Stepping Stones Academy
Stepping Stones Academy is a licensed child care center in Wake Village, TX, licensed for up to 122 children and serving infants through school-age children. It has held its Texas license since 2022. Since October 2021, state inspectors have visited 28 times and investigated 5 reports. Inspectors recorded 43 citations, 6 of them high-risk, most often for health & medication (11 of 43). 7 citations came in the last 12 months. 5% were corrected during the inspection itself. Measured by risk-weighted citations per inspection, it is #34 of 36 centers in Bowie County and better than 15% of licensed centers statewide.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
It was observed on medication authorization form used.The children's last names were lacking to whom the medication was administered to.
It was observed that in the restroom there was a trashcan with dirty pull ups and feces accessible to children.
During the review of children's records three of ten children were lacking completed admission forms. The children were missing complete address for emergency contact, school information for school age children and/or medical authorization.
It was observed observed the operation had air return grates and trash on the floor in several classrooms.
It was observed that one of the five classrooms used for children was lacking a current activity plan. The activity plan posted was from 3/22.
It was observed the staff were not using sanitizing solution to sanitize potty chairs that were used during the inspection.
It was observed during inspection that the changing pad in a classroom had rips in the top and side.
During the review of immunization records 4 of 10 children were lacking update immunization records. A list of children and missing immunizations were left with operation.
Three of the four classrooms in use during inspection were lacking a current activity plan.
During the walkthrough it was observed that there were broken door frams, air return grate was broken, a hole in a door in classroom, restroom with broken toilet and toilet paper on the floor. During the inspection the toilet paper was picked up from the floor.
This standard was reviewed as part of an investigation and found non-compliant. It was discovered that a staff while supervising children was using their cell phone for personal business while caring for a group of children.
This standard was reviewed as part of an investigation and found non-compliant. It was discovered that a staff had not used good judgement when she placed her back to child when they were sleeping during naptime nor use self control when a parent confronted her about not wanting to take their child so they could leave the classroom.
This standard was reviewed as part of an investigation and found non-compliant. During the investigation it was determined that the staff in the classroom did not promptly attend to a child who was crying in their crib during naptime.
During my walkthrough I observed a caregiver after changing a child's diaper and cleaning the changing table did not wash their hands. This was corrected at inspection when they washed their hands.
It was observed during the walkthrough that a child after their diaper change did not wash their hands. This was corrected at inspection when the caregiver assisted the child with washing their hands.
During the walk through the emergency exit doors located in the both school age classroom, toddler classroom were the dead bolt was locked and was unable to be unlocked except by a key. The pre-k classroom emergency door was dead lock was lock that did not require a key. This was corrected at inspection when they were unlocked.
It was observed in the older infant classroom that the changing table pad had rips making the changing table pad from being non-absorbent.
It was observed during the walk through in the older infant room that the rubber baseboard was missing exposing sheetrock, an octogan sitting area had rips making in unable to sanitize if soiled. In the hallway leading to school age classroom the return air vent was dirty. (photos taken)
It was observed on the playground taht an wire that contacts to the air condition was accessible to children. The wire had black electric tape on the spliced wire.
It was obseved that the toddler classroom was lacking an activity plan posted in their classroom.
It was observed that a slide measuring 28" was present on the playground with no loosefill.
It was observed that the infant room was over ratio by three children. This was corrected at inspection when the children were moved to another classroom.
Four of twelve children's files reviewed at inspection were lacking a complete addreess for their emergency contact person.
In the Pre-K 3's classroom a power strip that was laying on a low shelf was lacking plug covers on open plugs. The director corrected both during inspection when plug covers were placed in the power strip.
Three of twelve children's files reviewed at inspection were lacking a complete address and/or phone number for Physican on their admission form.
Three of Twelve children's files reviewed were lacking a complete school address and/or phone number. This was corrected at inspection when the director wrote the address and/or phone number on admission form.
Two of twelve children's files reviewed were lacking a complete address/or phone number for health care professional on parent statement for health statement.
One of twelve children's files reviewed was lacking phone numbers for persons listed on admission forms as person child is allowed to be release to.
It was observed that the corner on the doorway leading into Pre-K classroom was missing sheetrock and the wall was peeling. There was food on the floor in the corner in the walkway of the school age classroom. There was an open package of graham crackers laying on counter in the toddler classroom and a open bottle of apple juice was on a shelf in the school age classroom. Also, in the school age classroom there were two extension cords on the floor that could cause a tripping hazard. (Photo taken) The food was swept up off the floor, open food was removed from classroom and placed in garbage and extension cords were removed from the classroom.
One of twelve children's files reviewed at inspection was lacking a date of admission on their admission form. This was corrected when the director wrote the date on the admission form.
This standard was reviewed as part of an investigation and found non-compliant. It was discovered during interviews that a caregiver did not use good judgement when they had placed their arm around a child's neck and over their mouth preventing the child from being able to breath properly.
Two of twelve children's files reviewed were lacking a complete address for their emergency contact person.
It was observed in the toddler restroom a bottle of drano was laying on the floor behind the door in the bathroom and in a classroom that is used as a pathway a wooden pumpkin wiith a wooden stake was laying on the floor. (Photos taken) This was corrected when the director removed both the drano bottle and the pumpkin from the classroom/bathroom.
During a review of records it was observed infant feeding instructions had not been updated since 12/2021 for 3 children in the infant classroom that are not on table food.
Three of twelve children files reviewed during inspection were lacking current immunizations records. A list was left with director of children and missing immunizations.
Two of twelve children files reviewed during inspection were lacking a complete address for the child.
Two of twelve children's files reviewed were lacking emergency medical authorization including doctor or medical facility information.
It was observed during inspection that paper towels were not present in two classroom. Caregivers informed licensing that they use hand sanitizer or baby wipes to wash children and caregivers hands.
It was observed that the operational policies was lacking a policy on physical activity.
Two of twelve children's files reviewed were lacking proof that parent was provided with a copy of operational policies.
Three of twelve children's files reviewed during inspection were lacking doctor information and/or parent signature that their child had been examined wiith past year.
It was observed that the operation had not conducted a fire inspection in November after they received their initial permit.
It was observed in several classrooms emergency and evacuation diagrams were not posted. This was corrected when the director posted them.
About this center
Common questions
Does Stepping Stones Academy take infants?
Yes. Texas licenses it to care for infants through school-age children.
What are Stepping Stones Academy’s hours?
6:30 AM to 6 PM, Monday through Friday, according to its state licensing record. Confirm holiday and summer hours with the center.
Does Stepping Stones Academy accept child care subsidies?
Yes, according to its state licensing record.
How much does Stepping Stones Academy cost?
Texas does not publish individual centers’ prices, so ask Stepping Stones Academy for its current tuition. For comparison, the median full-day price at licensed centers in the Northeast Texas area, which includes Wake Village, is $28.00 a day for infants, $27.00 a day for toddlers and $26.20 a day for 3-year-olds (2025 Texas Child Care Market Rate Survey).
Has Stepping Stones Academy had any serious violations?
Inspectors recorded 6 high-risk citations since 2021. The most recent was on Oct 14, 2024: “Responsibilities of Employees and Caregivers -Demonstrate Competency, Good Judgment, Self-control.” Each one is listed in full above.
How does Stepping Stones Academy compare with other daycares in Bowie County?
It is #34 of 36 centers in Bowie County by risk-weighted citations per inspection, and is better than 15% of licensed centers statewide (out of 9,147 Texas centers with enough inspection history).
When was Stepping Stones Academy last inspected?
Jun 18, 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 1730570 on Search Texas Child Care. Data refreshed Sep 30, 2026.