Daycare RecordChild care inspection records

First Steps Learning Center

138 Applewhite Dr, Katy, TX 77450 · Harris County
Conditions on permit2 high-risk citations in last 12 monthsAccepts child care subsidies

First Steps Learning Center is a licensed child care center in Katy, TX, licensed for up to 60 children and serving infants through school-age children. It has held its Texas license since 2020. Since October 2021, state inspectors have visited 16 times and investigated 5 reports. Inspectors recorded 30 citations, 12 of them high-risk, most often for building & playground safety (10 of 30). 3 citations came in the last 12 months, including 2 high-risk. 17% were corrected during the inspection itself. Measured by risk-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #151 of 167 centers in Katy and better than 6% of licensed centers statewide.

Inspection record

Better than 6%of 9,147 Texas licensed centers, comparing risk-weighted citations per inspection. Among the most cited
Tied for #151 of 167 centers in Katy
12High risk
12Medium High risk
3Medium risk
2Medium Low risk
1Low risk
30 citations from 16 inspections and 3 reports since Oct 1, 2021 · 3 in the last 12 months · last inspected Nov 13, 2025

Every state visit

20222023202420252026INSPECTIONS (top) · REPORTS & INVESTIGATIONS (bottom)Dec 19, 2025 · Assessment · citation foundNov 13, 2025 · Inspection · no citationOct 30, 2025 · Inspection · citation foundNov 5, 2024 · Inspection · citation foundSep 19, 2024 · Inspection · no citationJun 25, 2024 · Inspection · no citationMay 21, 2024 · Inspection · no citationApr 16, 2024 · Report/investigation · no citationApr 5, 2024 · Report/investigation · citation foundJan 3, 2024 · Inspection · citation foundSep 1, 2023 · Inspection · no citationAug 31, 2023 · Report/investigation · no citationFeb 23, 2023 · Inspection · no citationFeb 18, 2023 · Report/investigation · no citationFeb 8, 2023 · Inspection · no citationAug 11, 2022 · Inspection · citation foundJun 14, 2022 · Inspection · no citationMay 18, 2022 · Inspection · no citationMay 9, 2022 · Inspection · citation foundMay 4, 2022 · Inspection · no citationMay 2, 2022 · Report/investigation · citation foundApr 29, 2022 · Inspection · citation found
Citation foundNo citation

What inspectors cited most

Building & playground safety10
Records & paperwork5
Sleep safety5
Supervision4
Training & qualifications2
Food & feeding2
Health & medication1
Staff ratios1

