Nelly Marina Cruz
Houston, TX 77071 · infants to school-age · Home daycare: the provider shares the address with families
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Top Leaders Academy is a licensed child care center in Houston, Texas. The state has permitted it since July 21, 2023, for up to 85 children, serving infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.
It is open Monday to Friday, 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Texas Health and Human Services, Child Care Regulation made 9 visits in the last 3 years and cited 12 rules across 5 of them. The visit list, in the state's words, is below.
Hours
| Monday | 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM |
| Thursday | 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM |
| Friday | 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM |
| Saturday | Not listed |
| SundayToday | Not listed |
Programs
| Ages | Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age childrenFrom the state license |
|---|---|
| Child care subsidy | Accepts state child care subsidiesFrom the state license |
| Licensed capacity | 85 childrenFrom the state license |
Cost
Top Leaders Academy 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).
State record
9 visits in the last 3 years · Last visit Apr 30, 2026: 1 rule cited
Rules cited on 5 of 9 visits · 12 rules in all · 12 corrected
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.
The state lists conditions on this permit.
Own this daycare? Add your response to the state record
746.3505(e) - Diapering Procedures - Sanitizing Diaper Changing Area
“The diaper changing mat in the infant room was observed to be torn in mutiple placed. Due to the tears, the mat could not be sanitized.”
The state verified the correction on May 6, 2026
746.201(9) - Complying with Laws and Rules
“Based on information obtained by staff. Another operation transports children enrolled at Top Leaders Academy. The children are not enrolled at the other operation. Vehicles are borrowed from other operations when there are issues with their vehicle.”
The state verified the correction on Oct 23, 2025
746.5617(a)(2) - Required Equipment in Vehicles - Emergency Medical Information
“The 1st aid kit was observed having expired antiseptic 3/25, non working thermometer, no tweezers, and no tape. Note: Corrected at inspection.”
Corrected during the visit
746.5603(c) - Types of Vehicles Used to Transport Children - Be Maintained Safely
“The van was observed to have 6 broken seatbelts. 4 towards the back of the van doesn't have a buckle to hook to, and 2 on the 1st row has a stuck seatbelt that won't unhook. The Air conditioner was observed to be not working.”
The state verified the correction on Oct 23, 2025
746.403(b) - Posting Requirements - Child's Food Allergy Plans
“A list of all children with diagnosed food allergies was not observed to be posted in the kitchen area.”
The state verified the correction on May 16, 2025
746.605(15) - Required Admission Information-Child's allergies and Completed Food Allergy Plan
“2 children with documented diagnosed allergies did not have an allergy plan on file.”
The state verified the correction on May 16, 2025
746.4135(a) - Children's Products- Review list and Remove unsafe products
“A boppy pillow recalled 9/2021 was observed to be in the infant room. NOTE: Operation completed annual children's product safety certification 1/23/2025.”
The state verified the correction on May 16, 2025
746.2415(a)(1) - Prohibited Equipment for Infants - Baby Walkers
“A baby walker was observed in the infant room”
The state verified the correction on May 16, 2025
746.4135(b) - Children's Products- Annual Certification
“The children's products safety certificate (CPSC) has not been completed annually. NOTE: The CPSC was last completed 10/26/2022”
The state verified the correction on Feb 21, 2024
746.201(1) - Policies Comply with Rules
“The operation handbook was reviewed, the operations open door policy does not comply with Minimum Standards. The policy states that it is up to the discretion of the director or on-duty staff to allow or deny parental visitation The following policies were observed to be missing: (8)Suspension and Expulsion of children (18) Promotion of indoor and outdoor physical activity that is consistent with Subchapter F of this chapter (relating to Developmental Activities and Activity Plan) [Medium]; your policies must include: (B) The duration of physical activity at your operation, both indoor and outdoor (C) The type of physical activity (structured and unstructured) that children may engage in at your operation and (F) The criteria you will use to determine when extreme weather conditions pose a significant health risk that prohibits or limits outdoor play (26) Preventing and responding to abuse and neglect of children, including: (B)Methods for increasing employee and parent awareness of issues regarding child abuse and neglect, including warning signs that a child may be a victim of abuse or neglect and factors indicating a child is at risk for abuse or neglect C) Methods for increasing employee and parent awareness of prevention techniques for child abuse and neglect (D) Strategies for coordination between the center and appropriate community organizations [Medium]; and (E) Actions that the parent of a child who is a victim of abuse or neglect should take to obtain assistance and intervention, including procedures for reporting child abuse or neglect (30) Procedures for supporting inclusive services to children with special care needs. The policy must address the requirements outlined in ?746.2202 of this chapter (relating to What are my responsibilities when planning activities for a child in care with special care needs?)”
