Mercer Island · Licensed center

Schwartz Early Childhood School (Stroum JCC)

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What the state has found

Someone reported a concern to the state, and in May 2024 the state found it valid and cited 1 rule. The state also cited rules at all 4 of its licensing inspections since November 2023.

Of the 239 Seattle-area centers with 4 licensing inspections, 29% had rules cited at all 4, as this center did. 7% 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.

Received Apr 18, 2024Valid complaint, 1 rule citedresolved May 14, 2024

  • “As of April 21, 2024, the teacher mentioned in the allegation has been terminated from employment. This action was taken as a result of the allegation being investigated by the facility management and determined to be valid.”

    WAC 110-300-0331(1)

Of the 215 Seattle-area centers licensed for 115 to 323 children, 105 (49%) have no valid complaint in the last three years; 110 (51%) have one or more, as this center does.

Licensing inspections

Jul 6, 20262 citations

  • “One staff member with an expired PBC was present in a classroom at the beginning of the visit. The staff member was sent home during the visit.”

    WAC 110-300-0105(2)

  • “Cords forming loops were observed beneath the light-up tables in two classrooms.”

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

Sep 15, 20252 citations

  • “It was observed that the family provided Benadryl for the child instead of Zyrtec, as listed in the child’s individual care plan.”

    WAC 110-300-0186(2)

  • “Several areas were observed in which multiple cords formed loops in some classrooms. An additional concern was noted in one classroom where corded branches with leaves were placed on top of a shelf along with a corded string of lights.”

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

Mar 11, 20252 citations

  • “The playground shed, located in the corner, had no lock and contained stored gardening tools.”

    WAC 110-300-0260(2)(a)(b)

  • “The outdoor slide lacked the required 6-foot fall zone and did not have the necessary 9 inches of chipped ground cover. The playground structure designated for older children, which includes a yellow slide, had only a 4-foot fall zone between the slide exit and a railing, with a cemented pathway underneath.”

    WAC 110-300-0146(1)(a)(b)

Nov 15, 20233 citations

  • “Plastic bags accessible to children. Power strip accessible to children.”

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

  • “Several classroom emergency doors locked from the inside.”

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

  • “1st Aid kit placed in emergency bags which were accessible to children.”

    WAC 110-300-0230(2)(b)

Read every record and the state’s reports

State record — Washington DCYF

Last visit
July 6, 2026
On file
4 visits since November 2023 — all of them cited findings · 1 complaint investigation
Most serious
Serious — One staff member with an expired PBC was present in a classroom at the beginning of the visit. The staff member was sent home during the visit. · July 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.

Jul 2026 Licensing visit 2 findings

Licensing visit · July 6, 2026

Preservice requirements

WAC 110-300-0105(2) · Serious

One staff member with an expired PBC was present in a classroom at the beginning of the visit. The staff member was sent home during the visit.

Safety requirements

WAC 110-300-0165(2)(c) · Short Term

Cords forming loops were observed beneath the light-up tables in two classrooms.

Report (PDF)

Sep 2025 Licensing visit 2 findings

Licensing visit · September 15, 2025

Safety requirements

WAC 110-300-0165(2)(c) · Short Term

Several areas were observed in which multiple cords formed loops in some classrooms. An additional concern was noted in one classroom where corded branches with leaves were placed on top of a shelf along with a corded string of lights.

Food allergies and special dietary needs

WAC 110-300-0186(2) · Serious

It was observed that the family provided Benadryl for the child instead of Zyrtec, as listed in the child’s individual care plan.

Report (PDF)

Mar 2025 Licensing visit 2 findings

Licensing visit · March 11, 2025

Storage of hazardous and maintenance supplies

WAC 110-300-0260(2)(a)(b) · Serious

The playground shed, located in the corner, had no lock and contained stored gardening tools.

Equipment and surfaces in outdoor early learning space

WAC 110-300-0146(1)(a)(b) · Serious

The outdoor slide lacked the required 6-foot fall zone and did not have the necessary 9 inches of chipped ground cover. The playground structure designated for older children, which includes a yellow slide, had only a 4-foot fall zone between the slide exit and a railing, with a cemented pathway underneath.

Report (PDF)

Apr 2024 Complaint 1 valid issue

Complaint · Received April 18, 2024 · Resolved May 14, 2024

Prohibited behavior and discipline, and physical separation of children

WAC 110-300-0331(1) · Serious

As of April 21, 2024, the teacher mentioned in the allegation has been terminated from employment. This action was taken as a result of the allegation being investigated by the facility management and determined to be valid.

Report (PDF)

Nov 2023 Licensing visit 3 findings

Licensing visit · November 15, 2023

Safety requirements

WAC 110-300-0165(2)(d) · Serious

Plastic bags accessible to children. Power strip accessible to children.

Emergency preparation and exiting

WAC 110-300-0166(3)(a) · Serious

Several classroom emergency doors locked from the inside.

First-aid—CPR certification and supplies

WAC 110-300-0230(2)(b) · Serious

1st Aid kit placed in emergency bags which were accessible to children.

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, a typical day, and sick and biting policies aren’t on this page.

How they teach

Reggio Emilia–inspired

“Guided by Jewish values and an innovative Reggio Emilia-inspired philosophy, our preschool nurtures curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning.”

A day here

Schedule
full-time and part-time

Details

(206) 829-2591

Website
sjcc.org
Address
3801 E Mercer Way
License
PL-7568, active
Ages they serve
3 months to 6 years

Nearby

Programs in Mercer Island on the Seattle guide

Run Schwartz Early Childhood School (Stroum JCC)? Correct or add anything here, free.

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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

  • Approach — Checked October 2026 sjcc.org

State record

From Washington DCYF’s published reports, last checked October 11, 2026.

A day here

  • Schedule — Checked September 2026 sjcc.org

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 11, 2026.