Small Steps Nurturing Center-Gulfton

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: Based on the information obtained, it was determined supervision was not maintained when a two-year-old child left the classroom.

Corrected Oct 28, 2025, verified by the state Nov 10, 2025. The inspector gave technical assistance (advice on how to comply).

High risk Storage of Medication - Inaccessible to Children

State rule 746.3807(1) (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Storage of Medication - Inaccessible to Children"

Inspector's note: During today's inspection I observed a bottle of medication stored on a counter that was accessible to children. Note: This was corrected during inspection.

Corrected while the inspector was there. The inspector gave technical assistance (advice on how to comply).

High risk Vehicles used to transport children must carry each child's emergency medical information.

State rule 746.5617(a)(2) (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Required Equipment in Vehicles - Emergency Medical Information"

Inspector's note: Emergency medical treatment information is needed for five children who are transported.

Corrected May 9, 2025, verified by the state May 9, 2025. The inspector gave technical assistance (advice on how to comply).

Medium-high risk A child with a diagnosed food allergy must have an emergency plan signed by the parent and a health-care professional.

State rule 746.3819 (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Food Allergy Emergency Plan Signed by Parents and Health Care Professional"

Inspector's note: A parent signature is needed on one child's food allergy emergency plan.

Corrected May 9, 2025, verified by the state May 9, 2025.

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 last gas leak inspection was conducted on 2/7/2023.

Corrected May 16, 2025, verified by the state May 8, 2025.

Medium-high risk Carbon-monoxide detectors must be installed, tested and documented as the state requires.

State rule 746.5537(b)(2) (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Electronic CO Detection Sys Connected to Alarm/Smoke Detection Sys-Test Documentation Available During Hours of Operation"

Inspector's note: The operation does not have documentation showing the carbon monoxide detection system was tested.

Corrected May 16, 2025, verified by the state May 8, 2025.

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 annual certification was last completed 01/22/2024 Note: This was corrected during inspection.

Corrected while the inspector was there.

Medium risk The operation must keep the children's records the state requires in each child's file.

State rule 746.603(a) (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Children's Records Maintained"

Inspector's note: Records were evaluated for eight children enrolled and the following was determined: Three children needed a statement of special needs. Two children needed an address for the emergency contact. One child needed emergency care information such as name, address, and phone number of the child's physician or emergency care facility. One child needed authorization for emergency medical treatment.

Corrected May 16, 2025, verified by the state May 9, 2025. The inspector gave technical assistance (advice on how to comply).

Low risk Each employee's record must hold a signed, dated statement of orientation or pre-service training.

State rule 746.1329(d) (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Employee record: Signed and Dated Statement for Orientation/Pre-Service training by trainer and employee"

Inspector's note: While evaluating eight personnel files, I observed several files missing signed and dated statement from the employee/trainer.

Corrected May 9, 2025, verified by the state May 9, 2025.