Smart Start Achievement Academy

Poorly managed and ran. Constantly short staffed. No curriculum for any of their age groups. Their way of watching my 2yo son was to strap him into a high chair and leave him. They also can’t manage watching 2-3yo children and are quick to send them home and expel. Yes 2yo and 3yo! Also their VPK program left my oldest son poorly set up for Kindergarten. Person (I won’t use the word teacher) conducting the VPK class was clearly unqualified and only hired because they were related to the director. Would recommend looking elsewhere.

My daughter has been going to Smart Start Academy in Orange City Florida for 5 1/2 years. The staff are the best . When I was ready to put my daughter in daycare years ago I was scared hearing horror stories and reading and seeing videos online about children getting mistreated so when I went to check out daycares in my area (orange city) I was very vigilant and did my research and visited (unannounced)and walked through every daycare in the area. I talked extensively to staff and I observed the children and their interaction with the teachers and also looked at the playgrounds, the dining areas and bathrooms and classrooms and I saw some horrible places where it was disgusting smelled like urine kids were dirty and so where the teachers and the rooms. When I walked into smart start I was instantly relieved with the clean smell. Going inside it was spacious and filled with decor from the children’s projects hanging and everyone was so friendly. Kids were clean the rooms clean. Food is prepared fresh and healthy options on menu weekly. Bathrooms clean your child will learn (vpk school ready) and with continued help from parent when they are home can be potty trained . Everyone there I love and trust they are an extension of my family. Hours are great 6am to 6pm I’m a single mom so the hours allow me to work a full time schedule during the week they also except ELC and rates are very fair. Now that my daughter is in school the daycare helps me out even more because I work early morning I drop her off they feed her breakfast and drop her off at school for me and they pick her up so I don’t have to miss hours at work or change my schedule and days they don’t have school they take her and they have activities and field trips which is great. There summer time program is amazing too. Everyone is so personable and loving towards my child makes me have a peace of mind while I’m away from her. So if you are looking for a great daycare,before/after school care , and VPK this is the place.

My girls have been going to smart start for a little over three years and they love it. My youngest has clung to Ms.Debbie. I’m always informed about anything going on with my children right away, or the daycare itself. Definitely recommend Smart Start

My son has been going to Smart Start Academy for over a year and we love it! Wouldn't have him go anywhere else. We love all the teachers!

My daughter is learning a lot here. She enjoys going and I can tell the teachers are kind. It always smells clean and someone is always cleaning when I get there.