Renton · Licensed center
Kindercare Learning Center 301137
At a glance
- Large center, licensed for 142 children.
- Hours 11.5 hours a day, 5 days a week.
- KinderCare: public company; majority holder Partners Group (private equity).
Company news
KinderCare, the company that runs this center, reported in a federal filing that it permanently closed 49 of its early childhood centers in the six months ending July 4, 2026. It ran 1,567 of these centers at the end of that period. In the same filing, it reported closing 7 in the same six months of 2025.
The filing is about the company. It does not name which centers closed.
KinderCare’s quarterly report to the SEC, filed August 13, 2026. Shortlist last read it on November 3, 2026.
What to know
The license is the range the state allows. It does not say which ages have openings.
What the state has found
Someone reported concerns to the state, and it found all 4 valid, most recently in October 2025. The state also cited rules at all 4 of its licensing inspections since February 2024.
See each inspection and complaint
Complaints the state found valid
Received Oct 7, 2025Valid complaintresolved Oct 21, 2025
Received Aug 12, 2025Valid complaintresolved Sep 24, 2025
Received Jul 17, 2024Valid complaint, 1 rule citedresolved Nov 24, 2024
Supervising childrenShort Term. Fix within 10 business days. Rechecked within 15.
“The director stated they were in ratio but the children did get out of the gated, licensed area. The gap in the fence has been fixed.”
WAC 110-300-0345(3)
Received Jun 2, 2023Valid complaint, 2 rules citedresolved Jul 19, 2023
Supervising childrenSerious. Fix within 5 business days. The licensor rechecks within 10.
“The playground is assessible from each classroom's door to the direct outside. There is a side pathway that is fenced in that the children were observed playing in that area. The side pathway is not visible from the main playground.”
WAC 110-300-0345(5)(c)
Outdoor early learning program spaceShort Term. Fix within 10 business days. Rechecked within 15.
“The outside gates have an additional lock that the program is using causing it not to be self closing.”
WAC 110-300-0145(11)
Of the 210 Seattle-area centers licensed for 116 to 323 children, 98 (47%) have no valid complaint in the last three years; 34 (16%) have three or more, as this center does.
How all 210 similar-size centers compare
Of the 210 Seattle-area centers licensed for 116 to 323 children, how many valid complaints each had in the last three years:
- None47%
- Fewer than 337%
- 3 or more16%This center
Licensing inspections
Sep 9, 20265 citations
Preservice requirementsSerious. Fix within 5 business days. The licensor rechecks within 10.
“One staff member had an expired PBC and was present in the classroom with infants. Another staff member had a PBC that is set to expire in four days.”
WAC 110-300-0105(2)
Storage of hazardous and maintenance suppliesSerious. Fix within 5 business days. The licensor rechecks within 10.
“The storage rooms observed throughout the facility had safety locks that were not installed correctly. None of the storage areas containing restricted items were properly secured, and all were accessible to children.”
WAC 110-300-0260(2)(a)(b)
Training requirementsShort Term. Fix within 10 business days. Rechecked within 15.
“Twelve staff members in Merit facility page had expired Safe Sleep training, including the staff member who was working in the infant classroom.”
WAC 110-300-0106(8)
In-service trainingShort Term. Fix within 10 business days. Rechecked within 15.
“All staff observed had not completed the required 10 hours of continuing education for 2025 and had not started the required 10 hours of training for 2026.”
WAC 110-300-0107(1)
Emergency preparedness planShort Term. Fix within 10 business days. Rechecked within 15.
“The drill form posted did not have the required quarterly drills recorded.”
WAC 110-300-0470(4)(b)
Apr 16, 20263 citations
Food allergies and special dietary needsSerious. Fix within 5 business days. The licensor rechecks within 10.
“Individual care plans for children requiring medication were not signed by the doctor’s office.”
WAC 110-300-0186(1)
Food allergies and special dietary needsSerious. Fix within 5 business days. The licensor rechecks within 10.
“One child with a documented allergy did not have medication provided by the parent.”
