Licensed center
Tender Hearts Dayschool
A play-based center, licensed for 36 children. The state cited something at 6 of 7 routine visits (Seattle-area centers: about 2 in 3). One complaint investigation found violations since 2023; 207 of 218 similar-size Seattle-area centers had none.
Small center. Small means the smallest quarter of Seattle-area’s 859 licensed centers by state-licensed capacity: 6 to 40 children. Medium is 41 to 114; large is 115 to 323.
How they teach
Play-based
“Play-Based Learning Engaging curriculum that makes learning fun through music, arts, storytelling, and outdoor play.”In their words. tenderheartsdayschool.com, September 2026
One of 101 Seattle-area providers that describe a play-based approach, out of 256 that describe any approach at all.
Who cares for your child
Not published
What it costs
Not published
Shortlist can ask Tender Hearts Dayschool for what it has not published: who is with the children and for how long, what it costs, a typical day and sick and biting policies. The answer will go on this page.
What the state has found
One complaint investigation found violations since February 2023
207: none11: one to four0: five or more
The 218 Seattle-area centers licensed for 6 to 40 children, the size band this one falls in, as of September 26, 2026.
Larger centers have more complaint investigations, so Tender Hearts Dayschool (36 children) is compared with centers its size. Of those 218, 207 have had no complaint investigation that found a violation since February 2023. Tender Hearts Dayschool has had one. The most recent was in December 2023. Three centers its size have had more. The state also lists one complaint here whose published report includes no citation detail, so it is not counted as found.
Routine visits: 6 of 7 cited something
Across Seattle-area centers, the state cites something at about 2 in 3 routine visits (1,966 visits).
From Washington DCYF’s published reports, last checked September 26, 2026.
Read every record and the state’s reports
State record — Washington DCYF
- Last visit
- December 23, 2025
- On file
- 7 visits since December 2023 — 1 cited nothing · 2 complaint investigations
- Fixed?
- Washington DCYF does not publish whether a finding was corrected.
- Most serious
- Serious —
C.M's food handler's permit recently expired 12/19/25.
· December 23, 2025
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.
Dec 2025 Licensing visit 3 findings
Licensing visit · December 23, 2025
WAC 110-300-0106(12) · Serious
C.M's food handler's permit recently expired 12/19/25.
Immunizations and exempt children
WAC 110-300-0210(1)(2) · Long Term
Out of the samples files, two child records did not have a completed CIS form.
Center capacity, ratio, and group size
WAC 110-300-0356(5) · Short Term
There was a 3 year old mixed with toddlers in this class, and it was not the beginning or end of the day.
Sep 2025 Complaint 1 valid issue
Complaint · September 30, 2025 · Resolved February 5, 2026
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.
May 2025 Licensing visit 1 finding
Licensing visit · May 7, 2025
Equipment and surfaces in outdoor early learning space
WAC 110-300-0146(1) · Short Term
The "rocket" climber did not have a 6 ft fall zone around the whole structure.
Jun 2024 Licensing visit 1 finding
Licensing visit · June 28, 2024
WAC 110-300-0105(2) / 110-300-0105(3) · Serious / Short Term
Early Learning provider Zenaida Laban was observed supervising toddlers sleeping in the toddler room. There is no profile located in MERIT for her and has not completed a Portable Background Check. (Per WAC definition, 110-300-0005 "Early Learning Provider" includes Volunteer). Zenaida L. did not have a completed TB Test and was working in the class.
Jun 2024 Licensing visit 2 findings
Licensing visit · June 21, 2024
WAC 110-300-0105(2) · Serious
A potential staff, Z.L. was on site working in the toddler room and did not have a portable background check clearance.
Center capacity, ratio, and group size
WAC 110-300-0356(5) / 110-300-0356(6) · Short Term
The PS class had 8 children napping, and PK had 9. Only one staff was standing in between both classes to supervise this group. Reason given was short staffed today and one had to take a lunch break outside. In the middle of the day during naptime, two preschool age children were mixed with toddlers. These were 37 and 43 month olds.
May 2024 Licensing visit 4 findings
Licensing visit · May 28, 2024
WAC 110-300-0165(3)(a) · Short Term
The edge of the metal tunnel outside is exposed without protective covering and is a potential cutting hazard.
Emergency preparation and exiting
WAC 110-300-0166(3)(a) · Serious
Room 4 with toddlers had the main exit door locked from the inside. (It was unlocked right away.)
WAC 110-300-0106(11) · Short Term
Staff member, Caitlin Moore does not have current pchild CPR and First Aid.
Equipment and surfaces in outdoor early learning space
WAC 110-300-0146(1) / 110-300-0146(1)(a)(b) · Short Term / Serious
Two climbers do not have a 6 ft fall zone in the back as it is too close to the sidewalk. Wood chips do not measure to minimum of 9 in.
Dec 2023 Licensing visit 3 findings
Licensing visit · December 6, 2023
Storage of hazardous and maintenance supplies
WAC 110-300-0260(5) · Serious
Vacuum cleaner was accessible to children in the preschool room, placed next to a child's soft chair. Child was observed leaning on the equipment.
Equipment and surfaces in outdoor early learning space
WAC 110-300-0146(1)(a)(b) · Serious
Two climbers did not have a 6 ft fall zone around the entire structure and the picnic tables were too close to them. The wood chips did not have a 9 inch depth for the climbers.
WAC 110-300-0106(3) / 110-300-0106(10) / 110-300-0106(11) / 110-300-0106(12) · Short Term / Serious
Staff member R.L-O. does not have Child Care Basics training and has worked more than 3 mos. BBP training has not been taken by M.G. BBP training is expired for C.M. It was expired for F.B.R. on 12/6 when working but has renewed 12/11. CPR/FA is missing for staff M.G. It was expired for F.B.R. on 12/6 when working but has renewed on 12/11. Food Handler's card is missing for C.M.
Nov 2023 Complaint 2 valid issues
Complaint · November 29, 2023 · Resolved April 1, 2024
Reported to the state by the program
Serious injury, valid issues and self-report are Washington’s own fields on its complaint listing.
WAC 110-300-0345(5)(c) · Serious
Child touched another child's private area while playing outside in a toy car.
A day here
- Hours
- 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, 5 days a week
Details
- Website
- tenderheartsdayschool.com
- Address
- 3521 150th Pl NE
- License
- PL-23533, active
- Quality program
- Early Achievers Level 3
Do you run Tender Hearts Dayschool? Shortlist has no tuition, ratios or policies for it, because the state does not publish that. Add what is missing. It is free and takes about ten minutes.
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.
All checked September 2026.
How they teach
- Approach — tenderheartsdayschool.com
State record
Every state visit and complaint on file, shown in full and never edited. Open a date to read what the state wrote.
A day here
- Hours — tenderheartsdayschool.com
Details
- Website — tenderheartsdayschool.com
- Address, License, Quality program — data.wa.gov