First Step INC
First Step INC is a licensed child care center in San Marcos, TX, licensed for up to 71 children and serving infants through school-age children. It has held its Texas license since 1996. Since October 2021, state inspectors have visited 15 times and investigated 6 reports. Inspectors recorded 3 citations, 1 of them high-risk, most often for building & playground safety (1 of 3). None of them came in the last 12 months. 33% were corrected during the inspection itself. Its last 7 inspections found no violations. Measured by risk-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #5 of 25 centers in San Marcos and better than 81% of licensed centers statewide.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
The loose fill in the outdoor play area did not meet the 6 inch minimum requirement.
During the inspection two caregivers were present without background check results. This was corrected when the director asked the caregivers to leave the operation.
During the walk through diaper rash creams were stored in an unlocked cabinet accessible to children in care. This was corrected when the director moved the creams up higher.
About this center
Common questions
Does First Step INC take infants?
Yes. Texas licenses it to care for infants through school-age children.
What are First Step INC’s hours?
7:15 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday through Friday, according to its state licensing record. Confirm holiday and summer hours with the center.
Does First Step INC accept child care subsidies?
Yes, according to its state licensing record.
How much does First Step INC cost?
Texas does not publish individual centers’ prices, so ask First Step INC for its current tuition. For comparison, the median full-day price at licensed centers in the Rural Capital area, which includes San Marcos, is $45.60 a day for infants, $43.80 a day for toddlers and $42.20 a day for 3-year-olds (2025 Texas Child Care Market Rate Survey).
Has First Step INC had any serious violations?
Inspectors recorded 1 high-risk citation since 2021. The most recent was on Jun 27, 2022: “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 First Step INC compare with other daycares in San Marcos?
It is tied for #5 of 25 centers in San Marcos by risk-weighted citations per inspection, and is better than 81% of licensed centers statewide (out of 9,147 Texas centers with enough inspection history).
When was First Step INC last inspected?
Mar 3, 2026. No violations were found during that visit.
Licensed centers nearby
1481 Esplanade Pkwy, San Marcos · 1.4 mi away · 55 spotsMore citations than mostPaloma Montessori School
125 W. McCarty Ln, San Marcos · 2.3 mi away · 117 spotsFewer citations than mostGiggle and Grow San Marcos
2411 Hunter Rd, San Marcos · 3.4 mi away · 74 spotsMore citations than mostSuperStars Enrichment @ Hernandez
333 Stagecoach Trl, San Marcos · 3.7 mi away · 80 spotsMore citations than mostThistle Bee Discovery San Marcos
4766 N State Highway 123 Bldg 100, San Marcos · 3.8 mi away · 39 spotsAbout typicalSuperStars Enrichment @ Mendez
1805 Peter Garza Dr, San Marcos · 4.4 mi away · 80 spotsFewer citations than most
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 515990 on Search Texas Child Care. Data refreshed Sep 30, 2026.