Wallingford · Licensed center
KinderCare Wallingford
At a glance
- Large center, licensed for 276 children.
- Hours 12 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 8 valid, most recently in March 2026. The state also cited rules at all 3 of its licensing inspections since December 2023.
See each inspection and complaint
Complaints the state found valid
Received Feb 18, 2026Valid complaint, 1 rule citedresolved Mar 11, 2026
“A teacher observed another teacher hit a child on their bare butt with an open hand 3x”
The state’s description of the complaint
Prohibited behavior and discipline, and physical separation of childrenSerious. Fix within 5 business days. The licensor rechecks within 10.
“Based on information gathered during the course of the complaint inspection it is determined that WAC 110-300-0331(1) was violated. A staff member reported to have observed another staff member hit a child on their bare bottom with an open hand. This information was conveyed to the center director. The licensor spoke with the parent of the child who reported that their child told the mother that they were hit by a staff member. The staff member reportedly called the parent to apologize for the incident. Based on this information this concern will be closed as Valid.”
WAC 110-300-0331(1)
Received Oct 9, 2025Valid complaint, 1 rule citedresolved Nov 25, 2025
“Child was climbing on sink and fell resulting in a bump on forehead”
The state’s description of the complaint
Supervising childrenShort Term. Fix within 10 business days. Rechecked within 15.
“Based on sufficient evidence available at the time of the licensing inspection, more likely than not, applicable WAC 110-300-0345(3) was violated. After staff interviews, it was determined that staff were not in eyes view of the child during incident.”
WAC 110-300-0345(3)
Received Jun 30, 2025Valid complaintresolved Aug 26, 2025
Received Mar 25, 2025Valid complaint, 6 rules citedresolved Jul 17, 2025
Training requirementsSerious. Fix within 5 business days. The licensor rechecks within 10.
“Multiple staff do not have documentation of current food worker card.”
WAC 110-300-0106(12)
Preservice requirementsSerious. Fix within 5 business days. The licensor rechecks within 10. Short Term. Fix within 10 business days. Rechecked within 15.
“3 staff working on-site do not have cleared background checks. This was discussed with the director and the staff will no longer be on-site and cannot return to work until their background check is cleared. Multiple staff do not have documentation of required TB testing.”
WAC 110-300-0105(2), WAC 110-300-0105(3)
General staff qualificationsShort Term. Fix within 10 business days. Rechecked within 15.
“Multiple staff do not have documentation of minimum education requirment (high school diploma or equivalent).”
WAC 110-300-0100(6), WAC 110-300-0100(7)
Staff recordsLong Term. The state’s lowest risk level. Fix within 20 business days, no recheck.
“Merit (electronic workforce registry) is not maintained. There are staff who are listed on the Merit page who no longer work at the facility. There are staff who work at the facility who are not listed on the Merit page. Numerous trainings are missing from the Merit page.”
WAC 110-300-0115(1)
Received Jan 21, 2025Valid complaint, 2 rules citedresolved Apr 3, 2025
Prohibited behavior and discipline, and physical separation of childrenSerious. Fix within 5 business days. The licensor rechecks within 10.
“Based on sufficient evidence available at the time of the licensing inspection, WAC 110-300-0331(1) was violated. The licensor A.S. found evidence to support the allegation of a staff member spraying children with water as a form of discipline.”
WAC 110-300-0331(1)
Duty to protect children and report incidentsSerious. Fix within 5 business days. The licensor rechecks within 10.
“Based on sufficient evidence available at the time of the licensing inspection, WAC 110-300-0475(2) was violated. Staff are mandated reporters and failed to report the allegation of a staff member spraying children with water as a form of discipline.”
WAC 110-300-0475(2)
Received Sep 25, 2024Valid complaint, 1 rule citedresolved Dec 11, 2024
Prohibited behavior and discipline, and physical separation of childrenSerious. Fix within 5 business days. The licensor rechecks within 10.
“is valid. J. admitted to yelling and grabbing the child by the shoulders.”
