Stepping Stones
Stepping Stones is a licensed child care center in Mission, TX, licensed for up to 25 children and serving infants through school-age children. It has held its Texas license since 2014. Since October 2021, state inspectors have visited 17 times. Inspectors recorded 48 citations, 5 of them high-risk, most often for building & playground safety (10 of 48). 14 citations came in the last 12 months, including 3 high-risk. 8% were corrected during the inspection itself. Measured by risk-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #59 of 61 centers in Mission and better than 3% of licensed centers statewide.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
Two of the children are no longer enrolled and health statement for two children are missing.
Operational policies are missing the following: (26)(C) Methods for increasing employee and parent awareness of prevention techniques for child abuse and neglect; (26)(D)Strategies for coordination between the center and appropriate community organizations; and (26)(E) Actions that the parent of a child who is a victim of abuse or neglect should take to obtain assistance and intervention.
Operational policies were reviewed and missing th following information: (11) immunization requirements; (12) hearing and vision screening requirements; (13) enrollment procedures; (18)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f) and (g) indoor and outdoor physical activity policy; (20) parent's rights; (23)(a) how parents may access the minimum standards online; (23)(c) how parents may access HHSC website; (26)(A) Abuse / Neglect required annual training for employees; (26)(B) Methods for increasing employee and parent awareness of issues regarding child abuse and neglect; (26)(C) Methods for increasing employee and parent awareness of prevention techniques for child abuse and neglect; (26)(D)Strategies for coordination between the center and appropriate community organizations; (26)(E) Actions that the parent of a child who is a victim of abuse or neglect should take to obtain assistance and intervention; and (3) Procedures for supporting inclusive services for children with special needs.
Emergency practices form was reviewed: last fire drill and Fire Extinguisher / CO - Smoke detectors checks were completed on 03/24/2026.
One caregiver was providing care for 10 children: three children 0-17mo, five 18mo-4yo, and two 5yo and up.
Four children's records were reviewed. One file was not available for review. Three files are missing health statement. One file is missing start date and another file is missing clarification regarding an allergy.
Records for the last full training year for two out of two staff files reviewed were not available at the time of inspection.
One caregiver was providing care for nine children; three children 0-17mo and six children 18mo-4yo.
One caregiver was providing care for 9 children, however, 3 of the children were in separate classroom with the lights off.
One caregiver was providing care for six children; 3 children 0-17mo and 3 children 18mo-4yo.
One caregiver was providing care for eight children; 3 children 0-17mo and 4 children 18mo-4yo.
An infant under 12mo was observed asleep in play-yard with two blankets and two cuddle plush blankets.
Staff and children were not observed participating / following the daily schedule.
An infant-age child remained in high chair and exerciser for over 15 minutes.
Vinyl baseboards in restrooms remain detached and there is a broken floor tile in the main room. Note: Broken toy-car was removed from playground. No dead insects were observed during inspection. Electric panel in the infant room was covered.
There is a broken toy-cart in the playground. A dead roach, spider webs and an uncovered eletric panel were observed in the infant room. Vinyl baseboards in one of the restrooms are detached.
Operation does not have a carbon monoxide detector. Infant room does not have a smoke detector.
Food items served during the day do not match the menu posted.
Children's Products Certification form was last signed / certified on 08/25/2022.
Infant play-yards are not labeled and napping mats are labeled by number but assignment list is not up to date.
Last fire drill and Smoke Detector / Fire Extinguisher checks were conducted on 05/2025. Prior drills were completed within 5-10 minutes.
Three out of four children's files reviewed are missing immunization records.
There were no records available for review for two children in care. A child's record reviewed was missing the immunization documentation.
The operational policies reviewed were missing the followng information: (1) Promotion of indoor and outdoor physical activity that is consistent with Subchapter F of this chapter (relating to Developmental Activities and Activity Plan); policies must include: (A) The benefits of physical activity and outdoor play; (B) The duration of physical activity at your operation, both indoor and outdoor; (C) The type of physical activity (structured and unstructured) that children may engage in at your operation; (D) Each setting in which your physical activity program will take place; (E) The recommended clothing and footwear that will allow a child to participate freely and safely in physical activities; (F) The criteria you will use to determine when extreme weather conditions pose a significant health risk that prohibits or limits outdoor play; and (G) A plan to ensure physical activity occurs on days when extreme weather conditions prohibit or limit outdoor play. (2) Parent rights; (3) Preventing and responding to abuse and neglect of children, including: (A) Required annual training for employees; (B) Methods for increasing employee and parent awareness of issues regarding child abuse and neglect, including warning signs that a child may be a victim of abuse or neglect and factors indicating a child is at risk for abuse or neglect; (C) Methods for increasing employee and parent awareness ofprevention techniques for child abuse and neglect; (D) Strategies for coordination between the center and appropriate community organizations; and (E) Actions that the parent of a child who is a victim of abuse or neglect should take to obtain assistance and intervention, including procedures for reporting child abuse or neglect; (4) Procedures for supporting inclusive services to children with special care needs. The policy must address the requirements outlined in minimum standard rule ?746.2202
The activity plans posted in the infant room and toddler/pre-k room did not include the age group the activity plan is designed for and the dates (daily, weekly, or monthly) the plan covers. Note: This was CORRECTED during the inspection as the missing information was documented on the activity plans.
The daily menu posted in the front lobby and kitchen were not current. The menu was from the month of August and did not match the food items served during lunch. Note: This was CORRECTED during the inspection as the current menu was printed and posted in the front lobby and kitchen.
