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Smart Start Academy

3005 Dave Ward Dr, Conway, AR 720345.0· 4 reviews
licensed capacity
106
open each week
5 days
year first licensed
2016
Call (501) 358-6696WebsiteDirections

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Licensed by the stateInspection record

About

About Smart Start Academy

Smart Start Academy is a licensed child care center in Conway, Arkansas. The state has licensed it since August 23, 2016, for up to 106 children, serving infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.

It is open Monday to Friday, 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. It describes a Play-based approach.

The Arkansas Office of Early Childhood made 12 visits in the last 3 years and cited 4 rules across 3 of them. The visit list, in the state's words, is below.

InfantsSchool-ageAccepts child care subsidyOpens before 7 AM

Ages served: infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children

From the state license
Ask when you call: rates, current openings, staff-to-child ratio and teacher qualifications.
Type
Child care center
Ages
Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children
Hours today
Closed today
Licensed capacity
106 children

Hours

Hours

Monday6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Tuesday6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Wednesday6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Thursday6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Friday6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
SaturdayNot listed
SundayTodayNot listed
From the state license

Programs

Programs and care

AgesInfants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age childrenFrom the state license
ApproachPlay-based
Child care subsidyAccepts state child care subsidiesFrom the state license
Licensed capacity106 childrenFrom the state license
A daycare without an item may still offer it; ask.

Cost

Tuition and costs

Smart Start Academy has not listed its tuition.

Ask the daycare for its ratesIt has not listed its tuition.

State record

Inspection reports for Smart Start Academy

License

Status
Licensed and operating
License type
Child Care Center
Capacity
106 children
Ages
Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children
First licensed
2016
License number
#30194
See the state's record

Summary

12 visits in the last 3 years · Last visit Jul 14, 2026: 2 rules cited

Rules cited on 3 of 12 visits · 4 rules in all

  • Supervision and ratios 2
  • Background checks 1
  • Staff training and qualifications 1

For comparison: 44% of Arkansas daycares had at least one rule cited in the last 3 years; the typical daycare had 0.

A cited rule is what an inspector found on the day of a visit. It is not a rating of the daycare today.

Own this daycare? Add your response to the state record

See all 12 visits
  1. Jul 14, 2026Inspection2 rules cited
    • Background checks

      Rule 100.109.1.b The following persons shall be required to have their background reviewed through an Arkansas Child Maltreatment Central Registry Check. Prospective employees who have not lived in the State of Arkansas during the preceding five (5) years will be subject to current federal guidelines regarding conducting a child maltreatment background check in any states where they resided during the past five (5) years.

    • Staff training and qualifications

      Rule 300.306.4.01 All new staff, including volunteers who are counted in the ratios, shall receive the following orientation within three (3) months of employment (and every three (3) years thereafter) and shall not be left alone with children until this is completed.

  2. Jun 25, 2026Complaint investigation1 rule cited
    • Supervision and ratiosSerious deficiency

      Rule 300.301.8 At no time shall children be left unsupervised or unattended. The child care center shall provide additional staff for any temporary absence of primary child caring staff for activities such as breaks, meal preparation, transportation, etc.

  3. Mar 10, 2026InspectionNo rules cited
  4. Dec 8, 2025InspectionNo rules cited
  5. Oct 29, 2025InspectionNo rules cited
  6. May 19, 2025InspectionNo rules cited
  7. Mar 20, 2025Complaint investigation1 rule cited
    • Supervision and ratiosSerious deficiency

      Rule 300.301.8 At no time shall children be left unsupervised or unattended. The child care center shall provide additional staff for any temporary absence of primary child caring staff for activities such as breaks, meal preparation, transportation, etc.

  8. Jan 27, 2025InspectionNo rules cited
  9. Sep 10, 2024InspectionNo rules cited
  10. Aug 1, 2024VisitNo rules cited
Show 2 earlier visits
  1. May 7, 2024InspectionNo rules cited
  2. Jan 12, 2024InspectionNo rules cited

Copied from the Arkansas Office of Early Childhood on October 4, 2026; the state's records start around Oct 2023. Rule wording, severity and dates are the state's.

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FAQ

Questions about Smart Start Academy

Is Smart Start Academy licensed?

Yes. The Arkansas Office of Early Childhood lists it as licensed and operating, first licensed August 23, 2016.

When was Smart Start Academy last inspected?

The Arkansas Office of Early Childhood lists the most recent visit on July 14, 2026, with 2 rules cited. It lists 12 visits in the last 3 years.

Has Smart Start Academy had rules cited by the state?

Yes. Inspectors cited 4 rules across 3 of 12 visits in the last 3 years. For comparison: 44% of Arkansas daycares had at least one rule cited in the last 3 years; the typical daycare had 0. A cited rule is what an inspector found on the day of a visit. It is not a rating of the daycare today.

How many children can Smart Start Academy care for?

106, the licensed capacity on the state record. It is licensed to serve infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.

Does Smart Start Academy accept child care subsidies?

Yes. The state record says it accepts child care subsidies.

What are Smart Start Academy's hours?

Monday to Friday, 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. These are the hours on the state record. Holiday hours can differ.

How much does Smart Start Academy cost?

It has not listed its tuition. Call (501) 358-6696 to ask.

What is Smart Start Academy's phone number?

(501) 358-6696.

Where is Smart Start Academy?

3005 Dave Ward Dr, Conway, AR 72034. The nearest other daycare we list is Little Life Academy of Arkansas, 0.4 miles away.

Sources: The Arkansas Office of Early Childhood (license and visits).