Kiddie Shack Preschool
Fate, TX 75087 · infants to school-age · Home daycare: the provider shares the address with families
Essential Steps
- licensed capacity
- 63
- open each week
- 5 days
- a week, county median
- $191
- year first permitted
- 1996
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About
About Essential Steps
Essential Steps is a licensed child care center in Rockwall, Texas. The state has permitted it since June 18, 1996, for up to 63 children, serving infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.
It is open Monday to Friday, 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM. It describes its programs: after-school care, before-school care, infant care and pre-k.
Texas Health and Human Services, Child Care Regulation made 10 visits in the last 3 years and cited 16 rules across 4 of them. The visit list, in the state's words, is below.
InfantsPreschool / pre-KBefore- and after-schoolSummer campAccepts child care subsidyOpens before 7 AM
Ages served: infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children
6 wk
6 mo
1
2
3
4
5
6
8
10
12 yr
Ask when you call: rates, current openings, staff-to-child ratio and teacher qualifications.
- Type
- Child care center
- Ages
- Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children
- Hours today
- Closed today
- Licensed capacity
- 63 children
Hours
Hours
| Monday | 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM |
| Thursday | 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM |
| Friday | 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM |
| Saturday | Not listed |
| SundayToday | Not listed |
Programs
Programs and care
| Ages | Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age childrenFrom the state license. It lists: Ages 0 - 12 years |
|---|---|
| Programs | After-school care, before-school care, infant care, pre-k, summer camp and toddler care |
| Child care subsidy | Accepts state child care subsidiesFrom the state license |
| More | Founded 1996 |
| Licensed capacity | 63 childrenFrom the state license |
Cost
Tuition and costs
Essential Steps has not listed its tuition. For comparison, full-time infant care at a child care center in Rockwall County has a median price of $191 a week (U.S. Department of Labor, 2022).
Ask the daycare for its ratesIt has not listed its tuition. The county medians below are a starting point.
Infant
Center$191
Home daycare$167
Toddler
Center$176
Home daycare$158
Preschool
Center$170
Home daycare$156
School age
Center$159
Home daycare$146
State record
Inspection reports for Essential Steps
License
- Status
- Licensed and operating
- License type
- Full Permit
- Capacity
- 63 children
- Ages
- Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children
- Permit issued
- 1996
- License number
- #520042
Summary
10 visits in the last 3 years · Last visit May 8, 2026: no rules cited
Rules cited on 4 of 10 visits · 16 rules in all · 16 corrected
- Building, equipment and play areas 6
- Safety and hazards 3
- Food and nutrition 3
- Transportation 1
- Staff training and qualifications 1
- Records and paperwork 1
- Health, medication and illness 1
For comparison: 78% of Texas daycares had at least one rule cited in the last 3 years; the typical daycare had 3.
A cited rule is what an inspector found on the day of a visit. It is not a rating of the daycare today.
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See all 12 visits
- May 8, 2026InspectionNo rules cited
Apr 10, 2026Inspection4 rules cited
746.3701 - Safety - Areas Free From Hazards
“Playground hazard: Children were observed playing on a tree that appeared to damaged from severe weather.”
The state verified the correction on May 8, 2026
746.5607(b) - Child Passenger Safety Seat System - Not expired or damaged in accident
“Two booster seats used to transport children were expired.”
The state verified the correction on Apr 23, 2026
746.4907(d) - Installation and Maintenance of Loose-fill Surfacing - Proper Depth Maintained
“The younger playground did not have the required six inches of surfacing (pea gravel).”
The state verified the correction on May 8, 2026
746.1105(3) - Minimum Qualifications Employees and Caregivers - Affidavit (Form 2985)
“One staff member did not have the required notorized affidavit.”
The state verified the correction on Apr 23, 2026
Dec 4, 2025Inspection2 rules cited
746.2421(a) - Written Feeding Instructions - Signed and Dated by Parent or Health-Care Professional
“1 child observed in the infant classroom during the inspection did not have updated infant feeding instructions signed by parent.”
