Tarkington Learning Center
Tarkington Learning Center is a licensed child care center in Cleveland, TX, licensed for up to 99 children and serving infants through school-age children. It has held its Texas license since 2009. Since October 2021, state inspectors have visited 11 times and investigated 2 reports. Inspectors recorded 31 citations, 6 of them high-risk, most often for building & playground safety (9 of 31). 8 citations came in the last 12 months, including 1 high-risk. 23% were corrected during the inspection itself. Measured by risk-weighted citations per inspection, it is #6 of 6 centers in Cleveland and better than 1% of licensed centers statewide.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
The infant caregiver is not completing daily reports for infants to share with parents.
Attendance records for the director/owner were not available during the inspection.
CCR observed cleaning supplies stored under an unlocked sink cabinet in both the toddler and school-age classrooms. Additionally, cleaning wipes, diaper ointments, a toy, baby wipes, and specks of dirt were noted on the diaper changing table in the toddler classroom. Correction made: The caregiver removed the cleaning supplies and ointments and cleaned the diaper table.
The operation has not had a health inspection since 8/28/2024
CCR observed two stationary equipment: a play equipment with a slide and a rocking equipment seat, not located within 6 feet away from the to-fro swing structure.
The operation policy was not available for review during the inspection.
The operation has not had a fire inspection since 8/28/2024.
CCR observed two fire extinguishers accessible to children on the floor in the school-age classroom. Correction made: The caregiver stored the fire extinguisher, and it was inaccessible to the children.
One caregivers file reviewed did not contain their CPR/First aid training or their SIDS/Shaking Baby Syndrome training record or certificate.
One caregivers file reviewed did not have the required signed affidavit. There was a blank affidavit in the caregivers file.
There was a person in the operation counted in child caregiver ratio who did not have a background check. The person in charge corrected this at the time of the inspection by having the person leave the operation.
There was an infant in a high chair that was not strapped in with the straps that were attached to the high chair. A caregiver corrected this at the time of the inspection by strapping the child in the chair.
There was heater/fan that was on a shelf that was accessible to children. The person in charge corrected this at the time of the inspection by removing the heater/fan.
Based on the information gathered when the water was turned off employee's hands were not being properly washed. Baby wipes and hand sanitizer were being used.
Based on the information gathered during the investigation inspection, the Director allowed a person with no background check to supervise children alone, turned off the water during a freeze which resulted in proper handwashing techniques not being used for employees and children, a pipe busting causing a leak, and not reporting to Licensing when a child received medical attention when a shelf fell on the child.
During the inspection it was found that a ceiling tile was missing and above the tile was a pipe that was leaking water.
It was found during the investigation that the operation did not report to Licensing that a child received medical treatment when a shelf fell on the child.
Based on the information gathered when the water was turned off children's hands were not being properly washed. Baby wipes and hand sanitizer were being used.
Based on the information gathered when the water was turned off employee's hands were not being properly washed. Baby wipes and hand sanitizer were being used.
Based on the information gathered when the water was turned off children's hands were not being properly washed. Baby wipes and hand sanitizer were being used.
The Director and the employee who transport children both had expired transportation training. The Director and the employee are getting the training done today before they transport children.
The Sanitation Inspection expired on 3/15/2024. The Director is going to correct this by getting the Sanitation Inspection done.
The Fire Inspection expired on 3/15/2024. The Director is going to correct this by getting the Fire Inspection done.
There was a diaper changing mat that had a tear in it. The Director corrected this at the time of the inspection by replacing the mat.
The nap cots in two classrooms were placed too close together which caused there to not be sufficient walking space around the cots. This was corrected that the time of the inspection by the caregivers rearranging the nap cots to provide sufficient walking space around each cot.
There were five trash cans without lids that made trash accessible to children.
Not all parents were notified that a person in the center tested positive for COVID.
Caregivers and staff admitted that they give children candy as a reward for toilet training.
There was a person in the operation who did not have a cleared background check. The person left the operation during the inspection.
The Director did not notify the health department or licensing that a person tested positive for COVID.
The menu did not have what the children ate today. The Director corrected this by making the proper substitutions.
About this center
Common questions
Does Tarkington Learning Center take infants?
Yes. Texas licenses it to care for infants through school-age children.
What are Tarkington Learning Center’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 Tarkington Learning Center accept child care subsidies?
Not according to its state licensing record. Ask the center directly, since participation can change.
Has Tarkington Learning Center had any serious violations?
Inspectors recorded 6 high-risk citations since 2021. The most recent was on Jul 10, 2026: “Annual Fire Inspection - Before Initial Permit Issued and Every 12 Months.” Each one is listed in full above.
How does Tarkington Learning Center compare with other daycares in Cleveland?
It is #6 of 6 centers in Cleveland by risk-weighted citations per inspection, and is better than 1% of licensed centers statewide (out of 9,147 Texas centers with enough inspection history).
When was Tarkington Learning Center last inspected?
Jul 10, 2026. Inspectors cited at least one rule during that visit.
Licensed centers nearby
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207 S Bonham Ave, Cleveland · 8.0 mi away · 43 spotsAmong the most citedRepair the Breach Early Learning Center Primary
103 E Crockett St, Cleveland · 8.2 mi away · 74 spotsAbout typicalLiberty Church Early Learning Center
200 Fm 2025 Rd, Cleveland · 8.6 mi away · 102 spotsFewer citations than mostSandbox Learning Academy
26597 E River Rd, Splendora · 12.0 mi away · 80 spotsAbout typical
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 976906 on Search Texas Child Care. Data refreshed Sep 30, 2026.