Smart Start Preschool
Smart Start Preschool is a licensed child care center in Brentwood, CA, licensed for up to 30 children and serving preschool-age children. It has held its California license since 2014. Since February 2021, state licensing staff have inspected it 3 times and investigated 5 complaints, 2 of them substantiated. The state issued 14 citations, 1 of them Type A (the most serious), most often for building & playground safety (8 of 14). 6 citations came in the last 12 months. Measured by weighted citations per inspection, it is #35 of 37 centers in Brentwood and has more citations per inspection than 96% of California licensed centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
The facility has three toilets for children. During the inspection, one toilet was not in operable condition which poses a potential risk to the health and safety of children in care,
During the inspection LPA observed a large metal car, which is designed to be a stationary bouncing car, that was flipped on its side on the play yard and accessible to children which poses a potential risk to the health and safety of children in care.
During the visit, the facility did not have sufficient material to absorb falls under and around the climbing equipment which is a potential risk to the health and safety of children in care.
LPA observed the wooden play structure to have sharp, splintering wood which poses a potential risk to the health and safety of children in care.
S1 did not have proof of immunization for measles during the visit which poses a potential risk to the health and safety of children in care
The facility failed to report director changes to CCL within the required 10 days which poses a potential risk to the health and safety of children in care.
LPAs observed the wooden play structure to wobble when pressure was applied. LPAs also observed exposed nails on the play structure which poses a potential risk to the health and safety of children in care.
staff engaed in a verbal altercation with a parent in the presence of children which poses a potential risk to the health and safety of children in care. 8 • Failure to correct will result in a $100 per day civil penalty until corrected. Repeat violations are $250 per violation and $100 per day until corrected.
staff rinse towels that are soaking in bleach water and use the towels to clean children's hands. which poses an immediate risk to the health and safety of children in care. 8 • Failure to correct will result in a $100 per day civil penalty until corrected. Repeat violations are $250 per violation and $100 per day until corrected.
LPA observed the border around the play structure to be broken and a gate to be rusty which poses a potential risk to the health and safety of children in care. 8 Failure to correct will result in a $100 per day civil penalty until corrected. Repeat violations are $250 per violation and $100 per day until corrected.
Based on observation, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above. There is not sufficient cushion material to absorb falls which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Based on record review the licensee did not comply with the section cited above. Rosa Garcia's file was not available during the inspection which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Based on record review the licensee did not comply with the section cited above. C5 did not have a complete file available during the inspection which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Based on observation , the licensee did not comply with the section cited above. LPA oberserved the play structure to have slight movement when force was applied to it which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Complaint investigations
Facility playground is in disrepair
Staff expose children to hazardous cleaning products
About this center
Common questions
Does Smart Start Preschool take infants?
Not under this license, which covers preschool-age children.
Has Smart Start Preschool had any serious violations?
California issued 1 Type A citation since 2021, its most serious category. The most recent was on Mar 10, 2022, for personal rights. Each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Smart Start Preschool?
California investigated 5 complaints since 2021 and substantiated 2. Allegations are shown only for substantiated complaints.
How does Smart Start Preschool compare with other daycares in Brentwood?
It is #35 of 37 centers in Brentwood by weighted citations per inspection, and has more citations per inspection than 96% of California licensed centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Smart Start Preschool last inspected?
Feb 25, 2026. The state issued at least one citation during that visit.
How much does Smart Start Preschool cost?
California does not publish individual centers’ prices, so ask Smart Start Preschool for its current tuition. For comparison, the median full-time price at licensed centers in Contra Costa County, which includes Brentwood, was $1,287 a month for preschoolers (about $1,620 today) in the state’s 2021 Regional Market Rate Survey.
Who runs Smart Start Preschool?
The licensee is Rosa Garcia, and the administrator listed with the state is Patricia Cochran.
Licensed centers nearby
2340 Smith Road, Brentwood · 0.3 mi away · 45 spotsToo few inspections to compareYWCA Of Contra Costa - Freedom Child Care Center
1050 Neroly Road, Oakley · 0.5 mi away · 60 spotsAbout typicalKiddie Academy
1620 Neroly Rd., Oakley · 1.1 mi away · 14 spotsAmong the most citedKiddie Academy
1620 Neroly Rd, Oakley · 1.1 mi away · 48 spotsAmong the most citedKiddie Academy
1620 Neroly Rd., Oakley · 1.1 mi away · 114 spotsAmong the most citedWee Care Center
1275 Fairview Avenue, Brentwood · 1.3 mi away · 130 spotsMore citations than most
Citations are quoted from California Department of Social Services inspection and complaint reports. Type A citations are the state’s most serious category (an immediate risk to children’s health, safety or personal rights); Type B citations are a potential risk. A citation is a finding about one rule, not a judgment about a center overall. Complaint allegations appear here only when the state substantiated them.
To read the full state reports, search facility number 073407432 on the California Care Facility Search. Data refreshed Oct 2, 2026.