“In our classrooms, emergent curriculum is happening all the time. We pay close attention to children’s questions, passions and interests, to develop both short-term and in-depth investigations that promote children’s learning.” hilltopcc.com, August 2026
Washington DCYF cited something at 7 of the 7 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.
Through onsite visit, conversation with staff and admin it is observed that children have played on the canal path, mainly during "closing time". It is observed that there is not a physical barrier between the canal path and the large body of water.· August 5, 2024
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.
Licensing visit · December 19, 2025
WAC 110-300-0165(2)(c) · Short Term
110-300-0165(2)(c)- A cord was observed in one of the younger toddler rooms dangling down within reach of children and could be capable of forming a loop around a child's neck. Completed Date Disputed Date Disputed
WAC 110-300-0165(2)(d) · Serious
110-300-0165(2)(d)- Plastic bags were observed to be kept in an area in the younger toddler classroom that was accessible to children and could become a suffocation hazard.
Licensing visit · September 4, 2024
WAC 110-300-0165(3)(f) · Short Term
Licensor and licensing supervisor observed multiple large cubby like shelves not anchored to anything to prevent from falling and/or tipping.
WAC 110-300-0165(3)(f) · Short Term
Licensor and licensing supervisor observed the open concept area upstairs to not allow for noise levels that a normal conversation could occur. Both the licensor and licensing supervisor observed that it was difficult to hear during conversation with the provider.
Licensing visit · August 14, 2024
WAC 110-300-0215(3)(a)(i) · Serious
Licensor emailed the evening prior to the five day deadline for correction verification on this citation to remind provider that correction was due on Monday 8/12/24. Licensor did not recieve updated status on WAC
WAC 110-300-0215(3)(a)(i) · Serious
At original MV, licensor observed child to have an Epi Pen without any Rx box or prescription label. WAC is re-cited.
Licensing visit · August 8, 2024
WAC 110-300-0105(2) · Serious
Licensor observed chef with withdrawn background check still on site at health and safety recheck visit.
Licensing visit · August 5, 2024
WAC 110-300-0215(3)(a)(i) · Serious
Licensor observed an Epi Pen stored in an emergency backpack. The Epi Pen was not stored in a box with the prescription label for the medication.
WAC 110-300-0165(2)(c) · Short Term
Licensor observed electrical cord to be accessible and present in a way that would allow a loop to be formed around a child's neck in River room. Provided TA to teacher and director.
WAC 110-300-0105(2) · Serious
Licensor observed two staff members to have withdrawn background check applications status. Licensor confirmed these staff members have recently been on site at the center.
WAC 110-300-0106(10) / 110-300-0106(11) / 110-300-0106(3) · Short Term
P.M., 8 staff missing blood and body fluids training.
WAC 110-300-0106(10) / 110-300-0106(11) / 110-300-0106(3) · Short Term
P.M., 19 staff missing FA/CPR training.
WAC 110-300-0106(10) / 110-300-0106(11) / 110-300-0106(3) · Short Term
P.M., 9 staff missing CCB training. Please ensure new staff complete by 90 day mark.
Individual employees are shown by initials. The state’s report, linked above, names them in full.
Complaint · August 2, 2024 · Resolved November 5, 2024
3 valid issues · Reported to the state by the program
Serious injury, valid issues and self-report are Washington’s own fields on its complaint listing.
WAC 110-300-0165(3)(f) · Short Term
Licensor observed large furniture, specifically cubby shelves not achored to the wall. Furniture removed due to painting, but items were not re-anchored later, at H/S recheck visit.
Center capacity, ratio, and group size
WAC 110-300-0356(5) · Short Term
Licensor observed concerns of ratio issues through multiple staff conversations and the licensor observed this, on the playground.
WAC 110-300-0300(1)(a) · Short Term
Through conversation, the licensor learned that more likely than not, the center has multiple children with a special need that would require an individual care plan to be created and followed. Despite conversation with admin, this information was not provided and/or it is not on file.
Water hazards and swimming pools
WAC 110-300-0175(1) · Immediate
Through onsite visit, conversation with staff and admin it is observed that children have played on the canal path, mainly during "closing time". It is observed that there is not a physical barrier between the canal path and the large body of water.
Complaint · June 26, 2024 · Resolved September 1, 2024
Serious injury: Broken bone · 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.
Licensing visit · September 19, 2023
WAC 110-300-0291(1)(d) · Serious
Raindrop room had lights turned down too low. It was a cloudy day and there was not enough light in the room to be able to observe a child's skin color while sleeping.
WAC 110-300-0106(12) · Serious
Multiple staff need to complete the childcare basics training.
WAC 110-300-0106(12) · Serious
Multiple staff need to complete the safe sleep training.
Licensing visit · May 4, 2022
WAC 110-300-0215(2) · Short Term
Director was missing documentation of medication training.
WAC 110-300-0106(1) / 110-300-0106(10) / 110-300-0106(4) / 110-300-0106(5) / 110-300-0106(7) / 110-300-0106(9) · Long Term / Short Term
Staff with Initial STARSexemptions were missing documenation of training specified under WAC 110-300-0106. Staff were also missing documenation of BBP professional training. BBP is supposed to be completed yearly.
WAC 110-300-0470(1) · Short Term
Staff did not have documentation of signing off on reviewing the Disaster Plan yearly.
A typical day.
Ask what changed after the 14 findings Washington DCYF ranked Immediate or Serious, most recently in December 2025.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: who teaches here.
Not yet reported: holiday closures.
Pricing per provider website, checked July 2026.
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 Hilltop Children's Center? 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.