First Step Learning Center
First Step Learning Center is a licensed child care center in Desoto, TX, licensed for up to 136 children and serving infants through school-age children. It has held its Texas license since 2002. Since October 2021, state inspectors have visited 24 times and investigated 12 reports. Inspectors recorded 16 citations, 5 of them high-risk, most often for building & playground safety (4 of 16). 4 citations came in the last 12 months. 25% were corrected during the inspection itself. Measured by risk-weighted citations per inspection, it is #20 of 25 centers in Desoto and better than 48% of licensed centers statewide.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
The director needs to complete 30 hours of annual training.
Loose fill depth was found not be adequate at inspection.
The caregiver for the infant room did not have annual SIDS training.
The children's room at the operation did not have an emergency evacuation plan posted.
Four caregivers did not have current CPR/First Aid training,
A child was observed using a baby walker with wheels. The walker was removed from the building during the inspection.
One caregiver was observed caring for 7 infants ages 4-16 months. The specified age group was 0-11 months. The room was out of ratio by 3. An additional caregiver was placed in the classroom bringing the class into compliance.
The standard was evaluated as related a DFPS investigation. During the investigation inspection, one caregiver was observed caring for 7 children ages 9-19 months. The specified age group for the room was 12-17 months. The room was out of ratio by 2 children.
The van used for transportation did not have a working electronic alarm.
The operation did not have a current fire inspection.
The operation failed to timely notify the parents of being cited for safe sleep.
The infant room was observed with 5 children ages 2 months-15 months. The room was out of ratio by 1 child. The school age room was observed with 28 children ages 6-12. The room was out of ratio by 2 children. During the inspection one infant was moved to another room which brought the infant room into compliance. During the inspection another caregiver was placed in the school age room bringing the room into compliance.
This standard was evaluated as part of an investigation and found to be deficient. A child was able to exit their classroom and walk to the outdoor play area unsupervised.
Based on the DFPS investigation, there was no proof that two caregivers completed Supervision and Safety Training during pre-service.
One infant under the age of 12 months was observed sleeping in his crib with a blanket. The caregiver removed the blanket during the monitoring.
The operation had a caregiver present with direct access to children after receiving an notice from the CBCU stating that he was ineligible to be at the operation. The staff member was immediately sent home from the operation.
About this center
Common questions
Does First Step Learning Center take infants?
Yes. Texas licenses it to care for infants through school-age children.
What are First Step Learning Center’s hours?
6 AM to 6:30 PM, Monday through Friday, according to its state licensing record. Confirm holiday and summer hours with the center.
Does First Step Learning Center accept child care subsidies?
Yes, according to its state licensing record.
How much does First Step Learning Center cost?
Texas does not publish individual centers’ prices, so ask First Step Learning Center for its current tuition. For comparison, the median full-day price at licensed centers in the Greater Dallas area, which includes Desoto, 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 First Step Learning Center had any serious violations?
Inspectors recorded 5 high-risk citations since 2021. The most recent was on Feb 10, 2023: “Electronic Child Safety Alarm - installed and maintained according to manufacturer's instructions.” Each one is listed in full above.
How does First Step Learning Center compare with other daycares in Desoto?
It is #20 of 25 centers in Desoto by risk-weighted citations per inspection, and is better than 48% of licensed centers statewide (out of 9,147 Texas centers with enough inspection history).
When was First Step Learning Center last inspected?
Feb 11, 2026. No violations were found during that visit.
Licensed centers nearby
107 N Hampton Rd, Desoto · 0.3 mi away · 33 spotsAbout typicalDiscovery House
105 Terrace Dr, Desoto · 0.4 mi away · 34 spotsFewer citations than mostDeSoto Private School & Day Care Center, Inc.
301 E Belt Line Rd, Desoto · 0.4 mi away · 400 spotsAbout typicalKingdom Kids Academy PVA
324 E Belt Line Rd Ste 410, Desoto · 0.4 mi away · 38 spotsAbout typicalThe Munchkins Learning Station
240 N Hampton Rd, Desoto · 0.5 mi away · 28 spotsFewer citations than mostPark Ridge Academy
415 E Parkerville Rd, Desoto · 0.8 mi away · 190 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 813204 on Search Texas Child Care. Data refreshed Sep 30, 2026.