Licensed center

White River Children's Academy

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What the state has found

Someone reported concerns to the state, and it found both valid, most recently in September 2025. The state also cited rules at 2 of its 3 licensing inspections since April 2024.

Of the 406 Seattle-area centers with 3 licensing inspections, 36% had rules cited at 2 of them, as this center did. 33% had rules cited at all 3, 11% 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 5, 2025Valid complaint, 1 rule citedresolved Sep 22, 2025

  • “During the course of the complaint assessment, Licensor C. determined that there was sufficient information to conclude that a licensing violation more likely than not occurred. Based on information gathered from the center director, teaching staff, and the referent, it was determined that the child care staff failed to report the incident to the department after being informed that the child had sought medical attention. The medical evaluation confirmed that the child sustained a fracture of the talus bone in the foot, which required the application of a cast. Although the incident occurred on July 3 the report was submitted by the referent on July 5.”

    WAC 110-300-0475(2)

Received Jan 29, 2025Valid complaint, 1 rule citedresolved Apr 2, 2025

  • “During the course of the complaint investigation, Licensor S. concluded that there was enough evidence collected during interviews with staff that a violation had occurred. Licensor observed the poster that was removed from the classroom and the staff incident reports. The nature and content of the poster was determined to be a "put down" to the children in care.”

    WAC 110-300-0331(1)

Of the 201 Seattle-area centers licensed for 71 to 114 children, 133 (66%) have no valid complaint in the last three years; 41 (20%) have two or more, as this center does.

Licensing inspections

Apr 28, 2026No rules cited
May 7, 20251 citation

  • “A prescription epi pen was expired in the discovery preschool room.”

    WAC 110-300-0215(3)(a)(ii)

Apr 26, 20243 citations

  • “(1, 2) Licensor observed no individual care plan in place with the child's medication. Licensor observed a child with a food allergy did not have an Epi-pen on site. Medication training by the parent was not provided to staff to properly manage a child's food allergies.”

    WAC 110-300-0186(1), WAC 110-300-0186(2)

  • “Licensor observed plastic bags accessible to children. 0165 (3f) Licensor observed a microwave stored on top of a mini fridge not safely secured posing a risk of falling. 0165 (5e) Licensor observed a power strip accessible to children. 0165 (5f) Licensor observed an extension cord used as a main power source accessible to children. 0165 (5g) Licensor observed an extension cord plugged near a water source (water dispenser and fish tank) accessible to children.”

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

  • “Licensor observed janitorial equipment (broom and dust pan) stored in the child care space accessible to children.”

    WAC 110-300-0260(5)

Read every record and the state’s reports

State record — Washington DCYF

Last visit
April 28, 2026
On file
3 visits since April 2024 — 1 cited nothing · 2 complaint investigations
Most serious
Serious — During the course of the complaint assessment, Licensor C. determined that there was sufficient information to conclude that a licensing violation more likely than not occurred. Based on information gathered from the center director, teaching staff, and the referent, it was determined that the child care staff failed to report the incident to the department after being informed that the child had sought medical attention. The medical evaluation confirmed that the child sustained a fracture of the talus bone in the foot, which required the application of a cast. Although the incident occurred on July 3 the report was submitted by the referent on July 5. · July 11, 2025

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.

Apr 2026 Licensing visit nothing cited Report (PDF)
Jul 2025 Complaint 2 valid issues

Complaint · Received July 5, 2025 · Resolved September 22, 2025

Duty to protect children and report incidents

WAC 110-300-0475(2) · Serious

During the course of the complaint assessment, Licensor C. determined that there was sufficient information to conclude that a licensing violation more likely than not occurred. Based on information gathered from the center director, teaching staff, and the referent, it was determined that the child care staff failed to report the incident to the department after being informed that the child had sought medical attention. The medical evaluation confirmed that the child sustained a fracture of the talus bone in the foot, which required the application of a cast. Although the incident occurred on July 3 the report was submitted by the referent on July 5.

Report (PDF)

May 2025 Licensing visit 1 finding

Licensing visit · May 7, 2025

Medication

WAC 110-300-0215(3)(a)(ii) · Serious

A prescription epi pen was expired in the discovery preschool room.

