Queen Anne · Licensed center
Hilltop Children's Center
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- Large emergent curriculum center, licensed for 208 children.
- Ages on the license: 1 month to 13 years.
What the state has found
Someone reported concerns to the state, and it found both valid, most recently in November 2024. The state also cited rules at all 7 of its licensing inspections since May 2022.
Fewer than 20 Seattle-area centers have had 7 licensing inspections, so there is no comparison yet.
Complaints the state found valid
Someone reported a concern. The state investigated and found reasonable cause to believe a licensing rule was broken.
“Licensor observed concerns of ratio issues through multiple staff conversations and the licensor observed this, on the playground.”
WAC 110-300-0356(5)
“Through onsite visit, conversation with staff and admin it is observed that children have played on the canal path, mainly during "closing time". It is observed that there is not a physical barrier between the canal path and the large body of water.”
WAC 110-300-0175(1) · Immediate risk
“Licensor observed large furniture, specifically cubby shelves not achored to the wall. Furniture removed due to painting, but items were not re-anchored later, at H/S recheck visit.”
WAC 110-300-0165(3)(f)
“Through conversation, the licensor learned that more likely than not, the center has multiple children with a special need that would require an individual care plan to be created and followed. Despite conversation with admin, this information was not provided and/or it is not on file.”
WAC 110-300-0300(1)(a)
Of the 215 Seattle-area centers licensed for 115 to 323 children, 105 (49%) have no valid complaint in the last three years; 63 (29%) have two or more, as this center does.
Licensing inspections
Dec 19, 20252 citations
“Plastic bags were observed to be kept in an area in the younger toddler classroom that was accessible to children and could become a suffocation hazard.”
WAC 110-300-0165(2)(d)
“A cord was observed in one of the younger toddler rooms dangling down within reach of children and could be capable of forming a loop around a child's neck.”
WAC 110-300-0165(2)(c)
Sep 4, 20242 citations
“Licensor and licensing supervisor observed the open concept area upstairs to not allow for noise levels that a normal conversation could occur. Both the licensor and licensing supervisor observed that it was difficult to hear during conversation with the provider.”
WAC 110-300-0165(3)(f)
“Licensor and licensing supervisor observed multiple large cubby like shelves not anchored to anything to prevent from falling and/or tipping.”
WAC 110-300-0165(3)(f)
Aug 14, 20241 citation
“Licensor emailed the evening prior to the five day deadline for correction verification on this citation to remind provider that correction was due on Monday 8/12/24. Licensor did not recieve updated status on WAC 0215(3)(a)(i). At original MV, licensor observed child to have an Epi Pen without any Rx box or prescription label. WAC is re-cited.”
WAC 110-300-0215(3)(a)(i)
Aug 8, 20241 citation
“Licensor observed chef with withdrawn background check still on site at health and safety recheck visit.”
WAC 110-300-0105(2)
Aug 5, 20247 citations
“Licensor observed an Epi Pen stored in an emergency backpack. The Epi Pen was not stored in a box with the prescription label for the medication.”
WAC 110-300-0215(3)(a)(i)
“Licensor observed two staff members to have withdrawn background check applications status. Licensor confirmed these staff members have recently been on site at the center.”
WAC 110-300-0105(2)
“Per Merit, many staff missing TB verification.”
WAC 110-300-0105(2)
“Licensor observed electrical cord to be accessible and present in a way that would allow a loop to be formed around a child's neck in River room. Provided TA to teacher and director.”
WAC 110-300-0165(2)(c)
3 more from this inspection
“Per Merit, 8 staff missing blood and body fluids training.”
WAC 110-300-0106(10), WAC 110-300-0106(11), WAC 110-300-0106(3)
“Per Merit, 19 staff missing FA/CPR training.”
WAC 110-300-0106(10), WAC 110-300-0106(11), WAC 110-300-0106(3)
“Per Merit, 9 staff missing CCB training. Please ensure new staff complete by 90 day mark.”
WAC 110-300-0106(10), WAC 110-300-0106(11), WAC 110-300-0106(3)
Sep 19, 20236 citations
“2 staff are missing FA/CPR.”
WAC 110-300-0106(12)
“Raindrop room had lights turned down too low. It was a cloudy day and there was not enough light in the room to be able to observe a child's skin color while sleeping.”
WAC 110-300-0291(1)(d)
“Multiple staff need to complete the childcare basics training.”
WAC 110-300-0106(12)
“Multiple staff need to complete the safe sleep training.”
