Smaller Scholars Montessori Academy
Licensed child-care center in Houston, TX 77079 · Texas operation #854889
Record summary
4 high-risk · 12 total
4 high-risk citations in the last 24 months (12 citations in all, from 5 inspections, 2 investigations and 2 assessments); last inspection Apr 23, 2026.
1 of 12 citations was corrected while the inspector was there.
Counted from the state's records from Nov 12, 2024 to Nov 12, 2026. This is a count, not a grade: bigger centers get more visits, and one visit can produce several citations. How we summarize.
Details
- Address
- 14455 Grisby Rd, Houston, TX 77079
- Phone
- (281) 556-8505
- Website
- www.smallerscholars.com
- Ages served
- Toddlers, Pre-K, School age
- Hours
- Mon to Fri, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Licensed capacity
- 100 children
- Child care subsidy
- No, per the state record
- Type
- Licensed child-care center
- Permit
- Full Permit since Jan 3, 2006; the permit has conditions
- Programs
- Meals Provided, Snacks Provided, Field Trips
Texas age groups: infants are under 18 months, toddlers 18 months to 3 years, pre-kindergarten 3 and 4 years (age when the school year starts), school age 5 and older and in kindergarten or above. Openings and tuition are not in the state data: call to ask.
Inspection history, last 24 months
Jun 17, 2026: Assessment
1 citation.
High risk The center must have a fire inspection by the local fire marshal before opening and every 12 months after.
State rule 746.5101(a) (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Annual Fire Inspection - Before Initial Permit Issued and Every 12 Months"
Inspector's note: Documentation reviewed during the follow up inspection showed the last fire inspection was completed on April 2, 2025.
Corrected Jul 1, 2026, verified by the state Jul 10, 2026.
Apr 23, 2026: Inspection
1 citation.
High risk The center must have a fire inspection by the local fire marshal before opening and every 12 months after.
State rule 746.5101(a) (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Annual Fire Inspection - Before Initial Permit Issued and Every 12 Months"
Inspector's note: Documentation reviewed during the follow up inspection showed the last fire inspection was completed on April 2, 2025.
Corrected Jun 2, 2026, verified by the state Jun 17, 2026. The inspector gave technical assistance (advice on how to comply).
Mar 24, 2026: Inspection
1 citation.
Medium-high risk Gas lines and appliances must pass the required gas-leak inspection.
State rule 746.5401 (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Requirement of Gas Leak Inspection"
Inspector's note: The operation did not have a current gas inspection report for licensing to review. The last inspection was completed 2/9/24.
Corrected Apr 7, 2026, verified by the state Apr 23, 2026.
Mar 20, 2026: Investigation of a self-report
1 citation.
High risk The state prohibits certain punishments of children, such as hitting, grabbing, shaming, withholding food or rest, or locking a child in a room.
State rule 746.2805(7) (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Prohibited Punishments - Placing Child in Locked or Dark Room"
Inspector's note: A caregiver placed a child alone in a dark restroom for approximately six minutes as a form of prohibited punishment.
Corrected Apr 16, 2026, verified by the state Apr 23, 2026. The inspector gave technical assistance (advice on how to comply).
Apr 15, 2025: Inspection
6 citations.
Medium-high risk Fire extinguishers must be serviced as required.
State rule 746.5307(b) (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Fire Extinguishers Serviced"
Inspector's note: Fire extinguishers has not been serviced since August 2023.
Corrected Apr 29, 2025, verified by the state Apr 30, 2025.
Medium risk Medication no longer used must be returned to the parent or disposed of.
State rule 746.3809 (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Medication No Longer Used"
Inspector's note: I observed an expired Epi pen for that is kept at the operation for a child in care with an allergy. The Epi pen expired in 12/2024. NOTE: This was corrected during the inspection, it was removed and sent home with parent.
Corrected while the inspector was there.
Medium risk The operation must certify every year that it has no recalled or unsafe children's products.
State rule 746.4135(b) (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Children's Products- Annual Certification"
Inspector's note: The children's product certification was last certified on 2/2/24.
Corrected Apr 29, 2025, verified by the state Apr 28, 2025.
Medium risk Cots, beds and mats must be labelled with the child's name.
State rule 746.4503(b) (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Cots, Beds, Mats Labeled With Child's Name"
Inspector's note: Nap mats were not properly labeled during the inspection.
Corrected Apr 29, 2025, verified by the state Apr 28, 2025.
Medium risk Outdoor play equipment must be checked with a monthly maintenance checklist.
State rule 746.4751(b) (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Maintenance Procedures for Active Play - Monthly Maintenance Checklist"
Inspector's note: Playground checklist has not been completed since June 2024.
Corrected Apr 29, 2025, verified by the state Apr 28, 2025.
Medium risk The child's health statement must be on file within one week of admission.
State rule 746.611(b) (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Health Statement on File within 1 Week of Admission"
Inspector's note: 2 out of 4 files reviewed did not have a health statement available for licensing to review.
Corrected Apr 29, 2025, verified by the state Apr 28, 2025. The inspector gave technical assistance (advice on how to comply).
Jan 30, 2025: Inspection
No citations.
Jan 28, 2025: Assessment
1 citation.
Medium-low risk The operation must report its number of employees to the state.
State rule 746.303(b) (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Report Number of Employees"
Inspector's note: Operation has not reported their staffing changes for the year 2024 by the due date of 1/15/2025. NOTE: Director provided proof of compliance same day.
Corrected Jan 30, 2025, verified by the state Jan 28, 2025.
Dec 20, 2024: Inspection
No citations.
Dec 17, 2024: Investigation of a report
1 citation.
High risk Caregivers must supervise every child at all times: close enough to step in, and always aware of what each child is doing.
State rule 746.1205(a)(4) (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Supervision ensures each child's safety, well-being, including physical proximity and auditory or visual awareness of each child's on going activity"
Inspector's note: Caregiver left a child unattended on a path leading from playground to the classroom for 9 minutes.
Corrected Jan 15, 2025, verified by the state Jan 30, 2025.
In the year before that (Nov 12, 2023 to Nov 12, 2024): 5 visits and 8 citations. Older history is on the official record.
What the risk levels mean
Texas gives every rule a weight from High to Low, based on the risk to children when it is broken. A citation is one rule found not met at one visit. How to read a Texas inspection report.
- High risk: breaking it can put a child in immediate danger (for example supervision, ratios, safe sleep, background checks, prohibited punishment).
- Medium-high risk: a real safety or health concern, but usually less immediate (for example hazards in a room, missing medical or allergy information, required training).
- Medium risk: important for health and safety over time (for example records, drills, equipment upkeep).
- Medium-low risk: mostly paperwork or reporting that supports safety.
- Low risk: administrative requirements with little direct risk to children.
Official record
The full record, including older history, is on the state's site: Smaller Scholars Montessori Academy on Search Texas Child Care. Texas operation #854889.
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