Licensed center

The Lighthouse Auburn LLC

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What the state has found

Someone reported a concern to the state, and in October 2024 the state found it valid and cited 3 rules. The state also cited rules at 2 of its 4 licensing inspections since September 2023.

Of the 239 Seattle-area centers with 4 licensing inspections, 15% had rules cited at 2 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 Jul 12, 2024Valid complaint, 3 rules citedresolved Oct 13, 2024

  • “During the course of the complaint assessment, Licensor C. obtained enough information available to determine the teaching staff approached the child in a hostile manner grabbing the child by the shoulder and holding the child’s arms causing harm towards the child.”

    WAC 110-300-0331(1)

  • “During the course of the complaint, Licensor C. concluded there was enough information available to determine staff did not intervene when the teaching staff used inappropriate restraint on the child.”

    WAC 110-300-0335(4)

  • “During the course of the complaint assessment, Licensor C. obtained enough information available to determine staff was aware of a child being rough handled and Staff did not report the incident of the suspected physical contact by the teaching staff in a timely matter.”

    WAC 110-300-0475(2)

Of the 200 Seattle-area centers licensed for 71 to 114 children, 134 (67%) have no valid complaint in the last three years; 66 (33%) have one or more, as this center does.

Licensing inspections

Aug 5, 2026No rules cited
Dec 29, 2025No rules cited
Oct 11, 20244 citations

  • “Licensor observed trash bags and hand soap was accessible to children in an unlocked cabinet. (immediate corrections removal of trashbags and handsoap). 0165 (3)(b) Licensor observed the heating vents in the infant room was being blocked infant crib placed above the heating vent and another heating vent covered by an infant pad. (immediate corrections removed infant crib from the heating vent and removal of infant pad to allow good air flow throughout the room). 0165 (5)(g) Licensor observed long cords and surge protectors plugged near sink area. (immediate corrections removed cords and surge protectors).”

    WAC 110-300-0165(2)(d), WAC 110-300-0165(3)(b), WAC 110-300-0165(5)(g)

  • “Licensor observed dishwashing liquid, Lysol aerosol sprays accessible to children. (immediate corrections removal of diswashing liquid/Lysol sprays). 0260 (2)(a)(b) Licensor observed child proof locks need to be replaced to avoid children access. 0260 (5) Licensor observed a mop was accessible to children. (immediate correction mop placed behind trash bin).”

    WAC 110-300-0260(1)(a), WAC 110-300-0260(2)(a)(b), WAC 110-300-0260(5)

  • “Licensor observed Lead teacher J. N. does not have a diploma or equivalent uploaded on merit.”

    WAC 110-300-0100(7)

  • “Licensor observed Assistant teacher: N. M./K.T. does not have a diploma or equivalent uploaded on merit.”

    WAC 110-300-0100(7)

Sep 6, 20235 citations

  • “Licesnsor observed in Merit that one lead teacher has an expired Food Handlers as of 12/2022.”

    WAC 110-300-0106(12)

  • “Licensor observed two playgrounds, both having less than 3 inches of ground cover, not meeting the 9 inches to support all fall or climbing zones.”

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

  • “Licensor observed a plastic bag accesible in child's cubbie at lower level of Toddler A room. Licensor observed safety caps within various classrooms that can pose risk of choking hazard. Licensor observed corded items near the water source and counter in head start class & vacuum with corded item in bathroom accessible. Licensor observed water temps over 120 degrees in Infant room and Main ECEAP / Head Start hallway bathroom area. Licensor observed a sink near water source in ECEAP not having GFCI outlet. Licensor observed outlet with safety caps near exit doors / cubbie area, once caps were removed, identified as not being tamper resistant.”

    WAC 110-300-0165(2)(d), WAC 110-300-0165(2)(a), WAC 110-300-0165(5)(b)

  • “Licensor observed more than one exit door with safety devices added, to prevent child access.”

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

1 more from this inspection

  • “Licensor observed ECEAP classroom that needs safety feature under handwashing sink to prevent access to cleaning supplies.”

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

Read every record and the state’s reports

State record — Washington DCYF

Last visit
August 5, 2026
On file
4 visits since September 2023 — 2 cited nothing · 1 complaint investigation
Most serious
Serious — Licensor observed trash bags and hand soap was accessible to children in an unlocked cabinet. (immediate corrections removal of trashbags and handsoap). 0165 (3)(b) Licensor observed the heating vents in the infant room was being blocked infant crib placed above the heating vent and another heating vent covered by an infant pad. (immediate corrections removed infant crib from the heating vent and removal of infant pad to allow good air flow throughout the room). 0165 (5)(g) Licensor observed long cords and surge protectors plugged near sink area. (immediate corrections removed cords and surge protectors). · October 11, 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.

Aug 2026 Licensing visit nothing cited Report (PDF)
Dec 2025 Licensing visit nothing cited Report (PDF)
Oct 2024 Licensing visit 4 findings

Licensing visit · October 11, 2024

General staff qualifications

WAC 110-300-0100(7) · Short Term

Licensor observed Lead teacher J. N. does not have a diploma or equivalent uploaded on merit.

General staff qualifications

WAC 110-300-0100(7) · Short Term

Licensor observed Assistant teacher: N. M./K.T. does not have a diploma or equivalent uploaded on merit.

