First Steps Daycare
12904 State Highway 155 S, Tyler, TX 75703 · Smith County
Accepts child care subsidies
First Steps Daycare is a licensed child care center in Tyler, TX, licensed for up to 34 children and serving infants through school-age children. It has held its Texas license since 2023. Since October 2021, state inspectors have visited 19 times and investigated 7 reports. Inspectors recorded 16 citations, 7 of them high-risk, most often for records & paperwork (5 of 16). None of them came in the last 12 months. 38% were corrected during the inspection itself. Its last 3 inspections found no violations. Measured by risk-weighted citations per inspection, it is #41 of 49 centers in Tyler and better than 38% of licensed centers statewide.
Inspection record
Better than 38%of 9,147 Texas licensed centers, comparing risk-weighted citations per inspection. More citations than most
#41 of 49 centers in Tyler
7High risk
4Medium High risk
4Medium risk
1Medium Low risk
0Low risk
16 citations from 19 inspections and 6 reports since Oct 1, 2021 · 0 in the last 12 months · last inspected Jul 31, 2026
Every state visit
Citation foundNo citation
What inspectors cited most
Records & paperwork5
Staff ratios3
Building & playground safety2
Sleep safety1
Child protection1
Supervision1
Training & qualifications1
Food & feeding1
Other standards1
Citations, newest first
HighSep 3, 2025InspectionSleep safety
Infant May Not Sleep in a Restrictive Device §746.2426(a)(1)
During a walk through of the building while on the playground, it was observed a 6 month old sleeping in a swing. This was brought to both the director and caregivers attention and corrected while Licensing was present.
Corrected during the visit
HighJan 17, 2025Found during an investigationChild protection
AP Responsibilities of Employees and Caregivers -Ensure No Child Abused, Neglected, or Exploited §746.1201(4)
This standard was found deficient as part of a DFPS Investigation.
Correction verified Feb 26, 2025
HighJan 17, 2025Found during an investigationRecords & paperwork
Report Situation Placing Children at Risk §746.305(a)(6)
Based on a DFPS investigation, this standard has been found to be deficient. The operation only reported one student being left unsupervised while knowing about the second student who was found on the back steps.
Correction verified Feb 26, 2025
HighJan 17, 2025Found 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 a DFPS investigation, this standard has been found to be deficient. Neglectful supervision occurred when two children were found outside of the operation. One student was found near the roadway by a passer byer and the other by a local officer.
Correction verified Feb 26, 2025
Medium HighSep 21, 2023InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Measurement of Use Zone for Rotating and Rocking Equipment - No Overlap §746.4813(c)
During an inspection of the playground space, it was observed a three stationary item overlapping the use zone of each other.
Correction verified Oct 27, 2023
MediumJan 19, 2023InspectionTraining & qualifications
First Aid Kit - Incomplete Kit §746.4003(a)
During a review of the operations first aid kit, it was observed items missing for their first aid kit. This was soon corrected at inspection.
Corrected during the visit
Medium LowJan 19, 2023InspectionRecords & paperwork
Required Admission Information - Date of Admission §746.605(3)
During the inspection, it was observed one student file was missing their admission date.
Correction verified Jan 23, 2023
MediumJan 19, 2023InspectionRecords & paperwork
Provide Parents With Copy of Policies §746.503
During an inspection while reviewing files, it was observed one student was missing information over the operational policies.
Correction verified Jan 23, 2023
HighDec 12, 2022InspectionFood & feeding
Mark Cleaning Supplies, Toxic Materials; Keep Separate from Food and Inaccessible to Children §746.3407(12)
During inspection it was observed that both classrooms had disinfecting wipes within the reach of the children. The caregivers placed the wipes in a safe place during inspection.
Corrected during the visit
MediumDec 12, 2022InspectionRecords & paperwork
Posting Requirements - Letter or form from the most recent Licensing Inspection or Investigation §746.401(2)
The operation did not have the most recent licensing inspection form and letter posted in the operation. This was corrected at inspection.
