Daycare RecordChild care inspection records

Handprints Academy

13931 State Highway 31 W, Tyler, TX 75709 · Smith County
Accepts child care subsidies

Handprints Academy is a licensed child care center in Tyler, TX, licensed for up to 345 children and serving infants through school-age children. It has held its Texas license since 2021. Since October 2021, state inspectors have visited 36 times and investigated 25 reports. Inspectors recorded 26 citations, 13 of them high-risk, most often for caregiver conduct (6 of 26). None of them came in the last 12 months. 4% were corrected during the inspection itself. Its last 4 inspections found no violations. Measured by risk-weighted citations per inspection, it is #39 of 49 centers in Tyler and better than 40% of licensed centers statewide.

Inspection record

Better than 40%of 9,147 Texas licensed centers, comparing risk-weighted citations per inspection. About typical
#39 of 49 centers in Tyler
13High risk
10Medium High risk
3Medium risk
0Medium Low risk
0Low risk
26 citations from 36 inspections and 19 reports since Oct 1, 2021 · 0 in the last 12 months · last inspected Sep 23, 2026

Every state visit

20222023202420252026INSPECTIONS (top) · REPORTS & INVESTIGATIONS (bottom)Sep 23, 2026 · Inspection · no citationJan 14, 2026 · Inspection · no citationJul 30, 2025 · Inspection · no citationJul 29, 2025 · Report/investigation · no citationJul 15, 2025 · Report/investigation · no citationMay 28, 2025 · Inspection · no citationMay 27, 2025 · Report/investigation · no citationMay 7, 2025 · Inspection · citation foundMay 6, 2025 · Report/investigation · no citationApr 7, 2025 · Inspection · no citationApr 3, 2025 · Report/investigation · no citationFeb 26, 2025 · Inspection · no citationJul 30, 2024 · Inspection · no citationJul 15, 2024 · Report/investigation · no citationApr 24, 2024 · Inspection · no citationApr 9, 2024 · Inspection · citation foundApr 5, 2024 · Report/investigation · no citationMar 13, 2024 · Inspection · citation foundJan 25, 2024 · Inspection · no citationJan 2, 2024 · Inspection · no citationDec 21, 2023 · Inspection · no citationDec 21, 2023 · Report/investigation · citation foundNov 28, 2023 · Inspection · no citationNov 17, 2023 · Report/investigation · citation foundSep 22, 2023 · Inspection · no citationSep 11, 2023 · Report/investigation · citation foundJul 14, 2023 · Inspection · no citationJun 22, 2023 · Report/investigation · no citationJun 22, 2023 · Inspection · no citationJun 21, 2023 · Report/investigation · no citationJun 2, 2023 · Inspection · no citationMay 12, 2023 · Inspection · no citationMay 12, 2023 · Report/investigation · citation foundApr 19, 2023 · Inspection · citation foundApr 14, 2023 · Report/investigation · citation foundApr 14, 2023 · Report/investigation · citation foundApr 14, 2023 · Inspection · citation foundApr 12, 2023 · Report/investigation · no citationMar 31, 2023 · Inspection · no citationMar 28, 2023 · Report/investigation · citation foundMar 6, 2023 · Inspection · no citationMar 2, 2023 · Report/investigation · no citationJan 10, 2023 · Inspection · no citationDec 7, 2022 · Inspection · no citationNov 23, 2022 · Report/investigation · citation foundOct 10, 2022 · Inspection · no citationOct 7, 2022 · Report/investigation · no citationJul 22, 2022 · Inspection · no citationJun 30, 2022 · Inspection · no citationJun 28, 2022 · Report/investigation · citation foundJun 23, 2022 · Inspection · citation foundJun 6, 2022 · Inspection · no citationApr 21, 2022 · Inspection · no citationApr 18, 2022 · Report/investigation · no citationMar 31, 2022 · Inspection · no citationMar 28, 2022 · Assessment · citation foundMar 15, 2022 · Report/investigation · no citationFeb 1, 2022 · Inspection · no citationJan 31, 2022 · Report/investigation · citation foundJan 28, 2022 · Inspection · no citationJan 27, 2022 · Report/investigation · no citationDec 7, 2021 · Inspection · citation found
Citation foundNo citation

What inspectors cited most

Caregiver conduct6
Building & playground safety5
Supervision5
Training & qualifications4
Food & feeding2
Sleep safety1
Other standards1
Transportation1
Health & medication1

