Daycare RecordChild care inspection records

Bright Minds Academy

1201 E Van Buren Ave, Harlingen, TX 78550 · Cameron County
2 high-risk citations in last 12 monthsAccepts child care subsidies

Bright Minds Academy is a licensed child care center in Harlingen, TX, licensed for up to 100 children and serving infants through school-age children. It has held its Texas license since 2017. Since October 2021, state inspectors have visited 11 times and investigated 5 reports. Inspectors recorded 13 citations, 3 of them high-risk, most often for staff ratios (4 of 13). 4 citations came in the last 12 months, including 2 high-risk. 8% were corrected during the inspection itself. Measured by risk-weighted citations per inspection, it is #33 of 37 centers in Harlingen and better than 33% of licensed centers statewide.

Inspection record

Better than 33%of 9,147 Texas licensed centers, comparing risk-weighted citations per inspection. More citations than most
#33 of 37 centers in Harlingen
3High risk
1Medium High risk
7Medium risk
2Medium Low risk
0Low risk
13 citations from 11 inspections and 4 reports since Oct 1, 2021 · 4 in the last 12 months · last inspected Jul 2, 2026

Every state visit

20222023202420252026INSPECTIONS (top) · REPORTS & INVESTIGATIONS (bottom)Jul 2, 2026 · Inspection · no citationJun 23, 2026 · Inspection · citation foundAug 21, 2025 · Inspection · no citationJan 21, 2025 · Assessment · citation foundAug 22, 2024 · Inspection · no citationSep 26, 2023 · Inspection · citation foundSep 15, 2023 · Report/investigation · no citationApr 27, 2023 · Inspection · no citationApr 21, 2023 · Report/investigation · no citationMar 28, 2023 · Inspection · no citationMar 24, 2023 · Report/investigation · no citationOct 27, 2022 · Inspection · no citationJul 18, 2022 · Inspection · citation foundJun 7, 2022 · Inspection · no citationJun 3, 2022 · Report/investigation · no citationMay 28, 2022 · Report/investigation · citation foundNov 16, 2021 · Inspection · no citation
Citation foundNo citation

What inspectors cited most

Staff ratios4
Building & playground safety3
Training & qualifications2
Records & paperwork2
Supervision1
Health & medication1

Citations, newest first

MediumJun 23, 2026InspectionTraining & qualifications
First Aid Kit - Incomplete Kit §746.4003(a)
The first aid kits in both transportation vehicles were incomplete. Vehicle #1 was missing a thermometer and scissors and Vehicle #2 was missing Antiseptic solution or wipes.
Correction verified Jul 2, 2026
HighJun 23, 2026InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Safety Requirements for Active Play Equipment - No Pinch, Crush, or Shear Points §746.4601(7)
Observed a little tykes home with the small plastic window broken on top accessible to the children.
Correction verified Jul 2, 2026
HighJun 23, 2026InspectionSupervision
Electronic Child Safety Alarm - is equipped in each vehicle §746.5625(a)
Transportation vehicles purchased in 2023 and 2024 do not have the electronic child safety alarm installed.
Correction verified Jul 10, 2026
Medium HighJun 23, 2026InspectionHealth & medication
Diaper Changing Equipment - Smooth, Non-absorbent, Easy to Clean Surface §746.3503(a)
Observed the diaper changing mat in the infant room torn. NOTE: CORRECTED AT INSPECTION as mat was replaced with a different mat.
Corrected during the visit
Medium LowJan 21, 2025InspectionRecords & paperwork
Report Number of Employees §746.303(b)
A review of the Employees Who Left Employment in 2024 data from January 16, 2025, revealed the center had not reported the number of employees who left employment in 2024 by January 15, 2025, as required.
Correction verified Jan 24, 2025
MediumSep 26, 2023InspectionStaff ratios
Written Operational Policies - Promotion of Physical Activity §746.501(a)(18)
The operation policies (parent handbook) does not provide any information regarding the benefits of physical activity and outdoor play, duration of the physical activity, type of activity, each setting in which your program will take place, the recommended clothing and footwear that will allow a child to particiapte freely.
Correction verified Nov 1, 2023
MediumSep 26, 2023InspectionStaff ratios
Written Operational Policies - Criteria for Extreme Weather §746.501(a)(18)(F)
The operational policies (parent handbook) does not provide any information regarding extreme weather conditions that would prohibit or limit outdoor play or a plan to ensure that physical activities occurs on days when extreme weather may limit play.
Correction verified Nov 1, 2023
MediumSep 26, 2023InspectionStaff ratios
Written Operational Policies - Support inclusive services §746.501(a)(30)
The operational policies (parent handbook) provided no informatin regarding procedures for supporting inclusive services to children with special needs.
Correction verified Nov 1, 2023
Medium LowSep 26, 2023InspectionTraining & qualifications
Documentation of Training Requirements - Date §746.1329(b)(2)
Out of all staff files reviewed, none of the training certificates reviewed had the required date of the training. (NOTE: PIctures on file)
Correction verified Nov 1, 2023
MediumJul 18, 2022InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Children's Products- Annual Certification §746.4135(b)
This deficiency was observed during the follow up inspection: Facility does not have a current children's products annual certification.
Correction verified Jul 18, 2022
MediumJul 18, 2022InspectionRecords & paperwork
Posting Requirements - Letter or form from the most recent Licensing Inspection or Investigation §746.401(2)
This deficiency was observed during the follow up inspection: Facility does not have the most current Licensing inspection or investigation. NOTE: Facility has posted inspection conducted on 11/16/21.
Correction verified Jul 18, 2022
HighJul 18, 2022InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Annual Fire Inspection - Before Initial Permit Issued and Every 12 Months §746.5101(a)
This deficiency was observed during the follow up inspection: Facility does not have a current fire inspection.
Correction verified Jul 18, 2022
MediumMay 28, 2022Found during an investigationStaff ratios
Operation Open to Parents At All Times §746.201(7)
Based on the information gathered during the investigation, facility does not allow parents to have access inside the building to drop off or pick up children.
Correction verified Jul 18, 2022

About this center

Licensed capacity100 children
Ages servedInfant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School
Hours07:00 AM-05:45 PM
DaysMon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
Licensed sinceFeb 22, 2017
DirectorRuben Cortez
Phone9564287011
State operation #1630575

Common questions

Does Bright Minds Academy take infants?

Yes. Texas licenses it to care for infants through school-age children.

What are Bright Minds Academy’s hours?

7 AM to 5:45 PM, Monday through Friday, according to its state licensing record. Confirm holiday and summer hours with the center.

Does Bright Minds Academy accept child care subsidies?

Yes, according to its state licensing record.

Has Bright Minds Academy had any serious violations?

Inspectors recorded 3 high-risk citations since 2021. The most recent was on Jun 23, 2026: “Safety Requirements for Active Play Equipment - No Pinch, Crush, or Shear Points.” Each one is listed in full above.

How does Bright Minds Academy compare with other daycares in Harlingen?

It is #33 of 37 centers in Harlingen by risk-weighted citations per inspection, and is better than 33% of licensed centers statewide (out of 9,147 Texas centers with enough inspection history).

When was Bright Minds Academy last inspected?

Jul 2, 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 1630575 on Search Texas Child Care. Data refreshed Sep 30, 2026.