The state verified the correction on Feb 6, 2024
746.3317 - Food Service and Preparation Requirement - Safe and Sanitary
“A bag of hamburger buns was observed to be in the pantry. The buns had an expiration date of 1/10/2024 and some of the buns were observed to have mold. NOTE: Corrected at inspection. The hamburger buns were discarded during the inspection.”
Corrected during the visit
746.2401(6) - Basic Requirements for Infants - Free from Choking Objects That May Cause Choking in Infants or Toddlers
“A 12 mo old was observed to be sleeping in a crib with a pacifier clipped to their clothing. NOTE: Pacifier clip was removed from the infant during the inspection.”
The state verified the correction on Feb 21, 2024
746.901(2) - Required Personnel Records- Meets Requirements
“Two emploeyees did not have the high school diploma available to review during the inspection.”
The state verified the correction on Jun 30, 2023
746.1329(c)(2) - Documentation PEDIATRIAC CPR-1st aid original certificate on file at center or copy available if licensing requests
“One employee did not have the CPR and First Aid training to review.”
The state verified the correction on Jun 2, 2023
746.901(4) - Required Personnel Records - Required Affidavit
“One employee did not the affidavit form signed by a notary officer.”
The state verified the correction on May 30, 2023
746.5617(a)(5) - Required Equipment in Vehicles - Fire Extinguisher
“The fire extinguisher was not observed secured in the vehicle.”
The state verified the correction on Apr 24, 2023
746.5205(1) - Fire Drill Monthly - Exit in 3 Minutes
“The fire drill for the month of March was not conducted.”
The state verified the correction on Apr 11, 2023
746.401(6) - Posting Requirements - Daily menu, including all snacks and meals served by the child care center
“A copy of the operations daily menu was not observed to be posted. NOTE:Corrected at inspection menu was made available for review during the inspection.”
Corrected during the visit
746.3407 - Maintenance of Building, Grounds and Equipment
“Two broken ride-on cars were observed on the playground. One car was missing the door and the other was missing the steering wheel. A metal stationary car was observed to have 4 bolts protuding out. NOTE: The two ride-on cars were removed from the playground during the inspecction”
The state verified the correction on Mar 7, 2023
746.201(1) - Policies Comply with Rules
“Policies were reviewed and observed to be missing the following: (8) Suspension and expulsion of children; (9) Safe sleep policy for infants from birth through 12 months old that is consistent with the rules in Subchapter H of this chapter (relating to Basic Requirements for Infants) that relate to sleep requirements and restrictions, including sleep positioning, and crib requirements and restrictions, including mattresses, bedding, blankets, toys, and restrictive devices; (18) Promotion of indoor and outdoor physical activity that is consistent with Subchapter F of this chapter (relating to Developmental Activities and Activity Plan); your policies must include: (A) The benefits of physical activity and outdoor play; (B) The duration of physical activity at your operation, both indoor and outdoor; (C) The type of physical activity (structured and unstructured) that children may engage in at your operation; (D) Each setting in which your physical activity program will take place; (E) The recommended clothing and footwear that will allow a child to participate freely and safely in physical activities; and (F) A plan to ensure physical activity occurs on days when extreme weather conditions prohibit or limit outdoor play. (19) Procedures for providing and applying, as needed, insect repellent and sunscreen, including what types will be used, if applicable; (20) Procedures for parents to review and discuss with the child-care center director any questions or concerns about the policies and procedures of the child-care center; (21) Procedures for parents to participate in the child-care center's operation and activities; (22) Procedures for parents to review a copy of the child-care center's most recent Licensing inspection report and how the parent may access the minimum standards online; (23) Instructions on how a parent may contact the local Licensing office, access the Texas Abuse and Neglect Hotline, and access the HHSC website; (26) Preventing and responding to abuse and neglect of children, including: (B) Methods for increasing employee and parent awareness of issues regarding child abuse and neglect, including warning signs that a child may be a victim of abuse or neglect and factors indicating a child is at risk for abuse or neglect; (C) Methods for increasing employee and parent awareness of prevention techniques for child abuse and neglect; (D) Strategies for coordination between the center and appropriate community organizations; and (E) Actions that the parent of a child who is a victim of abuse or neglect should take to obtain assistance and intervention, including procedures for reporting child abuse or neglect; (27) Procedures for conducting health checks, if applicable; and (28) Information on vaccine-preventable diseases for employees, unless your center is in the home of the permit holder. The policy must address the requirements outlined in ?746.3611 of this chapter (relating to What must a policy for protecting children from vaccine-preventable diseases include?). They may visit the child-care center at any time during your hours of operation to observe their child, the program activities, the building, the premises, and the equipment without having to secure prior approval; and”
The state verified the correction on Nov 30, 2022
745.651(1) - Background Check Validation - You must inactivate a subject who is no longer associated with your operation within 7 days of leaving
“A caregiver whose last day was 11/7 was still observed to have an active background check”
The state verified the correction on Nov 15, 2022
746.5625(b) - Electronic Child Safety Alarm - installed and maintained according to manufacturer's instructions
“The van alarm was not observed to be operating during the time of the visit.”