WAC 110-300-0186(2)
Immunizations and exempt childrenLong Term. The state’s lowest risk level. Fix within 20 business days, no recheck.
“Some handwritten immunization records were not verified by a healthcare provider.”
WAC 110-300-0210(1)(2)
Jul 16, 20248 citations
Training requirementsSerious. Fix within 5 business days. The licensor rechecks within 10.
“Four staff member did not complete the BBP class, and three other staff members did not repeat the class as required by Washington State Department of Labor and Industries regulations. 110-300-0106(11) - Five staff members did not complete the CPR and First Aid class. 110-300-0106(12) - Four staff member did not obtain a food worker card. 110-300-0106(3) - Four staff member did not complete the initial child care basics training.”
WAC 110-300-0106(12)
Food allergies and special dietary needsSerious. Fix within 5 business days. The licensor rechecks within 10.
“No observation text was recorded under this citation in the source inspection report.”
WAC 110-300-0186(1)
Food allergies and special dietary needsSerious. Fix within 5 business days. The licensor rechecks within 10.
“No observation text was recorded under this citation in the source inspection report.”
WAC 110-300-0186(2)
Storage of hazardous and maintenance suppliesSerious. Fix within 5 business days. The licensor rechecks within 10.
“/ (a)(b) - The sanitizing products were stored on a lower shelf within reach of children, in an open storage area in both the school age and Pre-K classrooms. The storage areas had a locking mechanism on top, which was left open.”
WAC 110-300-0260(1)(a), WAC 110-300-0260(2)(a)(b)
Safety requirementsSerious. Fix within 5 business days. The licensor rechecks within 10.
“The rolls of plastic bags were stored on a lower shelf within reach of children, in an open storage area in both the school age and Pre-K classrooms. The storage areas had a locking mechanism on top, which was left open.”
WAC 110-300-0165(2)(d)
MedicationSerious. Fix within 5 business days. The licensor rechecks within 10.
“The medication authorization form observed was expired.”
WAC 110-300-0215(3)(a)(i)
Clean and healthy environmentShort Term. Fix within 10 business days. Rechecked within 15.
“110-300-01240(2)(c) - This licensor did not observe the three-step cleaning process being followed. Water Step: This step/bottle was not observed in any classroom. Soap Step: The soapy water bottle was observed, and staff reported that this bottle was their combined "water and soap" step. Sanitizing Step: This licensor did not observe any bottle labeled for sanitation. Disinfectant Step: The bottles with disinfectant were nearly empty or not used, as reported by the staff.”
WAC 110-300-0240(2)(f)
Supervising childrenShort Term. Fix within 10 business days. Rechecked within 15.
“One staff member was observed talking on the phone with a personal conversation unrelated to daycare needs while children were playing outside. When the licensor approached the staff member and asked how many children were in her care, the staff initially said 9, but a count of the children showed only 7. The staff then corrected herself by counting the children together with the licensor. No children had been picked up since the staff member went outside.”
WAC 110-300-0345(3)
Feb 28, 20243 citations
Food allergies and special dietary needsSerious. Fix within 5 business days. The licensor rechecks within 10.
“There is an epi-pen in the preschool room without any paperwork with it. There is no documentation that the staff have been trained on the epi-pen.”
WAC 110-300-0186(2), WAC 110-300-0186(1)
MedicationSerious. Fix within 5 business days. The licensor rechecks within 10.
“There is medication for a child with asthma but there is no medication authorization form with it. Diaper creams in several classrooms do not have the child's full name on them.”
WAC 110-300-0215(3)(a)(i), WAC 110-300-0215(3)(a)(ii)
Training requirementsSerious. Fix within 5 business days. The licensor rechecks within 10.
“R.A. and H.P. do not have their initial training completed in Merit. Loan Le's food handlers card is expired in Merit.”
WAC 110-300-0106(12)
The state cited rules at all 4 of this center's inspections. Most Seattle-area centers inspected 4 times had fewer: 71% of 272.
