A Little List.
Daycare report card

Smart Start Academy

552 9th Street · Uptown

B-
B- · 69/100 — weighted 50% safety & compliance, 35% parent sentiment, 15% program quality.
B-
Safety & compliance46 inspections on record · 0 open · 1.07 findings per inspection (town median 1.46)
B
Parent sentiment4.7 stars across 65 Google reviews
Program qualityno Grow NJ Kids rating (voluntary program) or named curriculum
Cost & waitlistno approved submissions yet

The facts

Address552 9th Street
Phone201-461-6363
WebsiteVisit site ↗
Ages6 weeks – Pre-K
Hours7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
NeighborhoodUptown
Google rating4.7 ★ (65 reviews) ↗
Licensed capacity73 children
License140900017
WaitlistHigh demand — inquire 3–6 months ahead
Tuition~$2,199/mo infants
2021 estimate — verify with the center

What parents should know

  • All organic meals provided from 12 months
  • Baby yoga & developmental activity curriculum
  • Sign language & Spanish
  • Corporate discounts available
  • Uniform (yellow shirts)
  • Can skip July & August with spot guaranteed

What reviews say

4.7 stars across 65 reviews. Parents call teachers 'patient and warm' and love the structured daily communication. 'Our son loves the indoor playground.' The organic meal program and summer flexibility (skip July/Aug, keep your spot) are frequently mentioned as differentiators.

