Kids First Learning Academy
Kids First Learning Academy is a licensed child care center in Pharr, TX, licensed for up to 36 children and serving infants through school-age children. It has held its Texas license since 2022. Since October 2021, state inspectors have visited 14 times and investigated 2 reports. Inspectors recorded 32 citations, 3 of them high-risk, most often for building & playground safety (12 of 32). 2 citations came in the last 12 months. 28% were corrected during the inspection itself. Measured by risk-weighted citations per inspection, it is #47 of 47 centers in Pharr and better than 8% of licensed centers statewide.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
The Children's Product Certification has not been certified since 2022.
A review of the Employees Who Left Employment in 2025 data from January 20, 2026, determined the center had not reported the number of employees who left employment in 2025 by January 15, 2026, as required.
There was a caregiver at the center that had a deactivated background check. NOTE: This was corrected at inspection when the caregiver was sent home.
In the kitchen counter top there were cleaning supplies were food is prepped. NOTE: This was corrected during the inspection when the caregiver stored the cleaning supplies away from the area where food is prepped.
Fire inspection has expired, it has not been conducted since 3/27/2023.
In the infant room there a labeled diaper rash cream in another childs bin. NOTE: This was corrected during the inspection when caregiver removed the diaper rash cream from the bin and disposed of it in the garbage bin.
Two of the four employee records are missing annual trainings: Hazardous materials, allergic reactions, medical administrations, building safety, communicable diseases, emergency preparedness, 1 hour abuse/neglect,
One of the 4 employee records reviewed is missing the application form that includes date of employment.
In the outdoor playground area there was a broken toy accessible to the children. NOTE: This was corrected at inspection when caregiver removed the toy from the playground area and disposed of it in the large garbage bin outside of the operation.
Fire inspection is expired, the date the fire inspection was last conducted was on October 25, 2021.
The outdoor area was inspected and was not kept in a sanitary manner. Leaves were all over the play area on top of toys making the toys to be unsanitary for the children to use. There were spider webs in the play structure.
Employees list was posted but had not been updated to have the new employees on the list. NOTE: This was corrected at inspection when the list was updated and posted on the wall.
Student records were reviewed during inspection the following documents were missing: 2 out of 4 student records were missing a statement of the child s health from a health-care professional. 1 out of 4 student records was missing Immunization record.
While reviewing staff records the following was missing: 4 out of the 4 staff records were missing the employment date. NOTE: This was corrected at inspection when caregiver wrote down the date of employment. 1 out of the 4 staff records had an expired driver's license. NOTE: This was corrected at inspection when director made a copy of the new driver's license and put it in the staff's file. 2 out of 4 staff files needed to fill out the orientation section on form 2947. NOTE: This was corrected at inspection when director filled out the section.
Activity plan and daily menu was not posted with required postings for parents to see.
Child was observed on incorrect mat that was not labeled with the child's name. NOTE: This was corrected at inspection when caregiver moved the child to the mat labeled with the child's name.
A review of the Employees Who Left Employment in 2021 data from February 23, 2022, revealed that the center had not reported the number of employees who left employment in 2021 by February 22, 2022, as required.
Back ground check was missing from 4 out of 4 staff files. NOTE: Director printed out the background checks for 4 out of the 4 missing employee background forms.
Operation did not have the most recent licensing form posted. NOTE: This was corrected at inspection when director printed the form 2936 and posted it on the parent notification wall at the entrance of the operation.
Garbage bins in two restrooms did not have a lid on them making garbage accessible to children. NOTE: This was corrected at inspection when caregiver removed the garbage bins from the restrooms.
Operation has a 5ft tall play structure surrounded by 1-4 inches of gravel.
Four personnel files were reviewed. One file is missing high school diploma and statement regarding center /personnel and orientation.
Operation has a 5ft tall play structure surrounded by 1-3 inches of gravel.
Infant daily schedule is missing morning and afternoon outdoor play and tummy time. Toddler's daily schedule is missing 30 minutes of physical and outdoor activity. PreK daily schedule is missing 30 min of physical activity.
Operation does not have an Orientation Curriculum.
Operation Policies were reviewed and the following is missing: -Inspect repellent and sunscreen policy -Parent participation policy -policy regarding vision and hearing screening -safe sleep policy -physical and outdoor activity policy
Three out of the six bucket seats in the infant room are missing safety straps. One of the seats without straps was used by a child during lunch.
Last fire inspection was conducted on March 5, 2019.
Four personnel files were reviewed. Files need to be updated to reflect new ownership. One file is missing hired date statement regarding center/personnel and orientation. A second file is missing hired date and center policies statement. A third file is missing hired date, high school diploma and statement regarding center /personnel and orientation.
There is a TV in the prek room that is not anchored.
Two out of three play-yards in the infant room have 2-4in space between the mattress and edge of the play yard.
Emergency Preparedness Plan was reviewed and the following items are missing: -Lock Down Procedure -Indications of how children under the age of 24months and children with limited mobility will be evacuated / relocated -How children will be accounted for -What document ion will be taken during evacuation / relocation -How will staff continue the care of children
About this center
Common questions
Does Kids First Learning Academy take infants?
Yes. Texas licenses it to care for infants through school-age children.
What are Kids First Learning Academy’s hours?
7 AM to 6 PM, Monday through Friday, according to its state licensing record. Confirm holiday and summer hours with the center.
Does Kids First Learning Academy accept child care subsidies?
Yes, according to its state licensing record.
How much does Kids First Learning Academy cost?
Texas does not publish individual centers’ prices, so ask Kids First Learning Academy for its current tuition. For comparison, the median full-day price at licensed centers in the Lower Rio Grande Valley area, which includes Pharr, is $35.60 a day for infants, $34.40 a day for toddlers and $33.40 a day for 3-year-olds (2025 Texas Child Care Market Rate Survey).
Has Kids First Learning Academy had any serious violations?
Inspectors recorded 3 high-risk citations since 2021. The most recent was on Feb 25, 2025: “AP Background check results - Must receive notification prior to allowing subject to be present at your operation.” Each one is listed in full above.
How does Kids First Learning Academy compare with other daycares in Pharr?
It is #47 of 47 centers in Pharr by risk-weighted citations per inspection, and is better than 8% of licensed centers statewide (out of 9,147 Texas centers with enough inspection history).
When was Kids First Learning Academy last inspected?
Jan 28, 2026. Inspectors cited at least one rule during that visit.
Licensed centers nearby
1000 E Bus Highway 83 Ste I Ste J, Pharr · ZIP 78577 away · 26 spotsAbout typicalLily's Daycare
3507 N I Rd, Pharr · ZIP 78577 away · 68 spotsAbout typicalLittle Scholars Learning Center II
830 E Us Highway 83, Pharr · ZIP 78577 away · 64 spotsToo few inspections to compareLittle Bright Minds Child Development Center
316 E Us Highway 83, Pharr · ZIP 78577 away · 57 spotsFewer citations than mostKidz Explorer Daycare and Learning Center, LLC
1610 S Cage Blvd, Pharr · ZIP 78577 away · 64 spotsMore citations than mostLittle Giants Academy LLC
210 E Sam Houston Blvd, Pharr · ZIP 78577 away · 38 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 1727895 on Search Texas Child Care. Data refreshed Sep 30, 2026.