Corrected during the visit
HighNov 10, 2022Found during an investigationStaff ratios
AP Background check results - Must receive notification prior to allowing subject to be present at your operation §745.641
A caregiver was present supervising 6 children and did not have an eligible status at the operation. The employee left during the inspection.
Corrected during the visit
Medium HighNov 8, 2022InspectionStaff ratios
Naptime Child/Caregiver Ratio - Additional Employees Required §746.1613(a)(5)
There were two rooms with children napping with one caregiver in each room supervising as required. There was not an extra person in the building as required for ratios.
Correction verified Dec 12, 2022
HighNov 8, 2022InspectionStaff ratios
AP Background check results - Must receive notification prior to allowing subject to be present at your operation §745.641
A caregiver was present supervising children that did not have an eligible status at the operation. The caregiver left the operation.
Corrected during the visit
Medium HighNov 8, 2022InspectionRecords & paperwork
Required Admission Information - Emergency Contact §746.605(6)
The emergency contact information stored on the digital source did not contain the address for the emergency contact for the four records checked.
Correction verified Dec 12, 2022
Medium HighSep 7, 2022InspectionOther standards
Install CO Detection System-Electric or Battery Operated-on Every Level of Each Building §746.5535(a)(1)
The operation did not have a CO2 detector in the operation.
Correction verified Sep 12, 2022
MediumSep 7, 2022InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Written Activity Plan - Outdoor Play Opportunities §746.2206(1)
Activity plans were reviewed and do not have the two outside times listed.
Correction verified Sep 12, 2022
About this center
Licensed capacity34 children
Ages servedInfant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School
Hours06:00 AM-05:30 PM
DaysMon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
Licensed sinceMar 9, 2023
DirectorAmy Chambers
Phone9036302248
State operation #1751110
Common questions
Does First Steps Daycare take infants?
Yes. Texas licenses it to care for infants through school-age children.
What are First Steps Daycare’s hours?
6 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday through Friday, according to its state licensing record. Confirm holiday and summer hours with the center.
Does First Steps Daycare accept child care subsidies?
Yes, according to its state licensing record.
Has First Steps Daycare had any serious violations?
Inspectors recorded 7 high-risk citations since 2021. The most recent was on Sep 3, 2025: “Infant May Not Sleep in a Restrictive Device.” Each one is listed in full above.
How does First Steps Daycare compare with other daycares in Tyler?
It is #41 of 49 centers in Tyler by risk-weighted citations per inspection, and is better than 38% of licensed centers statewide (out of 9,147 Texas centers with enough inspection history).
When was First Steps Daycare last inspected?
Jul 31, 2026. No violations were found during that visit.
Licensed centers nearby
B.J.H. Learning Academy
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2475 Three Lakes Pkwy, Tyler · 1.6 mi away · 230 spotsToo few inspections to compareLittle Peoples School
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3215 Old Jacksonville Rd, Tyler · 2.4 mi away · 431 spotsAbout typical
12903 County Road 1114, Tyler · 0.4 mi away · 34 spotsAbout typicalLions and Lambs Childcare
13730 State Highway 155 S, Tyler · 1.0 mi away · 43 spotsMore citations than mostThe Primary Leadership Academy
6720 Oak Hill Blvd, Tyler · 1.3 mi away · 152 spotsAbout typicalBarrel of Monkeys Christian Academy-Tyler
2475 Three Lakes Pkwy, Tyler · 1.6 mi away · 230 spotsToo few inspections to compareLittle Peoples School
5210 Hollytree Dr, Tyler · 1.9 mi away · 130 spotsAbout typicalGrace Community of Tyler Early Education Center
3215 Old Jacksonville Rd, Tyler · 2.4 mi away · 431 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 1751110 on Search Texas Child Care. Data refreshed Sep 30, 2026.