Read all 65 Google reviews ↗

State licensing & inspection history

Last inspected 6/16/2026 (Monitoring,Other)  ·  46 inspections on record  ·  0 open · 49 corrected
Corrected — resolved
3A:52-4.6(c)(3)  ·  cited 6/16/2026
Provide documentation that the group teacher meets the required qualifications as specified in the manual.
✓ Corrected 6/18/2026
3A:52-4.5(b)(2)  ·  cited 6/16/2026
Complete and maintain daily time sheets with arrival and departure times for staff.
✓ Corrected 6/16/2026
3A:52-4.6(b)  ·  cited 6/16/2026
Provide documentation that the director meets the required qualifications as specified in the manual.
✓ Corrected 6/16/2026
3A:52-3.4(a)  ·  cited 6/16/2026
Provide documentation that the center has current comprehensive general liability insurance coverage.
✓ Corrected 6/16/2026
3A:52-7.7(e)(1)(iv)  ·  cited 12/5/2025
Ensure mouthed toys are washed and sanitized before being given to another child in Room 3.
✓ Corrected 1/9/2026
3A:52-7.7(a)(3)(iv)  ·  cited 12/5/2025
Ensure tables are washed and disinfected before each meal in Room 3.
✓ Corrected 1/9/2026
3A:52-7.8(d)(1)(ii)(3)  ·  cited 12/5/2025
Replace the torn diaper changing pad in Room 1.
✓ Corrected 1/9/2026
3A:52-6.2(a)(1)  ·  cited 12/5/2025
Ensure that the center has an adequate supply of materials to meet the daily activity needs of the children and the program and ensure all materials used by the children are age-ap
✓ Corrected 1/9/2026
3A:52-5.3(n)(1)  ·  cited 12/5/2025
Ensure fire drills are conducted during each session provided at the center, one fire drill per year is conducted during nap time, if applicable, and all children are evacuated fro
✓ Corrected 1/9/2026
3A:52-4.3(a)(1)  ·  cited 9/22/2025
Ensure that children are adequately tracked at all times and staff are aware of the number of children in their care. In Room 4, staff reported 8 children present, whereas, there w
✓ Corrected 10/9/2025
3A:52-6.6(a)  ·  cited 8/27/2025
Based on information, ensure that staff utilize positive methods of guidance and discipline. A named staff was physically aggressive in her interactions with a named child.
✓ Corrected 8/27/2025
3A:52-4.8(a)  ·  cited 8/27/2025
Based on information, retrain all staff on the center's discipline policy.
✓ Corrected 9/8/2025
3A:52-5.2(b)  ·  cited 7/28/2025
Ensure the center's fire protective systems are operative at all times.
✓ Corrected 8/4/2025
3A:52-7.5(b)(10)  ·  cited 7/28/2025
Ensure Benadryl is onsite for named child with allergy action plan.
✓ Corrected 8/4/2025
3A:52-5.3(a)(15)  ·  cited 7/28/2025
Maintain all mechanical ventilation in a clean and operating condition in Room 1.
✓ Corrected 8/4/2025
3A:52-5.3(a)(15)  ·  cited 7/28/2025
Maintain all mechanical ventilation in a clean and operating condition in Room 2.
✓ Corrected 8/4/2025
3A:52-3.4(a)  ·  cited 7/28/2025
Provide documentation that the center has current comprehensive general liability insurance coverage.
✓ Corrected 8/4/2025
3A:52-133  ·  cited 7/28/2025
Remove excess storage from exit door in Room 3.
✓ Corrected 7/28/2025
3A:52-7.7(e)(1)(iii)  ·  cited 7/28/2025
Ensure diapering pad in children's hallway bathroom is washed and disinfected after each use.
✓ Corrected 8/4/2025
3A:52-7.7(a)(3)(iii)  ·  cited 7/28/2025
Ensure crib sheets are washed and disinfected weekly in Room 2.
✓ Corrected 8/4/2025
3A:52-7.8(d)(1)(ii)(3)  ·  cited 7/28/2025
Repair or replace the diaper changing pad in the hallway children's bathroom.
✓ Corrected 8/4/2025
3A:52-5.3(l)(4)  ·  cited 5/2/2024
Ensure that the center conducts at least two lockdown drills per year during each session provided at the center and maintains records of the drills on file.
✓ Corrected 5/10/2024
3A:52-7.5(b)(10)  ·  cited 5/2/2024
Ensure any medications come in its original box. One child had children's allergy medicine without the box.
✓ Corrected 6/6/2024
3A:52-7.5(b)(10)  ·  cited 5/2/2024
Ensure that all Epi-pens are stored in their original boxes with the child's name and prescription, accompanied by a special care plan and that two are present when required in roo
✓ Corrected 6/6/2024
3A:52-7.5(b)(3)(iii)  ·  cited 5/2/2024
Ensure that all expired medication is returned to the child's parent or disposed of appropriately. In room 6, one child had expired Benadryl.
✓ Corrected 6/6/2024
3A:52-4.11(a)(1)  ·  cited 5/2/2024
Ensure that all staff, the sponsor and/or the sponsor representative complete a CHRI background check as required for the center's license renewal dated 7/2/2024. Submit CHRI resul
✓ Corrected 5/10/2024
3A:52-4.6(a)  ·  cited 5/2/2024
Ensure an updated Staff Records Checklist is kept on file at the center.
✓ Corrected 5/8/2024
3A:52-5.3(a)(16)  ·  cited 8/10/2023
Ensure that the baseboard molding in room 5 is repaired and/or painted.
✓ Corrected 9/21/2023
3A:52-4.11(a)(1)  ·  cited 8/10/2023
Ensure that all staff, the sponsor and/or the sponsor representative complete a CHRI background check as required. An updated CHRI clearance is needed for one staff member.
✓ Corrected 11/9/2023
3A:52-5.2(a)(5)  ·  cited 8/10/2023
Ensure that all exits and egress areas from room 5 are unobstructed.
✓ Corrected 8/10/2023

View the official state inspection file ↗

These grades are our editorial synthesis of public records, published to help parents with their own research — not an official rating, and not a substitute for visiting a center and reading the state's full file. Inspection findings are quoted verbatim from NJ Office of Licensing reports and recompute automatically as new inspections post. Missing data means “not graded,” never a low grade. How the grades work  ·  Run this center and see something wrong? Request a correction.