Daycare RecordChild care inspection records

Mini Mustang Cottage

800 N Rancho Rd, Nixon, TX 78140 · Gonzales County
1 high-risk citation in last 12 months

Mini Mustang Cottage is a licensed child care center in Nixon, TX, licensed for up to 47 children and serving infants and toddlers. It has held its Texas license since 2006. Since October 2021, state inspectors have visited 6 times. Inspectors recorded 11 citations, 1 of them high-risk, most often for building & playground safety (3 of 11). 7 citations came in the last 12 months, including 1 high-risk. 27% were corrected during the inspection itself. Measured by risk-weighted citations per inspection, it is #4 of 4 centers in Gonzales County and better than 16% of licensed centers statewide.

Inspection record

Better than 16%of 9,147 Texas licensed centers, comparing risk-weighted citations per inspection. More citations than most
#4 of 4 centers in Gonzales County
1High risk
2Medium High risk
7Medium risk
1Medium Low risk
0Low risk
11 citations from 6 inspections and 0 reports since Oct 1, 2021 · 7 in the last 12 months · last inspected May 8, 2026

Every state visit

20222023202420252026INSPECTIONS (top) · REPORTS & INVESTIGATIONS (bottom)May 8, 2026 · Inspection · citation foundDec 1, 2025 · Inspection · citation foundDec 9, 2024 · Inspection · citation foundDec 19, 2023 · Inspection · no citationJan 10, 2023 · Inspection · citation foundFeb 8, 2022 · Inspection · no citation
Citation foundNo citation

What inspectors cited most

Building & playground safety3
Records & paperwork2
Health & medication2
Staff ratios2
Food & feeding1
Training & qualifications1

Citations, newest first

Medium LowMay 8, 2026InspectionRecords & paperwork
Required Personnel Records - Dates of Employment §746.901(1)
The operation did not have hire dates for two of the staff files at review.
Correction verified May 8, 2026
HighMay 8, 2026InspectionHealth & medication
Required Admission Information - Emergency Medical Authorization §746.605(11)
Two out of six files did not have the emergency care authorization filled out in their file at review.
Correction verified May 12, 2026
MediumMay 8, 2026InspectionRecords & paperwork
Required Personnel Records - Photo Identification §746.901(9)
The operation did not have copies of photo ID's for three files at review. *This was corrected at inspection*
Corrected during the visit
MediumDec 1, 2025InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Maintenance Procedures for Active Play - Monthly Maintenance Checklist §746.4751(b)
The operation did not have a playground checklist for the past month at review.
Correction verified Dec 3, 2025
MediumDec 1, 2025InspectionHealth & medication
Children's Records - Immunizations §746.603(a)(4)
Two out of six records reviewed did not have current immunizations at review.
Correction verified Dec 4, 2025
MediumDec 1, 2025InspectionFood & feeding
Written Feeding Instructions - Signed and Dated by Parent or Health-Care Professional §746.2421(a)
Operation did not have feeding instructions for infants not ready for table food.
Correction verified Dec 3, 2025
Medium HighDec 1, 2025InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Maintenance of Building, Grounds and Equipment §746.3407
The back gate to the playground will not close. *This is due to the ground shifting*
Correction verified Dec 3, 2025
MediumDec 9, 2024InspectionStaff ratios
Written Operational Policies - Promotion of Physical Activity §746.501(a)(18)
The promotion of physical activity was not available for review.
Correction verified Dec 17, 2024
Medium HighDec 9, 2024InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Safety - Areas Free From Hazards §746.3701
A hose was left out on the playground not in use where children were accessible to it which could have caused a tripping hazard. This was corrected when the director wrapped the hose back up. There was a rain gutter located on the playground that was missing a cover around the edge of it that is sharp to the touch. This was corrected when the director covered the edge of the gutter with a pool noodle.
Corrected during the visit
MediumDec 9, 2024InspectionStaff ratios
Written Operational Policies - Parent Rights §746.501(a)(20)
The parent rights information was not available for review in the parent handbook.
Correction verified Dec 17, 2024
MediumJan 10, 2023InspectionTraining & qualifications
First Aid Kit - Incomplete Kit §746.4003(a)
There were no sanitary gauze pads in the first aid kit. This was corrected when the missing items were added to the first aid kit during inspection.
Corrected during the visit

About this center

Licensed capacity47 children
Ages servedInfant, Toddler
Hours07:00 AM-05:00 PM
DaysMon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
Licensed sinceJan 24, 2006
DirectorWhitley Smith
Phone8305821536
State operation #850154

Common questions

Does Mini Mustang Cottage take infants?

Yes. Texas licenses it to care for infants and toddlers.

What are Mini Mustang Cottage’s hours?

7 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday, according to its state licensing record. Confirm holiday and summer hours with the center.

Does Mini Mustang Cottage accept child care subsidies?

Not according to its state licensing record. Ask the center directly, since participation can change.

How much does Mini Mustang Cottage cost?

Texas does not publish individual centers’ prices, so ask Mini Mustang Cottage for its current tuition. For comparison, the median full-day price at licensed centers in the Golden Crescent area, which includes Nixon, is $27.20 a day for infants and $26.60 a day for toddlers (2025 Texas Child Care Market Rate Survey).

Has Mini Mustang Cottage had any serious violations?

Inspectors recorded 1 high-risk citation since 2021. The most recent was on May 8, 2026: “Required Admission Information - Emergency Medical Authorization.” Each one is listed in full above.

How does Mini Mustang Cottage compare with other daycares in Gonzales County?

It is #4 of 4 centers in Gonzales County by risk-weighted citations per inspection, and is better than 16% of licensed centers statewide (out of 9,147 Texas centers with enough inspection history).

When was Mini Mustang Cottage last inspected?

May 8, 2026. Inspectors cited at least one rule 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 850154 on Search Texas Child Care. Data refreshed Sep 30, 2026.