Licensed Child Care Center · Houston, TX 77092
Between Oct 20, 2021 and Oct 20, 2026, the state cited Montessori Childrens Cottage for 35 deficiencies — the Texas HHSC term for rule violations — over 13 routine inspections and 3 other visits (investigations or paperwork reviews); 6 were under rules the state weights High. The rule cited most often here is 746.3701 (5 times, most recently Aug 5, 2025).
The state lists Montessori Childrens Cottage as serving toddler, pre-kindergarten, and school-age children, open 07:00 AM to 06:00 PM (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri). Programs on file: Skill Classes. Program type: Child Care Program.
Of the 35 violations at Montessori Childrens Cottage, 6 fall under rules Texas weights High and 20 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 | 17% |
| Medium High | 20 | 57% |
| Medium | 8 | 23% |
| Medium Low | 0 | 0% |
| Low | 1 | 3% |
Montessori Childrens Cottage had 35 violations in five years, more than the median of 11 across Houston’s 923 licensed child care centers, and 2.4 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 Montessori Childrens Cottage in the last five years.
| Rule | Times | What the rule covers |
|---|---|---|
| 746.3701 Medium High | 5 | 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 5, 2025 · first: Aug 8, 2022 |
| 746.4907 Medium High | 4 | 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: Aug 4, 2026 · first: Aug 8, 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: Aug 4, 2026 · first: Aug 6, 2024 |
| 746.1203 High | 3 | 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 Most recent: Aug 8, 2023 · first: Nov 16, 2021 |
| 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: Aug 20, 2026 · first: Aug 4, 2026 |
| 746.3407 Medium High | 2 | 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: Aug 20, 2026 · first: Aug 4, 2026 |
| 746.801 Medium High | 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: Aug 4, 2026 · first: Aug 5, 2025 |
| 746.3819 Medium High | 2 | 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 Most recent: Aug 5, 2025 · first: Aug 8, 2023 |
| Year | Routine inspections | All state visits | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 (from Oct 20) | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| 2022 | 4 | 6 | 8 |
| 2023 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| 2024 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| 2025 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| 2026 | 2 | 2 | 11 |
16 visits on record since Oct 20, 2021, newest first, including visits that found nothing.
| Date | Type | Rules checked | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 20, 2026 | Inspection | 7 | 3 |
| Aug 4, 2026 | Inspection | 715 | 8 |
| Aug 19, 2025 | Inspection | 1 | None |
| Aug 5, 2025 | Inspection | 584 | 6 |
| Aug 23, 2024 | Inspection | 1 | None |
| Aug 6, 2024 | Inspection | 685 | 3 |
| Aug 8, 2023 | Inspection | 569 | 5 |
| Jan 3, 2023 | Inspection | 1 | None |
| Dec 22, 2022 | Investigation (report) | 4 | 2 |
| Aug 11, 2022 | Inspection | 3 | None |
| Aug 8, 2022 | Inspection | 628 | 5 |
| Jan 26, 2022 | Inspection | 1 | None |
| Date | Type | Rules checked | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 19, 2022 | Investigation (report) | 6 | None |
| Jan 18, 2022 | Inspection | 3 | 1 |
| Nov 23, 2021 | Inspection | — | None |
| Nov 16, 2021 | Investigation (self-report) | 5 | 2 |
4 rules cited at Montessori Childrens Cottage 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 20, 2026 · Inspection
The director has not completed the required 30 clock hours of training during the annual period from 1/17/2025 to 1/17/2026.
Plain-English explanation above
High · Aug 20, 2026 · Inspection
The operation's fire inspection has not been completed since 8/12/2025.
In plain English: The center must have a fire inspection by a state or local fire marshal before its first permit is issued and at least once every 12 months. Centers in public school buildings run by the local school district are exempt, and if no inspection is available the center must get written proof of that from a fire marshal or county judge. Official rule text
Medium High · Aug 20, 2026 · Inspection
CCR observed that the acoustic ceiling in the pool house was damaged, with sections missing and cracks present. Correction made: The operation repaired the glass sliding door in the pool house.
Plain-English explanation above
High · Aug 4, 2026 · Inspection
CCR reviewed six children's admission files and found that the operation does not include a question on the form regarding whether a child is required to wear a personal flotation device.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Aug 4, 2026 · Inspection
The operation has a play structure with a slide that is under five feet in height; however, the loose fill beneath it measures less than 6 inches deep.
Plain-English explanation above
High · Aug 4, 2026 · Inspection
CCR observed pool chemicals and the pump were not properly stored and were accessible to children during swimming lessons.
Official text of rule 746.5001
Medium High · Aug 4, 2026 · Inspection
CCR observed that the acoustic ceiling in the pool house was missing, cracked, and sagging. Additionally, the glass sliding door in the pool house was broken, preventing it from closing properly.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Aug 4, 2026 · Inspection
CCR reviewed six children's admission files and found that the operation does not include a question on the form regarding whether a child can swim competently.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Aug 4, 2026 · Inspection
The operation has a play structure with a slide exceeding five feet in height; however, the loose fill beneath it measures less than 9 inches deep.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Aug 4, 2026 · Inspection
The director time sheets were not available during the inspection.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Aug 4, 2026 · Inspection
The director has not completed the required 30 clock hours of training during the annual period from 1/17/2025 to 1/17/2026.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Aug 5, 2025 · Inspection
2 composite play structures on the playground are missing post markings that indicates the depth of the loose fill.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Aug 5, 2025 · Inspection
1 active ant bed is present on the playground.
