Daycare RecordChild care inspection records

1st Choice Learning Academy

2301 E Business Highway 83 Ste C, Donna, TX 78537 · Hidalgo County
Accepts child care subsidies

1st Choice Learning Academy is a licensed child care center in Donna, TX, licensed for up to 80 children and serving infants through school-age children. It has held its Texas license since 2024. Since October 2021, state inspectors have visited 19 times and investigated 4 reports. Inspectors recorded 9 citations, 3 of them high-risk, most often for building & playground safety (3 of 9). 2 citations came in the last 12 months. 44% were corrected during the inspection itself. Measured by risk-weighted citations per inspection, it is #15 of 21 centers in Donna and better than 65% of licensed centers statewide.

Inspection record

Better than 65%of 9,147 Texas licensed centers, comparing risk-weighted citations per inspection. About typical
#15 of 21 centers in Donna
3High risk
3Medium High risk
2Medium risk
1Medium Low risk
0Low risk
9 citations from 19 inspections and 4 reports since Oct 1, 2021 · 2 in the last 12 months · last inspected Jun 10, 2026

Every state visit

20222023202420252026INSPECTIONS (top) · REPORTS & INVESTIGATIONS (bottom)Jun 10, 2026 · Inspection · no citationJun 9, 2026 · Report/investigation · no citationJan 22, 2026 · Assessment · citation foundJan 22, 2026 · Inspection · citation foundJul 9, 2025 · Inspection · no citationJun 10, 2025 · Inspection · no citationMay 30, 2025 · Inspection · citation foundMay 27, 2025 · Report/investigation · citation foundApr 2, 2025 · Inspection · no citationMar 31, 2025 · Inspection · citation foundMar 17, 2025 · Inspection · no citationMar 13, 2025 · Report/investigation · no citationMar 6, 2025 · Inspection · no citationMar 5, 2025 · Report/investigation · citation foundFeb 18, 2025 · Inspection · no citationSep 24, 2024 · Inspection · no citationAug 7, 2024 · Inspection · citation foundJul 31, 2024 · Inspection · citation foundApr 15, 2024 · Inspection · no citationApr 3, 2024 · Inspection · citation foundJan 4, 2024 · Inspection · no citationNov 30, 2023 · Inspection · no citationNov 8, 2023 · Inspection · no citationSep 14, 2023 · Inspection · no citation
Citation foundNo citation

What inspectors cited most

Building & playground safety3
Other standards3
Records & paperwork1
Staff ratios1
Sleep safety1

Citations, newest first

Medium LowJan 22, 2026InspectionRecords & paperwork
Report Number of Employees §746.303(b)
A review of the Employees Who Left Employment in 2025 data from January 20, 2026, determined the center had not reported the number of employees who left employment in 2025 by January 15, 2026, as required.
Correction verified Jan 30, 2026
MediumJan 22, 2026InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Children's Products- Annual Certification §746.4135(b)
An up to date Chilidren's Product Certification was not available for review. Last product certification was conducted on 9/25/2024. **Please note during inspection, director completed a new Children's Product Certification.***
Corrected during the visit
HighMay 30, 2025InspectionStaff ratios
AP Background check results - Must receive notification prior to allowing subject to be present at your operation §745.641
Two caregivers worked at the operation without a background check. It was confirmed during this inspection that one of the caregivers worked 5 days and the other caregiver worked 9 days at the operation without a background check clearance.
Correction verified Jun 10, 2025
HighMay 27, 2025Found during an investigationSleep safety
AP Cribs - Only Snug Fitting Sheet and Crib Mattress Cover Allowed if Infant Younger than 12 Months of Age §746.2415(b)
A child younger than 12 months old was observed covered with a blanket up to their neck while in the crib.
Correction verified Jul 9, 2025
Medium HighMar 31, 2025InspectionOther standards
Personal use of electronic devices, such as cell phones, MP3 players, tablets, and video games §746.1203(3)(D)
Based on the preponderance of evidence gathered during this investigation, it has been concluded that a caregiver did not obtained permission from the director nor the parent to video tape a child and upload the video in a Facebook post.
Corrected during the visit
Medium HighMar 5, 2025Found during an investigationOther standards
Personal use of electronic devices, such as cell phones, MP3 players, tablets, and video games §746.1203(3)(D)
Based on the preponderance of evidence gathered during this investigation, it has been concluded that a caregiver did not obtained permission from the director nor the parent to video tape a child and upload the video in a Facebook post.
Corrected during the visit
HighAug 7, 2024InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Annual Fire Inspection - Before Initial Permit Issued and Every 12 Months §746.5101(a)
An up to date fire inspection was not available for review. The last fire inspection conducted was on 7/12/2023.
Correction verified Aug 22, 2024
Medium HighJul 31, 2024InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Annual Sanitation Inspection §746.3401(a)
Annual health inspection is up to date.
Correction verified Aug 7, 2024
MediumApr 3, 2024InspectionOther standards
Screen Time Activities - Not Used for Under Two §746.2207(a)
Three children less than 2 years old were observed watching televison.
Corrected during the visit

About this center

Licensed capacity80 children
Ages servedInfant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School
Hours07:00 AM-06:00 PM
DaysMon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
Licensed sinceMar 4, 2024
DirectorLilia Herrera
Phone9567065737
State operation #1785985

Common questions

Does 1st Choice Learning Academy take infants?

Yes. Texas licenses it to care for infants through school-age children.

What are 1st Choice Learning Academy’s hours?

7 AM to 6 PM, Monday through Friday, according to its state licensing record. Confirm holiday and summer hours with the center.

Does 1st Choice Learning Academy accept child care subsidies?

Yes, according to its state licensing record.

Has 1st Choice Learning Academy had any serious violations?

Inspectors recorded 3 high-risk citations since 2021. The most recent was on May 30, 2025: “AP Background check results - Must receive notification prior to allowing subject to be present at your operation.” Each one is listed in full above.

How does 1st Choice Learning Academy compare with other daycares in Donna?

It is #15 of 21 centers in Donna by risk-weighted citations per inspection, and is better than 65% of licensed centers statewide (out of 9,147 Texas centers with enough inspection history).

When was 1st Choice Learning Academy last inspected?

Jun 10, 2026. No violations were found during that visit.

Licensed centers nearby

Citations are quoted from Texas HHS inspection records. Many are corrected the same day, and a citation is a finding about one rule, not a judgment about a center overall.

To see the official record, search operation 1785985 on Search Texas Child Care. Data refreshed Sep 30, 2026.