A record was not available for review for a child in care. 1 of 4 children's records reviewed was missing the child's immunization record.
An additional employee was not present in the building during naptime when more than 13 children were in care.
There was more than an 18 month difference when older children of varying ages and an infant were combined during naptime. The oldest child in the group was 4 years of age and the youngest child was 15 months old.
Child/Caregiver ratios were not met when a caregiver was caring for 8 children of varying ages. The children in the group were an infant between 0-12 months of age and 7 children between 18 months to 3 years of age. Based on the ratio chart the number of children one caregiver may supervise when 12 or fewer children are present at the child-care center is 1 infant between 0-17 months of age and a maximum of 5 children between the ages of 18 months to 4 years age. The group was of ratio by 2 children.
There were no records available for review for two children in care.
The caregivers personal purse was observed on top of a children's shelf. The purse posed a safety hazard as it was within children's reach. A fence in the outdoor playground enclosing the air conditioner unit was not maintained. The fence was observed with an exposed screw. This posed a safety hazard as the thread and tip of the screw were exposed and accessible to children. Note: The purse was removed and stored in an area out of children's reach.
The emergency practices form was not maintained. The last fire drill document was on April 2022. The safety documentation for fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and Carbon Monoxide detector was not maintained. The last date documented on the form was April 2022.
The directorr was missing 30 of 30 clock hours in required annual training for the training year 11/25/2020 - 11/24/2021.
A caregiver was missing 24 of 24 clock hours in required annual training for the training year 11/25/2020 - 11/24/2021.
The metal door leading into the center from the outdoor playground was observed with rust and significant amounts of loose corrosion. The rust at the bottom part of the door ate through the metal, leaving holes in the door which pose a safety hazard to children during outdoor play. Plastic bags containing soiled diapers were observed hanging from the door handle in the outdoor playground. Note: The plastic bags with soiled diapers were removed and discarded.
Soiled diapers were observed in the same trash can with no cover next to the infant room. This standard was re-cited. Note: This was addressed with the director and the trash bag containing the soiled diapers was removed and disposed of.
A caregiver was missing 14 of 24 clock hours in required annual training for the training year 11/25/2019 - 11/24/2020.
A water hose was observed on the floor in the outdoor playground within children's reach posing as a tripping hazard. Note: This was CORRECTED during the inspection as the water hose was stored out of children's reach.
An infant was observed sitting on a high chair without the safety straps fastened.
The director was missing 9 of 30 clock hours in required annual training for the training year 11/25/2019 - 11/24/2020.
The director and a caregiver did not have current training in pediatric CPR. The expiration dates on the certificates were July 2021 and August 2021.
There was no sheet covering the mattress of a play yard that was in use for an infant. Note: This was CORRECTED during the inspection as a fitted sheet was provided and placed on the play yard's mattress.
The operational policies reviewed were missing the following information: The Promotion of indoor and outdoor physical activity that is consistent with Subchapter F of this chapter (relating to Developmental Activities and Activity Plan); your policies must include: (A) The benefits of physical activity and outdoor play; (B) The duration of physical activity at your operation, both indoor and outdoor; (C) The type of physical activity (structured and unstructured) that children may engage in at your operation; (D) Each setting in which your physical activity program will take place; (E) The recommended clothing and footwear that will allow a child to participate freely and safely in physical activities; and (F) A plan to ensure physical activity occurs on days when extreme weather conditions prohibit or limit outdoor play.
The food allergy emergency plan reviewed for a child with a known food allergy was incomplete and missing the child's heath care professional's signature.
The director and a caregiver did not have current training in pediatric first aid with rescue breathing and choking. The expiration dates on the certificates were July 2021 and August 2021.
A caregiver did not properly sanitize the diaper changing table after conducting a diaper change. The caregiver was observed only spraying a mixture of clorox and water to sanitize the diaper changing mat. A soiled diaper was observed in a trash can with no cover next to the infant room. Note: This was addressed with the operation and the trash bag containing the soiled diapers was removed and disposed of.
There were no records available for review for two children in care. One of 4 records reviewed was missing the child's immunization record.
About this center
Common questions
Does Stepping Stones take infants?
Yes. Texas licenses it to care for infants through school-age children.
What are Stepping Stones’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 Stepping Stones accept child care subsidies?
Not according to its state licensing record. Ask the center directly, since participation can change.
Has Stepping Stones had any serious violations?
Inspectors recorded 5 high-risk citations since 2021. The most recent was on Apr 8, 2026: “Supervision ensures each child’s safety, well-being, including physical proximity and auditory or visual awareness of each child’s on going activity.” Each one is listed in full above.
How does Stepping Stones compare with other daycares in Mission?
It is tied for #59 of 61 centers in Mission by risk-weighted citations per inspection, and is better than 3% of licensed centers statewide (out of 9,147 Texas centers with enough inspection history).
When was Stepping Stones last inspected?
Aug 17, 2026. Inspectors cited at least one rule during that visit.
Licensed centers nearby
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1309 East Griffin Parkway, Mission · 0.3 mi away · 136 spotsToo few inspections to compareKiddie Academy
1814 E Griffin Pkwy, Mission · 0.3 mi away · 119 spotsMore citations than mostTotally Kids Learning Center
2211 E Griffin Pkwy, Mission · 0.8 mi away · 78 spotsAmong the most cited
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 1555531 on Search Texas Child Care. Data refreshed Sep 30, 2026.