Alvarez Head Start
Alvarez Head Start is a licensed child care center in Mcallen, TX, licensed for up to 138 children and serving preschoolers. It has held its Texas license since 2021. Since October 2021, state inspectors have visited 14 times and investigated 3 reports. Inspectors recorded 7 citations, 3 of them high-risk, most often for supervision (2 of 7). None of them came in the last 12 months. Its last 7 inspections found no violations. Measured by risk-weighted citations per inspection, it is #14 of 55 centers in Mcallen and better than 58% of licensed centers statewide.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
Based on the information obtained during DFPS investigation it was determined that while two caregivers were present in the room, both caregivers were preoccupied serving lunch and facing away from the children. During this time, a child was injured and required medical attention.
Based on the information obtained during DFPS investigation it was determined that children utilized hand sanitizer without adult supervision and the hand sanitizer remained on a table and accessible to children.
Based on the information obtained during DFPS investigation it was determined a child was involved in an incident that raised to the level of neglect under the care of the operation.
Based on the information obtained during DFPS investigation it was determined that staff did not use good judgement when a child was assigned the task of handing out hand sanitizer to the children and staff did not assist in providing immediate first aid when a child's eye came in contact with the hand sanitizer.
Two out of ten staff training records reviewed are missing trainings on the following topics: -Food Allergies -Emergency Preparness -Communicable Diseases
Based on information obtained during the course of the investigation, operation did not notify parent after a child exited fenced area of operation which led child directly to the street.
Based on the information obtained during investigation, driveway area was used for daily walks and exercises. The driveway is unlicensed space and has a gate with an 8.5in gap.
About this center
Common questions
Does Alvarez Head Start take infants?
No. Its Texas license covers preschoolers, not infants.
What are Alvarez Head Start’s hours?
7 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, according to its state licensing record. Confirm holiday and summer hours with the center.
Does Alvarez Head Start accept child care subsidies?
Not according to its state licensing record. Ask the center directly, since participation can change.
Has Alvarez Head Start had any serious violations?
Inspectors recorded 3 high-risk citations since 2021. The most recent was on Feb 7, 2024: “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 Alvarez Head Start compare with other daycares in Mcallen?
It is #14 of 55 centers in Mcallen by risk-weighted citations per inspection, and is better than 58% of licensed centers statewide (out of 9,147 Texas centers with enough inspection history).
When was Alvarez Head Start last inspected?
Sep 1, 2026. No violations were found during that visit.
Licensed centers nearby
10 S 27th St, Mcallen · 0.4 mi away · 73 spotsFewer citations than mostAssist Learning Academy
2400 W Maple Ave, Mcallen · 0.4 mi away · 45 spotsFewer citations than mostValley Kidz Academy
2400 Quince Ave, Mcallen · 0.7 mi away · 76 spotsAbout typicalAdventureland Academy #2 LLC
920 N Ware Rd, Mcallen · 0.8 mi away · 57 spotsMore citations than mostTony's Playhouse Discover Center
1929 Pecan Blvd, Mcallen · 0.8 mi away · 186 spotsAmong the most citedThigpen Zavala Head Start
2500 Galveston Ave, Mcallen · 0.9 mi away · 108 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 1722748 on Search Texas Child Care. Data refreshed Sep 30, 2026.