WAC 110-300-0106(12)
2 more from this inspection
“3 staff are missing BBP.”
WAC 110-300-0106(12)
“11 staff are missing Food Handler Permit.”
WAC 110-300-0106(12)
May 4, 20224 citations
“Director was missing documentation of medication training.”
WAC 110-300-0215(2)
“Staff did not have documentation of signing off on reviewing the Disaster Plan yearly.”
WAC 110-300-0470(1)
“Staff with Initial STARSexemptions were missing documenation of training specified under WAC 110-300-0106. Staff were also missing documenation of BBP professional training. BBP is supposed to be completed yearly.”
WAC 110-300-0106(1), WAC 110-300-0106(10), WAC 110-300-0106(4), WAC 110-300-0106(5), WAC 110-300-0106(7), WAC 110-300-0106(9)
“MERIT is missing information for some staff.”
WAC 110-300-0115(1)
Read every record and the state’s reports
State record — Washington DCYF
- Last visit
- December 19, 2025
- On file
- 7 visits since May 2022 — all of them cited findings · 2 complaint investigations
- Most serious
- Immediate —
Through onsite visit, conversation with staff and admin it is observed that children have played on the canal path, mainly during "closing time". It is observed that there is not a physical barrier between the canal path and the large body of water.
· August 5, 2024
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 2 findings
Licensing visit · December 19, 2025
WAC 110-300-0165(2)(d) · Serious
110-300-0165(2)(d)- Plastic bags were observed to be kept in an area in the younger toddler classroom that was accessible to children and could become a suffocation hazard.
WAC 110-300-0165(2)(c) · Short Term
110-300-0165(2)(c)- A cord was observed in one of the younger toddler rooms dangling down within reach of children and could be capable of forming a loop around a child's neck.
Sep 2024 Licensing visit 2 findings
Licensing visit · September 4, 2024
WAC 110-300-0165(3)(f) · Short Term
Licensor and licensing supervisor observed the open concept area upstairs to not allow for noise levels that a normal conversation could occur. Both the licensor and licensing supervisor observed that it was difficult to hear during conversation with the provider.
WAC 110-300-0165(3)(f) · Short Term
Licensor and licensing supervisor observed multiple large cubby like shelves not anchored to anything to prevent from falling and/or tipping.
Aug 2024 Licensing visit 1 finding
Licensing visit · August 14, 2024
WAC 110-300-0215(3)(a)(i) · Serious
Licensor emailed the evening prior to the five day deadline for correction verification on this citation to remind provider that correction was due on Monday 8/12/24. Licensor did not recieve updated status on WAC 0215(3)(a)(i). At original MV, licensor observed child to have an Epi Pen without any Rx box or prescription label. WAC is re-cited.
Aug 2024 Licensing visit 1 finding
Licensing visit · August 8, 2024
WAC 110-300-0105(2) · Serious
Licensor observed chef with withdrawn background check still on site at health and safety recheck visit.
Aug 2024 Licensing visit 7 findings
Licensing visit · August 5, 2024
WAC 110-300-0215(3)(a)(i) · Serious
Licensor observed an Epi Pen stored in an emergency backpack. The Epi Pen was not stored in a box with the prescription label for the medication.
WAC 110-300-0165(2)(c) · Short Term
Licensor observed electrical cord to be accessible and present in a way that would allow a loop to be formed around a child's neck in River room. Provided TA to teacher and director.
WAC 110-300-0105(2) · Serious
Licensor observed two staff members to have withdrawn background check applications status. Licensor confirmed these staff members have recently been on site at the center.
WAC 110-300-0106(10) / 110-300-0106(11) / 110-300-0106(3) · Short Term
Per Merit, 8 staff missing blood and body fluids training.
WAC 110-300-0106(10) / 110-300-0106(11) / 110-300-0106(3) · Short Term
Per Merit, 19 staff missing FA/CPR training.
WAC 110-300-0106(10) / 110-300-0106(11) / 110-300-0106(3) · Short Term
Per Merit, 9 staff missing CCB training. Please ensure new staff complete by 90 day mark.
Aug 2024 Complaint 4 findings
Complaint · Received August 2, 2024 · Resolved November 5, 2024
3 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.
Center capacity, ratio, and group size
WAC 110-300-0356(5) · Short Term
Licensor observed concerns of ratio issues through multiple staff conversations and the licensor observed this, on the playground.
