Compared to the Seattle median
The Valley School
Strengths
Shortlist hasn’t sourced enough numeric fields yet to call out strengths.
Tradeoffs
Daily hours
7 hours · Flexible
Shorter than the 10-hour median; works for families with flexible pickup but tight for full-time work schedules.
Monthly price
$2,490–$3,840 · median $1,360
Independent centers vary widely; this one sits above $1,360, often reflecting smaller class sizes or longer staff tenure.
Enrollment timing
Rolling, starts in winter
Families finding the center in fall have typically missed the window for that school year.
Not yet answered
Classroom ratios
Shortlist hasn’t sourced this.
Ask at pickup
“What are the actual ratios in each room today, not just the licensed maximum?”
Owner on site
Shortlist hasn’t sourced this.
Ask at pickup
“Is the owner on site daily? What does their day-to-day involvement look like?”
Room transitions
Shortlist hasn’t sourced this.
Ask at pickup
“Walk me through how a child moves from the infant room to the toddler room.”
The Valley School. It runs a 7-hour day, shorter than full-time care, with monthly tuition starting around $2,490. Enrollment is rolling, with openings typically posted starting in winter.
Watch this provider — Shortlist will email if anything changes.