Every listing on this site shows deficiency counts and inspection counts copied from Texas HHSC data. Here is what those terms mean, in the state's own words where possible.
What is a deficiency?
HHSC defines a deficiency, also called a violation, as "any failure to comply with a CCR statute, administrative rule or minimum standard." HHSC says a deficiency is posted to an operation's online record only after the operation has had the opportunity to dispute it.
What do the weights mean?
Each minimum standard is assigned a weight of high, medium-high, medium, medium-low or low, based on the risk a violation of that standard presents to children. A standard weighted high presents a greater risk to children if violated than one weighted low.
The weight belongs to the standard, not to the operation. The state's public record notes that weights are not intended to result in a ranking of operations or a score. This site follows that approach: we show the counts and do not rate or rank centers.
Where do the counts come from?
CCR finds deficiencies in several ways:
- Monitoring inspection: a routine, on-site visit by a CCR inspector. HHSC conducts unannounced inspections at licensed operations at least once a year, and may inspect more often based on an operation's compliance.
- Report: information from the public, including parents, about a possible violation, which CCR investigates.
- Self report: an operation's own account of a serious incident, such as a serious illness or injury, a missing child, or a disaster that requires closing.
- Assessment: a deficiency cited after reviewing paperwork or other materials instead of an on-site inspection.
How to read the numbers
- A center with more inspections has had more opportunities for citations, so compare counts alongside the number of inspections and the center's capacity.
- Look at the weight. HHSC suggests asking which deficiency was cited and what weight it carried, whether deficiencies repeated in the last two years, and how long it took to come into compliance.
- Read the narrative on the official state record. Counts alone don't describe what happened or how it was corrected.
- Zero deficiencies in the data doesn't mean an operation is guaranteed to be safe, and some deficiencies don't mean it is unsafe. The record is one input; a visit and conversation with the director are others.
Corrective and adverse actions
HHSC imposes a corrective action when an operation has a pattern of deficiencies or a single serious deficiency that endangers children, and inspects more often during it. An adverse action addresses deficiencies that endanger children and can include closing an operation or adding permanent restrictions or conditions to a permit. Each listing shows whether the state data marks a corrective or adverse action.
Sources
- Texas HHSC, What Are CCR Reports, Inspections and Enforcement Actions?
- Texas HHSC, Search Texas Child Care (operation compliance summaries)
- Texas HHSC, HHSC CCL Inspection Investigation Assessment Data (data.texas.gov)