Citations, newest first

Medium HighMay 7, 2025InspectionSleep safety
Requirements for Feeding Infants - No Walking or Sleeping with Bottle or Cup §746.2419(7)
During a walk through of the operation, it was observed an 8 month old infant in crib falling asleep with their halfway full bottle. This was brought to the caregiver attention and corrected while Licensing was present.
Corrected during the visit
HighApr 9, 2024InspectionCaregiver conduct
Prohibited Punishments - Humiliating, Rejecting, Yelling §746.2805(5)
During an inspection of the operation, it was observed a caregiver yelling at a child when the child would not listen. The child was not hurt and the caregiver was removed from the classroom.
Correction verified Apr 24, 2024
Medium HighApr 9, 2024InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Floors, ceilings and Walls in Good Repair and Clean §746.3407(9)
During a full walk through of the building, it was observed two holes in the walls of the cafeteria area.
Correction verified Apr 24, 2024
Medium HighMar 13, 2024InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Installation and Maintenance of Loose-fill Surfacing - Proper Depth Maintained §746.4907(d)
During the walk through it was observed the playground lacking enough mulch under the slides and swings.
Correction verified Apr 24, 2024
Medium HighDec 21, 2023Found during an investigationOther standards
Personal use of electronic devices, such as cell phones, MP3 players, tablets, and video games §746.1203(3)(D)
This Minimum Standard was reviewed and found to be out of compliance through an investigation. A caregiver was seen using a cell phone upon entering a room and staying on the cell phone for a period of time when first taking over care of a class.
Correction verified Jan 25, 2024
HighDec 21, 2023Found 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)
This Minimum Standard was found to be out of compliance through an investigation. A caregiver was determined to not provide proper supervision when a group of children wandered into the restroom by themselves for around 9 minutes before the caregiver noticed.
Correction verified Jan 25, 2024
HighNov 17, 2023Found during an investigationCaregiver conduct
Prohibited Punishments - Grabbing and Pulling §746.2805(3)
This standard was reviewed and found to be deficient. A caregiver pull a child's ear as a form of punishment.
Correction verified Jan 2, 2024
HighSep 11, 2023Found during an investigationCaregiver conduct
Responsibilities of Employees and Caregivers -Demonstrate Competency, Good Judgment, Self-control §746.1201(1)
This standard was reviewed in relation to the allegations and found to be in deficient. The caregiver did not use their best judgement while supervising a group of children by cutting a child's hair.
Correction verified Nov 28, 2023
HighMay 12, 2023Found during an investigationCaregiver conduct
Prohibited Punishments - Humiliating, Rejecting, Yelling §746.2805(5)
This standard was reviewed in relation to the allegations and found to be deficient. It has been observed caregivers raising their voices in front and at their students.
Correction verified Jul 14, 2023
HighApr 19, 2023InspectionSupervision
Electronic Child Safety Alarm - is equipped in each vehicle §746.5625(a)
During an inspection of the vans, it was observed two van without working safety alarms.
Correction verified Jun 2, 2023
Medium HighApr 19, 2023InspectionTraining & qualifications
Each Caregiver and the Director Must Have Current Training in pediatric first aid with rescue breathing and choking. §746.1315(a)
During a review of staff records, it was observed only two staff members with current CPR training.
Correction verified Jun 2, 2023
MediumApr 19, 2023InspectionTraining & qualifications
Director Annual Training 30 Hours Required §746.1311(a)
Annual training records were not made available.
Correction verified Jun 2, 2023
Medium HighApr 14, 2023Found during an investigationTransportation
Plan to Handle Transportation Emergencies §746.5619
This standard was reviewed in relation to the allegations and found to be deficient. The caregivers were not aware of how to handle the emergency that took place.
Correction verified Jul 13, 2023
HighApr 14, 2023Found 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)
Supervision was not met, when a young child was found in a classroom alone. The caregiver did not have physical and auditory or visual awareness of the child's on-going activity, as the caregiver was on the playground with their class.
Correction verified May 12, 2023
HighApr 14, 2023Found during an investigationTraining & qualifications
Director Responsibilities - Operate in Compliance §746.1003(1)
Based on recent supervision concerns, it has been determined that the Director is not ensuring that the operation is operating in compliance. Plans were not put in place to ensure compliance, following recent incidents.
Correction verified May 12, 2023
Medium HighApr 14, 2023Found during an investigationTraining & qualifications
