Licensed Child Care Center · Houston, TX 77074
Between Oct 20, 2021 and Oct 20, 2026, the state cited Red Apple Private School & Childcare for 37 deficiencies — the Texas HHSC term for rule violations — over 8 routine inspections and 1 other visit (investigations or paperwork reviews); 8 were under rules the state weights High. The rule cited most often here is 746.5617 (4 times, most recently Apr 8, 2026).
The state lists Red Apple Private School & Childcare 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, Skill Classes, Part Time Care, Transportation to/from School, Field Trips. Program type: Child Care Program.
Of the 37 violations at Red Apple Private School & Childcare, 8 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 | 8 | 22% |
| Medium High | 20 | 54% |
| Medium | 6 | 16% |
| Medium Low | 3 | 8% |
| Low | 0 | 0% |
Red Apple Private School & Childcare had 37 violations in five years, more than the median of 11 across Houston’s 923 licensed child care centers, and 4.5 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 Red Apple Private School & Childcare in the last five years.
| Rule | Times | What the rule covers |
|---|---|---|
| 746.5617 High | 4 | 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 Most recent: Apr 8, 2026 · first: Mar 6, 2025 |
| 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: Mar 6, 2025 · first: Mar 8, 2023 |
| 746.901 Medium Low | 2 | 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 Most recent: Mar 6, 2025 · first: Mar 6, 2025 |
| 746.4503 Medium | 2 | Each walking child through age four must have an individual waterproof or washable cot, bed, or mat to sleep or rest on, provided by the center or the parent. Each must be labeled with the child's name (or a number with an assignment map), and floor mats must be marked so the sleeping side can be told apart from the floor side. Official rule text Most recent: Mar 7, 2024 · first: Mar 8, 2023 |
| Year | Routine inspections | All state visits | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 (from Oct 20) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 2024 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
| 2025 | 4 | 4 | 18 |
| 2026 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
9 visits on record since Oct 20, 2021, newest first, including visits that found nothing.
| Date | Type | Rules checked | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 8, 2026 | Inspection | 128 | 5 |
| Jul 25, 2025 | Inspection | 379 | None |
| Apr 10, 2025 | Inspection | 2 | None |
| Mar 28, 2025 | Inspection | 14 | 2 |
| Mar 6, 2025 | Inspection | 687 | 16 |
| Mar 7, 2024 | Inspection | 591 | 8 |
| Mar 8, 2023 | Inspection | 694 | 5 |
| Mar 10, 2022 | Inspection | 547 | None |
| Mar 1, 2022 | Assessment | 1 | 1 |
3 rules cited at Red Apple Private School & Childcare 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 · Apr 8, 2026 · Inspection
The van used for transporting children did not have emergency medical transport and treatment authorization information for eleven children.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Apr 8, 2026 · Inspection
A staff member used the kitchen stove, which was previously cited by the local health department as unapproved and required to be removed. The operation informed the health department that the stove was not in use; however, it was observed being used to cook food for children in care.
Official text of rule 746.3405
Medium High · Apr 8, 2026 · Inspection
An updated immunization record is needed for one child enrolled.
In plain English: Each child from birth through age 14 must meet and keep meeting the state health department's immunization requirements, and the center must keep current immunization records, including any exemptions or exceptions. Required immunizations must be complete by the admission date, unless an exemption is verified by then or a homeless or foster child is admitted provisionally for up to 30 days. Official rule text
Medium High · Apr 8, 2026 · Inspection
The last sanitation inspection was completed 02/12/2025.
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
High · Apr 8, 2026 · Inspection
The van used for transporting children did not have Parent names and telephone numbers and emergency telephone numbers for eleven children.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Mar 28, 2025 · Inspection
A caregiver was observed cleaning their room, while children were playing and running around the room, according the the caregiver they were cleaning after a meal. Note: There was no food observed on the floor or tables. There was cleaning spray on the handwashing sink in reach.
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
High · Mar 28, 2025 · Inspection
The pre-k and school-age caregivers were observed left their groups unsupervised, According to one caregiver, The prek teacher supervised both groups while the school-age careigver escorted a group of toddlers to another room.
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 Low · Mar 6, 2025 · Inspection
2 caregivers hired after 9/1/2023 did not have a pre-empoyment affidavit on file
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Mar 6, 2025 · Inspection
A child with a diagnosed food allergy did not have a plan on file.
In plain English: 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
Medium High · Mar 6, 2025 · Inspection
14 children were observed exiting a vehicle where there were only 13 seats/seatbelts available.
Official text of rule 746.5613
Medium High · Mar 6, 2025 · Inspection
Loose-fill surfacing was not observed to be properly maintained. Tarp under surfacing was exposed.
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 High · Mar 6, 2025 · Inspection
Hotdog buns with an expiration date of 2/26/25 were observed in the kitchen NOTE: Corrected at inspection. The food was disposed of during the inspection
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
High · Mar 6, 2025 · Inspection
Fire extinguisher was observed under the front passenger seat not secured. A fire extinguisher on another vehicle was observed unsecure next to the driver's seat
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Mar 6, 2025 · Inspection
A little tikes climing structure was observed to be overlaping the use zone of other climbing structures on the playground.
In plain English: The use zone in front of the entry and along the sides of a slide must extend at least six feet. In front of the slide exit it must extend at least six feet for slides six feet high or less, and for taller slides it must equal the platform's height above the surfacing, up to eight feet, without overlapping other equipment's use zones. Official rule text
Medium Low · Mar 6, 2025 · Inspection
of the 10 staff files 4 staff did not a completed notarized affidavit on file.
