Mercedes Head Start
Mercedes Head Start is a licensed child care center in Mercedes, TX, licensed for up to 182 children and serving preschoolers. It has held its Texas license since 2019. Since October 2021, state inspectors have visited 13 times and investigated 3 reports. Inspectors recorded 4 citations, 1 of them high-risk, most often for building & playground safety (2 of 4). 1 citation came in the last 12 months. Its last 6 inspections found no violations. Measured by risk-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #7 of 11 centers in Mercedes and better than 72% of licensed centers statewide.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
Based on the information gathered, two staff members failed to follow program policies and procedures to release children when releasing a child to an unauthorized individual.
Observed that pre-kindergarten children are not engaged in outdoor play for 90 minutes a day as weather permit.
Observed that pre-kindergarten children are not engaged in outdoor play for 90 minutes a day as weather permit.
Facility did not use good judgement when allowing 63 children and 8 staff members to be outside using one playground structure.
About this center
Common questions
Does Mercedes Head Start take infants?
No. Its Texas license covers preschoolers, not infants.
What are Mercedes Head Start’s hours?
7 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, according to its state licensing record. Confirm holiday and summer hours with the center.
Does Mercedes Head Start accept child care subsidies?
Not according to its state licensing record. Ask the center directly, since participation can change.
How much does Mercedes Head Start cost?
Texas does not publish individual centers’ prices, so ask Mercedes Head Start for its current tuition. For comparison, the median full-day price at licensed centers in the Lower Rio Grande Valley area, which includes Mercedes, is $33.40 a day for 3-year-olds (2025 Texas Child Care Market Rate Survey).
Has Mercedes Head Start had any serious violations?
Inspectors recorded 1 high-risk citation since 2021. The most recent was on Oct 12, 2023: “Responsibilities of Employees and Caregivers -Demonstrate Competency, Good Judgment, Self-control.” Each one is listed in full above.
How does Mercedes Head Start compare with other daycares in Mercedes?
It is tied for #7 of 11 centers in Mercedes by risk-weighted citations per inspection, and is better than 72% of licensed centers statewide (out of 9,147 Texas centers with enough inspection history).
When was Mercedes Head Start last inspected?
Mar 11, 2026. No violations were found during that visit.
Licensed centers nearby
636 W 3rd St, Mercedes · 0.3 mi away · 40 spotsAmong the most citedKidcellence Learning Academy
801 W 2nd St, Mercedes · 0.3 mi away · 33 spotsFewer citations than mostTiny Steps Learning Center
121 S Georgia Ave, Mercedes · 0.4 mi away · 22 spotsMore citations than mostElly's Learning Center
50 N Vermont Ave, Mercedes · ZIP 78570 away · 61 spotsFewer citations than mostCity Kids Learning Academy #2
1100 West Expressway 83, Mercedes · ZIP 78570 away · 146 spotsFewer citations than mostUMOS MSHS Mercedes Center
124 N Vermont Ave, Mercedes · 0.4 mi away · 60 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 1672907- 5371 on Search Texas Child Care. Data refreshed Sep 30, 2026.