Kirkland · Licensed center
La Petite Academy of Kirkland
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- Large play-based center, licensed for 118 children.
- Ages on the license: 1 month to 13 years.
- A La Petite Academy center. The chain is owned by American Securities, a private-equity firm.
What the state has found
Someone reported concerns to the state, and it found all 10 valid, most recently in May 2026. The state also cited rules at all 3 of its licensing inspections since November 2023.
Of the 405 Seattle-area centers with 3 licensing inspections, 33% had rules cited at all 3, as this center did. 11% had none cited.
Complaints the state found valid
Someone reported a concern. The state investigated and found reasonable cause to believe a licensing rule was broken.
“110-300-0331(c) Allegations staff hit child with shoe”
The state’s description of the complaint
“There is sufficient evidence to support that a staff person hit a child with a shoe”
WAC 110-300-0331(1)(c)
“Licensor observed staff not positioning themselves to supervise all areas accessible to children, not being aware of what the children were doing, therefore not being able to promptly assist or redirect children as necessary”
WAC 110-300-0345(3)
“both staff received and signed written warning corrective action for the interactions”
WAC 110-300-0331(1)
“The staff person in question was observed via live stream recording to restrain a child who would not calm down. This restraint goes against the center's guidance and discipline policy.”
WAC 110-300-0335(2)
“During interview, director AV has admitted to yelling and speaking loudly at staff. This behavior is consistent as described by the district manager AS.”
WAC 110-300-0325(1)
“By own admission of director AV and teacher HM, a shelf was used to block the classroom exit to prevent named female child from leaving classroom.”
WAC 110-300-0166(3)(c)
Of the 215 Seattle-area centers licensed for 115 to 323 children, 105 (49%) have no valid complaint in the last three years; 2 (1%) have ten or more, as this center does.
Licensing inspections
Jul 17, 20254 citations
“In the school age room, contact lens solution was located on a low shelf, accessible to children.”
WAC 110-300-0260(1)(a)
“During the inspection, this licensor observed two school age children leave the playground, walk inside to their classroom, and walk back to the playground with a ball. A staff person was not with them to supervise them.”
WAC 110-300-0345(3)
“Program reported that they have not done disaster and fire drills in the last few months. Program could not locate department fire drill log for 2025.”
WAC 110-300-0470(4)(d)
“Not all children's immunization records were medically verified and within the last 12 months.”
WAC 110-300-0210(1)(2)
Oct 15, 20243 citations
“It was observed that the woodchips on the toddler playground did not consist of 9" of woodchips in good condition around the climber. Some areas were observed to have no depth of woodchips in good condition and was degraded woodchips. Short 110-300-0165(3)(f) Term”
WAC 110-300-0146(1)(a)(b)
“It was observed that the medication authorization forms on site did not have parental signatures. A child, who is under 2, was administered calamine lotion. The label states that a doctor's note would be required for this item. A doctor's note was not onsite for them.”
WAC 110-300-0215(3)
“It was observed that one child's file was missing immunization information.”
WAC 110-300-0210(1)(2)
Nov 20, 20235 citations
“Director AV and Asisstant Director CL was not able to locate their food worker's card during the inspection.”
WAC 110-300-0106(12)
“It was observed that the exterior exit door in the preschool room was partially blocked on the outside”
WAC 110-300-0166(3)(c)
“It was observed that the bus did not a complete first aid kit, missing thermometer.”
WAC 110-300-0480(2)
“It was observed that staff person AS had not completed child care basics within 3 months of hire. Director AV and Asisstant Director CL was not able to locate their food worker's card during the inspection.”
WAC 110-300-0106(3)
1 more from this inspection
“It was observed that two children's files were missing immunization information”
WAC 110-300-0210(1)(2)
Read every record and the state’s reports
State record — Washington DCYF
- Last visit
- March 18, 2026
- On file
- 3 visits since November 2023 — all of them cited findings · 10 complaint investigations
- Most serious
- Serious —
110-300-0331(1)(c) There is sufficient evidence to support that a staff person hit a child with a shoe
· March 18, 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.
