Smart Start Learning Academy
Data last updated · May 2026
Quality Indicators
See Methodology →- Overall QualityCombines daily care quality (interactions, learning, environment) with structural features like staff-to-child ratios and teacher qualifications.5 / 5
- Process QualityThe quality of daily care — caregiver-child interactions, learning activities, and the emotional climate. Drawn from the state QRIS rating, accreditations, and Head Start CLASS observations.Not Available
- Structural QualityMeasurable features like staff-to-child ratios, group sizes, license status, and teacher qualifications. Provider-level data when available; otherwise the state regulatory baseline.5 / 5
Why this rating
This daycare earned 5 out of 5 stars overall. Structural quality reflects a 2% violation rate across 8 visits in the last 3 years (most recently inspected April 2025) and a license in good standing. The structural rating also includes New Hampshire's licensing baseline — what every licensed daycare in the state must meet. New Hampshire caps infant ratios at 1:4, toddler ratios at 1:5, and preschool ratios at 1:12. Lead teachers must hold a High School Diploma. Teachers must complete 18 hours of annual training. No objective process measures (e.g., state quality rating or national accreditation) are available for this daycare. The overall rating reflects structural features only.
Quality Recognitions & Accreditations
- Accreditations
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)Not Accredited
- National Accreditation Commission (NAC)Not Accredited
- National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA)Not Accredited
- National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC)Not Accredited
Facility Info
- Facility type
- Daycare
- Age groups served
- Infants, Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age
- Licensed capacity
- 158
- Teacher-child ratios & group sizesState Minimum Displayed
Age Max ratio Max group Infants 1:4 12 Toddlers 1:5 15 Preschool 1:12 24
Teacher Credentials
- Lead teacher credentialState Minimum Displayed
- High School Diploma
Inspection History
Across 8 inspections since 2024, the issues cited most often were Building & Premises Safety (5), Infectious Disease Prevention & Control (4), and Medication Administration (3). Of 28 total findings, 21 were critical.
See All 4 Inspection Visits
Apr 9, 20254 Findings4 Critical
- HIGH RISK: The Program Practices/reviews EOP Response Actions and Records Them as RequiredHe-C 4002.17(f)
In order to assure that staff and children are familiar with all of the EOP drills, programs shall: (1) Practice evacuation off-site and bomb threats once per year with all child care staff; (2) Practice at least 2 other…
- HIGH RISK: Are Dangerous Items and Staff Personal Belongings Stored OOR or LockedHe-C 4002.23(c)
Child care staff shall ensure that potentially harmful items, including but not limited to matches, lighters, chemicals, materials labeled “harmful if swallowed,” flammable materials, sharp objects, and staffs’ personal…
- HIGH RISK: Cribs and Playpens Are Safe, No Soft Items, and Proper Bedding MaterialsHe-C 4002.26(f)
Cribs and play pens required under He-C 4002.26(c) above shall: (1) Not be stacked; (2) Be free of cracked or peeling paint, splinters, and rough edges; (3) Have no more than 2⅜ inches between slats; (4) Have no missing,…
- HIGH RISK: Sinks for Food Prep/clean Up/prep Bottles Shall Not Be Used for Handwashing After Diaper/toilet.He-C 4002.30(c)
Sinks that are used for food preparation or clean up, including sinks used for getting water for baby bottles, rinsing bottles, or dishes, and washing toys, shall not be used for hand washing after toileting or diaper ch…
Nov 12, 202410 Findings6 Critical4 Important
- HIGH RISK: Programs Shall Comply with Approved Corrective Action PlansHe-C 4002.06(m)
Programs shall comply with approved corrective action plans and corrective action plans issued in accordance with He-C 4002.06(i) and (j).
- HIGH RISK: The Program Conducts Fire Drills and Maintains Record of Drills as RequiredHe-C 4002.17(a)
Except for nature-based programs that operate solely outside, programs shall conduct fire drills in accordance with the following: (1) Programs that operate continuously throughout the year shall conduct at least one dri…
- HIGH RISK: Staff Shall Not Use Prohibited Discipline Practices on ChildrenHe-C 4002.18(e)(10)
Child care staff and household members shall not use isolation as a form of discipline.
- HIGH RISK: All Staff Used for Ratios Are Certified in Pediatric CPR & FA as RequiredHe-C 4002.20(m)(1)
The center director, site director, family child care provider, and all staff used to meet staff to child ratios shall: (1) Be certified in pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid within 90 days of th…
- HIGH RISK: Staff Meds Stored Separate From Children's Meds, Locked or InaccessibleHe-C 4002.21(s)
All medications belonging to staff shall be stored separate from children’s medications in a locked area, or otherwise inaccessible to children.
