Little Explores Academy and Daycare
Little Explores Academy and Daycare is a licensed child care center in Mission, TX, licensed for up to 30 children and serving infants through school-age children. It has held its Texas license since 2020. Since October 2021, state inspectors have visited 21 times and investigated 3 reports. Inspectors recorded 36 citations, 8 of them high-risk, most often for building & playground safety (9 of 36). 6 citations came in the last 12 months. 3% were corrected during the inspection itself. Measured by risk-weighted citations per inspection, it is #50 of 61 centers in Mission and better than 10% of licensed centers statewide.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
A caregiver counted in child/caregiver ratio did not have current training in pediatric first aid with rescue breathing and choking. The training certificate available for review had a renewal date of 10/2025.
The diaper changing mat in the toddler room and Pre-k room were observed torn.
A caregiver counted in child/caregiver ratio did not have current training in pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The training certificate available for review had a renewal date of 10/2025.
The director did not have current training in Transportation Safety. The transportation training certificate available for review had a date of completion 10/1/2024.
Child Care Regulation was not notified before making changes to the infant room space. The infant room was switched with a Pre-K room.
A caregiver's pediatric first aid and pediatric CPR training certificate was not available for review during the inspection.
Two infants were asleep on a restrictive device (floor bouncer) for an undetermined amount of time in the infant room.
A caregiver was missing annual training for training year 10/30/2023-10/29/2024 on the following topics: (1)Emergency preparedness; (2)Preventing and controlling the spread of communicable diseases, including immunizations; (3)Administering medication, if applicable, including compliance with ?746.3803 of this chapter (relating to What authorization must I obtain before administering a medication to a child in my care?); (4)Preventing and responding to emergencies due to food or an allergic reaction; (5)Understanding building and physical premises safety, including identification and protection from hazards that can cause bodily injury such as electrical hazards, bodies of water, and vehicular traffic; and (6)Handling, storing, and disposing of hazardous materials including compliance with ?746.3425 of this chapter (relating to Must caregivers wear gloves when handling blood or bodily fluids containing blood?).
Two of four children's files reviewed did not have the children's current immunization record. NOTE: One of the children's current immunization record was obtained during the inspection.
Both director's were missing annual training on the following topics: (1) Emergency preparedness; (2) Preventing and controlling the spread of communicable diseases, including immunizations; (3) Administering medication, if applicable, including compliance with 746.3803 of this chapter (relating to What authorization must I obtain before administering a medication to a child in my care?); (4) Preventing and responding to emergencies due to food or an allergic reaction; (5) Understanding building and physical premises safety, including identification and protection from hazards that can cause bodily injury such as electrical hazards, bodies of water, and vehicular traffic; and (6) Handling, storing, and disposing of hazardous materials including compliance with 746.3425 of this chapter (relating to Must caregivers wear gloves when handling blood or bodily fluids containing blood?).
The diaper changing mat in the infant room and toddler room were observed torn.
The fire inspection report was not available for review.
A caregiver was using a cell phone while caring for a group of children.
During nap time, the mats were arranged right next to each other with no walk and work space for caregivers between each mat.
There was no current fire inspection. The last fire inspection was conducted on 06/09/22.
A staff member interacted with children and present during transportation route prior to operation receiving background check eligibility notice.
There was a small opening/gap on the bottom of a section of the chain link fence in the outdoor play area.
A child was placed in a highchair by a caregiver for biting a child.
A 7 month old was asleep in a crib in which the sheet did not completely cover the mattress.
The transportation vehicle was observed with trash (candy wrappers, snack crumbs, and on AA battery) on the floor. Note: The trash was picked up during the inspection.
One cockroach was observed crawling on the wall in the infant classroom.
The current health/sanitation inspection report was not available for review.
There was no emergency medical transport and treatment authorization form for twelve children who are transported from school to the childcare operation. Corrected at Inspection: Copies of the emergency medical transport and treatment authorization were placed in the transportation binder.
Recite: There was one caregiver caring for 6 infants. The specified age for the group was 12-17months which allows 5 infants to 1 caregiver. Note The ratios were left in compliance as an additional caregiver was put in the classroom.
Recite: Loose fill surfacing (mulch) was not observed to be maintained at the proper depth for a play structure in the outdoor play area. The dirt and grass underneath the mulch was visible.
There was one caregiver caring for 6 infants. The specified age for the group was 12-17months which allows 5 infants to 1 caregiver. Note The ratios were left in compliance as an additional caregiver was put in the classroom.
Two personnel records were not available for review. The current fire inspection was now available for review. The infant feeding instructions for one infant was now available for review.
A caregvier did not have a current CPR training.
There was no adequate lighting during nap time for a school age group of children. The children were sharing a blanket and the caregiver was unable to see them because of the darkness in the room. Note: A lamp was turned on in the room for appropriate lighting.
The staff personnel records were not available for review. The current fire inspection was not available for review. The infant feeding instructions for one infant was not available for review.
The main entrance exit door was locked during operating hours.
There was a bucket of water in the kitchen area which is in an open area and accessible to the children in care.
Loose fill surfacing (mulch) was not observed to be maintained at the proper depth for a play structure in the outdoor play area. The dirt and grass underneath the mulch was visible.
There were cleaning supplies accessible to the children in care. There was liquid cleaner, Pine-Sol, on the floor in front of the water dispenser used by the children. There was a bleach container on top of the water sink used by the children. Note: The cleaning supplies were removed.
The play yards were observed with plywood on the bottom for support. The play yards were not labeled with the infant s name. Note: The play yards were labeled, and the plywood boards were removed from the play yards.
A group of children were watching a movie during snack time.
About this center
Common questions
Does Little Explores Academy and Daycare take infants?
Yes. Texas licenses it to care for infants through school-age children.
What are Little Explores Academy and Daycare’s hours?
7 AM to 7 PM, Monday through Saturday, according to its state licensing record. Confirm holiday and summer hours with the center.
Does Little Explores Academy and Daycare accept child care subsidies?
Yes, according to its state licensing record.
How much does Little Explores Academy and Daycare cost?
Texas does not publish individual centers’ prices, so ask Little Explores Academy and Daycare for its current tuition. For comparison, the median full-day price at licensed centers in the Lower Rio Grande Valley area, which includes Mission, 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 Little Explores Academy and Daycare had any serious violations?
Inspectors recorded 8 high-risk citations since 2021. The most recent was on Jan 29, 2025: “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.” Each one is listed in full above.
How does Little Explores Academy and Daycare compare with other daycares in Mission?
It is #50 of 61 centers in Mission by risk-weighted citations per inspection, and is better than 10% of licensed centers statewide (out of 9,147 Texas centers with enough inspection history).
When was Little Explores Academy and Daycare last inspected?
Feb 25, 2026. No violations were found during that visit.
Licensed centers nearby
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1701 W Mile 3 Rd, Mission · 1.8 mi away · 44 spotsMore citations than mostHoney's Little Bee's Learning Center
2900 W 45th St Ste D&e, Mission · 2.1 mi away · 64 spotsAmong the most citedEinstein's Academy, LLC
2116 Oleander Dr, Mission · 2.2 mi away · 109 spotsAmong the most citedSuper Star Kids Learning Center L.L.C.
7329 N Doffing Rd, Mission · 2.2 mi away · 109 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 1698360 on Search Texas Child Care. Data refreshed Sep 30, 2026.