Licensed Child Care Center · Houston, TX 77053
Between Oct 20, 2021 and Oct 20, 2026, the state cited Play Palace for 38 deficiencies — the Texas HHSC term for rule violations — over 15 routine inspections and 6 other visits (investigations or paperwork reviews); 9 were under rules the state weights High. The rule cited most often here is 746.605 (5 times, most recently Sep 22, 2026).
The state lists Play Palace 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, Transportation to/from School, Field Trips. Program type: Child Care Program.
Of the 38 violations at Play Palace, 9 fall under rules Texas weights High and 17 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 | 9 | 24% |
| Medium High | 17 | 45% |
| Medium | 10 | 26% |
| Medium Low | 2 | 5% |
| Low | 0 | 0% |
Play Palace had 38 violations in five years, more than the median of 11 across Houston’s 923 licensed child care centers, and 2.3 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 Play Palace in the last five years.
| Rule | Times | What the rule covers |
|---|---|---|
| 746.605 Medium | 5 | 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 Most recent: Sep 22, 2026 · first: Sep 30, 2025 |
| 746.501 High | 4 | 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 Most recent: Sep 22, 2026 · first: Aug 25, 2022 |
| 746.5101 High | 3 | 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 Most recent: May 28, 2026 · first: Aug 25, 2022 |
| 746.3701 Medium High | 2 | 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: Sep 22, 2026 · first: Aug 25, 2022 |
| 746.1315 Medium High | 2 | 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: Sep 30, 2025 · first: Nov 14, 2024 |
| 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: Nov 14, 2024 · first: Apr 9, 2024 |
| 746.1601 Medium High | 2 | 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) Most recent: Apr 9, 2024 · first: Aug 25, 2022 |
| 746.2207 Medium | 2 | 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 Most recent: Mar 8, 2024 · first: Feb 15, 2024 |
| Year | Routine inspections | All state visits | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 (from Oct 20) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| 2023 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 2024 | 6 | 6 | 11 |
| 2025 | 2 | 3 | 11 |
| 2026 | 4 | 6 | 9 |
21 visits on record since Oct 20, 2021, newest first, including visits that found nothing.
| Date | Type | Rules checked | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 22, 2026 | Inspection | 552 | 5 |
| Jun 11, 2026 | Inspection | 1 | None |
| May 28, 2026 | Inspection | 1 | 1 |
| May 19, 2026 | Inspection | — | None |
| May 15, 2026 | Investigation (report) | 3 | 2 |
| Jan 20, 2026 | Assessment | 1 | 1 |
| Nov 4, 2025 | Inspection | 7 | None |
| Sep 30, 2025 | Inspection | 720 | 11 |
| Jan 9, 2025 | Assessment | 1 | None |
| Nov 14, 2024 | Inspection | 128 | 3 |
| Apr 16, 2024 | Inspection | 4 | None |
| Apr 9, 2024 | Inspection | 533 | 5 |
| Date | Type | Rules checked | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 8, 2024 | Inspection | 3 | 1 |
| Feb 15, 2024 | Inspection | 3 | 2 |
| Jan 5, 2024 | Inspection | — | None |
| Dec 22, 2023 | Investigation (report) | 4 | 1 |
| Aug 22, 2023 | Inspection | 806 | None |
| Nov 8, 2022 | Assessment | 1 | None |
| Sep 30, 2022 | Investigation (report) | 1 | None |
| Sep 19, 2022 | Inspection | 2 | None |
| Aug 25, 2022 | Inspection | 505 | 6 |
2 rules cited at Play Palace changed after some of these citations (marked “rule revised”), so the wording that applied at the time may differ from our plain-English explanation.
High · Sep 22, 2026 · Inspection
There was a mop bucket in the infant room. This was corrected at inspection when the caregiver in charge removed the mop bucket from the classroom.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Sep 22, 2026 · Inspection
There was not a suspension and explusion policy in the operational policies.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Sep 22, 2026 · Inspection
Two out of six children's files evaluated had parents listed as emergency contacts.
Plain-English explanation above
High · Sep 22, 2026 · Inspection
There was not an infant safe sleep policy in the operational policies.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Sep 22, 2026 · Inspection
The fire extinguisher on the van was last serviced in 2022.
In plain English: The director or a designee must inspect the fire extinguishers every month and record the date and the employee's name. Extinguishers must be serviced as the manufacturer or the fire marshal requires. Official rule text
High · May 28, 2026 · Inspection
The fire inspection on file is expired.
Plain-English explanation above
High · May 15, 2026 · Investigation (report)
Staff was seen on video using their feet to redirect children.
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
Medium · May 15, 2026 · Investigation (report)
In plain English: The center must tell a parent immediately if there is an allegation that their child was abused or neglected in care, or after the child has an injury needing medical treatment, an illness needing hospitalization, an emergency allergic reaction that required a stock epinephrine auto-injector, a situation such as a fire, flood, or severe-weather damage at the center, or another unusual situation that put the child at risk. Minor injuries such as small cuts or bites must be reported at pickup; the parents of every child at the center must get written notice within 48 hours of a reportable disease in a child or employee, and the parents of a group must get written notice within 48 hours of a lice or other infestation outbreak in that group. Official rule text
Medium Low · Jan 20, 2026 · Assessment
The operation did not report the number of employees who left during 2025.
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 High · Sep 30, 2025 · Inspection
Five out of six employees had CPR cards that were expired. One employee also did not have CPR card on file.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Sep 30, 2025 · Inspection
There were no activity plans posted or in the classrooms.
In plain English: The center, the director, or each caregiver must write an activity plan that meets the state's content requirements, and the caregivers for each group must follow it. The plan must include every child in the group, including children with special care needs. Official rule text
Medium · Sep 30, 2025 · Inspection
There were no playground maintenance checklists made available.
