Licensed Child Care Center · Houston, TX 77018
Between Oct 20, 2021 and Oct 20, 2026, the state cited Children Today for 73 deficiencies — the Texas HHSC term for rule violations — over 23 routine inspections and 5 other visits (investigations or paperwork reviews); 5 were under rules the state weights High. The rule cited most often here is 746.801 (9 times, most recently Sep 9, 2026).
The state lists Children Today as serving infant, toddler, pre-kindergarten, and school-age children, open 07:00 AM to 06:00 PM (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri). Programs on file: Snacks Provided. Program type: Child Care Program.
Of the 73 violations at Children Today, 5 fall under rules Texas weights High and 30 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 | 5 | 7% |
| Medium High | 30 | 41% |
| Medium | 35 | 48% |
| Medium Low | 3 | 4% |
| Low | 0 | 0% |
Children Today had 73 violations in five years, more than the median of 11 across Houston’s 923 licensed child care centers, and 3.1 per routine inspection against a median of 1.0 — a count of state records, not a rating.
15 rules were cited more than once at Children Today in the last five years.
| Rule | Times | What the rule covers |
|---|---|---|
| 746.801 Medium | 9 | 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: Sep 9, 2026 · first: Jan 31, 2025 |
| 746.605 Medium High | 7 | 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: Apr 30, 2026 · first: Feb 10, 2022 |
| 746.901 Medium | 6 | 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: Sep 10, 2025 · first: Feb 1, 2024 |
| 746.1013 Medium | 5 | Whenever the director is away during operating hours, a qualified caregiver or director must be named to be in charge, and that person must know their duties and for how long, have the information needed to contact parents and authorities, and have authority to run the center. All employees must know who is in charge, and for a long absence the center must name someone who meets director qualifications and report that person to the state. Official rule text Most recent: Mar 21, 2025 · first: Sep 30, 2024 |
| 746.1309 Medium | 4 | 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 10, 2025 · first: Feb 1, 2024 |
| 746.603 Medium | 4 | 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: Sep 10, 2025 · first: Feb 3, 2023 |
| 746.1011 Medium High | 4 | Director present-Minimum 75% Most recent: Mar 21, 2025 · first: Jan 31, 2025 |
| 746.1205 High | 3 | 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 Most recent: Sep 9, 2026 · first: Feb 1, 2024 |
| 746.1315 Medium High | 3 | 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 Most recent: Apr 30, 2026 · first: Sep 10, 2025 |
| 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: Dec 4, 2025 · first: May 6, 2025 |
| 746.403 Medium | 3 | Posting Requirements - Prominent & Public Most recent: Jan 31, 2025 · first: Sep 30, 2024 |
| 746.4907 Medium High | 3 | 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: Jan 31, 2025 · first: Sep 30, 2024 |
| 746.3427 Medium High | 2 | Pest Extermination Most recent: Dec 4, 2025 · first: Aug 25, 2025 |
| HRC 42.054 High | 2 | Required Fees Most recent: Feb 11, 2025 · first: Jan 31, 2025 |
| 746.3505 Medium High | 2 | Caregivers must wash their own hands, wash the child's hands after each diaper change, throw away disposable gloves after each change, and sanitize the changing surface after each use (or use a disposable paper liner between back-to-back changes). Soiled diapers must go in covered or sealed containers, soiled clothing must go home in a sealed plastic bag, and caregivers with open wounds or casts or bandages that get in the way of handwashing may not change diapers. Official rule text Most recent: Feb 3, 2023 · first: Feb 3, 2023 |
| Year | Routine inspections | All state visits | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 (from Oct 20) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| 2024 | 5 | 6 | 23 |
| 2025 | 11 | 14 | 36 |
| 2026 | 5 | 5 | 8 |
28 visits on record since Oct 20, 2021, newest first, including visits that found nothing.
