Licensed Child Care Center · Houston, TX 77007
Between Oct 20, 2021 and Oct 20, 2026, the state cited Esperanza School for 27 deficiencies — the Texas HHSC term for rule violations — over 16 routine inspections and 6 other visits (investigations or paperwork reviews); 6 were under rules the state weights High. The rule cited most often here is 746.1309 (2 times, most recently Jan 20, 2026).
The state lists Esperanza School 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, Skill Classes. Program type: Child Care Program.
Of the 27 violations at Esperanza School, 6 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 | 6 | 22% |
| Medium High | 11 | 41% |
| Medium | 10 | 37% |
| Medium Low | 0 | 0% |
| Low | 0 | 0% |
Esperanza School had 27 violations in five years, more than the median of 11 across Houston’s 923 licensed child care centers, and 1.4 per routine inspection against a median of 1.0 — a count of state records, not a rating.
4 rules were cited more than once at Esperanza School in the last five years.
| Rule | Times | What the rule covers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Most recent: Jan 20, 2026 · first: Feb 24, 2025 |
| 746.1311 Medium | 2 | 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 Most recent: Jan 20, 2026 · first: Feb 24, 2025 |
| 746.605 Medium High | 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: Feb 24, 2025 · first: Jul 12, 2022 |
| 745.641 High | 2 | 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 Most recent: Feb 29, 2024 · first: Jul 12, 2022 |
| Year | Routine inspections | All state visits | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 (from Oct 20) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 3 | 4 | 11 |
| 2023 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| 2024 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 2025 | 2 | 4 | 8 |
| 2026 | 6 | 9 | 2 |
22 visits on record since Oct 20, 2021, newest first, including visits that found nothing.
| Date | Type | Rules checked | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 5, 2026 | Inspection | — | None |
| Jun 15, 2026 | Inspection | — | None |
| Jun 11, 2026 | Inspection | — | None |
| Jun 9, 2026 | Investigation (report) | 3 | None |
| Feb 4, 2026 | Inspection | — | None |
| Jan 20, 2026 | Inspection | 390 | 2 |
| Jan 13, 2026 | Inspection | 3 | None |
| Jan 9, 2026 | Investigation (report) | 1 | None |
| Jan 9, 2026 | Investigation (self-report) | 2 | None |
| Oct 14, 2025 | Inspection | — | None |
| Oct 10, 2025 | Investigation (report) | 5 | 2 |
| Jun 5, 2025 | Investigation (report) | 2 | None |
| Date | Type | Rules checked | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 24, 2025 | Inspection | 890 | 6 |
| Jun 11, 2024 | Inspection | 2 | None |
| Feb 29, 2024 | Inspection | 389 | 4 |
| Oct 30, 2023 | Inspection | 158 | 1 |
| Jun 14, 2023 | Inspection | 638 | 1 |
| Feb 27, 2023 | Inspection | 454 | None |
| Nov 14, 2022 | Inspection | 155 | 2 |
| Jul 12, 2022 | Inspection | 618 | 5 |
| May 14, 2022 | Investigation (report) | 5 | 3 |
| May 10, 2022 | Inspection | 4 | 1 |
4 rules cited at Esperanza School 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 20, 2026 · Inspection
Six caregivers did not have all of the required annual training topics. The caregivers were missing the following topics: Emergency Preparedness Administering Medication Understanding building and physical premises safety,
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Jan 20, 2026 · Inspection
The directors did not have all of the required annual training topics. The directors were missing the following topics: Emergency Preparedness Administering Medication Understanding building and physical premises safety,
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Oct 10, 2025 · Investigation (report)
The operation does not have information regarding providing and applying insect repellant in their operational policies.
In plain English: 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
Medium High · Oct 10, 2025 · Investigation (report)
A caregiver in an infant classroom is not adhering to the proper diaper changing steps and is not cleaning the children thoroughly during diaper changes.
