Daycare RecordChild care inspection records

Smaller Scholars Montessori Academy

14455 Grisby Rd, Houston, TX 77079 · Harris County
Conditions on permit3 high-risk citations in last 12 months

Smaller Scholars Montessori Academy is a licensed child care center in Houston, TX, licensed for up to 100 children and serving toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children. It has held its Texas license since 2006. Since October 2021, state inspectors have visited 12 times and investigated 4 reports. Inspectors recorded 28 citations, 7 of them high-risk, most often for building & playground safety (7 of 28). 4 citations came in the last 12 months, including 3 high-risk. 14% were corrected during the inspection itself. Measured by risk-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #713 of 882 centers in Houston and better than 5% of licensed centers statewide.

Inspection record

Better than 5%of 9,147 Texas licensed centers, comparing risk-weighted citations per inspection. Among the most cited
Tied for #713 of 882 centers in Houston
7High risk
9Medium High risk
8Medium risk
3Medium Low risk
1Low risk
28 citations from 12 inspections and 2 reports since Oct 1, 2021 · 4 in the last 12 months · last inspected Apr 23, 2026

Every state visit

20222023202420252026INSPECTIONS (top) · REPORTS & INVESTIGATIONS (bottom)Jun 17, 2026 · Assessment · citation foundApr 23, 2026 · Inspection · citation foundMar 24, 2026 · Inspection · citation foundMar 20, 2026 · Report/investigation · citation foundApr 15, 2025 · Inspection · citation foundJan 30, 2025 · Inspection · no citationJan 28, 2025 · Assessment · citation foundDec 20, 2024 · Inspection · no citationDec 17, 2024 · Report/investigation · citation foundMay 13, 2024 · Inspection · no citationMay 3, 2024 · Inspection · no citationMay 1, 2024 · Report/investigation · citation foundApr 24, 2024 · Inspection · citation foundJan 18, 2024 · Assessment · citation foundOct 16, 2023 · Inspection · no citationJun 20, 2023 · Inspection · citation foundNov 7, 2022 · Inspection · citation foundOct 25, 2022 · Report/investigation · no citationJul 13, 2022 · Inspection · citation found
Citation foundNo citation

What inspectors cited most

Building & playground safety7
Health & medication5
Records & paperwork5
Training & qualifications5
Supervision2
Other standards1
Caregiver conduct1
Sleep safety1
Staff ratios1