The state verified the correction on Dec 5, 2025
746.4751(c) - Maintenance Procedures for Active Play - Hazards Removed or Repaired
“The wheels on the Merry go cycle were broken and needed to be repaired.”
The state verified the correction on Dec 5, 2025
Nov 18, 2025Inspection8 rules cited
746.5101(b) - Annual Fire Inspection - Conducted by Fire Marshal
“The operation does not have an updated fire inspection on file. The Director called the fire marshal and scheduled for Tuesday11-25-2025 and will provide documentation.”
The state verified the correction on Dec 4, 2025
746.5401 - Requirement of Gas Leak Inspection
“The operation does not have a current gas inspection availble for review for CCR.”
The state verified the correction on Dec 4, 2025
746.4905 - Acceptable Loose-fill Surfacing
“The loose-fill located on the playground measured less than one inch.”
The state verified the correction on Dec 4, 2025
746.2421(a) - Written Feeding Instructions - Signed and Dated by Parent or Health-Care Professional
“All infants observed in the infant classroom during the inspection did not have updated infant feeding instructions.”
The state verified the correction on Dec 4, 2025
746.2419(6) - Requirements for Feeding Infants - Label Bottles/Cups
“Bottle were missing labels and the Director corrected it by writing the child's name on their bottles”
Corrected during the visit
746.4751(c) - Maintenance Procedures for Active Play - Hazards Removed or Repaired
“The wheels on the Merry go cycle were broken and needed to be repaired.”
The state verified the correction on Dec 4, 2025
746.801(8) - Required Records Maintained and Made Available - Playground Maintenance Records
“The operation did not have a building and ground checklist available for review.”
The state verified the correction on Dec 4, 2025
746.5205(4) - Documentation of Drills
“The director did not provide documentation for sheltering or lockdown drills.”
The state verified the correction on Dec 4, 2025
- Nov 13, 2025InspectionNo rules cited
- Nov 12, 2025VisitNo rules cited
- Feb 3, 2025InspectionNo rules cited
- Jan 30, 2025VisitNo rules cited
Dec 11, 2024Inspection2 rules cited
746.3701(5) - Safety - Play Materials and Equipment Safe
“Playground hazards: broken plastic slide; wooden storage shed with splinted wood (children observed putting hands in wooden shed).”
The state verified the correction on Jan 9, 2025
746.4001 - First Aid Kit - Available in Each Building, on Field Trips, during Transportation
“One van used to transport children in care did not have the required first aid kit.”
The state verified the correction on Jan 9, 2025
- Jan 18, 2024InspectionNo rules cited
Show 2 earlier visits
- Feb 22, 2023InspectionNo rules cited
- Mar 4, 2022InspectionNo rules cited
Reviews
Parent reviews
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FAQ
Questions about Essential Steps
Is Essential Steps licensed?
Yes. Texas Health and Human Services, Child Care Regulation lists it as licensed and operating, with a permit issued June 18, 1996.
When was Essential Steps last inspected?
Texas Health and Human Services, Child Care Regulation lists the most recent visit on May 8, 2026, with no rules cited. It lists 10 visits in the last 3 years.
Has Essential Steps had rules cited by the state?
Yes. Inspectors cited 16 rules across 4 of 10 visits in the last 3 years; 16 show a correction in the state record. For comparison: 78% of Texas daycares had at least one rule cited in the last 3 years; the typical daycare had 3. A cited rule is what an inspector found on the day of a visit. It is not a rating of the daycare today.
How many children can Essential Steps care for?
63, the licensed capacity on the state record. It is licensed to serve infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.
Does Essential Steps accept child care subsidies?
Yes. The state record says it accepts child care subsidies.
What are Essential Steps' hours?
Monday to Friday, 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM. These are the hours on the state record. Holiday hours can differ.
How much does Essential Steps cost?
It has not listed its tuition. Call (972) 772-0011 to ask.
What is Essential Steps' phone number?
(972) 772-0011.
Where is Essential Steps?
305 E Rusk St, Rockwall, TX 75087. The nearest other daycare we list is Anchor Early Learning Academy, 0.1 miles away.