Plain-English explanation above
High · Mar 6, 2025 · Inspection
Upon arrival, a 7mo old infant was observed sleeping in a baby swing. The infant was then removed and placed in a crib. NOTE: According to the caregiver, the infant had been sleep for approx. 3minutes prior to CCR arrival
In plain English: An infant may not sleep in a restrictive device unless the center has a completed Sleep Exception Form with a health-care professional's signed statement that it is medically necessary. Without that form, if an infant falls asleep in such a device, the caregiver must move the infant to a crib as soon as possible. Official rule text
Medium High · Mar 6, 2025 · Inspection
On one vehicle used 4 booster seats were observed to have expired between 2010-2021. Another vehicle used had 7 expired booster seates dated between 2010 and 2019.
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
High · Mar 6, 2025 · Inspection
Two infants were observed to be sleep in cribs with bibs on.
In plain English: Infant care must include regular care by the same caregiver when possible, individual attention such as talking, playing, and holding, comforting infants who are upset, and prompt attention to feeding and diapering. The area must be kept free of objects infants or toddlers could choke on, and an infant may never be left unsupervised. Official rule text
High · Mar 6, 2025 · Inspection
An updated list of the children transported was on both vehicles was not available.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Mar 6, 2025 · Inspection
In one room, a vent covering was observed to be missing, another room, the vent covering was observed to be falling down. A light switch was observed to be missing a plate cover.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium High · Mar 6, 2025 · Inspection
First aid kits on both vehicles used were observed to be missing tweezers NOTE: Corrected at inspection, the tweezers were placed in each kit.
Official text of rule 746.4001
Medium · Mar 6, 2025 · Inspection
6 caregiver who received education outside of the U.S. did not have documentation to verify high school education or equivalent.
Official text of rule 746.1111
Medium High · Mar 6, 2025 · Inspection
The operation did not have a posted list for a child with a diagnosed food allergy
Medium High · Mar 7, 2024 · Inspection
Observed an unstable refrigerator in the infant room that poses a tipping hazard. A slide in the outdoor play area has cracks in it located at the end of the slide. A toilet seat in the girls restroom contains a loose screw in the back.
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 · Mar 7, 2024 · Inspection
A child's hands were not washed after diapering during the inspection. Note: The caregiver was corrected and had the child wash their hands after diapering and before they engaged in other activities.
In plain English: Children must wash their hands before eating and before water-table play, and after using the toilet or having a diaper changed, after outdoor activities, after playing in sand, and after feeding or touching animals. They must also wash any other time a caregiver has reason to believe they touched something that could harm them. Official rule text
Medium High · Mar 7, 2024 · Inspection
Observed bottles in the hand washing sink in the infant room during the inspection. Note: The provider removed the bottles from the off the hand washing sink during the inspection.
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 · Mar 7, 2024 · Inspection
The name of medication administered to a child was not documented on the medication log. Note: The provider added the name of the medication during inspection.
In plain English: Medication must be given as the label directs or as the child's health-care professional changes in writing, only to the child it is meant for, from the original container labeled with the child's full name and the date it was brought in, and never after it expires. Each dose must be recorded with the child's name, the medication, the date, time, and amount, and the employee's full name, and the records kept for at least three months. Official rule text
Medium High · Mar 7, 2024 · Inspection
1 child's file did not contain the completed information on limitations or restrictions. Note: The provider corrected this at inspection by confirming with parent there were no limitations or restrictions.
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
Medium · Mar 7, 2024 · Inspection
Observed a nap mat layed out in the classroom for a child that was torn. Note: The provider disposed the torn mat and provided the child with a new one during inspection.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Mar 7, 2024 · Inspection
Observed an infant placed in a chair for use of safety straps and the straps were missing. Note: The caregiver removed the chair and placed the child in another chair that was equipped with straps and secured the child in the chair.
In plain English: The rule requires tables and chairs used by children to be "safe," easy to clean, and the right height and size for each age group. If the manufacturer requires straps on a chair, they must be fastened whenever a child uses it. Official rule text
High · Mar 7, 2024 · Inspection
Buckets of mop water was observed in reach of children during the inspection. Note: The provider moved the mop water into locked closets out of reach of children.
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
Medium High · Mar 8, 2023 · Inspection
During the inspection multiple diaper changing mats were torn and cannot be cleaned properly.
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
Medium High · Mar 8, 2023 · Inspection
The toilet seat in the Pre-Kinderarten classroom was cracked in the middle.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium · Mar 8, 2023 · Inspection
The operational policies did not contain the following information: (A) The benefits of physical activity and outdoor play (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 (F) A plan to ensure physical activity occurs on days when extreme weather conditions prohibit or limit outdoor play.
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 · Mar 8, 2023 · Inspection
The activity schedules in the Pre-Kindergarten classrooms did not show opportunities for outdoor time. This was corrected during the inspection.
In plain English: The daily activity plan must include at least two chances for outdoor play each day when weather permits, with at least 60 minutes outdoors in total for infants 13 months and older, toddlers, and pre-K children (younger infants as tolerated), plus at least 60 minutes of active play for toddlers and 90 minutes for pre-K children. It must also include child-chosen and caregiver-led activities, regular meals and snacks, and supervised nap or rest time. Official rule text
Medium · Mar 8, 2023 · Inspection
During the inspection children were resting on nap mats that contained another child's name ono it. Note: This was corrected during the inspection.
Plain-English explanation above
Medium Low · Mar 1, 2022 · Assessment
A review of the Employees Who Left Employment in 2021 data from February 23,2022, revealed that the center had not reported the number of employees who left employment in 2021 by February 22, 2022, 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
Based on the kinds of rules cited at Red Apple Private School & Childcare:
More in ZIP 77074 and all of Houston.
This page reports the state’s records for Red Apple Private School & Childcare; 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).