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Child care center 

The Sandbox by the Bay Childcare Center

814 McMaster Rd, Alice, TX 783325.0· 1 review
licensed capacity
22
open each week
5 days
a week, county median
$144
year first permitted
2026

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Licensed by the stateInspection record

About

About The Sandbox by the Bay Childcare Center

The Sandbox by the Bay Childcare Center is a licensed child care center in Alice, Texas. The state has permitted it since August 12, 2026, for up to 22 children, serving toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.

It is open Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM.

Texas Health and Human Services, Child Care Regulation made 10 visits in the last 3 years and cited 25 rules across 6 of them. The visit list, in the state's words, is below.

School-age

Ages served: toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children

From the state license
Ask when you call: rates, current openings, staff-to-child ratio and teacher qualifications.
Type
Child care center
Ages
Toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children
Hours today
Closed today
Licensed capacity
22 children

Hours

Hours

Monday7:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Tuesday7:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Wednesday7:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Thursday7:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Friday7:00 AM to 5:30 PM
SaturdayNot listed
SundayTodayNot listed
From the state license

Programs

Programs and care

AgesToddlers, preschoolers and school-age childrenFrom the state license
Licensed capacity22 childrenFrom the state license
A daycare without an item may still offer it; ask.

Cost

Tuition and costs

The Sandbox by the Bay Childcare Center has not listed its tuition. For comparison, full-time toddler care at a child care center in Jim Wells County has a median price of $144 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.
Jim Wells County medians, full time, per week

Infant

Center$153
Home daycare$138

Toddler

Center$144
Home daycare$133

Preschool

Center$140
Home daycare$131

School age

Center$133
Home daycare$125

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 The Sandbox by the Bay Childcare Center

License

Status
Licensed and operating
License type
Full Permit
Capacity
22 children
Ages
Toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children
Permit issued
2026
License number
#1819087
See the state's record

Summary

10 visits in the last 3 years · Last visit Jul 16, 2026: no rules cited

Rules cited on 6 of 10 visits · 25 rules in all · 25 corrected

  • Records and paperwork 4
  • Health, medication and illness 4
  • Building, equipment and play areas 4
  • Safety and hazards 4
  • Discipline and child guidance 3
  • Staff training and qualifications 3
  • Food and nutrition 2
  • Other rules 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 10 visits
  1. Jul 16, 2026InspectionNo rules cited
  2. Jun 18, 2026Inspection2 rules cited
    • Records and paperworkMedium risk

      746.901 - Required Personnel Records

      “Four employee files were reviewed. One file was missing the following: affidavit 2912 and 2985.”

      The state verified the correction on Jun 25, 2026

    • Discipline and child guidanceMedium risk

      746.2203(a) - Written Activity Plans

      “Activity plan for the week was not available for review.”

      The state verified the correction on Jun 25, 2026

  3. May 14, 2026Inspection1 rule cited
    • Health, medication and illnessMedium risk

      746.611(a)(3) - Health Statement parent sign - Dated within past yr, name/address health care professional, states child can participate. Follow by signed statement

      “Four children's files were evaluated. Three files were missing the health statements signed by the parent.”

      The state verified the correction on Jun 18, 2026

  4. Apr 24, 2026InspectionNo rules cited
  5. Mar 27, 2026Inspection7 rules cited
    • Food and nutritionMedium risk

      746.3313(1) - Daily Menus - Record Comparable Substitutions

      “Food substitution during inspection was not documented in menu. Children were given pizza, instead of chicken alfredo.”

      The state verified the correction on Apr 24, 2026

    • Building, equipment and play areasMedium High risk

      746.3407 - Maintenance of Building, Grounds and Equipment

      “Floor in classroom had stains. Two toilets had rings inside the toilet bowl. There were rocks on top of the diaper changing table. Paper liner used on diaper changing table was being disposed at the end of the day, instead of after each diaper change.”

      The state verified the correction on Apr 24, 2026

    • Health, medication and illnessMedium risk

      746.2501(1) - Care Requirements for Toddlers - Routines Maintained

      “Children were observed not following a routine. Children were running around the room, playing in different activities, aside from what the caregiver was covering. Food was observed to be served approximately one hour after the time listed on the schedule.”

      The state verified the correction on Apr 24, 2026

    • Discipline and child guidanceMedium risk

      746.2205(a)(4) - Written Activity Plan - No Long Waiting Periods

      “Written activity plan had periods of time of two hours for arrival. Children were observed fighting for toys, taking off their shoes, and wanting to leave the classroom.”

      The state verified the correction on Apr 24, 2026

    • Other rulesMedium High risk

      746.113(a) - Operating in compliance with MS Rules Licensed

      “Permit holder is not ensuring the center is operating in compliance with the minimum standards.”

      The state verified the correction on Apr 24, 2026

    • Staff training and qualificationsMedium High risk

      746.1301(a)(2)(A) - Training Requirements for Employees, Caregivers, and Directors - Pre-Service Training

      “Four employee files were evaluated. Two employees did not complete the pre-service training.”

      The state verified the correction on May 14, 2026

    • Staff training and qualificationsMedium risk

      746.2505(4)(C) - Furnishings and Equipment for Toddlers - Never Allow Toddlers to Sleep or Walk With Bottles and Training Cups

      “Children were observed walking around with cups, and laying down with sippy cups.”

