Daycare RecordChild care inspection records

Alvarez Head Start

2606 Gumwood Ave, Mcallen, TX 78501 · Hidalgo County

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

Better than 58%of 9,147 Texas licensed centers, comparing risk-weighted citations per inspection. About typical
#14 of 55 centers in Mcallen
3High risk
3Medium High risk
1Medium risk
0Medium Low risk
0Low risk
7 citations from 14 inspections and 1 reports since Oct 1, 2021 · 0 in the last 12 months · last inspected Sep 1, 2026

Every state visit

20222023202420252026INSPECTIONS (top) · REPORTS & INVESTIGATIONS (bottom)Sep 1, 2026 · Inspection · no citationSep 2, 2025 · Inspection · no citationOct 23, 2024 · Inspection · no citationSep 11, 2024 · Inspection · no citationAug 29, 2024 · Inspection · no citationMay 22, 2024 · Inspection · no citationApr 26, 2024 · Inspection · no citationFeb 7, 2024 · Report/investigation · citation foundOct 25, 2023 · Inspection · citation foundNov 28, 2022 · Inspection · no citationOct 18, 2022 · Inspection · no citationSep 16, 2022 · Inspection · no citationSep 14, 2022 · Report/investigation · citation foundAug 31, 2022 · Inspection · no citationAug 26, 2022 · Report/investigation · no citationMay 9, 2022 · Inspection · no citationDec 1, 2021 · Inspection · no citation
Citation foundNo citation

What inspectors cited most

Supervision2
Child protection1
Caregiver conduct1
Training & qualifications1
Other standards1
Building & playground safety1

Citations, newest first

HighFeb 7, 2024Found during an investigationSupervision
Supervision ensures each child’s safety, well-being, including physical proximity and auditory or visual awareness of each child’s on going activity §746.1205(a)(4)
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.
Correction verified Apr 26, 2024
Medium HighFeb 7, 2024Found during an investigationSupervision
Hand Sanitizer - Use by Children Supervised by Adult §746.3420(4)
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.
Correction verified Apr 26, 2024
HighFeb 7, 2024Found during an investigationChild protection
AP Responsibilities of Employees and Caregivers -Ensure No Child Abused, Neglected, or Exploited §746.1201(4)
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.
Correction verified Apr 26, 2024
HighFeb 7, 2024Found during an investigationCaregiver conduct
Responsibilities of Employees and Caregivers -Demonstrate Competency, Good Judgment, Self-control §746.1201(1)
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.
Correction verified Apr 26, 2024
MediumOct 25, 2023InspectionTraining & qualifications
Documented Annual Training- Required Content §746.1309(e)
Two out of ten staff training records reviewed are missing trainings on the following topics: -Food Allergies -Emergency Preparness -Communicable Diseases
Correction verified Nov 9, 2023
Medium HighSep 14, 2022Found during an investigationOther standards
Parental Communication - Situation that Placed a Child at Risk §746.307(b)(4)
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.
Correction verified Oct 18, 2022
Medium HighSep 14, 2022Found during an investigationBuilding & playground safety
Safety - Areas Free From Hazards §746.3701
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.
Correction verified Oct 18, 2022

About this center

Licensed capacity138 children
Ages servedPre-Kindergarten
Hours07:00 AM-04:30 PM
DaysMon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
Licensed sinceDec 9, 2021
DirectorJanette Mecalco
Phone9566614446
State operation #1722748

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

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.