In plain English: Caregivers must change wet or soiled diapers and clothing promptly, clean and dry the child with individual cloths or disposable towels, and keep diapering supplies out of children's reach. Powders, creams, ointments, or lotions may only be used with the parent's written permission (or when the parent supplies them) and must be labeled with the child's name. Official rule text
Medium High · Feb 24, 2025 · Inspection
There was a missed fire inspection for January 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 · Feb 24, 2025 · Inspection
The reviewed director file had less than the required 30 hours of training.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Feb 24, 2025 · Inspection
Six of the reviewed caregiver files had less than the required 24 hours.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Feb 24, 2025 · Inspection
One of the children with an epi pen did not have a completed allergy plan
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Feb 24, 2025 · Inspection
An epi-pen on hand expired in 2024
In plain English: The center must throw away medication or return it to the parent when the child leaves the center, when the medication is out of date, or when the child no longer needs it. Official rule text
Medium · Feb 24, 2025 · Inspection
Seven of the reviewed feeding instructions have not been updated within the 30 days.
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 29, 2024 · Inspection
In the pre-school class room they was a broken toilet top. On the toddler playground they were screws that where to sticking out to far and children could hurt themselves.
In plain English: 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
Medium High · Feb 29, 2024 · Inspection
The operation had six booster seats in the van that have expired in 2023.
In plain English: Each child being transported must be secured in a car seat, booster seat, vest, harness, or seat belt that fits the child's age, height, and weight, meets federal crash-test standards, is installed per the maker's instructions, and has not expired, been damaged, or been in an accident. Children 12 and younger may not ride in the front seat. Official rule text
Medium · Feb 29, 2024 · Inspection
Two contractor workers who were counted into ratio and working with a group of children did not meet caregivers qualifications.
Official text of rule 746.1401
High · Feb 29, 2024 · Inspection
Two contractor workers did not have a background check for the operation, one of the contractor worker had an background for a different operation that does not share the same governing body as the operation. Corrected: When the contractor workers left for the day.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Oct 30, 2023 · Inspection
A caregiver did not was their hands after cleaning a child noise. Corrected: When the caregiver was directed to go wash their hands.
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 · Jun 14, 2023 · Inspection
One caregiver is missing 2 1/2 hours of training for training year 6/21/ 2021 to 6/21/2022. Another caregiver is missing 8 1/2 hours of training for training year 5/29/2022 to 5/29/2023. Corrected: The first caregiver 2 1/2 hours training was taken from training year 6/21/2022 to 6/21/2023.
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 High · Nov 14, 2022 · Inspection
In a few classrooms the changing table mats were torn. Corrected: When the operation change the mats for new ones.
In plain English: The center must have a smooth, non-absorbent, easy-to-clean diaper-changing surface and a hand-washing sink in the diapering area, and may not change diapers where children play or eat. When a child is on a raised changing surface, the caregiver must use a guard such as raised sides, keep a hand on the child, or stay facing the child within arm's reach. Official rule text
High · Nov 14, 2022 · Inspection
It was stated by the caregiver in blue eagles class they had 15 children when I counted they were 21 children. In the red eagles class it was stated by the caregiver they had 23 when I counted they were 24 children. Corrected: When the caregivers recounted the children and the director called row and added the child that was missing to the roll sheet.
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 · Jul 12, 2022 · Inspection
The operation did not have documentation on when the vehicles were purchase.
Official text of rule 746.5627
Medium High · Jul 12, 2022 · Inspection
A child was with an allergy did not have a food allergy plan on file.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised September 2024
Medium High · Jul 12, 2022 · Inspection
The director and caregiver do not have transportation training it expired on 5/22/2022.
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 · Jul 12, 2022 · Inspection
The operation had two caregivers with pending background checks in the classroom with children..
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Jul 12, 2022 · Inspection
A few classrooms in the operation did not have a cover over the plugs. (toddler and preschool classroom.) Corrected: When the caregiver placed a cover over the plug.
In plain English: 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
High · May 14, 2022 · Investigation (report)
Based on the evidence obtained during the DFPS investigation, there is sufficient evidence to support the allegation of neglectful supervision. A child was left on the daycare van alone for approximately 15-20 minutes.
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 · May 14, 2022 · Investigation (report)
Based on the evidence obtained during the DFPS investigation a caregiver did not complete a thorough check of the operation’s vehicle which resulted in a child being left unattended.
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
High · May 14, 2022 · Investigation (report)
Based on the evidence obtained during the DFPS investigation, the driver did not have a list to account for all of the children being transported on the day of the incident.
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 · May 10, 2022 · Inspection
The gas inspection had expired on 4/25/2020.
Official text of rule 746.5405
Based on the kinds of rules cited at Esperanza School:
More in ZIP 77007 and all of Houston.
This page reports the state’s records for Esperanza School; 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).