Great Beginnings Child Care and Learning Center
1709 Brazos St, Zapata, TX 78076 · Zapata County
Accepts child care subsidies
Great Beginnings Child Care and Learning Center is a licensed child care center in Zapata, TX, licensed for up to 56 children and serving infants through school-age children. It has held its Texas license since 2018. Since October 2021, state inspectors have visited 13 times and investigated 1 report. Inspectors recorded 21 citations, 3 of them high-risk, most often for staff ratios (6 of 21). 2 citations came in the last 12 months. 10% were corrected during the inspection itself. Measured by risk-weighted citations per inspection, it is #7 of 7 centers in Zapata and better than 13% of licensed centers statewide.
Inspection record
Better than 13%of 9,147 Texas licensed centers, comparing risk-weighted citations per inspection. Among the most cited
#7 of 7 centers in Zapata
3High risk
12Medium High risk
6Medium risk
0Medium Low risk
0Low risk
21 citations from 13 inspections and 1 reports since Oct 1, 2021 · 2 in the last 12 months · last inspected Nov 24, 2025
Every state visit
Citation foundNo citation
What inspectors cited most
Staff ratios6
Building & playground safety5
Sleep safety3
Food & feeding2
Training & qualifications2
Records & paperwork2
Other standards1
Citations, newest first
Child/Caregiver Ratio - 18 Months Difference in Age §746.1605(1)
Room observed out of ratio, there was a difference in 25 months surpassing the 18 months in difference rule.
Correction verified Nov 24, 2025
Child/Caregiver Ratio - 18 Months Difference in Age §746.1605(1)
Room observed out of ratio, there was a difference in 21 months surpassing the 18 months in difference rule. CORRECTED when 26 month old child was moved to the other classroom in ratio.
Correction verified Oct 27, 2025
MediumApr 23, 2025Found during an investigationFood & feeding
Posting Requirements - Daily menu, including all snacks and meals served by the child care center §746.401(6)
At time of inspection there were no menus or updated menus posted in posting wall.
Correction verified Jun 23, 2025
Food Service and Preparation Requirement - Safe and Sanitary §746.3317
Food observed stored in fridge was uncovered.
Correction verified Jun 23, 2025
Child/ Caregiver Ratio - 13 or More Children §746.1601
There was one caregiver caring for 6 infants. The specified age for the group was 0-11 months which allows 4 infants to 1 caregiver. Note The ratios were left in compliance as an additional caregiver was put in the classroom.
Correction verified Oct 25, 2024
HighOct 17, 2024InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Safety - Bodies of Water Inaccessible to Children §746.3701(9)
There was a bucket of water in the hallway in front of a restroom which is accessible to the children.
Correction verified Oct 25, 2024
Child/ Caregiver Ratio - 13 or More Children §746.1601
Recite: There was one caregiver caring for 5 infants. The specified age for the group was 0-11 months which allows 4 infants to 1 caregiver. Note The ratios were left in compliance as an additional caregiver was put in the classroom.
Correction verified Nov 30, 2023
HighNov 13, 2023InspectionSleep safety
Infant May Not Sleep in a Restrictive Device - Remove the infant from the device and place the infant in a crib as soon as possible §746.2426(a)(2)
A 4-month-old infant was observed asleep on a bouncer. The infant was covered with a blanket. Note: The infant was moved into a crib.
Correction verified Nov 30, 2023
Child/ Caregiver Ratio - 13 or More Children §746.1601
There was one caregiver caring for 5 infants. The specified age for the group was 0-11 months which allows 4 infants to 1 caregiver. Note The ratios were left in compliance as an additional caregiver was put in the classroom.
Correction verified Nov 13, 2023
Medium HighOct 26, 2023InspectionTraining & qualifications
Each Caregiver and the Director Must Have Current Training in pediatric CPR §746.1315(b)
A caregiver completed a Pediatric CPR training online without hands-on skill-based instruction, and practice. A caregiver hired on 6/27/23 did not have a CPR training.
Correction verified Nov 13, 2023
Medium HighNov 14, 2022InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Active Play Surfacing In Use Zones - Loose Fill or Unitary Surfacing §746.4901(a)
Recite: There was climbing/bouncing play structure without surfacing material in the outdoor play area.
Correction verified Nov 21, 2022
MediumOct 31, 2022InspectionRecords & paperwork
Posting Requirements - Activity Plans for each group of children in the child care center §746.401(5)
The activity plan in the PreK classroom was not posted. There were no activity plans available for the month of October 2022.
Correction verified Nov 14, 2022
Medium HighOct 31, 2022InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Active Play Surfacing In Use Zones - Loose Fill or Unitary Surfacing §746.4901(a)
There was climbing/bouncing play structure without surfacing material in the outdoor play area.
Correction verified Nov 14, 2022
MediumOct 31, 2022InspectionSleep safety
Cots, Beds, Mats Labeled With Child's Name §746.4503(b)
The cots used by the children in the PreK classroom were not labeled with a number or name.
Correction verified Nov 14, 2022
Medium HighOct 31, 2022InspectionSleep safety
Arrangement of Napping Equipment - Provides Access to Walkway §746.2909(4)
There was not enough space between the cots used by the children during naptime. The cots were placed next to each other.
