Smart Start Academy

We couldn't have asked for a more comprehensive and nurturing environment for our 2 1/2 year-old daughter, who started at SSA about a year ago. Not only is it the right fit to us—our daughter is over the moon about going there and looks forward to school each day. It shows in her development (cognitively and in motor skills), as well as her social skills. You see a progressive-minded approach to learning here, and the caliber of the SSA owners and staff is second to none

My daughter is 14 months old and has been attending Smart Start since she was 6 months old. I am originally from Washington State and just moved to Jersey last July, so I was extremely nervous to leave my little girl in the hands of strangers.

From the minute we toured we immediately felt that Maria and her team were not strangers but an integral part of our family. She cried briefly her first day when dropped off, but by the end of that week, she was reaching out eagerly to her teacher each morning. The love they have for the kids is obvious in every interaction, and also in the care they take to bring anything odd happening with my daughter to my attention. My daughter loves her instructors too. I am very happy we found Smart Start. It made my transition to a new city much easier to bear.

My one criticism is that they are occasionally closed during days that I have to work, and when that happens it can cause a financial burden as we need to hire a temporary nanny. The other issue is that summer payment is due in advance, requiring us to pay nearly $2,000 extra in one month. That was very difficult for a family on a budget to produce with little warning, so we can save now for it next year, but we would have preferred an earlier heads up.

Overall, this school is amazing and we love watching our daughter grow and thrive here. I heartily recommend it.

the staff love my children like they were there own. I feel comfortable all day knowing that they are being well taken care of. They learn so much and have wonderful outings and activities. I also love that I can use the app to check in.
My only complaint is on the business side of the school. it seems like there are a lot of extra charges which could just be included in the tuition for example the supplies fee, tee shirts and trips. Plus the tee shirts are $20 each which feels like a rip off odd way to make money off of the parents when we are already paying so much. A collared school uniform shirt for public school is around 10 so a printed t shirt shouldn't be 20. And there are a lot of days that the school is closed 2plus weeks in the summer and about the same through the school year. Most people only get 2 weeks total vacation days per year so it can be difficult to manage

The school is perfect, I love the curriculum, the price is reasonable, My son's teacher is the best, and the staff is wonderful. My son is very happy..

We came to NJ in July 2011 (inception year of Smart Start Academy, Central Avenue) and my son has been attending summer school every year since then. Though he was new to the school and the state, the staff and Ms.Cesi ensured the 4 year old is feeling at home with their courteous and professional behavior.

We tried another nearby summer camp an year back and my son wasn't happy there and requested us to send him to so called Penguin school (the school logo), he is a happy camper there. Thanks Smart Start Academy!