“Our STEM-based pre-kindergarten program prepares students for kindergarten while providing an engaging and nurturing environment where children’s natural curiosity drives their learning!” birchtreeacademy.com, August 2026
Washington DCYF cited something at 3 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.
Licensor conducted staff interviews, reviewed documentation, and reviewed video footage regarding the incident involving a child with a known seafood allergy. Information obtained during complaint inspection confirmed the center was aware of the child's seafood allergy prior to the incident. The child was was served fish during lunch service. One staff member reported asking another staff member whether any children had allergies and was told there were none. Another staff reported focusing on vegetarian meal substiutions. Video footage reviewed showed staff referencing information posted on a classroom cabinet prior to serving lunch. Licensor reviewed the child's records and confirmed the center did not have an Individual Care PLan on file for the child at the time of the incident. The center obtained an ICP after the incident occured. The center failed to obtain and maintain an ICP for a child with a know food allergy. Allegation is Valid.· June 15, 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 · April 30, 2026 · Resolved July 25, 2026
Reported to the state by the program
Serious injury, valid issues and self-report are Washington’s own fields on its complaint listing.
Food allergies and special dietary needs
WAC 110-300-0186(1) · Serious
Licensor conducted staff interviews, reviewed documentation, and reviewed video footage regarding the incident involving a child with a known seafood allergy. Information obtained during complaint inspection confirmed the center was aware of the child's seafood allergy prior to the incident. The child was was served fish during lunch service. One staff member reported asking another staff member whether any children had allergies and was told there were none. Another staff reported focusing on vegetarian meal substiutions. Video footage reviewed showed staff referencing information posted on a classroom cabinet prior to serving lunch. Licensor reviewed the child's records and confirmed the center did not have an Individual Care PLan on file for the child at the time of the incident. The center obtained an ICP after the incident occured. The center failed to obtain and maintain an ICP for a child with a know food allergy. Allegation is Valid.
Licensing visit · December 3, 2025
WAC 110-300-0106(12) · Serious
It was observed that VV and AM did not have current food handler's cards. Completed Date Disputed Date Disputed
WAC 110-300-0165(2)(b) · Serious
It was observed in two rooms that the window blind cords were broken off from their tensioners. Completed Date Disputed Date Disputed
Emergency preparation and exiting
WAC 110-300-0166(3)(c) · Serious
In a PreK room, chairs were stacked to block the emergency exit. Completed Date Disputed Date Disputed
Food allergies and special dietary needs
WAC 110-300-0186(1) · Serious
It was observed that allergy plans did not always list approved substitute foods. Completed Date Disputed Date Disputed
Immunizations and exempt children
WAC 110-300-0210(1)(2) · Long Term
It was observed that one child's immunization was dated more than 12 months ago. Completed Date Disputed Date Disputed
WAC 110-300-0215(3) · Serious
It was observed that the medication authorization for diaper creams and other non-medical items were not specific and were not always re-authorized annually. Completed Date Disputed Date Disputed
Storage of hazardous and maintenance supplies
WAC 110-300-0260(5) · Serious
In a PreK bathroom, a plunger was observed.
Complaint · October 17, 2025 · Resolved November 13, 2025
The state lists this complaint on the provider’s record, but the state’s published report includes no citation detail.
Licensing visit · January 22, 2025
WAC 110-300-0165(2)(b) · Serious
It was observed that many classrooms had blind cords that were broken off from the tensioner, or were loose from the blind and hanging down.
WAC 110-300-0215(3)(a)(i) / 110-300-0215(3)(c) · Serious
It was observed that an EpiPen was not stored with the prescription label. It was observed that diaper creams were accessible to children on a low shelf. This was moved during the visit
Storage of hazardous and maintenance supplies
WAC 110-300-0260(5) · Serious
It was observed that a vacuum was accessible to children in a bathroom.
Licensing visit · November 30, 2023
WAC 110-300-0165(3)(f) · Short Term
110-300-0165(3)(f) small shelf located on top of cabinet, in the Narwhal classroom, that is not securely anchored to prevent a fall risk.
Complaint · April 10, 2023 · Resolved November 14, 2023
Reported to the state by the program
Serious injury, valid issues and self-report are Washington’s own fields on its complaint listing.
The state lists this complaint on the provider’s record, but the state’s published report includes no citation detail.
Cost, sick and biting policies.
Ask what changed after the ten findings Washington DCYF ranked Serious, most recently in June 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: ages served, 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 Birch Tree Academy - Bothell? 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.