Lake Forest Park Whizz Kids

Center · Lake Forest Park · 18512 Ballinger Way Northeast

What kind of place is this?

Size 60 children licensed In the middle half for Seattle centers, where the middle half licenses 43–121. Measured across 576 Seattle centers, 2026-08-17.
Established 1989
Approach reggio-emilia

In the program’s own words

“Embracing a Reggio-inspired learning approach, the academy fosters creativity and critical thinking in young learners.” whizzkidsacademy.com, August 2026

Who will be with our child?

Infant 1 teacher to 3.3 children
Toddler 1 teacher to 3.3 children
Preschool 1 teacher to 6.7 children

Will it fit our family?

Ages served ages 12 months to 5 years
Hours 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Days / week 5
Holiday closures Closed for Labor Day, Thanksgiving (Nov 26-27), Winter Break (Dec 21-25), New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day (Observed), and various staff development days/early closures
Accepts subsidy Yes

What will it cost us?

Toddler $1,995/mo about $9/hr
Preschool $1,695/mo about $8/hr
Part-time $1,490–$2,565/mo
Application fee $175
Sibling discount 5% discount for the oldest child when two/three children are enrolled full-time simultaneously

What Shortlist has verified

State quality rating Early Achievers Level 3+
License status Active

State record — Washington DCYF

Last visit
April 6, 2026
On file
3 visits since September 2023 — 1 cited nothing
Fixed?
Washington DCYF does not publish whether a finding was corrected.
Most serious
SeriousAt the time of inspection, it was observed that staff A.H. and staff K.O. have not completed food handler training. · April 6, 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.

Apr 2026 Licensing visit 1 finding

Licensing visit · April 6, 2026

Training requirements

WAC 110-300-0106(12) · Serious

At the time of inspection, it was observed that staff A.H. and staff K.O. have not completed food handler training.

Report (PDF)

Jan 2025 Licensing visit 2 findings

Licensing visit · January 13, 2025

Emergency preparedness plan

WAC 110-300-0470(4)(a) · Short Term

At the time of the inspection, it was observed the fire drill is not current, the last drill record was October. 0470 (4)(b) At the time of the inspection, it was observed that emergency drill was not conducted

Training requirements

WAC 110-300-0106(12) · Serious

During review of staff qualifications, it was determined that some staff have not completed renewal class for food handler. 0106 (3) During review of staff qualifications, it was determined that staff NG has not completed 30 hours childcare basics

Report (PDF)

Sep 2023 Licensing visit nothing cited Report (PDF)

Before you tour

Lake Forest Park Whizz Kids hasn’t published

Sick and biting policies.

Ask what changed after the two findings Washington DCYF ranked Serious, most recently in April 2026.It does not publish whether a finding was fixed. The rest carry its lower risk levels.

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 kind of place is this

Who will be with our child

Not yet reported: who teaches here.

Will it fit our family

Not yet reported: schedule.

What will it cost us

Pricing per provider website, checked July 2026.

Licensing and contact

State record

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 Lake Forest Park Whizz Kids? 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.