Thurman E Dorsey Head Start EOAC
Thurman E Dorsey Head Start EOAC is a licensed child care center in Waco, TX, licensed for up to 280 children and serving infants through school-age children. It has held its Texas license since 1995. Since October 2021, state inspectors have visited 17 times and investigated 6 reports. Inspectors recorded 22 citations, 11 of them high-risk, most often for caregiver conduct (6 of 22). 2 citations came in the last 12 months. 23% were corrected during the inspection itself. Measured by risk-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #42 of 61 centers in Waco and better than 19% of licensed centers statewide.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
The cots in classroom P were not labeled. This was corrected during the inspection when the caregiver labeled the cots with the children's names.
There were two small slides on the early headstart playground that did not have mulch in the use zones. This was corrected during the inspection when the slides were removed from the playground.
The pre-k classes only had 75 minutes of moderate to vigorous active play on the activity plan.
During the investigation, there was sufficient evidence found to determine that a caregiver used inappropriate discipline when they had a child hit another child in care.
During the investigation, there was sufficient evidence found to determine that a caregiver yelled at children in care while disciplining them
During the investigation, there was sufficient evidence found to determine the operation did not notify parents immediately as required when a caregiver had a child hit another child in care.
During the investigation, there was sufficient evidence found to determine that a caregiver did not demonstrate good judgment or competency when they witnessed another caregiver using inappropriate discipline and did not intervene or report it.
During the investigation, there was sufficient evidence found to determine that the operation did not report to Child Care Regulation within two days as required when a caregiver had a child hit another child in care.
Two 12-17-month-old rooms were combined and using reduced naptime ratio. This was corrected during the inspection when a second caregiver was placed in the room so that the room was not using reduced ratio.
One caregiver had expired first aid and CPR.
Out of seven staff files reviewed, two were missing statements that they received the center and personnel policies and attended orientation with an overview on the center's policy on abuse and neglect, and one was missing a start date. This was corrected during the inspection when the required statements and start date were completed by the caregivers.
The parent handbook did not address all of the required parent's rights.
The operation did not have hearing and vision screening results for a child over four years old. This was corrected during the inspection when a qualified staff member completed a hearing and vision screening with the child and the results were placed in the child's file.
Out of eight staff files reviewed, six of the staff had not received training in understanding building and physical premises safety.
Out of eight staff files reviewed, two did not have statements that they had received the operational and personnel policies or that they had attended orientation that inlcuded an overview of the center's policy on abuse and neglect. This was corrected during the inspection when the two staff members signed statements acknowledging that they had recieved the policies and attended an orientation that included the center's abuse/neglect policy.
It was determined through the course of the investigation that a caregiver, who was allowed unsupervised access to children in care and has been employed by the operation for more than 90 days, had a CPR certification that expired in 2021.
During the DFPS investigation, there was sufficient evidence to show that a caregiver grabbed a child, lifted the child by both wrists, and twisted the child's arm.
During the DFPS investigation, there was sufficient evidence to show that a child in care was abused.
During the DFPS investigation, there was sufficient evidence to show that the operation did not notify a parent immediately of an allegation that their child was abused.
During the DFPS investigation, there was sufficient evidence to show that a caregiver inappropriately disciplined a child by grabbing the child's arm, yanking the child up from the carpet, shaking the child, and yelling at the child.
Based on the information gathered during the investigation it was found that prohibit punishment was being used with children in care.
Based on the information gathered it was found that the operation did not notify licensing within the required timeframe of allegations made about prohibited punishment of a child in care.
About this center
Common questions
Does Thurman E Dorsey Head Start EOAC take infants?
Yes. Texas licenses it to care for infants through school-age children.
What are Thurman E Dorsey Head Start EOAC’s hours?
7:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday, according to its state licensing record. Confirm holiday and summer hours with the center.
Does Thurman E Dorsey Head Start EOAC accept child care subsidies?
Not according to its state licensing record. Ask the center directly, since participation can change.
Has Thurman E Dorsey Head Start EOAC had any serious violations?
Inspectors recorded 11 high-risk citations since 2021. The most recent was on May 19, 2025: “Prohibited Punishments - No Harsh, Cruel or Unusual.” Each one is listed in full above.
How does Thurman E Dorsey Head Start EOAC compare with other daycares in Waco?
It is tied for #42 of 61 centers in Waco by risk-weighted citations per inspection, and is better than 19% of licensed centers statewide (out of 9,147 Texas centers with enough inspection history).
When was Thurman E Dorsey Head Start EOAC last inspected?
Mar 25, 2026. Inspectors cited at least one rule during that visit.
Licensed centers nearby
1801 Kendrick Ln, Waco · 0.6 mi away · 60 spotsAbout typicalThis Little Piggy Academy Infant Center
4306 Memorial Dr, Waco · 0.9 mi away · 82 spotsMore citations than mostThis Little Piggy Academy
2716 Robinson Dr, Waco · 1.0 mi away · 48 spotsMore citations than mostBells Hill YMCA of Central Texas
2100 Ross Ave, Waco · 1.1 mi away · 150 spotsFewer citations than mostGolden Apple Academy Learning Center LLC
1300 N Robinson Dr, Robinson · ZIP 76706 away · 51 spotsMore citations than mostSoCo Child Care Center
615 N 25th St, Waco · 1.6 mi away · 272 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 511031 on Search Texas Child Care. Data refreshed Sep 30, 2026.