The state verified the correction on Nov 30, 2022
746.1301(1)(A) - Training Requirements for Employees, Caregivers, and Directors - Orientation
“Records were reviewed for 3 caregivers. Documentation was not available to verify staff received orientation training.”
The state verified the correction on Nov 30, 2022
746.2607(1) - Activities for Pre-Kindergarten Age - Outdoor Play
“Chidren enrolled have not engaged in outdoor/active play. According to the director, since they started 11/1/22 children have not gone outside. It is unknown when the last time children went outside”
The state verified the correction on Nov 30, 2022
746.1316(a) - Transportation Safety Training -Director and Employee Complete 2 Hours Annually
“Transportation training for the director and driver was not available for review.”
The state verified the correction on Nov 30, 2022
746.5101(a) - Annual Fire Inspection - Before Initial Permit Issued and Every 12 Months
“The operation has not had an initial inspection conducted by the Fire Marshal.”
The state verified the correction on Nov 30, 2022
745.641 - AP Background check results - Must receive notification prior to allowing subject to be present at your operation
“On 10/18 the owner was observed to be present at the operation without notification of eligibility from the background check unit. The owner did not submit their background check until 10/27.”
The state verified the correction on Nov 9, 2022
746.2805(6) - Prohibited Punishments - Humiliating, Rejecting, Yelling
“Based on information received, as a form of time-out discipline, children are made to stand facing a corner or wall for an unknown amount of time.”
The state verified the correction on Nov 15, 2022
746.1203(2) - Responsibilities of Caregivers - Know Group Responsible For
“Caregivers in care of a group of 7 children 2-9yrs old were not aware of the of the children in their care. When asked, the caregiver stated the oldest child was 5yrs old. NOTE: The oldest in care was 9yrs old.”
The state verified the correction on Nov 15, 2022
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Houston, TX 77071 · infants to school-age · Home daycare: the provider shares the address with families
10826 S Gessner Rd, Houston, TX
8373 Creekbend Dr, Houston, TX
8250 Creekbend Dr, Houston, TX
8103 Creekbend Dr Ste K, Houston, TX
8895 W Bellfort St, Houston, TX
9600 S Gessner Rd Bldg C, Houston, TX
Houston, TX 77071 · infants to school-age · Home daycare: the provider shares the address with families
Houston, TX 77071 · infants to school-age · Home daycare: the provider shares the address with families
FAQ
Yes. Texas Health and Human Services, Child Care Regulation lists it as licensed and operating, with a permit issued July 21, 2023.
Texas Health and Human Services, Child Care Regulation lists the most recent visit on April 30, 2026, with 1 rule cited. It lists 9 visits in the last 3 years.
Yes. Inspectors cited 12 rules across 5 of 9 visits in the last 3 years; 12 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.
85, the licensed capacity on the state record. It is licensed to serve infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.
Yes. The state record says it accepts child care subsidies.
Monday to Friday, 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM. These are the hours on the state record. Holiday hours can differ.
It has not listed its tuition. Call (713) 485-5761 to ask.
(713) 485-5761.
10704 S Gessner Rd, Houston, TX 77071. The nearest other daycare we list is Tiny Blessings Academy, under 0.1 miles away.