Licensed Child Care Center · Houston, TX 77088
Between Oct 20, 2021 and Oct 20, 2026, the state cited America's Choice Children's Center for 24 deficiencies — the Texas HHSC term for rule violations — over 15 routine inspections and 3 other visits (investigations or paperwork reviews); 3 were under rules the state weights High. The rule cited most often here is 746.3407 (3 times, most recently Nov 5, 2025).
The state lists America's Choice Children's 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 24 violations at America's Choice Children's Center, 3 fall under rules Texas weights High and 11 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 | 13% |
| Medium High | 11 | 46% |
| Medium | 8 | 33% |
| Medium Low | 2 | 8% |
| Low | 0 | 0% |
America's Choice Children's Center had 24 violations in five years, more than the median of 11 across Houston’s 923 licensed child care centers, and 1.3 per routine inspection against a median of 1.0 — a count of state records, not a rating.
3 rules were cited more than once at America's Choice Children's Center in the last five years.
| Rule | Times | What the rule covers |
|---|---|---|
| 746.3407 Medium High | 3 | 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: Nov 5, 2025 · first: Sep 24, 2025 |
| 746.801 Medium | 2 | 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: Jan 30, 2026 · first: Oct 30, 2023 |
| 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 14, 2024 · first: Nov 4, 2022 |
| Year | Routine inspections | All state visits | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 (from Oct 20) | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 2022 | 3 | 3 | 8 |
| 2023 | 2 | 3 | 8 |
| 2024 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| 2025 | 5 | 5 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
18 visits on record since Oct 20, 2021, newest first, including visits that found nothing.
| Date | Type | Rules checked | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 30, 2026 | Inspection | 708 | 1 |
| Nov 18, 2025 | Inspection | 1 | None |
| Nov 5, 2025 | Inspection | 1 | 1 |
| Oct 15, 2025 | Inspection | 1 | 1 |
| Sep 24, 2025 | Inspection | 620 | 1 |
| May 12, 2025 | Inspection | 316 | None |
| Nov 21, 2024 | Inspection | 4 | 1 |
| Oct 14, 2024 | Inspection | 541 | 1 |
| Feb 2, 2024 | Inspection | 431 | 1 |
| Jan 18, 2024 | Assessment | 1 | 1 |
| Oct 30, 2023 | Inspection | 692 | 4 |
| Aug 3, 2023 | Inspection | 53 | 1 |
| Date | Type | Rules checked | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 10, 2023 | Investigation (report) | 4 | 3 |
| Dec 13, 2022 | Inspection | 1 | None |
| Dec 6, 2022 | Inspection | 5 | 1 |
| Nov 4, 2022 | Inspection | 591 | 7 |
| Nov 4, 2021 | Inspection | 605 | None |
| Oct 27, 2021 | Investigation (report) | 4 | None |
3 rules cited at America's Choice Children's 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 · Jan 30, 2026 · Inspection
The director's attendance records were not available during the inspection.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Nov 5, 2025 · Inspection
The operation successfully repaired the playground gate; however, the old replaced gate was left leaning against the fence in the play area. CCR also observed broken concrete, a rug that had bunched up, and a broken scooter in the play area, all of which were accessible to the children.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Oct 15, 2025 · Inspection
The playground back gate's T-hinge is broken, preventing the gate from closing. This issue allows animals or individuals to enter the property and a child to leave the premises.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Sep 24, 2025 · Inspection
The playground back gate's T-hinge is broken, preventing the gate from closing. This issue allows animals or individuals to enter the property and a child to leave the premises.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Nov 21, 2024 · Inspection
A group of children specified age group 12-17 months old the caregiver allowed children to watch a video on a tablet that was hanging on the wall while children waited for lunch. Corrected: When the caregiver turned it off and read a book to the children.
In plain English: 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
Medium High · Oct 14, 2024 · Inspection
The operation playground does not have the required six inch of surfacing around the play structure.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Feb 2, 2024 · Inspection
The documented annual training hours/certificates provided for review did not include training on the following required topics in Health and Safety for a caregiver. 1. emergency preparedness 2. communicable diseases to include immunizations 3. administering medication 4. preventing and responding to emergencies due to food or an allergic reaction 5. building and physical premises safety and 6. handling, storing, and disposing of hazardous materials.