- HIGH RISK: Children >3 Years Have No Access to Items Posing a Suffocation/choking RiskHe-C 4002.25(f)
Child care staff shall not allow children younger than 3 years of age to have access to toys, toy parts, and other materials that pose a suffocation or choking risk or are small enough to be swallowed, including, but not…
- Program Has on File All Required Staff RecordsHe-C 4002.09(a)
The program shall maintain on file for each staff member: (1) Documentation of the staff’s qualifications, including a resume, transcripts, diplomas, or any other documentation, which demonstrates their qualifications; (…
- Health Screening for Staff and Household Members Completed and on FileHe-C 4002.09(b)
A written record of a health screening for all child care staff, household members and other individuals who have 5 or more hours per week of contact with children shall: (1) Be on file at the program and available for r…
- Child Immunization Record and Health Screening Is on File and UpdatedHe-C 4002.10(d)
The program shall request and maintain on file for each child documentation of immunizations in accordance with RSA 141-C:20-a, RSA 141-C:20-b, and He-P 301.14.
- Staff Teach & Remind Children to Wash HandsHe-C 4002.30(b)
Child care staff shall: (1) Teach children the importance of hand washing with liquid soap and running water; and (2) Instruct, encourage, remind, or assist infants and children as needed throughout each day to wash thei…
Oct 10, 20243 Findings2 Critical1 Important
- HIGH RISK: Program Complies W/ratios for Children 24 mos-5 Yrs. & Ratios for Children <24 Mos. During NaptimeHe-C 4002.26(v)
For children 24 months through 5 years, during naptime, a center-based program may have one less staff person in a classroom than required to meet ratios in accordance with He-C 4002.36 through He-C 4002.38 provided that…
- HIGH RISK: Does the Program Comply W/ratios for Children 24 mos-5 Yrs. & Ratios for Children <24 Mos. During NaptimeHe-C 4002.26(w)
During rest and sleep, programs shall always maintain ratios for children under 24 months, in accordance with He-C 4002.36 and 4002.37, except as specified in He-C 4002.26(x).
- If Program Lets Children 4 Yr + Leave Room to Use Bathroom, Rules Are FollowedHe-C 4002.20(d)
The only exception to He-C 4002.20(b)(1) shall be children 4 years and older may leave the classroom to use a bathroom located on the same level as the classroom, provided that child care staff are aware of each child le…
Jul 10, 202411 Findings9 Critical2 Important
- HIGH RISK: Record of Attendance and Group Size/ratios Are MaintainedHe-C 4002.08(a)
The program shall maintain daily child attendance records, in either paper or electronic format, including the child’s full name, date of birth, and their arrival and departure times in the program and each room or group…
- HIGH RISK: The Program Conducts Fire Drills and Maintains Record of Drills as RequiredHe-C 4002.17(a)
Except for nature-based programs that operate solely outside, programs shall conduct fire drills in accordance with the following: (1) Programs that operate continuously throughout the year shall conduct at least one dri…
- HIGH RISK: Staff Carry Children When Stepping Over Low Walls/gates/barriersHe-C 4002.20(f)
Child care staff shall not carry a child while stepping over a low wall, gate, or other similar barrier.
- HIGH RISK: Accept Prescription Medications Only if They Include Label or Medication Order From Health Care Professional.He-C 4002.21(e)
Programs shall not accept any prescription medications that do not include a prescription label or medication order from a licensed professional.
- HIGH RISK: Medication Is Stored in Accordance with RuleHe-C 4002.21(o)
All medication shall be: (1) Inaccessible to children; (2) Stored at the temperature and conditions recommended by the manufacturer or as directed on the prescription label; (3) Stored in a secondary container separate f…
- HIGH RISK: The Space Is Free From Electrical HazardsHe-C 4002.23(b)(2)
Child care staff shall ensure that the indoor space is free from electrical hazards, such as overloaded outlets or extension cords, frayed, cracked or crimped cords, or unprotected outlets.
- HIGH RISK: Are Dangerous Items and Staff Personal Belongings Stored OOR or LockedHe-C 4002.23(c)
Child care staff shall ensure that potentially harmful items, including but not limited to matches, lighters, chemicals, materials labeled “harmful if swallowed,” flammable materials, sharp objects, and staffs’ personal…
- HIGH RISK: Programs Providing Meals Have Menus/store and Serve Food SafelyHe-C 4002.31(p)
Programs that provide meals and snacks for children shall:(1) Ensure that snacks and meals are prepared and served in a safe and sanitary manner, including washing fruits and vegetables before serving them; (2) Not serve…
- HIGH RISK: All Background Record Checks Have Been Completed as RequiredHe-C 4002.41(a)
Prior to employment or residency, as applicable, and every 5 years thereafter, all child care staff, substitutes, other employees, and volunteers who may be alone with children or are included in staff to child ratios, a…
- Program Has on File All Required Staff RecordsHe-C 4002.09(a)
The program shall maintain on file for each staff member: (1) Documentation of the staff’s qualifications, including a resume, transcripts, diplomas, or any other documentation, which demonstrates their qualifications; (…
- Staff Teach & Remind Children to Wash HandsHe-C 4002.30(b)
Child care staff shall: (1) Teach children the importance of hand washing with liquid soap and running water; and (2) Instruct, encourage, remind, or assist infants and children as needed throughout each day to wash thei…