Citations, newest first

HighDec 19, 2025InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Annual Fire Inspection - Before Initial Permit Issued and Every 12 Months §746.5101(a)
Documentation showing a fire inspection has been conducted since April 30,2024 was unavailable for review.
Correction verified Dec 22, 2025
Medium HighOct 30, 2025InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Fire Drill Monthly - Exit in 3 Minutes §746.5205(1)
Documentation showing a fire drill has been conducted was unavailable for review.
Correction verified Nov 7, 2025
HighOct 30, 2025InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Annual Fire Inspection - Before Initial Permit Issued and Every 12 Months §746.5101(a)
Documentation showing a fire inspection has been conducted since April 30,2024 was unavailable for review.
Correction verified Dec 19, 2025
Medium HighNov 5, 2024InspectionHealth & medication
Immunization Records, Exceptions, and Exemptions Current §746.613(b)
1 out of 4 children's files evaluated did not contain a copy of the child's immunizations.
Correction verified Nov 5, 2024
MediumNov 5, 2024InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Maintenance Procedures for Active Play - Monthly Maintenance Checklist §746.4751(b)
Documentation showing a monthly inspection of the outdoor play space was unavailable upon request.
Correction verified Nov 12, 2024
Medium HighNov 5, 2024InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Annual Sanitation Inspection §746.3401(a)
Documentation an annual santiation inspection has been conducted was not available upon request.
Correction verified Nov 12, 2024
LowNov 5, 2024InspectionStaff ratios
Required Health Statement - Written, dated within past year, indicates child is physically able to participate in operation's child-care program §746.611(a)(1)
1 out of 4 children's files evluated did not contain a signed health statement.
Correction verified Nov 5, 2024
HighApr 5, 2024Found during an investigationSupervision
Supervision ensures each child’s safety, well-being, including physical proximity and auditory or visual awareness of each child’s on going activity §746.1205(a)(4)
Based upon the information obtained from the DFPS Investigation, there was sufficient evidence to support a violation of this standard.
Correction verified May 21, 2024
Medium LowJan 3, 2024InspectionRecords & paperwork
Required Personnel Records - Required Affidavit §746.901(4)
1 out of 7 staff files evaulated did not contain a notarized affidavit for employment.
Correction verified Jan 11, 2024
Medium HighJan 3, 2024InspectionTraining & qualifications
Each Caregiver and the Director Must Have Current Training in pediatric first aid with rescue breathing and choking. §746.1315(a)
2 out 7 staff files evaulated did not contain current CPR/First Aid certification.
Correction verified Jan 11, 2024
Medium HighJan 3, 2024InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Fire Drill Monthly - Exit in 3 Minutes §746.5205(1)
A fire drill has not been conducted since October 9, 2023.
Correction verified Jan 11, 2024
MediumJan 3, 2024InspectionRecords & paperwork
Required Personnel Records- Meets Requirements §746.901(2)
1 out of 7 staff files evaulated did not contain proof of education.
Correction verified Jan 11, 2024
Medium HighAug 11, 2022InspectionRecords & paperwork
Required Admission Information - Special Needs Statement §746.605(13)
A child's record evaluated was missing the special needs acknowledgment on their admission form. Note: The parent sent an acknowledgment during the inspection.
Corrected during the visit
Medium HighAug 11, 2022InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Infant Care Area Furnishings and Equipment -Use of Safety Straps §746.2407
An infant was observed sitting in a rocker without the safety straps fastened. Note: The caregiver removed the infant from the rocker during the inspection.
Corrected during the visit
HighMay 9, 2022InspectionSleep safety
Infant May Not Sleep in a Restrictive Device §746.2426
A 4-month-old child was observed asleep in a restrictive device (bouncer). A photo was taken.
Correction verified May 18, 2022
HighMay 2, 2022Found during an investigationSupervision
Responsibilities of Caregivers- Supervision of Children §746.1203(4)
During this investigation, it was determined caregiver supervision was not maintained, which resulted in a child being inappropriately touched by another child in the operation's restroom.
Correction verified Jun 14, 2022
Medium HighApr 29, 2022InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Maintenance of Building, Grounds and Equipment §746.3407
Both restrooms at the operation were unsanitary. One restroom contained urine inside of the toilet, toilet paper on the floor, and the trash can was overflowing with toilet paper.The other restroom had toilet paper on the floor. Note: The Director cleaned both restrooms during the inspection.
Corrected during the visit
HighApr 29, 2022InspectionSleep safety
AP Cribs - Only Snug Fitting Sheet and Crib Mattress Cover Allowed if Infant Younger than 12 Months of Age §746.2415(b)
A 7 month old child was observed asleep on a boppy in their crib. Later during the inspection, another 7 month old child was observed sleeping in a crib with a pacifier and pacifer attachment. Note: A photo was taken.
Correction verified May 4, 2022
HighApr 29, 2022InspectionSleep safety
No Swaddling of Infant Unless Completed Sleep Exception Form on File §746.2428
Two 7 month old children were observed swaddled and asleep in their cribs. A 2 month old was observed swaddled and asleep in a rocker chair. Note: Photos were taken.
Correction verified May 4, 2022
Medium HighApr 29, 2022InspectionSupervision
Responsibilities of Caregivers - Free of other activities §746.1203(6)
A caregiver was observed on their cellphone during naptime in the 3yr to 5yr old classroom.
Correction verified May 4, 2022
HighApr 29, 2022InspectionSupervision
Responsibilities of Caregivers - Know Group Responsible For §746.1203(2)
A caregiver in the infant room (2m to 1yr) did not know the number of children present. The caregiver stated their were 5 children present. There were 7 children present.
Correction verified May 4, 2022
HighApr 29, 2022InspectionRecords & paperwork
Policies Comply with Rules §746.201(1)
The operational policies handbook is missing the following: 746.501: (14) Transportation; (24) emergency preparedness plan; (29)(b)(2) gang-free zone Note: The Director added these policies to the handbook during the inspection.
Corrected during the visit
Medium HighApr 29, 2022InspectionTraining & qualifications
Training Requirements for Employees, Caregivers, and Directors - Transportation Training §746.1301(7)(A)
The Director does not have current transportation training.The Director is the person who transports the school-age children to and from school.
Correction verified May 3, 2022
HighApr 29, 2022InspectionSleep safety
Infant May Not Sleep in a Restrictive Device §746.2426
A 2 month old was observed alseep in a restrictive device (rocker). Note: A phone was taken.
Correction verified May 4, 2022
Medium HighApr 29, 2022InspectionFood & feeding
Requirements for Feeding Infants - Label Bottles/Cups §746.2419(6)
Four infant bottles were not labeled with each child's first and last name.
Correction verified May 2, 2022
HighApr 29, 2022InspectionSleep safety
Covering Infant's Head or Crib §746.2429
A 7 month old was observed asleep in their crib with their head covered with a hat.The hat was placed over the child's head, eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. Note: A photo was taken.
Correction verified May 4, 2022
Medium LowApr 29, 2022InspectionRecords & paperwork
Posting Requirements - List entitled "Current Employees"--sized at least 81/2 X 11 inches, printed legibly, include employee first and last name §746.401(9)
The operation did not have a current staff list posted. Note: The Director updated the staff list during the inspection.
Corrected during the visit
Medium HighApr 29, 2022InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Documentation of Fire Inspection §746.5103
The operation does not have a current fire inspection report available for review. The last inspection conducted was on 3/15/2021.
Correction verified May 2, 2022
MediumApr 29, 2022InspectionFood & feeding
Written Feeding Instructions - Review and Update Every 30 Days §746.2421(b)
Two infants, ages 4m and 7m, who are not ready for table food did not have updated infant feeding instruction sheets available for review.
Correction verified May 2, 2022
HighApr 29, 2022InspectionBuilding & playground safety
No Blocked or Locked Doors as Exits §746.5209(c)
One of the operations emergency exit doors (back door) cannot open. It is blocked by a wooden step located on the outside of the door. Note: A photo was taken.
Correction verified May 2, 2022