Citations, newest first

HighJun 17, 2026InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Annual Fire Inspection - Before Initial Permit Issued and Every 12 Months §746.5101(a)
Documentation reviewed during the follow up inspection showed the last fire inspection was completed on April 2, 2025.
Correction verified Jul 10, 2026
HighApr 23, 2026InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Annual Fire Inspection - Before Initial Permit Issued and Every 12 Months §746.5101(a)
Documentation reviewed during the follow up inspection showed the last fire inspection was completed on April 2, 2025.
Correction verified Jun 17, 2026
Medium HighMar 24, 2026InspectionOther standards
Requirement of Gas Leak Inspection §746.5401
The operation did not have a current gas inspection report for licensing to review. The last inspection was completed 2/9/24.
Correction verified Apr 23, 2026
HighMar 20, 2026Found during an investigationCaregiver conduct
Prohibited Punishments - Placing Child in Locked or Dark Room §746.2805(7)
A caregiver placed a child alone in a dark restroom for approximately six minutes as a form of prohibited punishment.
Correction verified Apr 23, 2026
MediumApr 15, 2025InspectionHealth & medication
Medication No Longer Used §746.3809
I observed an expired Epi pen for that is kept at the operation for a child in care with an allergy. The Epi pen expired in 12/2024. NOTE: This was corrected during the inspection, it was removed and sent home with parent.
Corrected during the visit
MediumApr 15, 2025InspectionSleep safety
Cots, Beds, Mats Labeled With Child's Name §746.4503(b)
Nap mats were not properly labeled during the inspection.
Correction verified Apr 28, 2025
Medium HighApr 15, 2025InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Fire Extinguishers Serviced §746.5307(b)
Fire extinguishers has not been serviced since August 2023.
Correction verified Apr 30, 2025
MediumApr 15, 2025InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Children's Products- Annual Certification §746.4135(b)
The children's product certification was last certified on 2/2/24.
Correction verified Apr 28, 2025
MediumApr 15, 2025InspectionHealth & medication
Health Statement on File within 1 Week of Admission §746.611(b)
2 out of 4 files reviewed did not have a health statement available for licensing to review.
Correction verified Apr 28, 2025
MediumApr 15, 2025InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Maintenance Procedures for Active Play - Monthly Maintenance Checklist §746.4751(b)
Playground checklist has not been completed since June 2024.
Correction verified Apr 28, 2025
Medium LowJan 28, 2025InspectionRecords & paperwork
Report Number of Employees §746.303(b)
Operation has not reported their staffing changes for the year 2024 by the due date of 1/15/2025. NOTE: Director provided proof of compliance same day.
Correction verified Jan 28, 2025
HighDec 17, 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)
Caregiver left a child unattended on a path leading from playground to the classroom for 9 minutes.
Correction verified Jan 30, 2025
HighMay 1, 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)
The director reported that a child was left outside unsupervised for 6-7 minutes.
Correction verified May 13, 2024
Medium LowApr 24, 2024InspectionRecords & paperwork
Posting Requirements - Telephone Numbers §746.401(8)
Emergency telephone numbers were not posted. Corrected at inspection. Emergency numbers were posted during inspection.
Corrected during the visit
LowApr 24, 2024InspectionTraining & qualifications
Minimum Qualifications Child Care Center Employees and Caregivers - Affidavit §746.1105(3)
One caregiver was missing a notarized affidavit of employment.
Correction verified Jun 12, 2024
Medium HighApr 24, 2024InspectionTraining & qualifications
Each Caregiver and the Director Must Have Current Training in pediatric first aid with rescue breathing and choking. §746.1315(a)
Caregiver did not have current First Aide training. Training expired in 2022.
Correction verified May 13, 2024
Medium HighApr 24, 2024InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Installation and Maintenance of Loose-fill Surfacing - Proper Depth Maintained §746.4907(d)
Swings and slides did not have loosefill to proper depth.
Correction verified Jun 12, 2024
Medium HighApr 24, 2024InspectionTraining & qualifications
Report Change in Director §746.303(a)(4)
There was a change in director and licensing was not notified within 5 days that director was no longer associated with center. We were informed of the change at inspection.
Corrected during the visit
Medium HighApr 24, 2024InspectionTraining & qualifications
Each Caregiver and the Director Must Have Current Training in pediatric CPR §746.1315(b)
One caregiver did not have a current CPR training certificate, expired 2022. Another caregiver did not have hands-on CPR training.
Correction verified May 13, 2024
Medium LowJan 18, 2024InspectionRecords & paperwork
Report Number of Employees §746.303(b)
A review of the Employees Who Left Employment in 2023, revealed the center had not reported the number of employees who left employment in 2023 by January 15, 2024, as required.
Correction verified Jan 18, 2024
Medium HighJun 20, 2023InspectionRecords & paperwork
Required Admission Information - Parents' Phone Numbers §746.605(5)
1 out 6 children records reviewed was missing emergency contact address information.
Correction verified Jun 27, 2023
Medium HighNov 7, 2022InspectionHealth & medication
Children Handwashing After Toileting or Diapering §746.3417(3)
It was observed that two caregivers once completing diaper changing did not wash the children's hands. Corrected during Inspection.
Corrected during the visit
HighNov 7, 2022InspectionStaff ratios
AP Background check results - Must receive notification prior to allowing subject to be present at your operation §745.641
A caregiver was observed in a classroom with 18 children present who had direct access to children. Another caregivers background check results are still pending and the caregiver was present with direct access to children. The operation has not obtained an eligibility notification from CBCU stating the individuals are eligible to be present. Corrected during Inspection
Correction verified Dec 8, 2022
MediumJul 13, 2022InspectionHealth & medication
Children's Records - Immunizations §746.603(a)(4)
Immunization record was missing on file for two out of eight records checked.
Correction verified Jul 21, 2022
HighJul 13, 2022InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Annual Fire Inspection - Before Initial Permit Issued and Every 12 Months §746.5101(a)
There was no current fire inspection avalable for this operation.
Correction verified Jul 20, 2022
Medium HighJul 13, 2022InspectionTraining & qualifications
Each Caregiver and the Director Must Have Current Training in pediatric first aid with rescue breathing and choking. §746.1315(a)
Current first aid and CPR training was missing for the director.
Correction verified Jul 15, 2022
MediumJul 13, 2022InspectionRecords & paperwork
Required Admission Information - Physician Information §746.605(11)
Doctor's information was missing on file for three out of eight records checked.
Correction verified Jul 25, 2022
MediumJul 13, 2022InspectionHealth & medication
Children's Records - Health Statement §746.603(a)(3)
Health statement was missing on file for four out of eight records checked.
Correction verified Jul 25, 2022

About this center

Licensed capacity100 children
Ages servedToddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School
Hours07:00 AM-06:00 PM
DaysMon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
Licensed sinceJan 3, 2006
Director—
Phone2815568505
State operation #854889

Common questions

Does Smaller Scholars Montessori Academy take infants?

No. Its Texas license covers toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children, not infants.

What are Smaller Scholars Montessori Academy’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 Smaller Scholars Montessori Academy accept child care subsidies?

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

How much does Smaller Scholars Montessori Academy cost?

Texas does not publish individual centers’ prices, so ask Smaller Scholars Montessori Academy for its current tuition. For comparison, the median full-day price at licensed centers in the Gulf Coast area, which includes Houston, is $40.80 a day for toddlers, $39.40 a day for 3-year-olds and $37.20 a day for school-age children (2025 Texas Child Care Market Rate Survey).

Has Smaller Scholars Montessori Academy had any serious violations?

Inspectors recorded 7 high-risk citations since 2021. The most recent was on Jun 17, 2026: “Annual Fire Inspection - Before Initial Permit Issued and Every 12 Months.” Each one is listed in full above.

How does Smaller Scholars Montessori Academy compare with other daycares in Houston?

It is tied for #713 of 882 centers in Houston by risk-weighted citations per inspection, and is better than 5% of licensed centers statewide (out of 9,147 Texas centers with enough inspection history).

When was Smaller Scholars Montessori Academy last inspected?

Apr 23, 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 854889 on Search Texas Child Care. Data refreshed Sep 30, 2026.