Hilltop Children's Center

Center · Queen Anne · 4 Nickerson Street, Suite 100

What kind of place is this?

Size 208 children licensed Larger than the middle half of Seattle programs, where the middle half licenses 43–122. Measured across 578 Seattle programs, 2026-07-29.
Established 1971
Approach emergent

In the program’s own words

“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
Sources and dates

Will it fit our family?

Ages served 6 weeks to 12 years old
Hours 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Days / week 5
Schedule Full-Day; Half-Day (Seattle Preschool Program)
Sources and dates

Not yet reported: holiday closures.

What will it cost us?

Monthly tuition From $1,755 about $8/hr
Application fee $75
Sources and dates

Pricing per provider website, checked July 2026.

What Shortlist has verified

State quality rating Early Achievers Level 3
License status Active
Website hilltopcc.com
Sources and dates

Each date is when Shortlist last checked that fact against its source.

State record — Washington DCYF

Dec 2025 Licensing visit 2 findings

Licensing visit · December 19, 2025

Safety requirements · 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

Safety requirements · 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.

Report (PDF)

Sep 2024 Licensing visit 2 findings

Licensing visit · September 4, 2024

Safety requirements · 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.

Safety requirements · 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.

Report (PDF)

Aug 2024 Licensing visit 2 findings

Licensing visit · August 14, 2024

Medication · 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

Medication · 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.

Report (PDF)

Aug 2024 Licensing visit 1 finding

Licensing visit · August 8, 2024

Preservice requirements · WAC 110-300-0105(2) · Serious

Licensor observed chef with withdrawn background check still on site at health and safety recheck visit.

Report (PDF)

Aug 2024 Complaint 4 findings

Complaint · August 2, 2024

Safety requirements · 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.

Individual care plan · 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.

Report (PDF)

Aug 2024 Licensing visit 7 findings

Licensing visit · August 5, 2024

Medication · 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.

Safety requirements · 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.

Preservice requirements · 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.

Preservice requirements · WAC 110-300-0105(2) · Serious

Per Merit, many staff missing TB verification.

Training requirements · WAC 110-300-0106(10) / 110-300-0106(11) / 110-300-0106(3) · Short Term

Per Merit, 8 staff missing blood and body fluids training.

Training requirements · WAC 110-300-0106(10) / 110-300-0106(11) / 110-300-0106(3) · Short Term

Per Merit, 19 staff missing FA/CPR training.

Training requirements · WAC 110-300-0106(10) / 110-300-0106(11) / 110-300-0106(3) · Short Term

Per Merit, 9 staff missing CCB training. Please ensure new staff complete by 90 day mark.

Report (PDF)

Jun 2024 Complaint

Complaint · June 26, 2024

The state lists this complaint on the provider’s record, but the state’s published report includes no citation detail.

Report (PDF)

Sep 2023 Licensing visit 6 findings

Licensing visit · September 19, 2023

Infant safe sleep practices · 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.

Training requirements · WAC 110-300-0106(12) · Serious

Multiple staff need to complete the childcare basics training.

Training requirements · WAC 110-300-0106(12) · Serious

Multiple staff need to complete the safe sleep training.

Training requirements · WAC 110-300-0106(12) · Serious

3 staff are missing BBP.

Training requirements · WAC 110-300-0106(12) · Serious

2 staff are missing FA/CPR.

Training requirements · WAC 110-300-0106(12) · Serious

11 staff are missing Food Handler Permit.

Report (PDF)

May 2022 Licensing visit 4 findings

Licensing visit · May 4, 2022

Medication · WAC 110-300-0215(2) · Short Term

Director was missing documentation of medication training.

Training requirements · 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.

Staff records · WAC 110-300-0115(1) · Long Term

MERIT is missing information for some staff.

Emergency preparedness plan · WAC 110-300-0470(1) · Short Term

Staff did not have documentation of signing off on reviewing the Disaster Plan yearly.

Report (PDF)

Sources and dates

Every state visit and complaint on file, shown in full and never edited. Open a date to read what the state wrote.