KinderCare Learning Centers

KinderCare Learning Centers is an American operator of for-profit child care and early childhood education ^[5] facilities founded in 1969 and currently owned by Knowledge Universe. The company provides educational programs for children from six weeks to 12 years old. Some 200,000 children are enrolled in more than 1,600 early childhood education community centers,^[6] over 600 before-and-after school programs,^[7] and over 100 employer-sponsored centers in 39 states and the District of Columbia. Knowledge Universe employs approximately 30,000 people in the United States and the parent company is based in Singapore. Knowledge Universe also offers many other facilities internationally.^[8]

KinderCare was acquired in 2005 by the Knowledge Learning Corporation (KLC) division of Michael Milken's privately held education services firm, Knowledge Universe.^[9] The KinderCare deal, valued at over US$1 billion, made KLC the nation’s largest private child care and education provider.^[10]

Knowledge Universe is one of Oregon's largest privately held companies and a large employer in the Portland metro area. Executive leadership is based out of the Portland National Support Center for Knowledge Universe.^[11] In 2012, company revenues were about $1.45 billion, down from approximately $1.6 billion in 2010.^[12]

Knowledge Learning Corporation/Knowledge Universe Timeline

One of the company's schools in Hillsboro, Oregon

1983–Opened Children's Discovery Centers (CDC)^[13]
1991–Acquired Magic Years
1992-CCLC, division of Knowledge Universe, founded by Fran Durekas ^[14]
1995–Acquired Prodigy Child Development Centers
1998–CDC acquired by Knowledge Universe Learning Group
1999–Knowledge Universe Learning Group initiated Knowledge Beginnings
2003–Renamed Knowledge Learning Corporation, KLC acquired ARAMARK Educational Resources, adding more than 700 Children's World Learning Centers, as well as the Medallion onsite and before- and after-school programs for elementary school students
2004–KLC purchased EdSolutions, a leading provider of Supplemental Educational Services (SES) before- and after-school programs for 2,300 children in four states, which then merged with Medallion to form the KLC School Partnerships division
2005–KLC joined forces with KinderCare in January 2005

2012- Tom Wyatt, former CEO of Old Navy hired as Knowledge Universe CEO ^[15]

Knowledge Universe, KinderCare's parent company, operations include: Knowledge Beginnings, Children’s Creative Learning Centers (CCLC), and Champions.^[16]

Accreditation

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and other associations have accredited over 700 KLC centers.^[17]

See also

• List of companies based in Oregon

References

External links

• KinderCare Learning Centers – Official Site
• Knowledge Learning Corporation – Redirects to Knowledge Universe Site