In plain English: 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
Medium Low · Sep 30, 2025 · Inspection
Three out of six children's files were missing the date of admission.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Sep 30, 2025 · Inspection
Two out of six children's files were missing the consent for field trips.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Sep 30, 2025 · Inspection
Two out of six children's files had parents listed as emergency contacts.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Sep 30, 2025 · Inspection
Two out of six children were missing consent for transportation.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Sep 30, 2025 · Inspection
There was a broom and a can of OFF bug spray found on the playground.
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 · Sep 30, 2025 · Inspection
The children in three of four classrooms were eating snacks on the bare table. This was corrected at inspection when caregivers put napkins on the table.
In plain English: Food and drinks must be stored, prepared, and served in sanitary conditions, including sanitizing dishes and utensils after each use, serving food on plates or other clean holders rather than a bare table, and covering food stored in the refrigerator. Caregivers with open wounds or casts may not prepare food, foods that infants and toddlers could choke on may not be served, and cleaning supplies and toxic materials may not be stored with food. Official rule text
Medium High · Sep 30, 2025 · Inspection
The sanitation record on file was expired.
In plain English: The center must have a sanitation inspection by a local sanitation official before its first permit and at least once every 12 months, unless it is in a public school building run by the local school district. If no inspection is available, the center must get written proof of that from a sanitation official or county judge and keep it at the center. Official rule text
Medium · Sep 30, 2025 · Inspection
Six of six employee files were missing the annual trainings.
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
Medium High · Nov 14, 2024 · Inspection
4 out of 6 staff members did not have current CPR Training.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Nov 14, 2024 · Inspection
During the walkthrough of the playground. I observed broken, shear, and sharp points exposed on the playground fence.
Plain-English explanation above
High · Nov 14, 2024 · Inspection
The operation did not have a current fire inspection.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Apr 9, 2024 · Inspection
A trash can was full of food wrappers, food containers and was accessible to the children in the Prek-4 classroom. There were two bottles of cleaning wipes accessible to children in the Prek-4 class near the entrance to the bathrooms. A trash can in the hallway by the bathrooms had dirty wipes and plastic gloves from changing diapers accessible to children.
Plain-English explanation above
High · Apr 9, 2024 · Inspection
PreK-4 caregiver did not know how many children there were. Caregiver stated there were 20 children, but there were 19 three-year-olds.
In plain English: 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
Medium High · Apr 9, 2024 · Inspection
The three year old classroom had 19 children to one caregiver. The caregiver was over ratio by 1 child.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Apr 9, 2024 · Inspection
The gas inspection was last conducted October 1, 2021, and has been expired for 6 months.
In plain English: A center that uses natural or LP gas must be inspected for gas leaks before its first permit and every two years after that, unless it is in a public school building run by the local school district. Official rule text
High · Apr 9, 2024 · Inspection
A bottle of medication was sitting on a counter approximately 4 feet tall, in the PreK-3 classroom. Children were in the PreK-3 classroom at that time.
Official text of rule 746.3807
Medium · Mar 8, 2024 · Inspection
The television was on at the inspector's arrival. It remained on when a 15 month old arrived and was sat on a highchair for breakfast. The television was turned off when the inspector spke to the caregivers.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Feb 15, 2024 · Inspection
The television was on at the inspector's arrival and remained on for another 45 minutes. One infant was in the stroller, and another infant was sitting on a highchair facing the television.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Feb 15, 2024 · Inspection
There were 14 children in care between 4 months -11 years in care. A caregiver stepped out of the operation to the parking lot when the inspector arrived. The other caregiver was at the operation's front door. There were 2 infants in care age 4 and 15 months old. The cook was in the kitchen.
Official text of rule 746.1615
Medium High · Dec 22, 2023 · Investigation (report)
Based on the preponderance of evidence gathered, there is sufficient evidence to determine deficiencies related crib placement. The cribs were close enough to where an infant when awake may reach into another crib or in close proximity when sleeping.
Official text of rule 746.2403
Medium High · Aug 25, 2022 · Inspection
Loos fill material was installed over concrete in the outdoor play area.
In plain English: 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
Medium · Aug 25, 2022 · Inspection
The operational policies did not contain the following information: Promotion of indoor and outdoor physical activity that is consistent with Subchapter F of this chapter (relating to Developmental Activities and Activity Plan) ; your policies must include: (A) The benefits of physical activity and outdoor play ; (B) The duration of physical activity at your operation, both indoor and outdoor ; (C) The type of physical activity (structured and unstructured) that children may engage in at your operation ; (D) Each setting in which your physical activity program will take place ; (E) The recommended clothing and footwear that will allow a child to participate freely and safely in physical activities ; and (F) A plan to ensure physical activity occurs on days when extreme weather conditions prohibit or limit outdoor play. [
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised August 2024
High · Aug 25, 2022 · Inspection
Documentation of the annual fire inspection was not available for review upon request.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Aug 25, 2022 · Inspection
5 infants were observed with one caregiver in the infant room. The specified age group at the time was 0-11 months and the child to caregiver ratio should've been two caregivers to 5 infants. Note: Discussed importance of following the procedure of calling another caregiver in for help when caregivers need to leave the room to ensure ratio is maintained at all times.
Plain-English explanation above
High · Aug 25, 2022 · Inspection
The Operational Policies did not contain a Safe Sleep Policy for Infants under 12 months.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised August 2024
Medium High · Aug 25, 2022 · Inspection
A television was placed on a book shelf and was not mounted or anchored and could tip over and injure a child.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised September 2024
Based on the kinds of rules cited at Play Palace:
More in ZIP 77053 and all of Houston.
This page reports the state’s records for Play Palace; 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).