17127 RED OAK DR, Houston, TX 77090 · (281) 444-6707 · State permit no. 536264
Between Oct 20, 2021 and Oct 20, 2026, the state cited The Apple Tree School for 10 deficiencies — the Texas HHSC term for rule violations — over 13 routine inspections and 4 other visits (investigations or paperwork reviews); 1 was under rules the state weights High. The rule cited most often here is 746.1301 (2 times, most recently Sep 7, 2023).
The state lists The Apple Tree School as serving infant, toddler, pre-kindergarten, and school-age children, open 06:30 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.
All 10 violations, newest first
2 rules cited at The Apple Tree 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 13, 2026 · Inspection
745.651(1) - Background Check Validation - You must inactivate a subject who is no longer associated with your operation within 7 days of leaving
Background checks for staff who are no longer employed by the center have not inactivated.
In plain English: When a person with a background check stops being associated with the operation, the operation must mark them inactive within seven days. It must also confirm its current list of people with background checks every three months, or once a year for licensed and registered child-care homes and listed family homes. Official rule text
- Corrected at inspection:
- No
- Correction date:
- Jan 13, 2026
- Correction verified:
- Jan 13, 2026
- Technical assistance given:
- Yes
Medium · Jan 12, 2026 · Investigation (report)
746.801(5) - Required Records Maintained and Made Available - Employees' Attendance
The director is not documenting the days and hours worked.
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
- Corrected at inspection:
- No
- Correction date:
- Jan 13, 2026
- Correction verified:
- Jan 22, 2026
- Technical assistance given:
- No
Medium High · Jan 12, 2026 · Investigation (report)
746.1601 - Child/ Caregiver Ratio - 13 or More Children
There were 18 children, ages 11 months to 6 years old, with one caregiver. The specified age group was 3 years old.
In plain English: 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)
- Corrected at inspection:
- No
- Correction date:
- Feb 10, 2026
- Correction verified:
- Feb 25, 2026
- Technical assistance given:
- Yes
Medium · Jan 12, 2026 · Investigation (report)
746.1701 - Child/Caregiver Ratio - 12 or Fewer Children
The center was out of compliance with ratios for when 12 or fewer children are in care on the following days: 12/3/25, 12/4/25, 12/5/25, 12/11/25, 12/19/25, 12/23/25, 1/7/26, 1/8/26, 1/9/26 and 1/12/26. On these days there was one caregiver present with 8-12 children, ages 11 months to 6 years old.
Official text of rule 746.1701
- Corrected at inspection:
- No
- Correction date:
- Feb 10, 2026
- Correction verified:
- Feb 25, 2026
- Technical assistance given:
- Yes
Medium High · Jan 12, 2026 · Investigation (report)
746.1605(1) - Child/Caregiver Ratio - 18 Months Difference in Age
A child was combined with children that were more than 18 months older than the youngest child in the group on the following days: 12/8/25, 12/9/25, 12/10/25, 12/12/25, 12/15/25, 12/16/25 and 12/23/25. On these days the youngest child in the group was combined with children between the ages of 3-11 years old.
In plain English: In a center with 13 or more children in care, infants may be grouped with older children only if the oldest child in the group is no more than 18 months older than the youngest. Centers with 12 or fewer children in care may combine ages under a separate rule. Official rule text
- Corrected at inspection:
- No
- Correction date:
- Feb 10, 2026
- Correction verified:
- Feb 25, 2026
- Technical assistance given:
- Yes
Medium · Dec 18, 2025 · Inspection
746.1013(a)(3) - Director's Absence - Caregiver in Charge Has Access to All Records
The caregiver in charge did not have access to the children's records.
In plain English: Whenever the director is away during operating hours, a qualified caregiver or director must be named to be in charge, and that person must know their duties and for how long, have the information needed to contact parents and authorities, and have authority to run the center. All employees must know who is in charge, and for a long absence the center must name someone who meets director qualifications and report that person to the state. Official rule text
- Corrected at inspection:
- No
- Correction date:
- Dec 19, 2025
- Correction verified:
- Jan 13, 2026
- Technical assistance given:
- Yes
High · Aug 28, 2025 · Inspection
746.2415(b) - AP Cribs - Only Snug Fitting Sheet and Crib Mattress Cover Allowed if Infant Younger than 12 Months of Age
A 6 month old infant was sleep in a crib with a boppy pillow and a blanket.
In plain English: Centers may not use baby walkers, doorway jumpers, accordion gates, toys small enough to swallow or choke on, or bean bags, waterbeds, or foam pads as sleeping equipment for infants. For an infant younger than 12 months, the crib or play yard must be bare except for a tight-fitting sheet and, if used, a thin, tight-fitting mattress cover made for that mattress. Official rule text
- Corrected at inspection:
- No
- Correction date:
- Aug 28, 2025
- Correction verified:
- Sep 8, 2025
- Technical assistance given:
- Yes
Medium High · Sep 7, 2023 · Inspection
746.1301(a)(1)(A) - Training Requirements for Employees, Caregivers, and Directors - Orientation
Four of the five employee files reviewed did not have documentation that orientaion was completed.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised September 2024
- Corrected at inspection:
- No
- Correction date:
- Sep 21, 2023
- Correction verified:
- Sep 21, 2023
- Technical assistance given:
- Yes
Medium High · Sep 7, 2023 · Inspection
746.1301(a)(2)(A) - Training Requirements for Employees, Caregivers, and Directors - Pre-Service Training
Four of the five employee files reviewed did not documentation showing that preservice was completed.
Plain-English explanation above · rule revised September 2024
- Corrected at inspection:
- No
- Correction date:
- Sep 21, 2023
- Correction verified:
- Sep 21, 2023
- Technical assistance given:
- Yes
Medium High · Feb 7, 2023 · Inspection
746.2909(1) - Arrangement of Napping Equipment - Not Blocking Entrances or Exits
A child was observed laying in the doorway during naptime. The child was removed from blocking the doorway.
In plain English: Cots and mats must not block entrances or exits, must not be left out where they get in the way of other activities, and must leave enough room for caregivers to walk and work between them. Each child and caregiver must be able to reach a walkway without stepping on or over other children's cots or mats, and the setup must let the caregiver supervise every child in the group. Official rule text · rule revised March 2023
- Corrected at inspection:
- Yes
- Correction date:
- Feb 7, 2023
- Technical assistance given:
- Yes