Official text of rule 746.3427
Medium High · Aug 5, 2025 · Inspection
1 child with a diagnosed food allergy needs an updated food allergy emergency plan, signed by both the parent and medical professional, along with the prescribed medication.
Plain-English explanation above
Low · Aug 5, 2025 · Inspection
2 out of 8 staff were missing the original certificate for pediatric CPR/first aid.
In plain English: The center must keep the original certificate or letter for each employee's annual training in the employee's file, showing the person's name, the date, topic, trainer and trainer's qualifications, and length. Pediatric first aid and CPR certificates must also show an expiration or renewal date, and orientation and pre-service training need a signed, dated statement from the employee and the trainer or a certificate. Official rule text
Medium High · Aug 5, 2025 · Inspection
6 children were present upstairs with a caregiver and vendor for a specialized class without Fire Marshal approval. Note: this was corrected at inspection when the director moved the group of children downstairs.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Aug 5, 2025 · Inspection
Two children's play toys present on the playground had sharp and jagged edges. Note: this was corrected at inspection when the director removed them.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Aug 6, 2024 · Inspection
During the inpsection the operation was found to have 3 expired epi-pens for children with food allergies and an expired inhaler for a child in care.
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
High · Aug 6, 2024 · Inspection
During the inspection I observed a caregiver withholding active play for two children in care. The children's classrooms outdoor time was ending by the time they were going outside.
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 · Aug 6, 2024 · Inspection
During review of record keeping 6 out of 10 records evaluated did not include the address for the emergency contact as required.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised September 2024
Medium · Aug 8, 2023 · Inspection
During review of administration the center's operational policies did not include promotion of Physical activity as requied by minimum standards.
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 · rule revised August 2024
Medium High · Aug 8, 2023 · Inspection
During review of safety the opeation did not have an emergency plan signed by parents and health care professional for two children with diagnosed food allergies.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Aug 8, 2023 · Inspection
During the inspection I oberved 2 electrical outlets uncovered
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised September 2024
Medium High · Aug 8, 2023 · Inspection
During the walkthrough I oberserved a caregiver on their phone when they were supposed to be supervising children during naptime.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Aug 8, 2023 · Inspection
During the walkthrough of the outdoor play area I oberved three broken fence boards, a wooden bench with a nail exposed, a rubber hose covering wire sticking out of the ground The caregiver in charge hammered the exposed nail flat during the inspection.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised September 2024
Medium High · Dec 22, 2022 · Investigation (report)
I observed 4 electrical outlets that were not covered as required. This was corrected when the director replaced the plug covers.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised September 2024
Medium High · Dec 22, 2022 · Investigation (report)
During my walkthrough I observed a bottle of sanitizer accessible to children in care. This was corrected when the caregiver removed the bottle of sanitizer.
Official text of rule 746.3420
Medium High · Aug 8, 2022 · Inspection
During the walkthrough I observed two water hoses that were left out unraveled on the playground, I observed two broken fence boards as well as one board that was not secured. I observed a broken gate as well as a broken bench that appears to cover a concrete slab. I observed broken wooden barriers with rod iron exposed.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised September 2024
Medium · Aug 8, 2022 · Inspection
During review of records 1 out of 8 evaluated did not have current immunizations.
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 · Aug 8, 2022 · Inspection
During the walkthrough of the toddler class I had a caregiver state they were caring for 15 children when I observed 16 children present. During the walkthrough of the older toddler classroom a caregiver stated they were caring for 17 children when I observed 18 children present.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised March 2023
Medium High · Aug 8, 2022 · Inspection
The operation has failed to maintain their loose fill surfacing at a proper depth.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Aug 8, 2022 · Inspection
During the walkthrough I observed a caregiver change their gloves and proceeded to change another child's diaper without washing 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 High · Jan 18, 2022 · Inspection
During the follow up inspection completed one classroom is out of ratio by 2 children. The specified age group is 4 year old classroom with 37 children and two caregivers at nap time. Note: This was corrected when two children were moved to a different classroom.
In plain English: When 13 or more children are in care, a group, even with two or more caregivers, may have at most 10 infants under 12 months, 13 children 12 to 17 months, 18 children 18 to 23 months, 22 two-year-olds, 30 three-year-olds, or 35 children ages four through 13. The limit is based on the group's specified age. Official rule text (single-rule page)
High · Nov 16, 2021 · Investigation (report)
It was found that on 09/20/2021 a child was bitten multiple times on the face and the caregivers were unaware of how the incident occurred.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised March 2023
Medium · Nov 16, 2021 · Investigation (report)
It was found that the incident report was not signed by the child's parents. The incident occurred on 09/20/2021.
In plain English: When the center fills out an incident or illness report for a child, it must give the parent a copy and get the parent's signature showing they reviewed or received it within 48 hours of the incident. Official rule text
Based on the kinds of rules cited at Montessori Childrens Cottage:
More in ZIP 77092 and all of Houston.
This page reports the state’s records for Montessori Childrens Cottage; 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).