KinderCare runs 27 licensed locations in Seattle.
This provider does not publish pricing.
One staff member did not have a completed background check. MERIT showed expired with a new one currently in process. Date Disputed Date Disputed· March 27, 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.
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. Date Disputed Date Disputed
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. Date Disputed Date Disputed
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 One file had an outdated individual care plan.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.
Complaint · February 18, 2026 · Resolved March 11, 2026
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.
Complaint · October 9, 2025 · Resolved November 25, 2025
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.
Complaint · 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.
The state lists this complaint on the provider’s record, but the state’s published report includes no citation detail.
Complaint · 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.
Complaint · 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.
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.
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.
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.
Complaint · 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. Jacob admitted to yelling and grabbing the child by the shoulders.
Complaint · 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 Mohamud observed the emergency drills were last completed in August 2023.
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.
Complaint · 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.
Cost, a typical day, sick and biting policies.
Ask what changed after the 12 findings Washington DCYF ranked Serious, most recently in March 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, teaching approach.
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.
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