Sweet Peas
Teachers sit on the floor and follow each child's rhythm for eating and sleeping.
Explore Sweet Peas
Licensed care in Seattle, from 4 months to 5 years.
Child-centered teaching in the heart of Pike Place Market since 1982.
Request a visitA room for every age
Children move up room by room as they grow, from first weeks through the year before kindergarten.
Busy Bees
Toddlers walk, climb, and say new words.
Explore Busy Bees
Blue Skies
Two-year-olds pour, scoop, and sort.
Explore Blue Skies
Moon Beams
Three-year-olds build long stories in the block corner and paint at the easel.
Explore Moon BeamsHow we see children
Children here are seen as competent, curious and creative. Teachers call this Child-Centered Reflective Practice. Curriculum is co-constructed with children, teachers and families, not handed down. This has been the work since October 1982.
Rooms are set up for children to choose: blocks, books, paint, a table for puzzles. Materials sit low on open shelves so a child can reach them without asking. The day moves between group time, meals, outdoor play and long stretches of free choice. Teachers watch, take notes, and build the next week from what they see.
Teachers write down what children say and do and share those notes with families, so the learning is visible. Up to 65% of families here receive tuition support through a sliding fee scale or child care subsidy programs, and the center reserves enrollment slots for those families. That mix is the point: children from different incomes share the same rooms, the same teachers, and the same days.
What a day looks like
Mornings start with a teacher at the door saying hello to your child by name. Children put their things in their cubby and go straight to what they were building yesterday. Infants settle into a lap or onto the floor with a favorite toy. Some children need a few minutes near the window before they join; a teacher stays close until they do.
The middle of the day is for play and small-group learning, with wholesome meals and snacks in between. Children choose from open materials, work at the table with a teacher, and head outside when the weather allows. After lunch come stories and rest, with quiet activities for children who wake early. Teachers sit with children at meals and talk with them while they eat.
Afternoon brings more play, then gathering up artwork and jackets. Children return to their cubbies, find their bags, and say goodbye to their teachers. At pickup you might hear about the tower that stayed up all morning or the worm found on the sidewalk. Teachers share what your child did that day, not just how the day went.
How we work with families
At pickup, a teacher tells you what your child did, not just how the day went. You hear about the tower that finally stood up or the friend they sat with at lunch. Bring any question to Lesa. If something needs more time, ask for a conversation rather than a doorway update.
New children start gradually. A shorter first day. A familiar person close by. Teachers learn your child's cues and keep you posted while you are away. Ask us what the first weeks will look like for your family. We plan settling-in around the child.
How to join
- 01
Get in touch
Call 206-625-0842 or email lesa@pikemarketkids.org. Tell us your child's age and the days you need. We will tell you which classrooms have space and what comes next.
- 02
Tour the room
See the classroom your child would join and meet the teachers who run it. Bring your questions and your child.
- 03
Enroll and settle in
Complete enrollment and plan a first week that suits your child's routine. Teachers will work with you on a settling-in plan.
Good questions to ask first
What ages do you take?
Children from 4 months to 5 years.
When can my child start?
Enrollment runs throughout the year. Call 206-625-0842 to ask about a place.
Can we visit before deciding?
Yes. A tour is how most families decide, and children are part of it. You can see the rooms, watch a morning in progress, and ask about hours, tuition and the waiting pool.
What should my child bring on the first day?
Most families pack a full change of clothes, a comfort item for rest time, and anything their child needs for eating or sleeping. Label everything with your child's name. The classroom will tell you what else to bring before the first day.
Do you offer part-time or flexible schedules?
Schedules depend on your child's age group and what openings we have. Call or email us and we will tell you what is available for your child.
What if there is no place right now?
Yes, you can ask us to contact you when a place opens for your child's age. We will reach out when a spot that fits your family becomes available.