Report (PDF)

Jan 2025 Complaint 1 valid issue

Complaint · Received January 29, 2025 · Resolved April 2, 2025

Prohibited behavior and discipline, and physical separation of children

WAC 110-300-0331(1) · Serious

During the course of the complaint investigation, Licensor S. concluded that there was enough evidence collected during interviews with staff that a violation had occurred. Licensor observed the poster that was removed from the classroom and the staff incident reports. The nature and content of the poster was determined to be a "put down" to the children in care.

Report (PDF)

Apr 2024 Licensing visit 3 findings

Licensing visit · April 26, 2024

Food allergies and special dietary needs

WAC 110-300-0186(1) / 110-300-0186(2) · Serious

(1, 2) Licensor observed no individual care plan in place with the child's medication. Licensor observed a child with a food allergy did not have an Epi-pen on site. Medication training by the parent was not provided to staff to properly manage a child's food allergies.

Safety requirements

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

Licensor observed plastic bags accessible to children. 0165 (3f) Licensor observed a microwave stored on top of a mini fridge not safely secured posing a risk of falling. 0165 (5e) Licensor observed a power strip accessible to children. 0165 (5f) Licensor observed an extension cord used as a main power source accessible to children. 0165 (5g) Licensor observed an extension cord plugged near a water source (water dispenser and fish tank) accessible to children.

Storage of hazardous and maintenance supplies

WAC 110-300-0260(5) · Serious

Licensor observed janitorial equipment (broom and dust pan) stored in the child care space 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 and Working Connections subsidy aren’t on this page.

How they teach

Play-based and emergent curriculum

“We believe that play is essential to learning.”

Who cares for your child

Teresa Saavedra (Owner) since 2017, Chelsea Baker (Director) since 2018, Anita Paulson (Preschool Teacher) since 2019, Maddie Caldwell (Toddler Teacher) since 2023 and Maria Barrera (Discovery Preschool Teacher) since 2024.

Of 2,387 Seattle-area providers, 74 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

$1,800 a month for a toddler

Toddler$1,800

Lower than 93% of the 70 that publish a price.

Preschool$1,600

Lower than 85% of the 99 that publish a price.

White River Children's AcademyMost Seattle-area prices (middle 80%)

Application fee
$100
Siblings
10% discount on the lesser tuition amount for families with more than one enrolled child

A day here

Hours
6:00 AM to 5:30 PM, 5 days a week
Meals
Breakfast, morning snack, lunch and afternoon snack provided, following USDA CACFP standards; nut-aware environment
Outdoors
Daily outdoor play in all weather including rain unless unsafe; adjusted below 20°F and at 90°F or higher
Sleep
Daily rest period for children 5 and under in care more than six hours; sleep not required, quiet activities offered; toddlers follow individual sleep schedules; center provides bedding for Preschool/Pre-K, families provide blankets for toddlers
Screens
No screen time under 2 years; over 2 limited to 30 minutes of educational viewing per week, if at all; none during meals or snacks
Updates for parents
Brightwheel app for daily updates, messaging, billing and announcements; also phone and email
Schedule
full-time enrollment for toddler through pre-K; school age before/after school
Closed
9 holidays and breaks a year
DatesNew Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day and the following Friday, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve; plus quarterly staff in-service days

Policies

When a child is sick
Children with fever (100.4°F or higher with symptoms), vomiting or diarrhea, unexplained rash, eye discharge, severe cough or lethargy are sent home and must be picked up as soon as possible
Enrollment
30 days' written notice to withdraw; $500/month space hold for 30–60 day absences; termination possible for non-payment, repeated late pick-ups or policy violations

Details

(360) 825-2020

Website
whiteriverchildrensacademy.com
Address
2501 Warner Ave
License
PL-78068, active
Quality program
Early Achievers Level 5
Ages they serve
12 months through 12 years
Established
2017

Nearby

Programs elsewhere in the metro on the Seattle guide

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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

Who cares for your child

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 10, 2026.