Recorded violations per inspection
- This provider
- 0.56
- Local median
- 0.88
Smart Start Youth & Family Services, Inc. At Highlands Grove
4510 Lakeland Highlands Rd, Lakeland, FL 33813
- License:
- C10PO0611
- Type:
- Child Care Facility
- Status:
- Licensed
- Records checked:
- July 12, 2026
Additional info
- Programs and services:
- School Readiness, After School, Before School
- Hours:
- Mon-Fri: 6:30AM to 6:00PM; Sat-Sun: Closed
- Capacity:
- 75
- License expiration:
- July 10, 2026
Typical cost: $1,127 - $1,157 (Under 1)
Child’s age
$1,127 - $1,157/mo
Median daily rate: $52.00 - $53.40
Official Florida Division of Early Learning Polk County data.
Not this provider’s price.
Inspection snapshot
Questions worth asking
The available records raise questions worth asking before enrolling.
Next: Review the inspection history below and ask the provider what the records mean and what changed afterward.
Latest inspectionJune 22, 2026
Latest inspection with no recorded violationsJune 22, 2026
Summary
This summary covers 18 available inspections for Smart Start Youth & Family Services, Inc. At Highlands Grove from March 9, 2023 through June 22, 2026.
Six inspections recorded violations, with 10 recorded violations in total.
The most recent recorded violation was on March 9, 2026 and involved equipment or readiness, with a due date of April 9, 2026.
Attendance accountability was a higher-concern topic that showed up in one inspection.
A later inspection showed no recorded violations, but the records do not say whether it was a formal follow-up.
At a glance
- Total inspections
- 18
- Recorded violations
- 10
- Higher-concern violations
- 3
- Repeated topics
- 1
3 in last 12 months
1 in last 12 months
0 in last 12 months
Last 36 months
Local comparison
18 total inspections vs 12 local median in 33813
Compared to 22 local facilities
Inspections with higher-concern violations
- This provider
- 11%
- Local median
- 11%
Inspections with recorded violations
- This provider
- 33%
- Local median
- 44%
Repeated topics
- This provider
- 1
- Local average
- 2.05
Repeated topics
Topics that appeared in more than one inspection during the last 36 months. They may reveal a pattern worth examining.
Equipment or readiness
Appeared across 4 inspections, with 4 recorded violations.
August 14, 2023May 29, 2024November 4, 2024March 9, 2026Inspection history
Available inspection history. Select a violation topic for more info.
No recorded violations in this report
Medium concern: Equipment or readiness
- Report finding
- The facility did not have documentation of a fire extinguisher being properly maintained to include being serviced and retagged timely, and/or with a current certificate. SACCF Handbook, Section 3.8.2, B Physical Environment [SR]
- Correction / follow-up note
- At the time of the inspection, the provider showed documentation that there has been weekly attempts at having the school replace the out dated fire extinguishers. The provider has daily documentation that the problem has not been corrected and was also informed by the school that work orders are not placed for fire extinguishers. The specialist gave TA to the provider to have their own fire extinguisher so they are always in compliance.
- Correction status
- Due by April 9, 2026
More details
- Report section
- PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT - 21 - Fire Drills & Emergency Preparedness SACCF Handbook, Section 3.8
- Official code
- 21-05
No recorded violations in this report
No recorded violations in this report
No recorded violations in this report
No recorded violations in this report
Medium concern: Equipment or readiness
- Report finding
- The facility did not have documentation of a fire extinguisher being properly maintained to include being serviced and retagged timely, and/or with a current certificate. SACCF Handbook, Section 3.8.2, B Physical Environment [SR]
- Inspector notes
- At the time of the inspection the counselor observed that all three fire extinguishers were outdated as far as being serviced. The date was September 2023. Provider stated and showed counselor 6 difference times to school administration.
- Correction status
- Due by December 4, 2024
More details
- Report section
- PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT - 21 - Fire Drills & Emergency Preparedness SACCF Handbook, Section 3.8
- Official code
- 21-05
No recorded violations in this report
No recorded violations in this report
Medium concern: Equipment or readiness
- Report finding
- The facilitys posted emergency information did not include the following: [ County Public Health Unit phone number]. SACCF Handbook, Section 6.3, A (Section 15, number 1) Health Requirements [SR]
- Inspector notes
- At the time of the inspection the licensing specialist observed an incomplete emergency numbers list. The list was missing the county's public health number. Provider advised to add this number to the list to maintain compliance of this standard.