Correction verified Nov 14, 2022
Medium HighNov 17, 2021InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Active Play Surfacing In Use Zones - Loose Fill or Unitary Surfacing §746.4901(a)
A climbing play structure did not have loose fill surfacing material.
Correction verified Dec 20, 2021
HighNov 17, 2021InspectionOther standards
Child-Care Center Must be Equipped with a Working Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detection System §746.5531
The carbon monoxide at the operation was not working. Corrected at Inspection: The batteries for the carbon monoxide box were replaced. The
Corrected during the visit
MediumNov 17, 2021InspectionTraining & qualifications
Director Annual Training 30 Hours Required §746.1311(a)
The director did not have the required annual training topics: Shaken baby syndrome, SIDS, Early childhood brain Development, Emergency Preparedness, Administering Medication, and Food Allergy.
Correction verified Nov 22, 2021
MediumNov 17, 2021InspectionFood & feeding
Written Feeding Instructions - Review and Update Every 30 Days §746.2421(b)
Two infants did not have a current Infant Feeding Instructions.
Correction verified Nov 20, 2021
MediumNov 17, 2021InspectionRecords & paperwork
Infant Daily Report - Times Slept §746.2431(1)
The Infant Daily Report was missing the following sections: Times Slept and Activities. Corrected at Inspection: The Infant Daily Report was updated during the inspection.
Corrected during the visit
Medium HighNov 17, 2021InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Fire Extinguishers Serviced §746.5307(b)
The fire extinguishers in the operation were last serviced on July 2020.
Correction verified Nov 20, 2021
About this center
Licensed capacity56 children
Ages servedInfant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School
Hours07:15 AM-05:15 PM
DaysMon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
Licensed sinceJun 26, 2018
DirectorStephanie Brise?o
Phone9567655833
State operation #1663724
Common questions
Does Great Beginnings Child Care and Learning Center take infants?
Yes. Texas licenses it to care for infants through school-age children.
What are Great Beginnings Child Care and Learning Center’s hours?
7:15 AM to 5:15 PM, Monday through Friday, according to its state licensing record. Confirm holiday and summer hours with the center.
Does Great Beginnings Child Care and Learning Center accept child care subsidies?
Yes, according to its state licensing record.
How much does Great Beginnings Child Care and Learning Center cost?
Texas does not publish individual centers’ prices, so ask Great Beginnings Child Care and Learning Center for its current tuition. For comparison, the median full-day price at licensed centers in the South Texas area, which includes Zapata, is $31.00 a day for infants, $30.20 a day for toddlers and $29.40 a day for 3-year-olds (2025 Texas Child Care Market Rate Survey).
Has Great Beginnings Child Care and Learning Center had any serious violations?
Inspectors recorded 3 high-risk citations since 2021. The most recent was on Oct 17, 2024: “Safety - Bodies of Water Inaccessible to Children.” Each one is listed in full above.
How does Great Beginnings Child Care and Learning Center compare with other daycares in Zapata?
It is #7 of 7 centers in Zapata by risk-weighted citations per inspection, and is better than 13% of licensed centers statewide (out of 9,147 Texas centers with enough inspection history).
When was Great Beginnings Child Care and Learning Center last inspected?
Nov 24, 2025. No violations were found during that visit.
Licensed centers nearby
Little Angels Learning Center
1204 Elm St, Zapata · 0.4 mi away · 94 spotsAbout typicalAVANCE Fidel & Andrea Villarreal Elementary
805 Mira Flores Ave, Zapata · 0.6 mi away · 34 spotsMore citations than mostThe Dora O. Martinez Early Childhood Development Center
708 Delmar St, Zapata · 0.8 mi away · 64 spotsAbout typicalAVANCE Zapata South Elementary
500 Delmar St, Zapata · 1.0 mi away · 34 spotsAbout typicalAvance Zapata Early Head Start Center
146 E 1st Ave Suite 2, 3, 4, Zapata · 1.3 mi away · 59 spotsFewer citations than mostLittle Angels Learning Center #2
305 N Us Highway 83, Zapata · ZIP 78076 away · 57 spotsMore citations than most
1204 Elm St, Zapata · 0.4 mi away · 94 spotsAbout typicalAVANCE Fidel & Andrea Villarreal Elementary
805 Mira Flores Ave, Zapata · 0.6 mi away · 34 spotsMore citations than mostThe Dora O. Martinez Early Childhood Development Center
708 Delmar St, Zapata · 0.8 mi away · 64 spotsAbout typicalAVANCE Zapata South Elementary
500 Delmar St, Zapata · 1.0 mi away · 34 spotsAbout typicalAvance Zapata Early Head Start Center
146 E 1st Ave Suite 2, 3, 4, Zapata · 1.3 mi away · 59 spotsFewer citations than mostLittle Angels Learning Center #2
305 N Us Highway 83, Zapata · ZIP 78076 away · 57 spotsMore citations than most
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 1663724 on Search Texas Child Care. Data refreshed Sep 30, 2026.