Feb 2026 Complaint 1 valid issue
Complaint · Received February 12, 2026 · Resolved May 12, 2026
“110-300-0331(c) Allegations staff hit child with shoe”
The state’s description of the complaint
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)(c) There is sufficient evidence to support that a staff person hit a child with a shoe
Aug 2025 Complaint 1 valid issue
Complaint · Received August 22, 2025 · Resolved October 23, 2025
WAC 110-300-0345(3) · Short Term
110-300-0345(3) Licensor observed staff not positioning themselves to supervise all areas accessible to children, not being aware of what the children were doing, therefore not being able to promptly assist or redirect children as necessary
Aug 2025 Complaint 1 valid issue
Complaint · Received August 7, 2025 · Resolved September 29, 2025
Prohibited behavior and discipline, and physical separation of children
WAC 110-300-0331(1) · Serious
110-300-0331 (1) both staff received and signed written warning corrective action for the interactions
Jul 2025 Licensing visit 4 findings
Licensing visit · July 17, 2025
Immunizations and exempt children
WAC 110-300-0210(1)(2) · Long Term
Not all children's immunization records were medically verified and within the last 12 months.
Storage of hazardous and maintenance supplies
WAC 110-300-0260(1)(a) · Serious
In the school age room, contact lens solution was located on a low shelf, accessible to children.
WAC 110-300-0345(3) · Short Term
During the inspection, this licensor observed two school age children leave the playground, walk inside to their classroom, and walk back to the playground with a ball. A staff person was not with them to supervise them.
WAC 110-300-0470(4)(d) · Short Term
Program reported that they have not done disaster and fire drills in the last few months. Program could not locate department fire drill log for 2025.
Jul 2025 Complaint 1 valid issue
Complaint · Received July 11, 2025 · Resolved August 11, 2025
Reported to the state by the program
Serious injury, valid issues and self-report are Washington’s own fields on its complaint listing.
WAC 110-300-0335(2) · Serious
The staff person in question was observed via live stream recording to restrain a child who would not calm down. This restraint goes against the center's guidance and discipline policy.
Apr 2025 Complaint 3 valid issues
Complaint · Received April 17, 2025 · Resolved July 28, 2025
Reported to the state by the program
Serious injury, valid issues and self-report are Washington’s own fields on its complaint listing.
Feb 2025 Complaint 1 valid issue
Complaint · Received February 21, 2025 · Resolved April 24, 2025
Creating a climate for healthy child development
WAC 110-300-0325(1) · Short Term
During interview, director AV has admitted to yelling and speaking loudly at staff. This behavior is consistent as described by the district manager AS.
Jan 2025 Complaint 4 valid issues
Complaint · Received January 4, 2025 · Resolved April 24, 2025
Emergency preparation and exiting
WAC 110-300-0166(3)(c) · Serious
By own admission of director AV and teacher HM, a shelf was used to block the classroom exit to prevent named female child from leaving classroom.
Oct 2024 Complaint 1 valid issue
Complaint · Received October 18, 2024 · Resolved February 12, 2025
Reported to the state by the program
Serious injury, valid issues and self-report are Washington’s own fields on its complaint listing.
Oct 2024 Licensing visit 3 findings
Licensing visit · October 15, 2024
Equipment and surfaces in outdoor early learning space
WAC 110-300-0146(1)(a)(b) · Serious
It was observed that the woodchips on the toddler playground did not consist of 9" of woodchips in good condition around the climber. Some areas were observed to have no depth of woodchips in good condition and was degraded woodchips. Short 110-300-0165(3)(f) Term
Immunizations and exempt children
WAC 110-300-0210(1)(2) · Long Term
It was observed that one child's file was missing immunization information.
WAC 110-300-0215(3) · Serious
It was observed that the medication authorization forms on site did not have parental signatures. A child, who is under 2, was administered calamine lotion. The label states that a doctor's note would be required for this item. A doctor's note was not onsite for them.
Nov 2023 Licensing visit 5 findings
Licensing visit · November 20, 2023
WAC 110-300-0106(12) · Serious
Director AV and Asisstant Director CL was not able to locate their food worker's card during the inspection.
WAC 110-300-0106(3) · Short Term
It was observed that staff person AS had not completed child care basics within 3 months of hire. Director AV and Asisstant Director CL was not able to locate their food worker's card during the inspection.
