Smith Academy Austin

Let me preface with this: I have 3 children: 9, 3, & an infant. My 9 year old did not attend Smith Academy as she attends public school and has her own after school activities. All of my children have always been in full time daycare, and I even was the lead teacher in the infant room of a daycare when my oldest was young. So daycare is not new to me and my family. Also, we were only with Smith academy 2 months before withdrawing our daughters.
My middle child was in Ms. Miriam’s 3 year old class and we all LOVED her! She’s a wonderful teacher and my daughter really enjoyed her. She did swim, dance, and gym classes while she was there. Nothing but great things to say and if I just had a 3 year old, my rating would be 4 stars.
But then we have the infant room. My baby started at Smith Academy right at 2 months old, and she instantly caught RSV. It sucks — but unfortunately it’s part of the daycare thing, so I can’t really hold that against them. But, a week has yet to pass where I don’t get a text or phone call from them trying to tell me something is wrong with my baby, when really she’s fine. On two separate occasions they made it sound like she was really sick, so I left work early to get her to the doctor, only to find her totally fine when I got there. It was a «cancel-​the-​doctor-​appointment» type of fine.
Multiple times they tried to tell us she had diarrhea and she needed to go home and couldn’t come back until it was gone for 12 hours. Well, an infant as young as mine will only ever have runny bowels. She doesn’t eat solid food and on top of it, breastmilk is a natural laxative. She won’t have solid bowels until she’s on solid food and off breastmilk. But, just to be sure, I verified with her doctor at one of her checkups and they gave her a clean bill of health and agreed that runny bowels are to be expected. My husband asked how they could tell it wad diarrhea, and he was told they could «smell the difference.» When I asked, they said it was «more than a normal BM amount» and that’s how they were justifying diarrhea.
They told me multiple times she did nothing but cry all day — and even asked me if she’d been tested for colic. But she’s the most laid back, easy going baby of my 3 (as the youngest of 3 she has to be. Lol). When I tried to have a dialog to try to figure out what was causing her to be so fussy, I didn’t even finish my question when the teacher interrupted me and said, «We can’t hold her all day. Because you know, then they get attached.» Ooookkkk. Red flag. You don’t have to hold her all day. She actually loves play time. But she should be getting SOME attention outside feedings and diaper changes.
Shortly after that, they started trying to get by barely-​3-​month-​old to lay on a boppy and give herself a bottle. Now, of course I think my baby is «Super Baby,» but even I think that’s a little early. Most babies don’t have the fine motor skills to hold their own bottle until they’re at least 6 months old. No wonder she’s crying — she’s laying in a swing or chair by herself all day!
Over the last 9 years, my kiddos have been in multiple daycare centers in several different states and areas of Texas due to relocations, and I’ve NEVER had any issues. I know first hand how hard it can be as a daycare teacher, so I’ve always tried to be as laid back and understanding as possible. But the infant room has been nothing short of rude, disrespectful, and borderline neglectful. If you’re looking for infant care: RUN! Run as fast as you can and don’t look back.

We just started my daughter here and so far I have been amazed at all the activities she gets to do. From dance, to karate, to swim, she has so much stimulation here for her active mind and body. The play ground is big and full of playscapes and bouncy toys which makes fighting over toys rare. I love that there is a key code to get in. This school seems to go the extra mile to keep the little ones safe.
This school is like a kids dream.
If your kid is active he would love it here.