WAC 110-300-0331(1)
Received Jan 31, 2024Valid complaint, 3 rules citedresolved Apr 18, 2024
Emergency preparedness planShort Term. Fix within 10 business days. Rechecked within 15.
“During the on-site inspection licensor M. observed the emergency drills were last completed in August 2023.”
WAC 110-300-0470(4)(d), WAC 110-300-0470(4)(a)
Training requirementsLong Term. The state’s lowest risk level. Fix within 20 business days, no recheck.
“is valid. Licensor observed that there were multiple staff members with missing or expired trainings.”
WAC 110-300-0106(1)
Received May 31, 2023Valid complaint, 1 rule citedresolved Sep 3, 2023
Prohibited behavior and discipline, and physical separation of childrenSerious. Fix within 5 business days. The licensor rechecks within 10.
“; Based on the information gathered from our licensing inspection of this complaint, the teacher stated, there was a lot going on this day. He stated he may have held childs arm tight and out of frustration he yelled at child.”
WAC 110-300-0331(1)(b)
Of the 210 Seattle-area centers licensed for 116 to 323 children, 98 (47%) have no valid complaint in the last three years; 6 (3%) have seven 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 750%
- 7 or more3%This center
Licensing inspections
Mar 27, 20263 citations
Preservice requirementsSerious. Fix within 5 business days. The licensor rechecks within 10.
“One staff member did not have a completed background check. MERIT showed expired with a new one currently in process.”
WAC 110-300-0105(2)
First-aid—CPR certification and suppliesShort Term. Fix within 10 business days. Rechecked within 15.
“Licensor was given a first aid kit to inspect. Missing items- CPR mask, hand sanitizer, thermometer, scissors.”
WAC 110-300-0230(2)
Individual care planShort Term. Fix within 10 business days. Rechecked within 15.
“Licensor reviewed five child files. One file had an outdated individual care plan. The plan needs to be updated.”
WAC 110-300-0300(1)(a)
Dec 19, 20243 citations
Storage of hazardous and maintenance suppliesSerious. Fix within 5 business days. The licensor rechecks within 10.
“toilet brush was accessible in a pre-k bathroom.”
WAC 110-300-0260(5)
Training requirementsShort Term. Fix within 10 business days. Rechecked within 15.
“2 staff need to update annual safe sleep training.”
WAC 110-300-0106(8)
Emergency preparedness planShort Term. Fix within 10 business days. Rechecked within 15.
“Need to be recording fire drills each month on department form. Need to be recording emergency drills every 3 months on department form.”
WAC 110-300-0470(4)(a), WAC 110-300-0470(4)(b)
Dec 6, 20235 citations
MedicationSerious. Fix within 5 business days. The licensor rechecks within 10. Short Term. Fix within 10 business days. Rechecked within 15.
“In Discovery ps2- 2 children did not have any authorization form with diaper creams/ointment. some perscription medication was missing the perscription label. non perscription medication was missing the box.”
WAC 110-300-0215(3), WAC 110-300-0215(3)(a)(i), WAC 110-300-0215(3)(a)(ii), WAC 110-300-0215(3)(a)(iii)
Preservice requirementsSerious. Fix within 5 business days. The licensor rechecks within 10.
“some staff missing current cleared background check.”
WAC 110-300-0105(2)
Training requirementsLong Term. The state’s lowest risk level. Fix within 20 business days, no recheck. Serious. Fix within 5 business days. The licensor rechecks within 10. Short Term. Fix within 10 business days. Rechecked within 15.
“some staff do not have complete training requirements within 3 months. some staff missing food handlers training. some staff missing 30 hrs. initial training. some staff missing current safe sleep training.”
WAC 110-300-0106(1), WAC 110-300-0106(12), WAC 110-300-0106(3), WAC 110-300-0106(8)
Safe food practicesShort Term. Fix within 10 business days. Rechecked within 15.
“food in pantry and fridge needs to be labeled and dated.”
WAC 110-300-0197(4)
Emergency preparedness planShort Term. Fix within 10 business days. Rechecked within 15.
“need to review emergency prep plan with staff annually and document. need to update fire drills, and record notes.”