| Date | Type | Rules checked | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 7, 2026 | Inspection | 4 | Pending with the state |
| Sep 9, 2026 | Inspection | 259 | 2 |
| Apr 30, 2026 | Inspection | 2 | 2 |
| Mar 16, 2026 | Inspection | 574 | 2 |
| Jan 28, 2026 | Inspection | 2 | 2 |
| Dec 11, 2025 | Inspection | 376 | 2 |
| Dec 4, 2025 | Investigation (report) | 4 | 3 |
| Oct 8, 2025 | Inspection | — | None |
| Sep 10, 2025 | Inspection | 837 | 9 |
| Aug 29, 2025 | Inspection | — | None |
| Aug 29, 2025 | Inspection | — | None |
| Aug 25, 2025 | Investigation (report) | 2 | 1 |
| Date | Type | Rules checked | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 6, 2025 | Inspection | 568 | 1 |
| Apr 2, 2025 | Inspection | 4 | None |
| Mar 21, 2025 | Inspection | 3 | 3 |
| Feb 21, 2025 | Inspection | 5 | 3 |
| Feb 11, 2025 | Inspection | 8 | 5 |
| Jan 31, 2025 | Inspection | 8 | 8 |
| Jan 21, 2025 | Assessment | 1 | 1 |
| Oct 14, 2024 | Inspection | 6 | 3 |
| Sep 30, 2024 | Inspection | 710 | 5 |
| Mar 7, 2024 | Inspection | 4 | None |
| Feb 21, 2024 | Inspection | 9 | 3 |
| Feb 1, 2024 | Inspection | 734 | 12 |
| Jan 31, 2024 | Investigation (report) | 5 | None |
| Feb 3, 2023 | Inspection | 508 | 5 |
| Jan 25, 2023 | Investigation (report) | 3 | None |
| Feb 10, 2022 | Inspection | 673 | 1 |
“Pending”: the state has not posted the outcome.
3 rules cited at Children Today 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 9, 2026 · Inspection
Operation did not have a record of the previous three months of playground maintenance checklist.
Plain-English explanation above
High · Sep 9, 2026 · Inspection
A caregiver left the classroom to open the front door. This was corrected when the caregiver returned to the classroom.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Apr 30, 2026 · Inspection
A reviewed child's file did not have a complete emergency contact that was separate from the parent.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Apr 30, 2026 · Inspection
The CPR certificate provided via email did not include the required hands-on curriculum.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Mar 16, 2026 · Inspection
A reviewed child's file did not have a complete emergency contact.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Mar 16, 2026 · Inspection
A caregiver has an expired CPR date of 7.2025.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Jan 28, 2026 · Inspection
The operation was unable to provide access to the personnel records.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Jan 28, 2026 · Inspection
The operation was unable to provide access to the children's records.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Dec 11, 2025 · Inspection
The operation was unable to provide access to the personnel records.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Dec 11, 2025 · Inspection
The operation was unable to provide access to the children's records.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Dec 4, 2025 · Investigation (report)
There was a box of combat max roach killer within reach of children in the hallway.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Dec 4, 2025 · Investigation (report)
The operation was not able to provide the documentation of the most recent pest extermination.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Dec 4, 2025 · Investigation (report)
The operation uses over the counter pest control without a certified noncommercial applicator.
Official text of rule 746.3427
Medium · Sep 10, 2025 · Inspection
Four of the six reviewed children records did not have an updated immunization record.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Sep 10, 2025 · Inspection
A crib sheet in the infant room was not snug fitting. This was corrected when the caregiver replaced the crib sheet with a snug fitting crib sheet.
In plain English: Each crib must have a firm, flat mattress made for that crib model that fits snugly with no added padding, snug-fitting sheets, secure hardware, slats no more than 2 3/8 inches apart, documentation that it meets federal crib standards, and a label with the infant's name (or a number with an assignment map). Cribs must be sanitized before another infant uses them, and an infant may never be left in a crib with the drop gate down. Official rule text
Medium · Sep 10, 2025 · Inspection
The operation did not have documentation of fire drills completed for 2025.
