Wanda Meshack Smith Head Start
Wanda Meshack Smith Head Start is a licensed child care center in Dallas, TX, licensed for up to 221 children and serving infants through school-age children. It has held its Texas license since 2004. Since October 2021, state inspectors have visited 18 times and investigated 5 reports. Inspectors recorded 13 citations, 8 of them high-risk, most often for caregiver conduct (4 of 13). 1 citation came in the last 12 months. Measured by risk-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #207 of 328 centers in Dallas and better than 37% of licensed centers statewide.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
During the monitoring visit, one caregiver did not complete the shaken baby syndrome head trauma, Prevention of SIDS, and Understanding brain childhood development training. Another caregiver did not complete the Prevention of SIDS and Understanding Early Childhood Brain Development trainings.
During the monitoring visit, one caregiver did not complete annual training for shaken baby syndrome, prevention of SIDS, and understanding early childhood brain development.
During the monitoring visit, eight classrooms did not have sanitation bottles labeled. The caregivers labeled the bottles during the monitoring visit.
The emergency preparedness plan did not describe how Early Head Start will be transported during an evacuation or fire drill.
During the monitoring visit on January 23, 2025. I completed observations in the classroom of the caregiver teaching the children. There were eleven children in the classroom. I also interviewed the caregiver yesterday at the operation. After reviewing documentation on the 24th, it was determined the caregiver does not have a background check. During the phone call today, the operation stated the individual will leave the premises today.
This standard was evaluated with regard to an investigation, and a violation was found. The caregiver grabbed the victim inappropriately while trying to redirect the victim and caused injury to the victim.
The annual fire inspection expired on May 5, 2023.
A caregiver did not demonstrate self-control with a child in care by yelling and pulling the child's shirt.
A caregiver pulled a child shirt collar.
A caregiver yelled in a child's face as a form of inappropriate discipline.
The operation did not report an incident to licensing when a child was inappropriately disciplined while in care.
The operation failed to report an incident that placed a child at risk.
There was a pallet and damaged storage door accessible to children on the playground.
About this center
Common questions
Does Wanda Meshack Smith Head Start take infants?
Yes. Texas licenses it to care for infants through school-age children.
What are Wanda Meshack Smith Head Start’s hours?
7 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday through Friday, according to its state licensing record. Confirm holiday and summer hours with the center.
Does Wanda Meshack Smith Head Start accept child care subsidies?
Not according to its state licensing record. Ask the center directly, since participation can change.
How much does Wanda Meshack Smith Head Start cost?
Texas does not publish individual centers’ prices, so ask Wanda Meshack Smith Head Start for its current tuition. For comparison, the median full-day price at licensed centers in the Greater Dallas area, which includes Dallas, is $45.80 a day for infants, $44.00 a day for toddlers and $42.40 a day for 3-year-olds (2025 Texas Child Care Market Rate Survey).
Has Wanda Meshack Smith Head Start had any serious violations?
Inspectors recorded 8 high-risk citations since 2021. The most recent was on Apr 29, 2025: “Mark Cleaning Supplies, Toxic Materials; Keep Separate from Food and Inaccessible to Children.” Each one is listed in full above.
How does Wanda Meshack Smith Head Start compare with other daycares in Dallas?
It is tied for #207 of 328 centers in Dallas by risk-weighted citations per inspection, and is better than 37% of licensed centers statewide (out of 9,147 Texas centers with enough inspection history).
When was Wanda Meshack Smith Head Start last inspected?
Mar 26, 2026. Inspectors cited at least one rule during that visit.
Licensed centers nearby
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4041 W Wheatland Rd Ste 128, Dallas · 0.5 mi away · 51 spotsMore citations than mostGolden Eagle Program
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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 833560 on Search Texas Child Care. Data refreshed Sep 30, 2026.