Training Requirements for Employees, Caregivers, and Directors - Pre-Service Training §746.1301(a)(2)(A)
It was found that Pre-Service for the employee in question, had not been completed within the required timeframe. The employee was counted in child/caregiver ratio prior to receiving their pre-service training hours.
Correction verified May 22, 2023
HighApr 14, 2023InspectionHealth & medication
AP Background ck determination - If provisionally eligible w/conditions or eligible w/conditions you must restrict duties per conditions/restrictions §745.635(3)
Based on the information obtain during interviews and observation, a caregiver was left supervising children alone which is against their current background check conditions.
Correction verified Apr 19, 2023
HighMar 28, 2023Found 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)
This standard was reviewed in relation to the self-reported allegation and found to be deficient. A child was left unsupervised for more than 30 minutes in their classroom.
Correction verified May 12, 2023
Medium HighNov 23, 2022Found during an investigationBuilding & playground safety
Maintenance of Building, Grounds and Equipment §746.3407
During an inspection of the building, it was observed by licensing a hole in the closet door in the gym area.
Correction verified Jan 10, 2023
HighJun 28, 2022Found during an investigationSupervision
Responsibilities of Caregivers - Supervision of Children §746.1203(4)
This standard was reviewed in relations to the self-reported allegations and found to be deficient. The child was left alone in their classroom napping while the class transition to the lunchroom.
Correction verified Jul 22, 2022
HighJun 28, 2022Found during an investigationCaregiver conduct
Responsibilities of Employees and Caregivers -Demonstrate Competency, Good Judgment, Self-control §746.1201(1)
This standard was reviewed in relations to the self-reported allegations and found to be deficient. The caregivers did not demonstrate good judgment while lining the children up which resulted in a child being left unsupervised in the classroom alone.
Correction verified Jul 22, 2022
Medium HighJun 23, 2022InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Maintenance of Building, Grounds and Equipment §746.3407
It was observed by licensing an exposed hole in the cafeteria wall. This was discussed with the director.
Correction verified Jul 22, 2022
HighMar 28, 2022InspectionCaregiver conduct
Prohibited Punishments - No Harsh, Cruel or Unusual §746.2805
Based on a DFPS investigation, this standard has found to be deficient. During collateral interviews, it was stated that the caregiver has used prohibited punishment by hitting, smashing hands and hitting in the face.
Correction verified Mar 31, 2022
Medium HighJan 31, 2022Found during an investigationFood & feeding
Food Allergy Emergency Plan Signed by Parents and Health Care Professional §746.3819
Two children with documented food allergies did not have food allergy emergency plans.
Correction verified Feb 23, 2022
MediumDec 7, 2021InspectionFood & feeding
Written Feeding Instructions - Review and Update Every 30 Days §746.2421(b)
The feeding instructions in the infant 1 room were reviewed and have not been updated in the last 30 days.
Correction verified Dec 13, 2021
MediumDec 7, 2021InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Activities for Infants - Outdoor Play Daily §746.2417(1)
The activity plan posted for the infants did not include outside time for the infants. One infant room did not have a schedule posted.
Correction verified Dec 13, 2021

About this center

Licensed capacity345 children
Ages servedInfant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School
Hours06:30 AM-06:00 PM
DaysMon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
Licensed sinceJun 17, 2021
DirectorVictoria Smith
Phone9035939410
State operation #1715531

Common questions

Does Handprints Academy take infants?

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

What are Handprints Academy’s hours?

6:30 AM to 6 PM, Monday through Friday, according to its state licensing record. Confirm holiday and summer hours with the center.

Does Handprints Academy accept child care subsidies?

Yes, according to its state licensing record.

Has Handprints Academy had any serious violations?

Inspectors recorded 13 high-risk citations since 2021. The most recent was on Apr 9, 2024: “Prohibited Punishments - Humiliating, Rejecting, Yelling.” Each one is listed in full above.

How does Handprints Academy compare with other daycares in Tyler?

It is #39 of 49 centers in Tyler by risk-weighted citations per inspection, and is better than 40% of licensed centers statewide (out of 9,147 Texas centers with enough inspection history).

When was Handprints Academy last inspected?

Sep 23, 2026. No violations were found during that visit.

Other centers near Tyler

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 1715531 on Search Texas Child Care. Data refreshed Sep 30, 2026.