I observed two out of six children files without an emergency contact address.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised September 2024
High · Jun 3, 2024 · Inspection
Two out of three of the vans observed did not have a safety alarm system that worked properly.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Jun 3, 2024 · Inspection
I observed chipped paint on the walls in the classroom.
Plain-English explanation above
High · Jun 3, 2024 · Inspection
Two out of three vans observed did not have a first aid kit on the van. One out of three vans observed first aid kit was missing scissors, tweezers and gloves.
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 · Jun 3, 2024 · Inspection
I observed the playground fence with sharp nails protruding through.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised September 2024
Medium High · May 28, 2024 · Investigation (report)
I observed several trash cans without tops on them throughtout the center.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Mar 22, 2024 · Inspection
I observed the outside fence with 3 broken plywoods and sharp edges protruding out.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Mar 22, 2024 · Inspection
I observed 2 classrooms with children under the age of 5 that did not have electrical outlet. NOTE: This was corrected during the inspection with covers placed into the outlets.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised September 2024
Medium High · Mar 22, 2024 · Inspection
I observed several classrooms with chipped paint on the walls and brown ceiling tiles.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Mar 22, 2024 · Inspection
I observed a broken ride on toy and chair on the playground. NOTE: This was corrected during the inspection with the toy and chair being removed.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised September 2024
High · Jul 24, 2023 · Inspection
Bottles of cleaning supplies was accessible to children in the cafeteria area. This was corrected during the inspection.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Jul 24, 2023 · Inspection
3 dead roaches was on the floor in the cafeteria area where the kids sit and eat meals.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Jul 24, 2023 · Inspection
An employee in the infant room did not was their hands after changing an infants diaper.
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
High · Jul 12, 2023 · Investigation (report)
Based on the information obtained there is sufficient evidence to support that a caregiver used prohibited punishment on a child in care.
In plain English: No child may be treated in a harsh, cruel, or unusual way. Banned methods include physical punishment or threats of it, punishment tied to food, naps, or toilet training, grabbing or pulling a child, yelling at or humiliating a child, and putting a child in a locked or dark room. Official rule text
Medium High · Jul 11, 2023 · Inspection
Electric outlets in 2 classrooms with children younger than 5 was not covered with childproof covers. This was corrected during inspection.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised September 2024
High · Jul 11, 2023 · Inspection
A glass cleaner bottle was on the floor and accessible to children in the lunch room. This was corrected during inspection.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Jul 11, 2023 · Inspection
There was no number chart available to match the numbers on the cots in several of the classrooms.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Jul 11, 2023 · Inspection
The required emergency telephone numbers was not available on the required posting board. This was corrected during inspection.
Medium · Aug 4, 2022 · Inspection
Several cots that children were sleeping on in the toddler room were not labeled. One cot had a name on it, but it was not coordinated with the child sleeping on it.
Plain-English explanation above
High · Aug 4, 2022 · Inspection
The safety alarm for the transportation van does not work.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised March 2023
Medium High · Aug 4, 2022 · Inspection
6 children did not have the special needs section acknowledged.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised September 2024
Medium High · Aug 4, 2022 · Inspection
1 child in the infant classroom's bottle was not labeled.
Plain-English explanation above
High · Aug 4, 2022 · Inspection
A caregiver in the infant classroom did not know how many children she had in care. The caregiver stated there were 7 children, but there were 6 children.
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
Medium · Aug 4, 2022 · Inspection
2 children's records did not have a health statement from a doctor.
In plain English: 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
High · Jan 19, 2022 · Inspection
In the toddler room there was a bottle of bleach disinfectant cleaner on top of the cubby accessible to children. Note: This was discussed with the director and caregiver and removed immediately.
Plain-English explanation above
High · Oct 26, 2021 · Investigation (report)
A caregiver was recording a fight between two children ages 6 and 7 without intervening to stop the fight. The caregiver admitted to the Director and parent that she was recording on another child's cell phone and 3 children interviewed also stated the caregiver was recording while the children were fighting.
In plain English: Every center employee, including staff not counted in the child-to-caregiver ratio, must show competency, good judgment, and self-control around children and treat them with courtesy, respect, and patience. Employees must make sure no child is abused, neglected, or exploited in care, and must report suspected abuse or neglect to the state. Official rule text
Based on the kinds of rules cited at America's Choice Children Center:
More in ZIP 77077 and all of Houston.
This page reports the state’s records for America's Choice Children 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).