Elena's Day Care
12543 Westella Dr Ste A, Houston, TX
4.4· 49 reviews
Smaller Scholars
- licensed capacity
- 238
- open each week
- 5 days
- a week, county median
- $185
- year first permitted
- 2005
We are a directory, not the daycare. We cannot hold a spot, enroll a child or answer questions about care.
Own this daycare? Claim it
About
About Smaller Scholars
Smaller Scholars is a licensed child care center in Houston, Texas. The state has permitted it since November 14, 2005, for up to 238 children, serving infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.
It is open Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. It describes a Montessori approach, with after-school care, infant care and toddler care.
Texas Health and Human Services, Child Care Regulation made 12 visits in the last 3 years and cited 14 rules across 6 of them. The visit list, in the state's words, is below.
InfantsMontessoriBefore- and after-school
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 and staff-to-child ratio.
- Type
- Child care center
- Ages
- Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children
- Hours today
- Closed today
- Licensed capacity
- 238 children
Hours
Hours
| Monday | 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM |
| Thursday | 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM |
| Friday | 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM |
| Saturday | Not listed |
| SundayToday | Not listed |
Programs
Programs and care
| Ages | Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age childrenFrom the state license. It lists: 6 weeks to 12 years old (Dairy Ashford Campus) |
|---|---|
| Programs | After-school care, infant care and toddler care |
| Approach | Montessori |
| Enrichment | Art, Yoga, Junior Athletes, Gymnastics, Spanish, Soccer, Dance, Cooking, and Science |
| Staff | Montessori certified staff averaging more than 10 years of experience |
| Daily life | Potty training: Toilet Training Agreement required |
| More | Founded 1985 |
| Licensed capacity | 238 childrenFrom the state license |
Cost
Tuition and costs
Smaller Scholars has not listed its tuition. For comparison, full-time infant care at a child care center in Harris County has a median price of $185 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$185
Home daycare$164
Toddler
Center$172
Home daycare$155
Preschool
Center$167
Home daycare$153
School age
Center$156
Home daycare$144
State record
Inspection reports for Smaller Scholars
License
- Status
- Licensed and operating
- License type
- Full Permit
- Capacity
- 238 children
- Ages
- Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children
- Permit issued
- 2005
- License number
- #854951
Summary
12 visits in the last 3 years · Last visit Aug 6, 2026: no rules cited
Rules cited on 7 of 12 visits · 14 rules in all · 14 corrected
- Building, equipment and play areas 7
- Health, medication and illness 2
- Safe sleep 1
- Food and nutrition 1
- Safety and hazards 1
- Staff training and qualifications 1
- Background checks 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 20 visits
- Aug 6, 2026InspectionNo rules cited
May 5, 2026Inspection4 rules cited
746.3809 - Medication No Longer Used
“I observed expired emergency medication in the mediation cabinet. NOTE: This was corrected during the inspection by removing the medication to go back home with parents”
Corrected during the visit
746.2409(a)(10) - Safety Requirements for Cribs - Label for Each Infant
“One infant was observed sleeping in a crib that was not labeled with the child's name”
The state verified the correction on Jun 10, 2026
746.3407(9) - Floors, ceilings and Walls in Good Repair and Clean
“Observed ceiling tile hanging down in classroom with children present.”
The state verified the correction on Jun 10, 2026
746.2421(b) - Written Feeding Instructions - Review and Update Every 30 Days
“It was observed that feeding instructions for two infants were not signed or updated by the parent/guardian within the last 30 days.”
The state verified the correction on Jun 10, 2026
Mar 6, 2026Inspection1 rule cited
746.3407(9) - Floors, ceilings and Walls in Good Repair and Clean
“In rooms PR 4 and PR 5, I observed major cracks within the walls' interior. In the same rooms around the crack, the paint is starting to chip.”
The state verified the correction on Mar 17, 2026
Mar 6, 2026Visit1 rule cited
746.3407(9) - Floors, ceilings and Walls in Good Repair and Clean
“In rooms PR 4 and PR 5, I observed major cracks within the walls' interior. In the same rooms around the crack, the paint is starting to chip.”
The state verified the correction on Mar 17, 2026
Dec 5, 2025Visit1 rule cited
746.3407(9) - Floors, ceilings and Walls in Good Repair and Clean
“In rooms PR 4 and PR 5, I observed major cracks within the walls' interior. In the same rooms around the crack, the paint is starting to chip.”
The state verified the correction on Mar 6, 2026
- May 20, 2025InspectionNo rules cited
May 13, 2025Inspection3 rules cited
746.3407 - Maintenance of Building, Grounds and Equipment
“The wood borders around the playground were broken, exposing sharp parts of the wood and nails.”
The state verified the correction on Jul 18, 2025
746.5101(b) - Annual Fire Inspection - Conducted by Fire Marshal
“The last fire inspection was conducted on 4/25/24.”
The state verified the correction on Jul 15, 2025
746.3407(9) - Floors, ceilings and Walls in Good Repair and Clean
“In rooms PR 4 and PR 5, I observed major cracks within the walls' interior. In the same rooms around the crack, the paint is starting to chip.”
The state verified the correction on Oct 2, 2025
- Mar 11, 2025InspectionNo rules cited
May 31, 2024Inspection3 rules cited
746.1315(b)(1) - CPR Training and Recertification Adhere to Guidelines-skill based
“One employee did not have a valid hands on CPR training certificate.”
