Smart Ducklings Daycare
Smart Ducklings Daycare is a licensed child care center in San Antonio, TX, licensed for up to 97 children and serving infants through school-age children. It has held its Texas license since 2021. Since October 2021, state inspectors have visited 26 times and investigated 5 reports. Inspectors recorded 55 citations, 13 of them high-risk, most often for building & playground safety (11 of 55). 4 citations came in the last 12 months, including 3 high-risk. 9% were corrected during the inspection itself. Its last 3 inspections found no violations. Measured by risk-weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #445 of 476 centers in San Antonio and better than 6% of licensed centers statewide.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
During the course of the investigation, it was determined that the van driver was not using the attendance sheet and did not know what children they were responsible for.
The director did not implement the plan set forth by the ownership to transport the correct children to the daycare and failed to report the incident to Child Care Regulation.
During the course of the investigation, it was determined that the operation did not report picking up the wrong child from school to Child Care Regulation (CCR).
During the inspection, a strong odor consistent with rodents was detected inside the building.
The toddler and infant classrooms were over ratio. Note: This was corrected at inspection when children were moved to other classrooms.
There are two infants in the Infant room that do not have monthly feeding schedules.
It was observed that caregiver did not sanitize the changing table after changing a child's diaper. Note: Corrected when caregiver sanitized the changing table.
The carbon monoxide is not being tested monthly. The carbon monoxide was tested 1/12/2024.
Director did not have a current training in prevention, recognition, and reporting of child abuse and neglect.
Fire drills are not being conducted monthly. The last fire drill was conducted on 1/12/2024.
During inspection staff stated that a 2 year old child does not have outdoor time, and the child stays inside with another group due to parents request, and there is no doctor note in file.
Director did not have current training in SIDS and shaken baby syndrome.
The small playground had over grown grass along the fence and by the stationary equipment. Two nap mats in the prek room were observed torn from the edges, exposing the foam.
Caregver in the two year room indicated she had 11 children in care, and after counting it was noted that caregiver had 10 children in care. Caregver in the toddler room indicated she had 10 children in care, and after counting it was noted that caregiver had 11 children in care.
Director and two staff members did not have a current training in transportation.
Three classrooms did not have an activity plan.
One child's file did not have an updated immunization record.
The center bus did not have an Electronic Child Safety Alarm installed.
Three staff members had CPR training that was taken online, therefore does not adhere with the guidelines for American Heart Association.
One toddler was sitting in the toddler table and was not strapped in.
The smoke detector is not being tested monthly as required. The smoke detector was last tested 1/12/2024.
Two of the fire extinguishers in the center van/bus and fire extingusihers through out the center have not been serviced. The fire extinguishers were last serviced February 2023.
During inspection it was observed that the latch on the fence was not secured approrpiately, creating a safety concern, a child can open the gate. During inspection a riding toy and a play car were observed broken. Note: The broken toys were removed from the playground.
During inspection it was observed that a 3 year old child was in the restroom located in hallway, while caregiver went into another classroom, therefore child was left unsupervised.
The fire extinguishers are not being inspected monthly. The fire extinguisher was last inspected by staff on 1/12/2024.
The infant room did not have an updated infant feeding instructions for one infant. The instructions was last updated in February 2024.
The operation did not report the number of employees who ceased employment in 2023 by the required date 1.15.24.
The caregiver in the school-age classroom stated there were ten children in care when there were 14 children in care.
Based on the interviews conducted with administration changes to the policy were made without notifying the parents. NOTE: Parent signed notifications were provided.
A menu was not posted at the time of inspection. NOTE: This was corrected when it was posted.
During the course of this investigation, it was determined the operation did not report to licensing after being notified on 10.16.23 by the parent by phone and through the Bright wheel message stating the child received medical attention after an injury at the operation.
One seatbelt in van #2 that is located on the first row near the window behind the driver's seat was observed broken.
Two of the fire extinguishers in two of the van's being used were last serviced in 2021.
One of the ten staff files had an expired CPR/First aid cared of 7.7.23.
One of the ten staff were missing the following training: Safety First Awareness
One of the ten children didn't have an immunization record when reviewing on files.