How all 272 Seattle-area centers inspected 4 times compare
Of the 272 Seattle-area centers the state inspected 4 times, how many of those inspections cited a rule:
- None7%
- 1 of 415%
- 2 of 417%
- 3 of 433%
- All 429%This center
Read every record and the state’s reports
Across KinderCare's 33 locations in the Seattle area, it cited something at 81% of 135 visits.
State record — Washington DCYF
- Last visit
- September 9, 2026
- On file
- 4 visits since February 2024 — all of them cited findings · 4 complaint investigations
- Most serious
- Serious —
One staff member had an expired PBC and was present in the classroom with infants. Another staff member had a PBC that is set to expire in four days.
· September 9, 2026
Washington DCYF publishes each citation in the licensor’s own words, with a risk level.
Sep 2026 Licensing visit 5 findings
Licensing visit · September 9, 2026
WAC 110-300-0105(2) · Serious
One staff member had an expired PBC and was present in the classroom with infants. Another staff member had a PBC that is set to expire in four days.
WAC 110-300-0106(8) · Short Term
Twelve staff members in Merit facility page had expired Safe Sleep training, including the staff member who was working in the infant classroom.
WAC 110-300-0107(1) · Short Term
All staff observed had not completed the required 10 hours of continuing education for 2025 and had not started the required 10 hours of training for 2026.
Storage of hazardous and maintenance supplies
WAC 110-300-0260(2)(a)(b) · Serious
The storage rooms observed throughout the facility had safety locks that were not installed correctly. None of the storage areas containing restricted items were properly secured, and all were accessible to children.
WAC 110-300-0470(4)(b) · Short Term
The drill form posted did not have the required quarterly drills recorded.
Apr 2026 Licensing visit 3 findings
Licensing visit · April 16, 2026
Food allergies and special dietary needs
WAC 110-300-0186(1) · Serious
Individual care plans for children requiring medication were not signed by the doctor’s office.
Food allergies and special dietary needs
WAC 110-300-0186(2) · Serious
One child with a documented allergy did not have medication provided by the parent.
Immunizations and exempt children
WAC 110-300-0210(1)(2) · Long Term
Some handwritten immunization records were not verified by a healthcare provider.
Oct 2025 Complaint 2 valid issues
Complaint · Received October 7, 2025 · Resolved October 21, 2025
Aug 2025 Complaint 1 valid issue
Complaint · Received August 12, 2025 · Resolved September 24, 2025
Jul 2024 Complaint 1 valid issue
Complaint · Received July 17, 2024 · Resolved November 24, 2024
WAC 110-300-0345(3) · Short Term
The director stated they were in ratio but the children did get out of the gated, licensed area. The gap in the fence has been fixed.
Jul 2024 Licensing visit 8 findings
Licensing visit · July 16, 2024
WAC 110-300-0106(12) · Serious
110-300-0106(10) - Four staff member did not complete the BBP class, and three other staff members did not repeat the class as required by Washington State Department of Labor and Industries regulations. 110-300-0106(11) - Five staff members did not complete the CPR and First Aid class. 110-300-0106(12) - Four staff member did not obtain a food worker card. 110-300-0106(3) - Four staff member did not complete the initial child care basics training.
WAC 110-300-0240(2)(f) · Short Term
110-300-01240(2)(c) - This licensor did not observe the three-step cleaning process being followed. Water Step: This step/bottle was not observed in any classroom. Soap Step: The soapy water bottle was observed, and staff reported that this bottle was their combined "water and soap" step. Sanitizing Step: This licensor did not observe any bottle labeled for sanitation. Disinfectant Step: The bottles with disinfectant were nearly empty or not used, as reported by the staff.
Food allergies and special dietary needs
WAC 110-300-0186(1) · Serious
No observation text was recorded under this citation in the source inspection report.
Food allergies and special dietary needs
WAC 110-300-0186(2) · Serious
No observation text was recorded under this citation in the source inspection report.
Storage of hazardous and maintenance supplies
WAC 110-300-0260(1)(a) / 110-300-0260(2)(a)(b) · Serious
110-300-0260(1)(a) / (a)(b) - The sanitizing products were stored on a lower shelf within reach of children, in an open storage area in both the school age and Pre-K classrooms. The storage areas had a locking mechanism on top, which was left open.