In plain English: 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
Medium Low · Jan 18, 2024 · Assessment
The operation had not submitted the total number of employees who ceased working at the operation the previous calendar year by January 15, 2024.
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
Medium · Oct 30, 2023 · Inspection
The documented annual training hours/certificates provided for review did not include training on the following required topics in Health and Safety for the director. 1. emergency preparedness 2. communicable diseases to include immunizations 3. administering medication 4. preventing and responding to emergencies due to food or an allergic reaction 5. building and physical premises safety and 6. handling, storing, and disposing of hazardous materials.
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
Medium Low · Oct 30, 2023 · Inspection
One personnel file lacked the required notarized affidavit on file.
In plain English: 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
Medium · Oct 30, 2023 · Inspection
Some of admission forms used were outdated. The admission forms do not capture the required minimum standards changes of March 2023.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Oct 30, 2023 · Inspection
Four caregivers lacked the educational requirements on file.
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 High · Aug 3, 2023 · Inspection
The transportation training for the 2nd director was last completed on 03/07/21.
In plain English: If the center transports children younger than nine (by age or development), each employee must complete two hours of transportation training each year before transporting a child, and the director must complete it too. These two hours are separate from orientation, pre-service, and annual training hours. Official rule text
High · Jun 10, 2023 · Investigation (report)
Based on the preponderance of the evidence obtained during the investigation conducted by DFPS, it was found that there was sufficient evidence that the caregiver, who parked the vehicle, did not have a list of the children when this incident occurred.
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
High · Jun 10, 2023 · Investigation (report)
Based on the preponderance of the evidence obtained during the investigation conducted by DFPS, it was found that there was sufficient evidence to show that a caregiver neglectfully supervised a child.
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
High · Jun 10, 2023 · Investigation (report)
Based on the preponderance of the evidence obtained during the investigation conducted by DFPS, it was found that there was sufficient evidence to show that all the children were not accounted for when they exited the van into the operation.
In plain English: Children must be loaded and unloaded at the curb or in a protected parking area or driveway, and a child may not cross a street without an adult. Staff must account for every child getting out before leaving the vehicle unattended, and a child may never be left alone in a vehicle. Official rule text
Medium High · Dec 6, 2022 · Inspection
There were 15 children napping, ages 15 months to 2 years old with one caregiver. The specified age group was 2 years old. With this specified age group one caregiver can supervise 11 children. This was corrected at inspection when the youngest child was moved to the infant classroom.
In plain English: 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)
Medium · Nov 4, 2022 · Inspection
One child's file observed did not include a health statement. The child's enrollment date is documented as 05/31/2022.
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 High · Nov 4, 2022 · Inspection
There are nails observed protruding from a wooded gate that posed as a hazard to children in care. There was a broken board observed hanging from the wooded gate. A water hose was observed unraveled which poses as a tripping hazard.
In plain English: The director or a designee must check the active play space and equipment every day before play and do a fuller check at least monthly using a written checklist. Hazards or defects found must be removed or repaired promptly, children must be kept off the equipment until then, and inspection and repair records must be kept for at least three months. Official rule text
Medium High · Nov 4, 2022 · Inspection
The outdoor area observed did not have adequate amount of mulch near the grounded area of the slide. The mulch observed was displaced, and/or removed due to rain or lack of maintenance on three separates areas of the playground. The mulch observed was less than 9 inches.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Nov 4, 2022 · Inspection
Five staff files observed contained training from an online source.
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 · Nov 4, 2022 · Inspection
One child's file observed did not include the child's physician information for contact in case of an emergency. The child's file did not contain the physician's name, address, and/or telephone number. The child's file did not contain the emergency care facility either.
In plain English: 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
Medium · Nov 4, 2022 · Inspection
A total of five infant feeding instructions were observed that were not updated. Infant feeding instructions observed were dated: -09/01/2022 -09/06/2022 -08/31/2022 -09/27/2022 -09/19/2022
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 · Nov 4, 2022 · Inspection
One food allergy plan observed did not include the parent signature.
In plain English: For each child with a food allergy diagnosed by a health-care professional, the center must have a food allergy emergency plan signed and dated by the child's health-care professional and parent. A copy must be kept in the child's file. Official rule text
Based on the kinds of rules cited at America's Choice Children's Center:
More in ZIP 77088 and all of Houston.
This page reports the state’s records for America's Choice Children's 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).