WAC 110-300-0470(1)
The state cited rules at all 3 of this center's inspections. Most Seattle-area centers inspected 3 times had fewer: 67% of 364.
How all 364 Seattle-area centers inspected 3 times compare
Of the 364 Seattle-area centers the state inspected 3 times, how many of those inspections cited a rule:
- None12%
- 1 of 321%
- 2 of 335%
- All 333%This center
Read every record and the state’s reports
State record — Washington DCYF
- Last visit
- March 27, 2026
- On file
- 3 visits since December 2023 — all of them cited findings · 8 complaint investigations
- Most serious
- Serious —
One staff member did not have a completed background check. MERIT showed expired with a new one currently in process.
· March 27, 2026
Washington DCYF publishes each citation in the licensor’s own words, with a risk level.
Mar 2026 Licensing visit 3 findings
Licensing visit · March 27, 2026
WAC 110-300-0105(2) · Serious
One staff member did not have a completed background check. MERIT showed expired with a new one currently in process.
First-aid—CPR certification and supplies
WAC 110-300-0230(2) · Short Term
Licensor was given a first aid kit to inspect. Missing items- CPR mask, hand sanitizer, thermometer, scissors.
WAC 110-300-0300(1)(a) · Short Term
Licensor reviewed five child files. One file had an outdated individual care plan. The plan needs to be updated.
Feb 2026 Complaint 1 valid issue
Complaint · Received February 18, 2026 · Resolved March 11, 2026
“A teacher observed another teacher hit a child on their bare butt with an open hand 3x”
The state’s description of the complaint
Reported to the state by the program
Serious injury, valid issues and self-report are Washington’s own fields on its complaint listing.
Prohibited behavior and discipline, and physical separation of children
WAC 110-300-0331(1) · Serious
Based on information gathered during the course of the complaint inspection it is determined that WAC 110-300-0331(1) was violated. A staff member reported to have observed another staff member hit a child on their bare bottom with an open hand. This information was conveyed to the center director. The licensor spoke with the parent of the child who reported that their child told the mother that they were hit by a staff member. The staff member reportedly called the parent to apologize for the incident. Based on this information this concern will be closed as Valid.
Oct 2025 Complaint 1 valid issue
Complaint · Received October 9, 2025 · Resolved November 25, 2025
“Child was climbing on sink and fell resulting in a bump on forehead”
The state’s description of the complaint
WAC 110-300-0345(3) · Short Term
Based on sufficient evidence available at the time of the licensing inspection, more likely than not, applicable WAC 110-300-0345(3) was violated. After staff interviews, it was determined that staff were not in eyes view of the child during incident.
Jun 2025 Complaint 1 valid issue
Complaint · Received June 30, 2025 · Resolved August 26, 2025
Reported to the state by the program
Serious injury, valid issues and self-report are Washington’s own fields on its complaint listing.
Mar 2025 Complaint 4 findings
Complaint · Received March 25, 2025 · Resolved July 17, 2025
Serious injury: Severe neck or head injury · 8 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 110-300-0106(12) · Serious
Multiple staff do not have documentation of current food worker card.
WAC 110-300-0100(6) / 110-300-0100(7) · Short Term
Multiple staff do not have documentation of minimum education requirment (high school diploma or equivalent).
WAC 110-300-0105(2) / 110-300-0105(3) · Serious / Short Term
3 staff working on-site do not have cleared background checks. This was discussed with the director and the staff will no longer be on-site and cannot return to work until their background check is cleared. Multiple staff do not have documentation of required TB testing.
WAC 110-300-0115(1) · Long Term
Merit (electronic workforce registry) is not maintained. There are staff who are listed on the Merit page who no longer work at the facility. There are staff who work at the facility who are not listed on the Merit page. Numerous trainings are missing from the Merit page.
Jan 2025 Complaint 2 findings
Complaint · Received January 21, 2025 · Resolved April 3, 2025
2 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.
Prohibited behavior and discipline, and physical separation of children
WAC 110-300-0331(1) · Serious
Based on sufficient evidence available at the time of the licensing inspection, WAC 110-300-0331(1) was violated. The licensor A.S. found evidence to support the allegation of a staff member spraying children with water as a form of discipline.
