Smart Start
Preschool in Santa Monica, CA 90405
SmartStart was founded by Sharon Lowery in 1992. From its humble beginnings in a garage in Culver City to its current 6,000 square foot center, SmartStart has always been committed to children and their families. SmartStart was originally created as a Preschool for children with Autism.
We began with one student and a vision for providing the highest quality educational experience available to our unique students.
As we grew, we added more and more programs and services. In 1996 we added speech therapy to our program and became a Non-Public School. In 1998 we began our commitment to DIR and to creating a DIR school. In 1999 we added DIR home services to our program and in 2000 we moved into our current location. In 2003 DanaKae Bonahoom joined SmartStart as Director and has added new depth to our programs commitment to delivering cutting-edge programming to children and families. That same year we began providing Occupational Therapy as well. Today, SmartStart serves over 150 children and families. Sharon and DanaKae are certificated DIR clinicians and faculty members for Dr. Stanley Greenspans Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental and Learning Disorders. We are proud of the program we have developed and continue our commitment to being life-long learners.
- Child Ages:
- 2 years - 6 years
- Licenses & Accreditations:
- California Department of Social Services: Community Care Licensing Division
- Preschool:
- Yes
- Hours of Operation:
- 7:45 AM and 5:15 PM
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SmartStart believes that all children have the right to develop, to be known fully for their hearts and minds, and to be understood deeply. We strive for each child to be warmly related and connected, and to have deep meaningful relationships with their parents, families, friends and teachers. The staff at SmartStart develops a passionate vision for each individual child. Each vision is orchestrated to build bridges, to scaffold, to help children reach their highest potential. We, as educators, are part of this vision, but our children live this vision. We are there to push, guide, nudge them up the ladder to reach for the stars.