- Correction status
- Due by June 7, 2024
More details
- Report section
- HEALTH REQUIREMENTS - 33 - Emergency Telephone Numbers SACCF Handbook, Section 6.3 SACCF Handbook, Section 6.3 (Form OEL-SR-6202, Section 15 Emergency Procedures and Notification, Pages 34-35)
- Official code
- 33-01
No recorded violations in this report
Higher concern: Hazardous access
- Report finding
- The facility did not have electrical outlet covers or the outlet covers were not in place. SACCF Handbook, Section 3.1, H
- Report comments
- At the time of the inspection, there were three electrical outlets that did not have a cover on them. The provider placed covers on the electrical outlets. Therefore, it was completed at the time of the inspection.
- Correction status
- Completed at time of inspection
More details
- Report section
- PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT - 12 - Facility Environment SACCF Handbook, Section 3.1 SACCF Handbook, Section 3.1 (Form OEL-SR-6202, Section 10 Physical Environment, Pages 22-23)
- Official code
- 12-18
Higher concern: Attendance accountability
- Report finding
- The attendance roster did not accompany the group of children in that [there were two teachers with 29 children outdoors. They had a head count sheet that documented the number of children outdoors in 30 minute intervals. ]. SACCF Handbook, Section 7.5, A
- Report comments
- At the time of the inspection, there were two teachers with 29 children outdoors. They had a head count sheet that documented the number of children outdoors in 30 minute intervals. TA: The provider will need an attendance roster with the children names on it. This allows the teachers to mark the children using a name to face technique and allows for all the children to be accounted for on the roster. ENFORCEMENT
- Correction status
- Due by April 4, 2024
More details
- Report section
- RECORD KEEPING - 39 - Daily Attendance SACCF Handbook, Section 7.5 SACCF Handbook, Section 7.5 (Form OEL-SR-6202, Section 19.3 Record Keeping/Attendance, Page 48)
- Official code
- 39-07
No recorded violations in this report
No recorded violations in this report
Medium concern: Equipment or readiness
- Report finding
- The facility did not have documentation of a fire extinguisher being properly maintained to include being serviced and retagged timely, and/or with a current certificate. SACCF Handbook, Section 3.8.2, B Physical Environment [SR]
- Inspector notes
- At the time of the reinspection, the CCR counselor observed the fire extinguisher was still dated May 2022. Technical assistance was given to the provider to have the extinguisher(s) serviced/tagged prior to the due date.
- Correction status
- Due by September 13, 2023
More details
- Report section
- PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT - 21 - Fire Drills & Emergency Preparedness SACCF Handbook, Section 3.8
- Official code
- 21-05
No recorded violations in this report
Medium concern: Equipment or readiness
- Report finding
- The facility did not have a current and approved annual fire safety inspection by the local fire authority. SACCF Handbook, Section 3.8.2, A (Section 14.2, number 1) Physical Environment [SR]
- Report comments
- At the time of the inspection, the facility failed to have the annual fire inspection completed on or before last year's date. The current year was completed on 5/12/23 and the prior year was completed on 4/12/22. Technical assistance was given to the provider as a reminder that an approved fire inspection must be completed on or before the prior year's date.
- Correction status
- Completed at time of inspection
More details
- Report section
- PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT - 21 - Fire Drills & Emergency Preparedness SACCF Handbook, Section 3.8 SACCF Handbook, Section 3.8 (Form OEL-SR-6202, Section 14 Fire Safety and Emergency Preparedness and Response, Pages 32-34)
- Official code
- 21-02
Medium concern: Equipment or readiness
- Report finding
- The facility did not have documentation of a fire extinguisher being properly maintained to include being serviced and retagged timely, and/or with a current certificate. SACCF Handbook, Section 3.8.2, B (Section 14.2, number 3) Physical Environment [SR]
- Inspector notes
- At the time of the inspection, the CCR counselor observed the fire extinguisher was last tagged in May 2022. Technical assistance was given to the provider to have the fire extinguisher re-tagged prior to the due date.