About this center

Licensed capacity60 children
Ages servedInfant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School
Hours06:30 AM-06:30 PM
DaysMon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
Licensed sinceJun 16, 2020
DirectorElexus Johnson
Phone2813929194
State operation #1699246

Common questions

Does First Steps Learning Center take infants?

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

What are First Steps Learning Center’s hours?

6:30 AM to 6:30 PM, Monday through Friday, according to its state licensing record. Confirm holiday and summer hours with the center.

Does First Steps Learning Center accept child care subsidies?

Yes, according to its state licensing record.

How much does First Steps Learning Center cost?

Texas does not publish individual centers’ prices, so ask First Steps Learning Center for its current tuition. For comparison, the median full-day price at licensed centers in the Gulf Coast area, which includes Katy, is $42.60 a day for infants, $40.80 a day for toddlers and $39.40 a day for 3-year-olds (2025 Texas Child Care Market Rate Survey).

Has First Steps Learning Center had any serious violations?

Inspectors recorded 12 high-risk citations since 2021. The most recent was on Dec 19, 2025: “Annual Fire Inspection - Before Initial Permit Issued and Every 12 Months.” Each one is listed in full above.

How does First Steps Learning Center compare with other daycares in Katy?

It is tied for #151 of 167 centers in Katy by risk-weighted citations per inspection, and is better than 6% of licensed centers statewide (out of 9,147 Texas centers with enough inspection history).

When was First Steps Learning Center last inspected?

Nov 13, 2025. 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 1699246 on Search Texas Child Care. Data refreshed Sep 30, 2026.