Little Explorers Education Center
Little Explorers Education Center is a licensed child care center in Hidalgo, TX, licensed for up to 55 children and serving infants through school-age children. It has held its Texas license since 2016. Since October 2021, state inspectors have visited 21 times and investigated 4 reports. Inspectors recorded 38 citations, 9 of them high-risk, most often for training & qualifications (9 of 38). 1 citation came in the last 12 months. Its last 3 inspections found no violations. Measured by risk-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #357 of 397 centers in Hidalgo County and better than 10% of licensed centers statewide.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
One personnel record reviewed, Caregiver does not meet education requierments.
Observed child sleeping in restrictive device.
Observed child sleeping in restrictive device.
It is determined that a child was present in operation with no admission information on file.
Certificate reviewed in file did not have documentation of how trainer met criteria to provide training.
One record reviewed with a Health Statement indicating one will be obtained within 12 months of enrollment and was not obtained. Enrollment date showed 1/17/24.
A total of 14 children in operation. Infant observed to be grouped in a classroom with a child that exceeded the 18month age difference; the age difference in the room was 28months.
Caregiver who provides transportation does not meet caregiver qualifications.
Record reviewed with no curent transportation traning. A training was last dated 4/25/2022.
Drinking water was not avialble durring outdoor active play time.
Observed a tablet held up with thumb pins on wall observed to be playing an animated video (Coco Melon) in room with children under two years of age present.
2 of the 4 records reviewed did not have current Pediatric CPR records on file. One record indicated it expired in 1/2025. One record was missing Pediatric CPR in file.
One record reviewed with a Health Statement indicating one will be obtained within 12 months of enrollment and was not obtained. Enrollment date showed 1/17/24.
Certificate reviewed in file did not have documentation of how trainer met criteria to provide training.
Two children sitting in bucket seats were observed sleeping on bucket seat table while caregiver was doing janitorial dutties.
Based on DFPS investigation, a caregiver with a pending status on background checks was present in the operation caring for children.
Based on DFPS investigation, there were 5 infants in care with one caregiver.
Based on the preponderance gathered throughout the course of the investigation, it is determined that a staff present in operation did not have up to date trainings in pediatric CPR/First Aid at time of investigation and had been left to supervise children during operating hours.
An 8mo old child was observed asleep in a swing and covered with a blanket.
There were a total of fifteen children present at the operation. In the toddler room; eleven children ages 15mo-11yo were combined in one room for naptime. Age difference was greater than 18 months. Note: During inspection, two children ages 15mo and 23mo were moved from toddler to infant room. Infant room then had a total of six children ages 7mo-23mo with one caregiver and one volunteer. Infant room became over ratio by one child.
A kidney table with bucket seats is missing safety straps for four of the seats. Three children were observed using the seats without the straps. Note: During inspection, children were moved to seats with straps.
One out of four staff files reviewed is missing orientation, pre-service and first aid training.
One out of two designed Directors is not regularly present at the operation.
Six staff files were reviewed. One file is missing copy of high school diploma or equivalent and attendance records. A second file is missing the translation / equivalence of a foreign high school diploma.
One of our six staff trainings records reviewed has certificates for trainings provided by the Director. The trainings were provided within two years after operation was issued an administrative penalty.
Toddler room has an eight bucket seats table. Five out of the eights seats are missing the safety straps.
Operational Policies were reviewed and the following is missing: (8) Suspension and expulsion policy (18)(a)(b)(c)(d)(g) Outdoor and Physical Activity Policies (19) Insect repellent and sunscreen policy
Transportation binder was reviewed and the following information is missing: -Emergency medical transport and treatment authorization form for three children. -Parent s names and telephone numbers and emergency telephone numbers for two children.
A caregiver was caring for six children ages 5mo to 3yo. Age difference between youngest and oldest child is greater than 18months.
A five month old child was awake and having a bottle in a swing, bottle was propped with a blanket.
One out five children's records reviewed is missing immunization records.
One out of five staff trainings records reviewed is missing training on Safe Sleep / Shaken Baby / Early Brain Development.
Last fire drill, smoke/CO detector and fire extinguisher checks were conducted on 04/23/2022. Note: During inspection fire extinguisher and smoke/CO detector were checked. Smoke Detector in the school-age room was not working but batties were placed.
Sewage material was observed coming out of an outdoor pipe located within the operation's playground. There is garbage in the playground including trash bags and used plate/cup. There is a broken slide in the playground.
A staff member was present at the operation and caring for children without prior background check eligibility notice. The role of a volunteer changed to an employee over a year ago. Operation has not submitted a renewal background check with the employee's current role.
An infant-age child was left asleep and unsupervised in the infant room for approximately 35 minutes.
There were five children in the toddler room ages 8mo-2yo watching toy story while eating a snack. There were 11 children in the prek room watching sherk while eating a snack. Two out of the nine children in the school-age room were playing games in their cellphones.
A staff member was present at the operation and caring for children without prior background check eligibility notice. The role of a volunteer changed to an employee over a year ago. Operation has not submitted a renewal background check with the employee's current role.
About this center
Common questions
Does Little Explorers Education Center take infants?
Yes. Texas licenses it to care for infants through school-age children.
What are Little Explorers Education Center’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 Little Explorers Education Center accept child care subsidies?
Yes, according to its state licensing record.
How much does Little Explorers Education Center cost?
Texas does not publish individual centers’ prices, so ask Little Explorers Education Center for its current tuition. For comparison, the median full-day price at licensed centers in the Lower Rio Grande Valley area, which includes Hidalgo, is $35.60 a day for infants, $34.40 a day for toddlers and $33.40 a day for 3-year-olds (2025 Texas Child Care Market Rate Survey).
Has Little Explorers Education Center had any serious violations?
Inspectors recorded 9 high-risk citations since 2021. The most recent was on May 28, 2025: “Infant May Not Sleep in a Restrictive Device.” Each one is listed in full above.
How does Little Explorers Education Center compare with other daycares in Hidalgo County?
It is tied for #357 of 397 centers in Hidalgo County by risk-weighted citations per inspection, and is better than 10% of licensed centers statewide (out of 9,147 Texas centers with enough inspection history).
When was Little Explorers Education Center last inspected?
Mar 11, 2026. No violations were found during that visit.
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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 1582597 on Search Texas Child Care. Data refreshed Sep 30, 2026.