- Correction status
- Due by August 5, 2023
More details
- Report section
- PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT - 21 - Fire Drills & Emergency Preparedness SACCF Handbook, Section 3.8 SACCF Handbook, Section 3.8 (Form OEL-SR-6202, Section 14 Fire Safety and Emergency Preparedness and Response, Pages 32-34)
- Official code
- 21-05
Medium concern: Equipment or readiness
- Report finding
- During the facilitys licensure year, fire drills utilizing the approved alarm system were not conducted monthly at various dates and times when children were in care [using the approved alarm system.]. SACCF Handbook, Section 3.8.4, A (Section 14.3, number 2), (Section 14.3, number 1) Physical Environment [SR]
- Report comments
- At the time of the inspection, the facility failed to utilize the approved fire system to complete a fire drill. (provider used a smoke detector in lieu of the alarm system). Technical assistance was given to the provider as a reminder that fire drills must be completed utilizing the alarm system approved by the local fire authority. The last fire drill was conducted on 6/28/23 and emergency preparedness drills were conducted on 5/15/23 (weather) and 4/14/23 (lockdown). A fire drill was conducted on today's date with the CCR counselor present.
- Correction status
- Completed at time of inspection
More details
- Report section
- PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT - 21 - Fire Drills & Emergency Preparedness SACCF Handbook, Section 3.8 SACCF Handbook, Section 3.8 (Form OEL-SR-6202, Section 14 Fire Safety and Emergency Preparedness and Response, Pages 32-34)
- Official code
- 21-06
Higher concern: Background screening
- Report finding
- An employment history verification was not documented and on file. SACCF Handbook, Section 5.1, D
- Correction / follow-up note
- At the time of the inspection, the CCR counselor reviewed all staff files and determined the staff listed on the supplemental had an incomplete 5-year work history in their file. (missing 2 previous employers). Technical assistance was given to the provider to complete prior to the due date. The provider was reminded that 5-year employment history's must include the following: (3) attempts must be made and documented and failed attempts to obtain employment history must be documented in the personnel file and include date, time, and the reason the information was not obtained 1. A complete 5 years' worth of prior employment must be documented and verified 2. The documentation ... [truncated]
- Correction status
- Due by August 5, 2023
More details
- Report section
- RECORD KEEPING - 38 - Background Screening Documents SACCF Handbook, Section 7.4.1 and Section 5 SACCF Handbook, Section 7.4.1 and Section 5 (Form OEL-SR-6202, Section 18 Training Requirements, Pages 26-27),(Form OEL-SR-6202, Section 13.4 First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Pages 31-32),(Form OEL-SR-6202, Section 19.4 Record Keeping/Personnel Records, Page 48),(Form OEL-SR-6202, Section 19.5 Record
- Official code
- 38-04
No recorded violations in this report
Questions to ask
Suggested questions for parents based on recorded violations in inspection reports. If there are not enough source-backed violations, you will see general questions for daycare.
Finding-specific
How does your team currently manage attendance tracking to ensure every child is accounted for while they are outdoors?
Why ask this
- Why ask this
- Public records from a 2024 inspection report noted a need for improved attendance roster procedures during outdoor activities. Asking about current practices helps parents understand how the center ensures consistent supervision and accountability.
Related violations
Finding-specific
Could you explain your process for ensuring that all electrical outlets are properly covered and maintained in the classrooms?
Why ask this
- Why ask this
- An official inspection report from 2024 identified an instance where outlet covers were missing, which was corrected immediately. This question helps parents learn about the center's routine facility safety checks.
- Context
- The issue was corrected at the time of the inspection.
Related violations
Finding-specific
What is your process for verifying and documenting the employment history of new staff members?
Why ask this
- Why ask this
- Available inspection records from 2023 indicated a finding regarding incomplete employment history documentation in a personnel file. Asking this helps parents understand the center's current hiring and record-keeping standards.
Related violations
Finding-specific
How do you ensure that safety equipment, such as fire extinguishers, remains serviced and up to date?
Why ask this
- Why ask this
- Public records show that the maintenance of fire safety equipment has been noted as a topic in multiple inspections over the last few years. This question allows the provider to explain their current system for tracking and managing these requirements.
- Context
- A later clean inspection was recorded on June 22, 2026.
Related violations
General question
What steps do you take to communicate with families about daily routines and any changes in classroom activities?
Why ask this
- Why ask this
- Regular communication is essential for parents to feel confident in the daily care their children receive. Understanding how the center shares information helps families feel connected to the classroom environment.