Bellevue · Licensed center

The Growing Tree Playcare & Preschool

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What the state has found

The state cited rules at all 4 of its licensing inspections since May 2024. It lists no valid complaint about this center.

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.

Licensing inspections

Aug 28, 20263 citations

  • “Plastic bags accessible to children in the Rhododendrum classroom in both classroom and bathroom.”

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

  • “Mop with the cleaning liquid stored near the children's sink where it is accessible to children- Rhododendron classroom.”

    WAC 110-300-0260(1)(a)

  • “M.L., A.T., and H.U. have expired safe sleep training.”

    WAC 110-300-0106(8)

Jan 22, 20262 citations

  • “Plastic bags were accessible to children in the Rhododendrum classroom. Licensor removed the bags and brought them to the provider's office at the time of inspection.”

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

  • “Rhododendron classroom had round plastic covers inserted in the electrical outlets.”

    WAC 110-300-0165(5)(a)

Feb 12, 20255 citations

  • “Emergency exit doors have baby proof handle locks that require special knowledge to open.”

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

  • “Playground wood chips around climbing equipment were about 5 inches deep.”

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

  • “Climbing equipment does not meet the fall zone requirement of having 6ft of space around the equipment.”

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

  • “Diaper creams and extra soap containers accessible to children in the Magnolia bathroom and under the diaper changing table in the Lilac room.”

    WAC 110-300-0260(1)(a)

1 more from this inspection

  • “Bottle prep sink was 3.66ft away from the diaper changing area. Bottle prep counter is 5.57ft from the diaper changing area. There is no physical barrier between the bottle prep area and diper changing area.”

    WAC 110-300-0280(2)(c)

May 16, 20242 citations

  • “2 rooms were observed to have loose cables accessible to children. Licensor also observed various cables in the classrooms that were coming down from the wall and were only taped to the wall with clear tape. Plastic bags were observed inside of large cabinet that staff stated was only used for staff. Cubbies observed in shared space and in Lilacs remove need to be anchored to prevent tipping hazard. An extension cord was observed in infant room that was observed to be used as permanently for infants white noise machine.”

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

  • “Baby gate in infant room was observed to be blocking emergency exit. Baby gate was screwed on and required special knowledge in order to be opened.”

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

Read every record and the state’s reports

State record — Washington DCYF

Last visit
August 28, 2026
On file
4 visits since May 2024 — all of them cited findings
Most serious
Serious — Plastic bags accessible to children in the Rhododendrum classroom in both classroom and bathroom. · August 28, 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.

Aug 2026 Licensing visit 3 findings

Licensing visit · August 28, 2026

Safety requirements

WAC 110-300-0165(2)(d) · Serious

Plastic bags accessible to children in the Rhododendrum classroom in both classroom and bathroom.

Storage of hazardous and maintenance supplies

WAC 110-300-0260(1)(a) · Serious

Mop with the cleaning liquid stored near the children's sink where it is accessible to children- Rhododendron classroom.

Training requirements

WAC 110-300-0106(8) · Short Term

M.L., A.T., and H.U. have expired safe sleep training.

Report (PDF)

Jan 2026 Licensing visit 2 findings

Licensing visit · January 22, 2026

Safety requirements

WAC 110-300-0165(2)(d) · Serious

Plastic bags were accessible to children in the Rhododendrum classroom. Licensor removed the bags and brought them to the provider's office at the time of inspection.

Safety requirements

WAC 110-300-0165(5)(a) · Short Term

Rhododendron classroom had round plastic covers inserted in the electrical outlets.

Report (PDF)

Feb 2025 Licensing visit 5 findings

Licensing visit · February 12, 2025

Emergency preparation and exiting

WAC 110-300-0166(3)(a) · Serious

Emergency exit doors have baby proof handle locks that require special knowledge to open.

Equipment and surfaces in outdoor early learning space

WAC 110-300-0146(1) / 110-300-0146(1)(a)(b) · Short Term / Serious

Playground wood chips around climbing equipment were about 5 inches deep.

Equipment and surfaces in outdoor early learning space

WAC 110-300-0146(1) / 110-300-0146(1)(a)(b) · Short Term / Serious

Climbing equipment does not meet the fall zone requirement of having 6ft of space around the equipment.

Storage of hazardous and maintenance supplies

WAC 110-300-0260(1)(a) · Serious

Diaper creams and extra soap containers accessible to children in the Magnolia bathroom and under the diaper changing table in the Lilac room.

Bottle preparation

WAC 110-300-0280(2)(c) · Serious

Bottle prep sink was 3.66ft away from the diaper changing area. Bottle prep counter is 5.57ft from the diaper changing area. There is no physical barrier between the bottle prep area and diper changing area.

Report (PDF)

May 2024 Licensing visit 2 findings

Licensing visit · May 16, 2024

Safety requirements

WAC 110-300-0165(2)(c) / 110-300-0165(2)(d) · Short Term / Serious

2 rooms were observed to have loose cables accessible to children. Licensor also observed various cables in the classrooms that were coming down from the wall and were only taped to the wall with clear tape. Plastic bags were observed inside of large cabinet that staff stated was only used for staff. Cubbies observed in shared space and in Lilacs remove need to be anchored to prevent tipping hazard. An extension cord was observed in infant room that was observed to be used as permanently for infants white noise machine.

Emergency preparation and exiting

WAC 110-300-0166(3)(c) · Serious

Baby gate in infant room was observed to be blocking emergency exit. Baby gate was screwed on and required special knowledge in order to be opened.

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

How they teach

Reggio Emilia–inspired, Montessori–inspired, Waldorf–inspired, nature and outdoor and play-based

“Reggio Emilia, Montessori, & Waldorf Inspired”

Who cares for your child

Jessica Rowe since 2013 and Alli Atterbury since 2013.

Of 2,387 Seattle-area providers, 75 publish how long a named staff member has been there; the longest tenure at each of those has a median of thirteen years.

What it costs

$3,700 a month for an infant

Infant$3,700

Higher than 93% of the 46 that publish a price.

Toddler$3,400

Higher than 99% of the 70 that publish a price.

Preschool$3,000

Higher than 95% of the 99 that publish a price.

The Growing Tree Playcare & PreschoolMost Seattle-area prices (middle 80%)

Half day
$350 to $1,375 a month

A day here

Hours
7:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Meals
Growing Tree provides breakfast and snacks; at the Treehouse, snack is provided and morning children bring lunch
Sleep
Optional afternoon quiet time/nap
Schedule
full-day (extended) and partial-day, 1-5 days per week

Details

(206) 618-6652

Website
thegrowingtreeplaycare.com
Address
12831 NE 21st Place
License
PL-82594, active
Quality program
Early Achievers Enrolled
Ages they serve
6 weeks - 5 years old
Established
2013

Nearby

The eight closest of the 16 other licensed centers in ZIP 98005

Programs in Bellevue on the Seattle guide

Run The Growing Tree Playcare & Preschool? 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

Who cares for your child

What it costs

State record

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

A day here

Details

Medium means the middle half of Seattle-area’s 859 licensed centers by state-licensed capacity: 41 to 114 children. Small is 6 to 40; large is 115 to 323.

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.