Water hazards and swimming pools
WAC 110-300-0175(1) · Immediate
Through onsite visit, conversation with staff and admin it is observed that children have played on the canal path, mainly during "closing time". It is observed that there is not a physical barrier between the canal path and the large body of water.
WAC 110-300-0165(3)(f) · Short Term
Licensor observed large furniture, specifically cubby shelves not achored to the wall. Furniture removed due to painting, but items were not re-anchored later, at H/S recheck visit.
WAC 110-300-0300(1)(a) · Short Term
Through conversation, the licensor learned that more likely than not, the center has multiple children with a special need that would require an individual care plan to be created and followed. Despite conversation with admin, this information was not provided and/or it is not on file.
Jun 2024 Complaint 1 valid issue
Complaint · Received June 26, 2024 · Resolved September 1, 2024
Serious injury: Broken bone · Reported to the state by the program
Serious injury, valid issues and self-report are Washington’s own fields on its complaint listing.
Sep 2023 Licensing visit 6 findings
Licensing visit · September 19, 2023
WAC 110-300-0291(1)(d) · Serious
Raindrop room had lights turned down too low. It was a cloudy day and there was not enough light in the room to be able to observe a child's skin color while sleeping.
WAC 110-300-0106(12) · Serious
Multiple staff need to complete the childcare basics training.
WAC 110-300-0106(12) · Serious
Multiple staff need to complete the safe sleep training.
May 2022 Licensing visit 4 findings
Licensing visit · May 4, 2022
WAC 110-300-0215(2) · Short Term
Director was missing documentation of medication training.
WAC 110-300-0470(1) · Short Term
Staff did not have documentation of signing off on reviewing the Disaster Plan yearly.
WAC 110-300-0106(1) / 110-300-0106(10) / 110-300-0106(4) / 110-300-0106(5) / 110-300-0106(7) / 110-300-0106(9) · Long Term / Short Term
Staff with Initial STARSexemptions were missing documenation of training specified under WAC 110-300-0106. Staff were also missing documenation of BBP professional training. BBP is supposed to be completed yearly.
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, ratios and staff, a typical day, and sick and biting policies aren’t on this page.
How they teach
Emergent curriculum
“In our classrooms, emergent curriculum is happening all the time.”
What it costs
From $1,755 a month
Seattle-area comparison hidden until they say which age this price is for.
- Half day (morning)
- $1,755 a month
- Application fee
- $75
A day here
- Hours
- 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, 5 days a week
- Schedule
- full-day, half-day
Details
- Website
- hilltopcc.com
- Address
- 4 Nickerson Street, Suite 100
- License
- PL-14960, active
- Quality program
- Early Achievers Level 3
- Ages they serve
- 6 weeks to 12 years old
- Established
- 1971
Nearby
- Ambrosia MontessoriLarge center · 0.2 miLast state visit Sep 11, 2026 · nothing cited
- Seattle Learning CenterSmall center · 0.8 miLast state visit Jul 21, 2025 · nothing cited
- Kiddie Academy of Seattle at Queen AnneLarge center · 1.7 miLast state visit Jul 13, 2026 · nothing cited
- Bright Horizons Lower Queen AnneMedium center · 1.9 miLast state visit Jul 21, 2025 · 1 citation
- Hutch KidsLarge center · 2.0 miLast state visit Aug 28, 2025 · nothing cited
- Bright Horizons at South Lake UnionLarge center · 2.2 miLast state visit Jul 9, 2026 · 1 citation
- Young Child Academy of SeattleMedium center · 2.3 miLast state visit Aug 31, 2026 · nothing cited
- The Goddard School of North Queen AnneLarge centerLast state visit Jul 15, 2026 · nothing cited
Run Hilltop Children's Center? Correct or add anything here, free.
Add what is missingSources 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
- Approach — Checked October 2026 hilltopcc.com
What it costs
- Monthly tuition, Second price — Checked July 2026 hilltopcc.com
- Application fee — Checked July 2026 hilltopcc.com
State record
From Washington DCYF’s published reports, last checked October 10, 2026.
A day here
- Hours — Checked July 2026 hilltopcc.com
- Schedule — Checked July 2026 hilltopcc.com
Details
- Phone, Ages on the license — Checked September 2026 findchildcarewa.org
- Website — Checked July 2026 hilltopcc.com
- Address — Checked June 2026 data.wa.gov
- License, Quality program — Checked March 2026 data.wa.gov
- Ages they serve — Checked July 2026 hilltopcc.com
- Established — Checked July 2026 hilltopcc.com
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 9, 2026.