Safety requirements

WAC 110-300-0165(2)(d) / 110-300-0165(3)(b) / 110-300-0165(5)(g) · Serious

Licensor observed trash bags and hand soap was accessible to children in an unlocked cabinet. (immediate corrections removal of trashbags and handsoap). 0165 (3)(b) Licensor observed the heating vents in the infant room was being blocked infant crib placed above the heating vent and another heating vent covered by an infant pad. (immediate corrections removed infant crib from the heating vent and removal of infant pad to allow good air flow throughout the room). 0165 (5)(g) Licensor observed long cords and surge protectors plugged near sink area. (immediate corrections removed cords and surge protectors).

Storage of hazardous and maintenance supplies

WAC 110-300-0260(1)(a) / 110-300-0260(2)(a)(b) / 110-300-0260(5) · Serious

Licensor observed dishwashing liquid, Lysol aerosol sprays accessible to children. (immediate corrections removal of diswashing liquid/Lysol sprays). 0260 (2)(a)(b) Licensor observed child proof locks need to be replaced to avoid children access. 0260 (5) Licensor observed a mop was accessible to children. (immediate correction mop placed behind trash bin).

Report (PDF)

Jul 2024 Complaint 3 findings

Complaint · Received July 12, 2024 · Resolved October 13, 2024

6 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.

Prohibited behavior and discipline, and physical separation of children

WAC 110-300-0331(1) · Serious

During the course of the complaint assessment, Licensor C. obtained enough information available to determine the teaching staff approached the child in a hostile manner grabbing the child by the shoulder and holding the child’s arms causing harm towards the child.

Physical restraint

WAC 110-300-0335(4) · Serious

During the course of the complaint, Licensor C. concluded there was enough information available to determine staff did not intervene when the teaching staff used inappropriate restraint on the child.

Duty to protect children and report incidents

WAC 110-300-0475(2) · Serious

During the course of the complaint assessment, Licensor C. obtained enough information available to determine staff was aware of a child being rough handled and Staff did not report the incident of the suspected physical contact by the teaching staff in a timely matter.

Report (PDF)

Sep 2023 Licensing visit 5 findings

Licensing visit · September 6, 2023

Training requirements

WAC 110-300-0106(12) · Serious · No longer on the state’s site as of October 3, 2026

Licesnsor observed in Merit that one lead teacher has an expired Food Handlers as of 12/2022.

Equipment and surfaces in outdoor early learning space

WAC 110-300-0146(1)(a)(b) · Serious · No longer on the state’s site as of October 3, 2026

Licensor observed two playgrounds, both having less than 3 inches of ground cover, not meeting the 9 inches to support all fall or climbing zones.

Safety requirements

WAC 110-300-0165(2)(d) / 110-300-0165(2)(a) / 110-300-0165(5)(b) · Serious · No longer on the state’s site as of October 3, 2026

Licensor observed a plastic bag accesible in child's cubbie at lower level of Toddler A room. Licensor observed safety caps within various classrooms that can pose risk of choking hazard. Licensor observed corded items near the water source and counter in head start class & vacuum with corded item in bathroom accessible. Licensor observed water temps over 120 degrees in Infant room and Main ECEAP / Head Start hallway bathroom area. Licensor observed a sink near water source in ECEAP not having GFCI outlet. Licensor observed outlet with safety caps near exit doors / cubbie area, once caps were removed, identified as not being tamper resistant.

Emergency preparation and exiting

WAC 110-300-0166(3)(a) · Serious · No longer on the state’s site as of October 3, 2026

Licensor observed more than one exit door with safety devices added, to prevent child access.

Storage of hazardous and maintenance supplies

WAC 110-300-0260(1)(a) · Serious · No longer on the state’s site as of October 3, 2026

Licensor observed ECEAP classroom that needs safety feature under handwashing sink to prevent access to cleaning supplies.

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, teaching approach, ratios and staff, and a typical day aren’t on this page.

What it costs

$2,875 a month for an infant

Infant$2,875

Lower than 52% of the 46 that publish a price.

Toddler$2,570

Higher than 71% of the 70 that publish a price.

Preschool$2,167

Higher than 61% of the 99 that publish a price.

The Lighthouse Auburn LLCMost Seattle-area prices (middle 80%)

Application fee
$50
Siblings
10% sibling discount

A day here

Schedule
full-day
Closed
11 holidays and breaks a year
DatesClosed Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Break and Native American Heritage Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, New Year's Day, MLK Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth Observance, Independence Day Observance, plus staff training days and a professional development week (Aug 23-27); early close at 4:00pm the day before holidays

Policies

Enrollment
Full-time or part-time attendance status is set at enrollment and revisited at parent request; accounts with late fees have services terminated until payment is received

Details

(253) 939-0870

Website
thelighthouseldc.com
Address
100 N St SE
License
PL-20600, active
Quality program
Early Achievers Level 3
Ages they serve
4 weeks to 5 years old

Nearby

The eight closest of the 11 other licensed centers in ZIP 98002

Programs elsewhere in the metro on the Seattle guide

Run The Lighthouse Auburn LLC? 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.

All checked September 2026.

What it costs

State record

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

A day here

Policies

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.