The operational policy did not specify the following; -Benefits of physical activity and outdoor play -Duration of physical activity at your operation, both indoor and outdoor Type of physical activity (structured and unstructured) that children may engage in at your operation. -Each setting in which your physical activity program will take place. -Recommended clothing and footwear that will allow a child to participate freely and safely in physical activities and -The criteria you will use to determine when extreme weather conditions pose a significant health risk that prohibits or limits outdoor play and -A plan to ensure physical activity occurs on days when extreme weather conditions prohibit or limit outdoor play
The operational policy did not specify the Emergency Preparedness plan. In addition to how the infants will be transported.
A trashcan without a lid was observed in the classroom 2B with diapers exposed. TA: This was corrected at inspection.
No documented of the smoke detector, fire extinguisher and carbon monoxide for the month of January 2023.
One of the table booster chairs in classroom 7A was observed missing a fasten safety strap while a child was sitting it. NOTE: This was corrected at inspection as a safety strap was installed.
In the dark orange classroom, there was 6 infants (14-17 months) with one caregiver as the children were napping, resulting in being out of ratio by one. NOTE: This was corrected when another caregiver stepped in.
At the time of the inspection six classrooms were observed with one caregiver in each as only one staff was present in the building which makes them two staff short present in the building.
In classroom 2A a 12-month-old was observed with a 3-year-old during naptime. NOTE: This was corrected.
An 8-month-old child was observed in the crib lying awake holding and drinking out of a baby bottle. In addition to another child awake wearing a baby bib while in the crib. NOTE: This was corrected at inspection.
One of the four cribs in the classroom 8A was observed with a loose crib sheet. NOTE: This was corrected at inspection.
A 2-year-old child in room 2A was observed walking with a baby bottle. NOTE: This was corrected at inspection.
One of six personnel folders did not have the required copy of photo identification.
Three of ten children's records reviewed were missing the required Healthcare Statement.
One of six personnel folders did not have the required employment affadavit available for review.
Three out of six personnel folders did not have the required proof of educational requirements available for review.
Two of six personnel records did not have the required abuse/neglect training.
One out of ten children's folders reviewed was missing the required healthcare provider's information.
Two of ten children's records reviewed were missing the required information regarding to whom the children may be released.
In the toddler room, there were thirteen children with an age group of two years. There was one caregiver. For this age group, a maximum of eleven children are allowed for one caregiver, Therefore, the classroom was out of ratio. This was corrected when another caregiver arrived.
About this center
Common questions
Does Smart Ducklings Daycare take infants?
Yes. Texas licenses it to care for infants through school-age children.
What are Smart Ducklings Daycare’s hours?
6 AM to 6:30 PM, Monday through Friday, according to its state licensing record. Confirm holiday and summer hours with the center.
Does Smart Ducklings Daycare accept child care subsidies?
Yes, according to its state licensing record.
How much does Smart Ducklings Daycare cost?
Texas does not publish individual centers’ prices, so ask Smart Ducklings Daycare for its current tuition. For comparison, the median full-day price at licensed centers in the Alamo area, which includes San Antonio, is $42.00 a day for infants, $40.40 a day for toddlers and $39.20 a day for 3-year-olds (2025 Texas Child Care Market Rate Survey).
Has Smart Ducklings Daycare had any serious violations?
Inspectors recorded 13 high-risk citations since 2021. The most recent was on Aug 14, 2026: “Responsibilities of Caregivers - Know children responsible for.” Each one is listed in full above.
How does Smart Ducklings Daycare compare with other daycares in San Antonio?
It is tied for #445 of 476 centers in San Antonio by risk-weighted citations per inspection, and is better than 6% of licensed centers statewide (out of 9,147 Texas centers with enough inspection history).
When was Smart Ducklings Daycare last inspected?
Sep 21, 2026. No violations were found during that visit.
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Citations are quoted from Texas HHS inspection records. Many are corrected the same day, and a citation is a finding about one rule, not a judgment about a center overall.
To see the official record, search operation 1702598 on Search Texas Child Care. Data refreshed Sep 30, 2026.