The state verified the correction on Jun 20, 2024
746.3407(8) - Garbage Inaccessible to Children; Maintained in Sanitary Manner
“I observed several rooms without trash cans covers.”
The state verified the correction on Jun 20, 2024
746.3809 - Medication No Longer Used
“I observed expired emergency medication in the mediation cabinet. NOTE: This was corrected during the inspection by removing the medication to go back home with parents.”
Corrected during the visit
- Jan 30, 2024InspectionNo rules cited
Show 10 earlier visits
- Nov 7, 2023InspectionNo rules cited
Nov 2, 2023Inspection2 rules cited
746.3701(5) - Safety - Play Materials and Equipment Safe
“During the walkthrough on the playground, there was a plywood with a sharp nail sticking out. Along the toddlers playground fence there was a nail sticking up out of the board. NOTE: This was corrected during the inspection with the plywood being removed and nail being hammerd down into the wood.”
Corrected during the visit
745.641 - AP Background check results - Must receive notification prior to allowing subject to be present at your operation
“The operation had one caregiver present who was counted in the child caregiver ratio and did not have an eligible background check.”
The state verified the correction on Nov 7, 2023
- Aug 21, 2023InspectionNo rules cited
Aug 18, 2023Complaint investigation2 rules cited
746.2805(7) - Prohibited Punishments - Placing Child in Locked or Dark Room
“During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that a caregiver locked a child in the restroom.”
The state verified the correction on Nov 2, 2023
746.2805(1) - Prohibited Punishments - Corporal Punishment
“During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that a caregiver used prohibited punishment on a child in care.”
The state verified the correction on Nov 2, 2023
- Jun 8, 2023InspectionNo rules cited
- Oct 27, 2022InspectionNo rules cited
Oct 13, 2022Inspection1 rule cited
746.1203(2) - Responsibilities of Caregivers - Know Group Responsible For
“The caregiver in room PR6 stated there were 17 children present, however 16 were counted.”
The state verified the correction on Oct 26, 2022
- Oct 4, 2022VisitNo rules cited
- Jun 29, 2022InspectionNo rules cited
Jun 14, 2022Inspection3 rules cited
746.631(b) - Caregivers Have Access to Tracking System
“The caregiver in room PR8 had 4 children napping in another classroom during her shift, but the children were not signed out on the name to face log. Note: This was corrected during the inspection.”
Corrected during the visit
746.1309(d) - Documented Annual Training - Caregivers of Children Under 24 Months Required
“2 caregiver in charge of children under 24 months old did not have the following trainings: 1. Understanding early childhood brain development. 2. Recognizing and preventing shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma.”
The state verified the correction on Jun 28, 2022
746.1203(2) - Responsibilities of Caregivers - Know Group Responsible For
“The caregiver in room TR1 stated there were 8 children present, but there were 9 children present. The caregiver in room PR8 stated there were 8 children, then stated there were 9 children, but there were 10 children present.”
The state verified the correction on Jun 29, 2022
Reviews
Parent reviews
No parent reviews yet
If your child goes or went here, your review helps other parents. We check every review against our review guidelines.
Daycares near Smaller Scholars
KayLynn Cloud
Houston, TX 77079 · infants to preschool · Home daycare: the provider shares the address with families
America's Choice Children Center
1910 S Dairy Ashford Rd, Houston, TX
4.2· 45 reviews
Little Scholars Learning Academy
12525 Whittington Dr, Houston, TX
5.0· 14 reviews
Kid Fit Christian Academy
12674 Goar Rd, Houston, TX
4.2· 31 reviews
Kingdom Kids Learning Center
1315 S Dairy Ashford Rd, Houston, TX
4.3· 56 reviews
Ashford Child Enrichment Center
2201 S Dairy Ashford Rd, Houston, TX
4.9· 19 reviews
La Maternelle French Academy
2301 S Dairy Ashford Rd, Houston, TX
4.6· 38 reviews
KCE Champions @ Daily Elementary
12909 Briar Forest Dr, Houston, TX
FAQ
Questions about Smaller Scholars
Is Smaller Scholars licensed?
Yes. Texas Health and Human Services, Child Care Regulation lists it as licensed and operating, with a permit issued November 14, 2005.
When was Smaller Scholars last inspected?
Texas Health and Human Services, Child Care Regulation lists the most recent visit on August 6, 2026, with no rules cited. It lists 12 visits in the last 3 years.
Has Smaller Scholars had rules cited by the state?
Yes. Inspectors cited 14 rules across 7 of 12 visits in the last 3 years; 14 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 Smaller Scholars care for?
238, the licensed capacity on the state record. It is licensed to serve infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.
Does Smaller Scholars accept child care subsidies?
The state record does not list it as accepting subsidies. Ask the provider directly.
What are Smaller Scholars' hours?
Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. These are the hours on the state record. Holiday hours can differ.
How much does Smaller Scholars cost?
It has not listed its tuition. Call (281) 558-3515 to ask.
What is Smaller Scholars' phone number?
(281) 558-3515.
Where is Smaller Scholars?
1685 &1675 S Dairy Ashford, Houston, TX 77077. The nearest other daycare we list is Elena's Day Care, 0.1 miles away.