Between Apr 10, 2023 (the first state visit on record) and Oct 20, 2026, the state cited Daniehl LLC, DBA: First Steps Learning Center for 12 deficiencies — the Texas HHSC term for rule violations — over 10 routine inspections and 2 other visits (investigations or paperwork reviews); 1 was under rules the state weights High. The rule cited most often here is 746.5202 (3 times, most recently Apr 10, 2023).
102Licensed capacity
10Routine inspections, since 2023
12Violations, since 2023
1High-weight violations
1.2Violations per inspection
2Clean inspections in a row
The state lists Daniehl LLC, DBA: First Steps 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, Drop-In Care, Part Time Care. Program type: Child Care Program.
Violations by state risk weight
Of the 12 violations at Daniehl LLC, DBA: First Steps Learning Center, 1 falls under rules Texas weights High and 8 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
1
8%
Medium High
8
67%
Medium
3
25%
Medium Low
0
0%
Low
0
0%
Compared with other Houston licensed child care centers
Daniehl LLC, DBA: First Steps Learning Center had 12 violations since Apr 10, 2023, a shorter record than most, more than the five-year median of 11 across Houston’s 923 licensed child care centers, and 1.2 per routine inspection against a median of 1.0 — a count of state records, not a rating.
Repeat issues
4 rules were cited more than once at Daniehl LLC, DBA: First Steps Learning Center since Apr 10, 2023.
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 Most recent: Apr 10, 2023 · first: Apr 10, 2023
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: Aug 18, 2025 · first: Feb 22, 2024
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: Aug 27, 2024 · first: Feb 22, 2024
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: Apr 10, 2023 · first: Apr 10, 2023
Year by year
Inspections
Violations
Year
Routine inspections
All state visits
Violations
2023 (from Apr 10)
4
4
6
2024
2
2
4
2025
2
3
2
2026
2
3
0
Every state visit
12 visits on record since Apr 10, 2023, newest first, including visits that found nothing.
Date
Type
Rules checked
Violations
Aug 7, 2026
Inspection
597
None
Apr 2, 2026
Inspection
—
None
Mar 30, 2026
Investigation (report)
2
None
Aug 18, 2025
Inspection
680
2
Mar 19, 2025
Inspection
—
None
Mar 6, 2025
Investigation (report)
2
None
Aug 27, 2024
Inspection
673
2
Feb 22, 2024
Inspection
591
2
Aug 9, 2023
Inspection
665
1
Jun 14, 2023
Inspection
181
None
May 17, 2023
Inspection
455
None
Apr 10, 2023
Inspection
1251
5
All 12 violations, newest first
2 rules cited at Daniehl LLC, DBA: First Steps 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 · Aug 18, 2025 · Inspection
746.2421(b) - Written Feeding Instructions - Review and Update Every 30 Days
3 out of 3 children did not have feeding instructions.
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
Corrected at inspection:
No
Correction date:
Aug 20, 2025
Correction verified:
Aug 22, 2025
Technical assistance given:
No
Medium · Aug 18, 2025 · Inspection
746.603(a)(4) - Children's Records - Immunizations
3 out of 8 files reviewed did not have immunizations.
746.5617(a)(6) - Required Equipment in Vehicles - First-aid Kit
There was no first aid kit located in the transportation van. Note: This was corrected when the driver placed another kit in the van.
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
Corrected at inspection:
Yes
Correction date:
Aug 27, 2024
Technical assistance given:
Yes
Medium High · Feb 22, 2024 · Inspection
746.3701(5) - Safety - Play Materials and Equipment Safe
There is a missing bolt on the playground equipment for the kids.
746.605(6) - Required Admission Information - Emergency Contact
Reviewing transportation Children's emergency contact records, 4 out of 6 children's records were missing address of another person responsible individual (friend or relative) who be contacted in an emergency when a parent cannot be reached.
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
Corrected at inspection:
No
Correction date:
Aug 16, 2023
Correction verified:
Aug 11, 2023
Technical assistance given:
Yes
Medium High · Apr 10, 2023 · Inspection
746.3407(9) - Floors, ceilings and Walls in Good Repair and Clean
In the Tiny Stepper's Classroom it was observed the Ceiling tile has a stained from possible leak.
746.5202(1) - Emergency Preparedness Plan - Evacuation, relocation, and sheltering/lock-down procedures
There was no emergency secondary location on the emergency preparedness plan. Note: THis was corrected at inspection when the permit holder added the secondary emergency location.
746.5202(4) - Emergency Preparedness Plan-Continuity of Care Until Children Released
Emergency Preparedness plan did not have procedure for: How your staff will continue to care for the children until each child has been released. Note: This was corrected at inspection, when the permit holder added the procedure to the emergency policy.
746.5202(5) - Emergency Preparedness Plan-Reunification Plan
Emergency Preparedness plan did not have procedure for: How you will reunify the children with their parents as the evacuation, relocation, or sheltering/lock-down is lifted. Note: This was corrected at inspection, when the permit holder added the procedure to the emergency policy.
This page reports the state’s records for Daniehl LLC, DBA: First Steps 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).