Duty to protect children and report incidents
WAC 110-300-0475(2) · Serious
Based on sufficient evidence available at the time of the licensing inspection, WAC 110-300-0475(2) was violated. Staff are mandated reporters and failed to report the allegation of a staff member spraying children with water as a form of discipline.
Dec 2024 Licensing visit 3 findings
Licensing visit · December 19, 2024
WAC 110-300-0106(8) · Short Term
2 staff need to update annual safe sleep training.
Storage of hazardous and maintenance supplies
WAC 110-300-0260(5) · Serious
toilet brush was accessible in a pre-k bathroom.
WAC 110-300-0470(4)(a) / 110-300-0470(4)(b) · Short Term
Need to be recording fire drills each month on department form. Need to be recording emergency drills every 3 months on department form.
Sep 2024 Complaint 1 valid issue
Complaint · Received September 25, 2024 · Resolved December 11, 2024
Reported to the state by the program
Serious injury, valid issues and self-report are Washington’s own fields on its complaint listing.
Prohibited behavior and discipline, and physical separation of children
WAC 110-300-0331(1) · Serious
WAC 0331 is valid. J. admitted to yelling and grabbing the child by the shoulders.
Jan 2024 Complaint 2 findings
Complaint · Received January 31, 2024 · Resolved April 18, 2024
4 valid issues
Serious injury, valid issues and self-report are Washington’s own fields on its complaint listing.
WAC 110-300-0106(1) · Long Term
WAC 110-300-0106 is valid. Licensor observed that there were multiple staff members with missing or expired trainings.
WAC 110-300-0470(4)(d) / 110-300-0470(4)(a) · Short Term
During the on-site inspection licensor M. observed the emergency drills were last completed in August 2023.
Dec 2023 Licensing visit 5 findings
Licensing visit · December 6, 2023
WAC 110-300-0197(4) · Short Term
food in pantry and fridge needs to be labeled and dated.
WAC 110-300-0215(3) / 110-300-0215(3)(a)(i) / 110-300-0215(3)(a)(ii) / 110-300-0215(3)(a)(iii) · Serious / Short Term
In Discovery ps2- 2 children did not have any authorization form with diaper creams/ointment. some perscription medication was missing the perscription label. non perscription medication was missing the box.
WAC 110-300-0105(2) · Serious
some staff missing current cleared background check.
WAC 110-300-0106(1) / 110-300-0106(12) / 110-300-0106(3) / 110-300-0106(8) · Long Term / Serious / Short Term
some staff do not have complete training requirements within 3 months. some staff missing food handlers training. some staff missing 30 hrs. initial training. some staff missing current safe sleep training.
WAC 110-300-0470(1) · Short Term
need to review emergency prep plan with staff annually and document. need to update fire drills, and record notes.
May 2023 Complaint 1 valid issue
Complaint · Received May 31, 2023 · Resolved September 3, 2023
Reported to the state by the program
Serious injury, valid issues and self-report are Washington’s own fields on its complaint listing.
Prohibited behavior and discipline, and physical separation of children
WAC 110-300-0331(1) · Serious
110-300-0331(1)(b); Based on the information gathered from our licensing inspection of this complaint, the teacher stated, there was a lot going on this day. He stated he may have held childs arm tight and out of frustration he yelled at child.
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
- 12 hours a day, 5 days a week
What staff are paid
- Teachers at Wallingford Seattle KinderCare
- $22.20 an hourJob posting, July 2026
Details
- Phone
- (206) 633-9989
- Address
- 400 NE 45th St, Seattle, 98105
- License
- PL-80588
- Quality program
- Early Achievers Enrolled
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 Wallingford Seattle 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 — Checked April 2026 kindercare.com
- Website, Who runs it — Checked October 2026 kindercare.com
- Address — Checked June 2026 data.wa.gov
- License, Quality program — Checked March 2026 data.wa.gov
- Ages on the license — Checked September 2026 findchildcarewa.org
- 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.