“we embrace the Montessori philosophy, which encourages children to learn at their own pace through hands-on activities and child-led exploration” achildsjourneyschool.com, August 2026
Washington DCYF cited something at 4 of the 4 visits below. Across Seattle centers it cites something at about 67% of visits. Each state decides what gets written up, so this compares Seattle with Seattle and never with another state.
This provider does not publish pricing.
It was observed in the infant room the emergency exit was blocked.· April 29, 2026
Washington DCYF publishes the licensor’s own observation and a risk level for every citation it issues at a licensing visit, with the inspection report attached as a PDF.
Complaint · May 10, 2026 · Resolved August 6, 2026
The state lists this complaint on the provider’s record, but the state’s published report includes no citation detail.
Licensing visit · April 29, 2026
Emergency preparation and exiting
WAC 110-300-0166(3)(c) · Serious
It was observed in the infant room the emergency exit was blocked.
Licensing visit · March 13, 2025
WAC 110-300-0105(3) · Short Term
Staff person SJ did not have copy of TB test results in file and not documented in MERIT.
WAC 110-300-0115(1) · Long Term
It was observed that 11 staff have not entered their minimum education in MERIT. Staff person SJ did not have TB test result entered into MERIT.
Outdoor early learning program space
WAC 110-300-0145(11) · Short Term
Both emergency exit gates were observed not closing all the way.
Equipment and surfaces in outdoor early learning space
WAC 110-300-0146(1)(a)(b) · Serious
Woodchips under slide less than 9 inches deep.
Emergency preparation and exiting
WAC 110-300-0166(3)(c) · Serious
Pressure gate installed in doorway of emergency exit in Ducklings room. Correction completed during site visit.
Immunizations and exempt children
WAC 110-300-0210(1)(2) · Long Term
One CIS form was observed with a "not complete" status.
WAC 110-300-0215(3)(a)(ii) · Serious
It was observed that care plan did not have documentation of staff's training for individual care plan.
Bathroom space and toilet training
WAC 110-300-0220(1)(f) · Short Term
Bluejay room bathroom has a gouge in the laminate flooring by toilet.
WAC 110-300-0240(2)(a) / 110-300-0240(2)(d) · Short Term
Sparrow room flooring has tears and peeling on laminate planks. Chickadee room was observed with chipping in wall.
WAC 110-300-0240(2)(a) / 110-300-0240(2)(d) · Short Term
Sunflower room was observed having a Febreze air freshener spray in cabinet.
Licensing visit · September 11, 2024
Outdoor early learning program space
WAC 110-300-0145(11) · Short Term
It was observed that the emergency exit gate on the playground was not fully self-closing. A second exterior exit gate just off of the back door was not self-closing.
WAC 110-300-0165(2)(b) · Serious
Owlets Room- It was observed that window blind chains had not been securely fastened to the wall. A large rug also was curling on the end, posing a tripping hazard. Seahawks Room- A loose charging cable was laying on the floor, accessible to children. Playground- A hose was laid accross the playground, posing a tripping hazard. A toddler bike had a handle broken off which caused a sharp edge.
Food allergies and special dietary needs
WAC 110-300-0186(1) · Serious
Robins- A child had a food allergy, but no allergy plan on site. Ohter allergy plans were dated over 12 months ago.
WAC 110-300-0197(3) · Short Term
The seahawks fridge was tested at a temperature of 60*
WAC 110-300-0198(4) · Long Term
The kitchen sink had it's barrier removed, effectively losing the food prep sink and modifying the sinks to a handwashing sink and a 3-compartment sink.
WAC 110-300-0215(3) / 110-300-0215(3)(a)(i) / 110-300-0215(3)(a)(ii) / 110-300-0215(3)(c) · Serious
Many diaper creams and lotions did not have authorizaion forms with the item. Many of these creams were accessible to children. One EpiPen was not stored with the prescription label. Children's Tylenol was authorized for a child under 2 years old, but did not have a doctor's note. The authorization was written for "whenever they need it."
Bathroom space and toilet training
WAC 110-300-0220(1)(f) · Short Term
In the Bluejay room, gaps in the laminate floor were observed where the planks have seperated. Slight water damage was also observed in a different area of the bathroom floor.
Diaper changing areas, privacy, and disposal
WAC 110-300-0221(1)(a) · Short Term
Two classrooms had diaper changing pads that were ripped. The provider had these on order and scheduled to be delivered 9/12
First-aid—CPR certification and supplies
WAC 110-300-0230(2)(b) · Serious
In the Seahawks room, a first aid kit was accessible to children on a low shelf in the bathroom.
WAC 110-300-0240(2)(a) / 110-300-0240(2)(d) · Short Term
Seahawks- The bathrooms were observed to have a fabric rug located under the sink. Chickadee- An aerosol freshener was observed in the bathroom area. A chip in the baseboard was observed. Owlet- A chip in the paint on the wall was observed Sparrows- a gouge in the floor by the exterior door was observed Throughout the center, Clorox wipes were observed.
Storage of hazardous and maintenance supplies
WAC 110-300-0260(1)(a) / 110-300-0260(5) · Serious
The laundry room door was proped open. Inside were janitorial supplies and cleaning chemicals. In many classrooms, mops and mop buckets were observed to be accessible to children. A toilet plunger was observed in a bathroom. In the Owlet room, Fabuloso was observed to be kept under an unlocked bathroom sink.
WAC 110-300-0300(1)(a) / 110-300-0300(1)(b) / 110-300-0300(1)(d) / 110-300-0300(1)(e) · Short Term / Long Term
One child enrolled did not have an allergy plan or asthma plan. A second child's allergy plan was dated from over 12 months ago.
WAC 110-300-0505(1)(2) · Long Term
A no smoking / vaping sign was not posted. In the chickadee room, a handwashing sign was not posted.
Licensing visit · February 21, 2024
Outdoor early learning program space
WAC 110-300-0145(11) · Short Term
It was observed that the emergency exit gate only swung all the way shut if the gate was opened all the way.
WAC 110-300-0165(2)(b) · Serious
It was observed in the Seahawks room, the paint on the classroom door was chipping, and the toilet paper dispenser had a large crack on it. A window blind in this room also was not secured by a tensioner. On the preschool playground, a cubby/cabinet was observed to have water damange and the laminate was peeling away from the wood.
WAC 110-300-0215(3)(a)(i) · Serious
An inhaler does not have the prescribing doctor information, expiration date, length of time to adminster medicine, and instructions for storage.
Center capacity, ratio, and group size
WAC 110-300-0356(3) · Serious
One child above the age of 7 was in care.
Cost, hours and late pickup, a typical day, sick and biting policies.
Ask what changed after the 13 findings Washington DCYF ranked Serious, most recently in April 2026.It does not publish whether a finding was fixed. The rest carry its lower risk levels.
Where every fact on this page came from, and when Shortlist last checked it against that source. Anything Shortlist could not source is named here rather than left blank.
Not yet reported: established.
Not yet reported: hours, days / week, schedule, holiday closures.
Every state visit and complaint on file, shown in full and never edited. Open a date to read what the state wrote.
Do you run A Child's Journey Montessori School? Shortlist has no tuition, hours or ratios for it, because the state does not publish that. Add what is missing. It is free and takes about ten minutes.