In plain English: The center must hold a fire drill every month, and the children must be able to get out of the building within three minutes. It must also hold a severe-weather sheltering drill and a lock-down drill at least four times a year each, and record the date, time, and length of every drill. Official rule text
Medium High · Sep 10, 2025 · Inspection
The grass in the outdoor area has grown to a height above the ankles.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Sep 10, 2025 · Inspection
A present caregiver had a cpr/first aid training with an expiration date of 7/2025.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium Low · Sep 10, 2025 · Inspection
Three caregiver files did not have a pre employment affidavit.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Sep 10, 2025 · Inspection
The director's file was not able to be reviewed during the inspection.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Sep 10, 2025 · Inspection
A caregiver had 20 of the 24 required annual training hours.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Sep 10, 2025 · Inspection
The toddler room did not have an evacuation diagram posted.
In plain English: 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
Medium High · Aug 25, 2025 · Investigation (report)
Staff without a noncommercial applicator certification from the Texas Department of Agriculture used pest control treatment at the operation.
Official text of rule 746.3427
Medium High · May 6, 2025 · Inspection
There are planters in the outdoor area that are collecting debry, water, snails, and algae.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Mar 21, 2025 · Inspection
The director did not leave a qualified director in charge during the extended absences.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Mar 21, 2025 · Inspection
The director attendance records were not available.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Mar 21, 2025 · Inspection
The director has not been present at the operation for at least 30% or 75% of the time.
Official text of rule 746.1011
Medium High · Feb 21, 2025 · Inspection
The director has not been present at the operation for at least 30% or 75% of the time.
Official text of rule 746.1011
Medium · Feb 21, 2025 · Inspection
The director attendance records were not available.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Feb 21, 2025 · Inspection
The director did not leave a qualified director in charge during the extended absences.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Feb 11, 2025 · Inspection
The director has not been present at the operation for at least 30% or 75% of the time.
Official text of rule 746.1011
High · Feb 11, 2025 · Inspection
The operation has a pending fee that have not been paid since december.
Official text of rule HRC 42.054
Medium High · Feb 11, 2025 · Inspection
During the walk-through, The CCR observed a caregiver in the toddler classroom using their cell phone. Correction: The caregiver put the cell phone device away.
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
Medium · Feb 11, 2025 · Inspection
The director did not leave a qualified director in charge during the extended absences.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Feb 11, 2025 · Inspection
During the walk-through, CCR observed a 13-month-old infant sleeping with a bottle. Correction: The caregiver removed the bottle from the infant's crib.
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 · Jan 31, 2025 · Inspection
Playground loose fill is less than an inch ruler
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Jan 31, 2025 · Inspection
The pre-school and toddler caregiver are missing the following training: Emergency preparedness Preventing and controlling the spread of communicable diseases Administering medication Preventing and responding to emergencies Understanding building and physical premises safety. Handling, storing, and disposing of hazardous materials.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Jan 31, 2025 · Inspection
The director did not leave a qualified director in charge during the extended absences.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Jan 31, 2025 · Inspection
CCR observed stationary equipment positioned less than two feet from the playground entry door and less than six feet from the perimeter.
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 · Jan 31, 2025 · Inspection
The director has not been present at the operation for at least 30% or 75% of the time.
Official text of rule 746.1011
High · Jan 31, 2025 · Inspection
The operation has a pending fee that have not been paid.
Official text of rule HRC 42.054
Medium · Jan 31, 2025 · Inspection
The director attendance records were not available.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Jan 31, 2025 · Inspection
The parent board is displayed in the director's office, making it difficult for employees and parents to view.
Medium Low · Jan 21, 2025 · Assessment
A review of the Employees Who Left Employment in 2024 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
Medium · Oct 14, 2024 · Inspection
The pre-school and toddler caregiver are missing the following training: Emergency preparedness Preventing and controlling the spread of communicable diseases Administering medication Preventing and responding to emergencies Understanding building and physical premises safety. Handling, storing, and disposing of hazardous materials.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Oct 14, 2024 · Inspection
Playground loose fill is less than an inch ruler
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Oct 14, 2024 · Inspection
The parent board is displayed in the director's office, making it difficult for employees and parents to view.
