Little Steps Academy

Operation has not paid background check fee.

Based on the investigation findings, this standard was reviewed and found to be in non-compliance with The Minimum Standards for Child Care Centers. The operation was not providing an infant daily report to the parents of infants ages 0-17 months old noting the times of diaper changes. The operation has since been providing this information to the parents of the children in the infant classroom.

Based on the investigation findings, this standard was reviewed and found to be in non-compliance with The Minimum Standards for Child Care Centers. The operation was not providing an infant daily report to the parents of infants ages 0-17 months old noting the times and amount of food the infant was ingesting. The operation has since been providing this information to the parents of the children in the infant classroom.

The outdoor play space has three active ant piles and thorny vines around the fence.

The a.c unit is accessible to children.

There was no person in charge. The deficiency is related to a DFPS Abuse/Neglect investigation.

Director did not leave a person in charge in their absence. The deficiency is related to a DFPS Abuse/Neglect investigation.

The provider did not report the number of employees that left in 2024 in the allotted timeframe required.

The sheets on the infant cribs were not tight fitting and created an entanglement hazard.

Infant room had a very little selection of toys available for infant engagement.

The classrooms had little to no toys available for children to initiate play. Toys were put up out of reach and had to be retrived by a caregiver.

At the time of the inspection, 2 caregivers did not have pre-service training and did not have the 2 years od required experince in a regulated center.

The playground has multiple tripping hazards including PVC pipes and black rubber covering for the water pipe. There are also holes on the side of the building that need to be filled and leveled out to avoid risk of tripping.

Report not submitted as of 1/16/2023.

A walking child was placed in a crib with a crib bed that was too high, causing risks of the child standing up and falling out, climbing out, and injuring themselves.

A child's enrollment form did not have their emergency contact's address.

Caregivers are expected to follow the activity plan to ensure consistency in the children's daily activities.

There were loose cords hanging from a TV in the classroom.

A caregiver with a pending background check was present and alone with children.

Two staff members did not have current attendance records on file.

A caregiver did not know the ages of the children they were responsible for.

A child did not have their hands washed after diapering.

Three children's files were missing the healthcare professional statement.

Two children's allergies were not posted in their classrooms or in the kitchen where food gets prepared.

Two children with diagnosed food allergies did not have their food allergy emergency plan on file.

A caregiver did not wash their hands after diapering a child.

It was observed children over the age of 2 years old, walking from another room to the infant room.

It was observed three infants on high chairs for more that 15 minutes.

Tracking system did not have a complete information of the incoming children, did not showed the time of arrival and age of the children in care.

The operation had 22 children in care with one caregiver, the youngest child was under 12 months old and the oldest was around 11 years old.

It was observed the permit holder supervising and providing care for the infant room and an older children's room while serving meals to the older children group.

It was observed 3 infants unsupervised while a caregiver was in a room adjacent supervising another group of children.

It was observed a child having access to an electrical cable that was connected to a wall outlet.

The supervision provide did not ensure each child s safety and well-being based on physical proximity and auditory or visual awareness of each child s on going activity as appropriate.

Infants were left unsupervised during opening hours.

The permit holder did not comply with Lawas and Rules, by not providing children supervision that ensure safety of all children in care.

The center staff was present at the center, exposing other staff and children, while being positive for COVID-19.

Caregiver did not wash hands after changing a diaper.

A crib mattress was torn up with tape covering the tears making the mattress not washable.

A child was sleeping in a crib with loose hardware. The child and mattress had sunken almost reaching the floor.

A crib did not have a snug fitted sheet covering the mattress.

Caregiver did not sanitize the diaper changing surface after changing a diaper.

The operation did not notify licensing of a positive COVID-19 case.

A child did not have their hands washed after diapering.