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Child care center 

First Step

4003 Hunter Rd, San Marcos, TX 786663.8· 44 reviews
licensed capacity
71
open each week
5 days
a week, county median
$202
year first permitted
1996
Call (512) 353-4177WebsiteDirections

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Licensed by the stateInspection record

About

About First Step

First Step is a licensed child care center in San Marcos, Texas. The state has permitted it since January 8, 1996, for up to 71 children, serving infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.

It is open Monday to Friday, 7:15 AM to 5:30 PM. It describes its programs: after-school care, drop-in care, infant care and pre-k. It says it provides meals.

Texas Health and Human Services, Child Care Regulation made 11 visits in the last 3 years and cited 1 rule across 1 of them. The visit list, in the state's words, is below.

InfantsPreschool / pre-KBefore- and after-schoolSummer campMeals providedCameras for parentsAccepts child care subsidy

Ages served: infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children

From the state license. Ages it lists: birth through age 12
Ask when you call: rates, current openings and staff-to-child ratio.
Type
Child care center
Ages
Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children
Hours today
Closed today
Licensed capacity
71 children

Hours

Hours

Monday7:15 AM to 5:30 PM
Tuesday7:15 AM to 5:30 PM
Wednesday7:15 AM to 5:30 PM
Thursday7:15 AM to 5:30 PM
Friday7:15 AM to 5:30 PM
SaturdayNot listed
SundayTodayNot listed
From the state licenseHours it lists: “Monday - Friday: 7:15am-5:30 pm”

Programs

Programs and care

AgesInfants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age childrenFrom the state license. It lists: Birth through age 12
ProgramsAfter-school care, drop-in care, infant care, pre-k, preschool, summer camp and toddler care
CurriculumFrog Street Press Curriculum
EnrichmentBallet, Physical Education, Library Lady and Gymnastics
StaffFirst Aid and CPR certified staff
Daily lifeMeals provided; Parents pack food; Snacks provided
SafetyCameras / live video for parents (live security cameras throughout school)
Child care subsidyAccepts state child care subsidiesFrom the state license
Assistance it acceptsChildcare Aware (Military Subsidy)
Parent updatesParent app (MyKidzDay)
AccreditationTexas Rising Star (4 Star Level (highest))
Licensed capacity71 childrenFrom the state license
A daycare without an item may still offer it; ask.

Cost

Tuition and costs

First Step has not listed its tuition. For comparison, full-time infant care at a child care center in Hays County has a median price of $202 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.
Hays County medians, full time, per week

Infant

Center$202
Home daycare$181

Toddler

Center$189
Home daycare$172

Preschool

Center$183
Home daycare$170

School age

Center$173
Home daycare$160

County median full-time prices at centers and home daycares, U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices, 2022 (the latest year). Not this daycare's rates; prices have risen since.

State record

Inspection reports for First Step

License

Status
Licensed and operating
License type
Full Permit
Capacity
71 children
Ages
Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children
Permit issued
1996
License number
#515990
See the state's record

Summary

11 visits in the last 3 years · Last visit Mar 3, 2026: no rules cited

Rules cited on 1 of 11 visits · 1 rule in all · 1 corrected

  • Building, equipment and play areas 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.

Own this daycare? Add your response to the state record

See all 21 visits
  1. Mar 3, 2026InspectionNo rules cited
  2. Feb 27, 2026VisitNo rules cited
  3. Feb 9, 2026InspectionNo rules cited
  4. May 19, 2025InspectionNo rules cited
  5. Apr 8, 2025InspectionNo rules cited
  6. Apr 7, 2025VisitNo rules cited
  7. Mar 7, 2025InspectionNo rules cited
  8. Jan 14, 2025InspectionNo rules cited
  9. Jan 9, 2025VisitNo rules cited
  10. May 30, 2024InspectionNo rules cited
Show 11 earlier visits
  1. Apr 18, 2024Inspection1 rule cited
    • Building, equipment and play areasMedium High risk

      746.4907(a)(1) - Installation and Maintenance of Loose-fill Surfacing - Six Inches if Equipment 5 Ft or Less

      “The loose fill in the outdoor play area did not meet the 6 inch minimum requirement.”

      The state verified the correction on May 30, 2024

  2. Jul 24, 2023InspectionNo rules cited
  3. Jul 12, 2023VisitNo rules cited
  4. Jun 28, 2023InspectionNo rules cited
  5. May 22, 2023InspectionNo rules cited
  6. Jan 23, 2023InspectionNo rules cited
  7. Jan 12, 2023VisitNo rules cited
  8. Sep 12, 2022InspectionNo rules cited
  9. Aug 22, 2022InspectionNo rules cited
  10. Aug 18, 2022VisitNo rules cited
  11. Jun 27, 2022Inspection2 rules cited
    • Background checksHigh risk

      745.641 - AP Background check results - Must receive notification prior to allowing subject to be present at your operation

      “During the inspection two caregivers were present without background check results. This was corrected when the director asked the caregivers to leave the operation.”

      The state verified the correction on Jun 30, 2022

    • Health, medication and illnessMedium High risk

      746.3501(6) - Diaper Changing Steps-Supplies Kept Out of Child's Reach

      “During the walk through diaper rash creams were stored in an unlocked cabinet accessible to children in care. This was corrected when the director moved the creams up higher.”

      Corrected during the visit

Copied from Texas Health and Human Services, Child Care Regulation on October 1, 2026; the state's records start around Sep 2021. Rule wording, severity and dates are the state's.

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FAQ

Questions about First Step

Is First Step licensed?

Yes. Texas Health and Human Services, Child Care Regulation lists it as licensed and operating, with a permit issued January 8, 1996.

When was First Step last inspected?

Texas Health and Human Services, Child Care Regulation lists the most recent visit on March 3, 2026, with no rules cited. It lists 11 visits in the last 3 years.

Has First Step had rules cited by the state?

Yes. Inspectors cited 1 rule across 1 of 11 visits in the last 3 years; 1 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 First Step care for?

71, the licensed capacity on the state record. It is licensed to serve infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.

Does First Step accept child care subsidies?

Yes. The state record says it accepts child care subsidies.

What are First Step's hours?

Monday to Friday, 7:15 AM to 5:30 PM. These are the hours on the state record. Holiday hours can differ.

How much does First Step cost?

It has not listed its tuition. Call (512) 353-4177 to ask.

What is First Step's phone number?

(512) 353-4177.

Where is First Step?

4003 Hunter Rd, San Marcos, TX 78666. The nearest other daycare we list is SuperStars Enrichment @ Rodriguez, 1.4 miles away.

Sources: Texas Health and Human Services, Child Care Regulation (license and visits) · U.S. Department of Labor, 2022 (county prices).