Banned punishments, infestations spotted at Houston-area day cares

Primrose School of Eldrige Parkway

2150 Eldridge Parkway, Houston

March 27, 2018: A caregiver inappropriately disciplined children, ages 3 and 4, by hitting with a hand, pinching, screaming and hitting children with the handle of a broom. less Primrose School of Eldrige Parkway

2150 Eldridge Parkway, Houston

March 27, 2018: A caregiver inappropriately disciplined children, ages 3 and 4, by hitting with a hand, pinching, screaming and hitting ... more Photo: Google Earth Photo: Google Earth Image 1 of / 96 Caption Close Banned punishments, infestations spotted at Houston-area day cares 1 / 96 Back to Gallery

Day care centers across the state of Texas are routinely cited for using punishments that caregivers may find appropriate at the time, but are actually illegal.

Putting an infant in a high chair for time out, for example, is against state law. Denying a child a treat or snack in response to bad behavior is also prohibited, as is rewarding good behavior with treats.

Punishments must also be appropriate for a child's age. Sending a 2-year-old to time out for 10 minutes is against the rules.

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State records also show frequent citations for punishments that are wildly inappropriate. Caregivers have been caught throwing children to the ground, humiliating children, pinching their arms or dragging them down hallways.

One citation that turned up in our most recent search shows a caregiver forced children to run laps and perform wall sits after they behaved badly.

See citations for Houston-area day cares from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services in the photos above.