WAC 110-300-0165(2)(d) · Serious
The rolls of plastic bags were stored on a lower shelf within reach of children, in an open storage area in both the school age and Pre-K classrooms. The storage areas had a locking mechanism on top, which was left open.
WAC 110-300-0215(3)(a)(i) · Serious
The medication authorization form observed was expired.
WAC 110-300-0345(3) · Short Term
One staff member was observed talking on the phone with a personal conversation unrelated to daycare needs while children were playing outside. When the licensor approached the staff member and asked how many children were in her care, the staff initially said 9, but a count of the children showed only 7. The staff then corrected herself by counting the children together with the licensor. No children had been picked up since the staff member went outside.
Feb 2024 Licensing visit 3 findings
Licensing visit · February 28, 2024
Food allergies and special dietary needs
WAC 110-300-0186(2) / 110-300-0186(1) · Serious
There is an epi-pen in the preschool room without any paperwork with it. There is no documentation that the staff have been trained on the epi-pen.
WAC 110-300-0215(3)(a)(i) / 110-300-0215(3)(a)(ii) · Serious
There is medication for a child with asthma but there is no medication authorization form with it. Diaper creams in several classrooms do not have the child's full name on them.
WAC 110-300-0106(12) · Serious
R.A. and H.P. do not have their initial training completed in Merit. Loan Le's food handlers card is expired in Merit.
Jun 2023 Complaint 2 findings
Complaint · Received June 2, 2023 · Resolved July 19, 2023
3 valid issues
Serious injury, valid issues and self-report are Washington’s own fields on its complaint listing.
WAC 110-300-0345(5)(c) · Serious · No longer on the state’s site as of August 5, 2026
The playground is assessible from each classroom's door to the direct outside. There is a side pathway that is fenced in that the children were observed playing in that area. The side pathway is not visible from the main playground.
Outdoor early learning program space
WAC 110-300-0145(11) · Short Term · No longer on the state’s site as of August 5, 2026
The outside gates have an additional lock that the program is using causing it not to be self closing.
Shortlist replaces people’s names in the state’s text with initials. This is done by rule, not by hand, so it can miss a name or shorten a word that isn’t one. The state’s report, linked on each row, has the original.
What it costs
We couldn’t find it, so if you know, please share. We’ll publish it and work to confirm it with the provider directly too.
A day here
- Hours
- 11.5 hours a day, 5 days a week
What staff are paid
- Teachers at Renton Highlands KinderCare
- $22.20 an hourJob posting, July 2026
Details
- Phone
- (425) 271-0733
- Address
- 1225 Anacortes Ave NE, Renton, 98059
- License
- PL-17187
- Quality program
- Early Achievers Level 3+
We couldn’t find some information that may matter to your decision: openings, Working Connections subsidy, cost, teaching approach, ratios and staff, a typical day, and sick and biting policies. We can ask the program for you and copy you in.
Sources and dates
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.
What staff are paid
- Teachers at Renton Highlands KinderCare — Checked October 2026 kindercare.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com
State record
From Washington DCYF’s published reports, last checked November 3, 2026.
Washington’s four risk levels, highest first: Immediate, Serious, Short Term, Long Term. Deadlines from DCYF procedure PRO 10.1.21.
Ages
A day here
- Hours — Checked July 2026 kindercare.com
Details
- Phone, Ages on the license — Checked September 2026 findchildcarewa.org
- Website, Who runs it — Checked October 2026 kindercare.com
- Address, License — Checked June 2026 data.wa.gov
- Quality program — Checked April 2026 data.wa.gov
- Who runs it — Checked October 2026 sec.gov/…/klc-20260704.htm
From KinderCare's quarterly report to the SEC, filed August 13, 2026. sec.gov
Large means the biggest quarter of Seattle-area’s 855 licensed centers by state-licensed capacity: 116 to 323 children. Small is 6 to 40; medium is 41 to 115.
The ages on the license are what the state licenses it to care for, which can be wider than the ages it takes.