Bellevue · Licensed center

Birch Tree Academy - Lake Hills Campus

Save programs to compare them in ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini.

What the state has found

Someone reported a concern to the state, and in September 2023 the state found it valid and cited 1 rule. The state also cited rules at 3 of its 4 licensing inspections since August 2023.

Of the 239 Seattle-area centers with 4 licensing inspections, 33% had rules cited at 3 of them, as this center did. 29% had rules cited at all 4, 7% at none.

Complaints the state found valid

Someone reported a concern. The state investigated and found reasonable cause to believe a licensing rule was broken.

Received Aug 1, 2023Valid complaint, 1 rule citedresolved Sep 14, 2023

  • “Provider didn't return the medication to parents or follow FDA guidelines when they disposed of it.”

    WAC 110-300-0215(3)(d)

Licensing inspections

Dec 31, 2025No rules cited
Aug 27, 20253 citations

  • “One of the window blind cords in the Chipmunks classroom is not attached to the wall allowing the formation of a loop.”

    WAC 110-300-0165(2)(b)

  • “Individual care plans for allergies for a couple of children were missing substitute foods.”

    WAC 110-300-0186(1)

  • “The child with Benadryl didn't have a medical form.”

    WAC 110-300-0215(3)(a)(i)

Aug 27, 20242 citations

  • “Window blinds in the Chipmunks room are not retrofitted in a manner that eliminates the formation of loops. The blink cords were folded and hung "out of reach."”

    WAC 110-300-0165(2)(b)

  • “Charging cables capable of forming a loop around a child's neck were accessible to children.”

    WAC 110-300-0165(2)(b)

Aug 2, 20234 citations

  • “Nail polish stored in the closet in the reception area. Sunscreens labled "keep out of reach of children" accessible to children. Toilet plungers and brushes stored next to the toilets.”

    WAC 110-300-0260(5)

  • “Child, D.K., doesn't have an individual care plan for his nut allergy.”

    WAC 110-300-0186(1)

  • “Epi-pen medical authorization form didn't have side effects listed on it. Unused medicatoin (Epi-pen) not returned to parent and not disposed of according to FDA recommendations.”

    WAC 110-300-0215(3)(a)(i)

  • “Entrance door (exit door) requires special knowledge to open.”

    WAC 110-300-0166(3)(a)

Read every record and the state’s reports

State record — Washington DCYF

Last visit
December 31, 2025
On file
4 visits since August 2023 — 1 cited nothing · 1 complaint investigation
Most serious
Serious — One of the window blind cords in the Chipmunks classroom is not attached to the wall allowing the formation of a loop. · August 27, 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 nothing cited Report (PDF)
Aug 2025 Licensing visit 3 findings

Licensing visit · August 27, 2025

Safety requirements

WAC 110-300-0165(2)(b) · Serious

One of the window blind cords in the Chipmunks classroom is not attached to the wall allowing the formation of a loop.

Food allergies and special dietary needs

WAC 110-300-0186(1) · Serious

Individual care plans for allergies for a couple of children were missing substitute foods.

Medication

WAC 110-300-0215(3)(a)(i) · Serious

The child with Benadryl didn't have a medical form.

Report (PDF)

Aug 2024 Licensing visit 2 findings

Licensing visit · August 27, 2024

Safety requirements

WAC 110-300-0165(2)(b) · Serious

Window blinds in the Chipmunks room are not retrofitted in a manner that eliminates the formation of loops. The blink cords were folded and hung "out of reach."

Safety requirements

WAC 110-300-0165(2)(b) · Serious

Charging cables capable of forming a loop around a child's neck were accessible to children.

Report (PDF)

Aug 2023 Licensing visit 4 findings

Licensing visit · August 2, 2023

Storage of hazardous and maintenance supplies

WAC 110-300-0260(5) · Serious

Nail polish stored in the closet in the reception area. Sunscreens labled "keep out of reach of children" accessible to children. Toilet plungers and brushes stored next to the toilets.

Food allergies and special dietary needs

WAC 110-300-0186(1) · Serious

Child, D.K., doesn't have an individual care plan for his nut allergy.

Medication

WAC 110-300-0215(3)(a)(i) · Serious

Epi-pen medical authorization form didn't have side effects listed on it. Unused medicatoin (Epi-pen) not returned to parent and not disposed of according to FDA recommendations.

Emergency preparation and exiting

WAC 110-300-0166(3)(a) · Serious

Entrance door (exit door) requires special knowledge to open.

Report (PDF)

Aug 2023 Complaint 1 valid issue

Complaint · Received August 1, 2023 · Resolved September 14, 2023

Medication

WAC 110-300-0215(3)(d) · Short Term · No longer on the state’s site as of September 25, 2026

Provider didn't return the medication to parents or follow FDA guidelines when they disposed of it.

Report (PDF)

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.

Openings, Working Connections subsidy, cost, ratios and staff, and sick and biting policies aren’t on this page.

How they teach

Play-based and STEAM

“Both play-based curriculums are designed to inspire curiosity, confidence, and joyful engagement while building a strong foundation in early mathematics.”

A day here

Hours
7:30 AM to 6:00 PM, 5 days a week
Sleep
Infants nap on their own personalized schedules
Updates for parents
Menu changes communicated to parents via the Bright Wheel app

Details

(425) 502-9072

Website
birchtreeacademy.com
Address
655 156th Ave. SE #200
License
PL-28028, active
Quality program
Early Achievers Enrolled

Nearby

The eight closest of the 21 other licensed centers in ZIP 98007

Programs in Bellevue on the Seattle guide

Run Birch Tree Academy - Lake Hills Campus? Correct or add anything here, free.

Add what is missing
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.

How they teach

State record

From Washington DCYF’s published reports, last checked October 10, 2026.

A day here

Details

Large means the biggest quarter of Seattle-area’s 859 licensed centers by state-licensed capacity: 115 to 323 children. Small is 6 to 40; medium is 41 to 114.

The ages on the license are what the state licenses it to care for, which can be wider than the ages it takes.

Nearby

The other centers’ visit lines are from Washington DCYF’s published reports as Shortlist read them on October 10, 2026.