      The state verified the correction on Apr 24, 2026

  6. Jan 7, 2026InspectionNo rules cited
  7. Nov 24, 2025Inspection6 rules cited
    • Staff training and qualificationsMedium High risk

      746.1315(b) - Each Caregiver and the Director Must Have Current Training in pediatric CPR

      “Three employee files were evaluated. Two employees completed the CPR training 100 percent online. The training did not include hands on practice on a manikin.”

      The state verified the correction on Jan 7, 2026

    • Records and paperworkMedium risk

      746.901 - Required Personnel Records

      “Three employee files were evaluated. One employee file was not available for review. One file was pending form 2912.”

      The state verified the correction on Jan 7, 2026

    • Health, medication and illnessMedium High risk

      746.3415(4) - Employee Handwashing After Diapering a Child

      “Caregiver did not wash her hands or the child's hands after diaper changing.”

      Corrected during the visit

    • Food and nutritionMedium risk

      746.401(6) - Posting Requirements - Daily menu, including all snacks and meals served by the child care center

      “Daily food menu was not available for review.”

      The state verified the correction on Dec 19, 2025

    • Safety and hazardsHigh risk

      746.5319 - Smoke Detectors Testing

      “Smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detector have not been tested by the operation. Fire extinguishers have not been inspected by the operation.”

      The state verified the correction on Dec 8, 2025

    • Safety and hazardsMedium High risk

      746.5205(1) - Fire Drill Monthly - Exit in 3 Minutes

      “Locks down, sheltering and lock down drills have not been conducted by the operation.”

      The state verified the correction on Dec 8, 2025

  8. Oct 1, 2025Inspection4 rules cited
    • Records and paperworkMedium risk

      746.603(a)(2) - Children's Records - Admission Information

      “Four children's files were evaluated. One file was pending the admission form.”

      The state verified the correction on Oct 2, 2025

    • Health, medication and illnessHigh risk

      746.613(a) - Required Immunizations

      “Four children's records were reviewed. Three files did no have immunization records.”

      The state verified the correction on Nov 6, 2025

    • Records and paperworkMedium risk

      746.901 - Required Personnel Records

      “Three employee files were not available for review.”

      The state verified the correction on Nov 24, 2025

    • Discipline and child guidanceMedium risk

      746.2203(a) - Written Activity Plans

      “Activity plan was not available for review.”

      The state verified the correction on Nov 6, 2025

  9. Aug 7, 2025InspectionNo rules cited
  10. Aug 1, 2025Inspection5 rules cited
    • Safety and hazardsHigh risk

      746.5531 - Child-Care Center Must be Equipped with a Working Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detection System

      “Child care center did not have a carbon monoxide detector.”

      The state verified the correction on Aug 7, 2025

    • Building, equipment and play areasMedium High risk

      746.4603(5) - Prohibited Equipment - Multiple Occupancy Swings

      “Swing structure at the operation had a multiple occupancy swing.”

      The state verified the correction on Aug 7, 2025

    • Building, equipment and play areasMedium High risk

      746.4701(c) - Requirements for Swings - Not Attached to a Composite Structure

      “There was a composite play structure in the playground, consisting of swings and a slide and a clubhouse.”

      The state verified the correction on Aug 7, 2025

    • Building, equipment and play areasMedium High risk

      746.4807(a) - Measurement of Use Zone for Swings - in Front and Rear

      “To- fro swing structure at the operation had a use zone to the front and rear of approximately 13 feet. It requires a uze zone of 18 feet.”

      The state verified the correction on Aug 7, 2025

    • Safety and hazardsMedium risk

      746.4135(b) - Children's Products- Annual Certification

      “CPSC form was not available for review.”

      The state verified the correction on Aug 7, 2025

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 The Sandbox by the Bay Childcare Center

Is The Sandbox by the Bay Childcare Center licensed?

Yes. Texas Health and Human Services, Child Care Regulation lists it as licensed and operating, with a permit issued August 12, 2026.

When was The Sandbox by the Bay Childcare Center last inspected?

Texas Health and Human Services, Child Care Regulation lists the most recent visit on July 16, 2026, with no rules cited. It lists 10 visits in the last 3 years.

Has The Sandbox by the Bay Childcare Center had rules cited by the state?

Yes. Inspectors cited 25 rules across 6 of 10 visits in the last 3 years; 25 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 The Sandbox by the Bay Childcare Center care for?

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

Does The Sandbox by the Bay Childcare Center accept child care subsidies?

The state record does not list it as accepting subsidies. Ask the provider directly.

What are The Sandbox by the Bay Childcare Center's hours?

Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. These are the hours on the state record. Holiday hours can differ.

How much does The Sandbox by the Bay Childcare Center cost?

It has not listed its tuition. Call (361) 396-4255 to ask.

What is The Sandbox by the Bay Childcare Center's phone number?

(361) 396-4255.

Where is The Sandbox by the Bay Childcare Center?

814 McMaster Rd, Alice, TX 78332. The nearest other daycare we list is Mini Miracles Christian Daycare, 1.2 miles away.

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