Medium High · Sep 30, 2024 · Inspection
Playground loose fill is less than an inch ruler
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Sep 30, 2024 · Inspection
The staff didn't know who was left in charge while the director was out.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Sep 30, 2024 · Inspection
The parent board is displayed in the director's office, making it difficult for employees and parents to view.
Medium · Sep 30, 2024 · Inspection
Three staff files were evaluated, and seven staff files were not available during the inspection.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Sep 30, 2024 · Inspection
Three staff training certificates were not in their files for CCR to review.
Plain-English explanation above
High · Feb 21, 2024 · Inspection
They were four children left alone in a classroom when the caregiver came to answer the door.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Feb 21, 2024 · Inspection
The operation still has not provided the three children health statement they have only provided for one child out of the four.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Feb 21, 2024 · Inspection
The operation still has not provided the updated for four children missing address for an emergency contact.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised September 2024
Medium High · Feb 1, 2024 · Inspection
Two children did not have any information on special care and one child did not have updated information in his file for special care he needed in the classroom setting due to being on the spectrum.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised September 2024
Medium · Feb 1, 2024 · Inspection
One caregiver was missing 4 hours of training for training year 8/24/22 to 8/24/2023. Corrected: When four hours was taken from training year 8/24/2023 to 8/24/2024
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised September 2024
Medium · Feb 1, 2024 · Inspection
In the pre-school classroom children were having screen time on the tablet as they ate their breakfast.
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 · Feb 1, 2024 · Inspection
Four children did not have a health statement on file and they have been enrolled in the program for over a year.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium Low · Feb 1, 2024 · Inspection
The director did not have a affidavit on file.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised August 2024
Medium · Feb 1, 2024 · Inspection
The director was missing 13 training hours for training year 9/12/2022 to 9/12/2023. Corrected: When I took 13 hours of training from training year 9/12/2023 to 9/12/2024.
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 High · Feb 1, 2024 · Inspection
In the infant classroom they were six infants specified age group 12-17 months old. The infant classroom was out of ration when caregiver step out to warm up a lunch and when a caregiver step out to go get a stroller.
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)
High · Feb 1, 2024 · Inspection
They were four children left alone in a classroom when one caregiver came to answer the door and the other caregivers step out to go to there own classroom, the children specified age group was two years old.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Feb 1, 2024 · Inspection
One caregivers file was not available for viewing.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised August 2024
Medium · Feb 1, 2024 · Inspection
Three children did not have health care information on their enrollment form.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised September 2024
Medium High · Feb 1, 2024 · Inspection
Four children did not have address for an emergency contact information, one child had did not have someone besides a parent.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised September 2024
Medium High · Feb 1, 2024 · Inspection
It was observed that a caregiver cleaning a child's noise and did not wash their hands afterwards, the same caregiver cleaned another child's noise and did not wash hands afterwards.
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 High · Feb 3, 2023 · Inspection
The caregiver did not wash the child hands after changing their diaper. Corrected: When the caregiver wash the child hands.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Feb 3, 2023 · Inspection
The operation did not have an updated children's product form the last form was from 9/8/2020. Corrected: When the director filled out a form and ensured they were not any recall items in the building.
In plain English: 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
Medium · Feb 3, 2023 · Inspection
One child is missing a health statement from the doctor the child has been enrolled at the operation since 2019.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Feb 3, 2023 · Inspection
Two infant children did not have a updated feeding instruction form. One child form was last updated on 11/30/22 and the other child was last updated on 12/20/22.
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 · Feb 3, 2023 · Inspection
The caregiver did not wash their hands after changing the child diaper. Corrected: When the caregiver washed their hands.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Feb 10, 2022 · Inspection
During review of record keeping 1 out of 6 records evaluated was found to not have an food allergy plan for a identified food allergy.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised September 2024
Based on the kinds of rules cited at Children Today:
More in ZIP 77018 and all of Houston.
This page reports the state’s records for Children Today; 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).