Immunizations and exempt children
WAC 110-300-0210(1)(2) · Long Term
It was observed that two children's files were missing immunization information
Emergency preparation and exiting
WAC 110-300-0166(3)(c) · Serious
It was observed that the exterior exit door in the preschool room was partially blocked on the outside
Transportation and off-site activity policy
WAC 110-300-0480(2) · Serious
It was observed that the bus did not a complete first aid kit, missing thermometer.
Nov 2023 Complaint 1 valid issue
Complaint · Received November 15, 2023 · Resolved January 16, 2024
Oct 2023 Complaint 1 valid issue
Complaint · Received October 13, 2023 · Resolved January 16, 2024
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 and tuition aren’t on this page.
How they teach
Play-based
“Learn as We Grow ® uses hands-on, play-based, and inquiry-driven experiences that cultivate children’s future-ready skills.”
Who cares for your child
Kathleen Fleming (Director), 20 years in early childhood.
What it costs
- Siblings
- 10% tuition discount for the oldest child when more than one child is enrolled
A day here
- Hours
- 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM, 5 days a week, year round
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, and morning and afternoon snacks provided daily; vegetarian options at every meal; outside food generally not permitted (all La Petite Academy schools)
- Sleep
- Rest time after lunch; Twos families provide a blanket if the child sleeps on a cot (all La Petite Academy schools)
- Diapers
- All-inclusive diapering program; families do not need to send diapers and wipes (all La Petite Academy schools)
- Updates for parents
- SproutAbout app with real-time updates, photos and live streaming classroom video; family-teacher conferences
- Schedule
- part-time (all La Petite Academy schools)
- Closed
- 7 holidays and breaks a year
Dates
New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day; also closed for in-service training on Presidents’ Day and Columbus Day (all La Petite Academy schools)
Policies
- Enrollment
- Two weeks' written notice of withdrawal required, otherwise two weeks of tuition and fees are owed; re-admission depends on space and requires a new agreement and registration fee (all La Petite Academy schools)
Details
- Website
- lapetite.com
- Address
- 11440 NE 116th St
- License
- PL-21567, active
- Quality program
- Early Achievers Level 2
- Ages they serve
- 6 weeks to 12 years
Nearby
The eight closest of the 12 other licensed centers in ZIP 98034
- Everbrook AcademyLarge center · 0.2 miLast state visit May 26, 2026 · complaint investigation
- Evergreen Academy #1506Large center · 0.4 miLast state visit Jul 21, 2026 · 6 citations
- A Child's Journey Montessori SchoolLarge center · 0.5 miLast state visit Apr 29, 2026 · 1 citation
- Little Hearts AcademyMedium center · 0.7 miLast state visit Jul 17, 2026 · 1 citation
- Creative SproutsMedium center · 1.1 miLast state visit Aug 25, 2026 · 2 citations
- Northlake AcademyMedium center · 1.1 miLast state visit Jul 30, 2026 · 4 citations
- Northwest Learning Centers INCMedium center · 1.5 miLast state visit Jul 7, 2026 · 1 citation
- Hidden Treasures Daycare Learning CenterSmall center · 1.6 miLast state visit Jul 7, 2026 · 3 citations
Run La Petite Academy of Kirkland? 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 lapetite.com
Who cares for your child
- Staff lapetite.com
What it costs
- Sibling discount — Checked September 2026 lapetite.com
State record
From Washington DCYF’s published reports, last checked October 10, 2026.
A day here
- Meals, Sleep, Diapers — Checked September 2026 lapetite.com
- Updates for parents, Hours — Checked September 2026 lapetite.com
- Calendar, Closed — Checked June 2026 lapetite.com/…/ilcg101-enrollment-packet-lpa.pdf
- Schedule — Checked September 2026 lapetite.com
Policies
- Enrollment — Checked June 2026 lapetite.com/…/ilcg101-enrollment-packet-lpa.pdf
Details
- Phone — Checked April 2026 lapetite.com
- Website — Checked July 2026 lapetite.com
- Address — Checked June 2026 data.wa.gov
- License, Quality program — Checked April 2026 data.wa.gov
- Ages on the license — Checked September 2026 findchildcarewa.org
- Ages they serve — Checked September 2026 lapetite.com
- Who runs it — Checked October 2026 lapetite.com
- Who runs it — Checked October 2026 american-securities.com
La Petite Academy is one of Learning Care Group's brands. The private-equity firm American Securities lists Learning Care Group among its current companies, an investment it made in 2014. american-securities.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.