KinderCare Expands to Arkansas with Opening of New Bentonville Early Learning Center Business Wire

KinderCare earns fourth consecutive WELL Health-Safety Rating. KinderCare is the only national child care provider to receive recognition for high-quality health and safety practices Key takeaways: * KinderCare Learning Companies is the only national child care provider to earn the WELL Health-Safety rating, reinforcing its leadership in setting the standard for health, safety and overall quality in the child care sector. * KinderCare has earned the WELL Health-Safety Rating for the fourth consecutive year, demonstrating a sustained, organization-wide commitment to safe, healthy, and high-quality learning environments. * The recognition validates KinderCare's consistent, repeatable, and auditable health and safety practices across more than 1,500 learning centers, including cleaning and sanitization, emergency preparedness, and air and water quality management. LAKE OSWEGO, Ore.-(BUSINESS WIRE)-KinderCare Learning Companies, Inc. (NYSE: KLC) ("KinderCare"), the nation's leading provider of high-quality early childhood education and care, has earned its fourth consecutive WELL Health-Safety Rating in recognition of the company's continued commitment to providing a safe and healthy learning environment for children in its KinderCare Learning Centers. KinderCare is the only national child care provider to earn the WELL Health-Safety Rating. We hold ourselves to incredibly high standards and are always seeking to improve the quality of our programs, particularly in terms of health and safety. We're honored to be the only major provider recognized with this distinction. Share KinderCare maintains rigorous health and safety standards that support the overall well-being of the children, teachers and families in its centers, including consistent cleaning and sanitization procedures, regular safety trainings for staff, and emergency preparedness plans. In addition, centers utilize safe sleep practices for infants, toddlers, and older children, as well as using social and emotional skill-building tools and techniques to help children learn about their own feelings and the feelings of others. Achieving the WELL Health Safety Rating demonstrates KinderCare maintains consistent, repeatable, and auditable procedures across areas such as cleaning and sanitization, emergency preparedness, and air and water quality. It also reflects the company's holistic approach to health and wellbeing, going beyond "cleaning" to include mental health support, nutritional initiatives, and the use of approved cleaning products that actively support the health of the children in their care. "The WELL Health-Safety Rating is truly a reflection of the work we do every day in classrooms across the country to create safe and healthy spaces for children in our care," said Jorden Glaze, Director of Health and Safety for KinderCare Learning Companies. "We hold ourselves to incredibly high standards and are always seeking to improve the quality of our programs, particularly in terms of health and safety. We're honored to be the only major provider recognized with this distinction." Safety remains a top priority for families choosing child care, with 58% of families saying it's the most important factor they consider when deciding on a child care provider, according to KinderCare's 2026 Parent Confidence Index. That's a 26% increase from 2022, the first year KinderCare earned the WELL Health-Safety rating. The WELL Health-Safety Rating is one of several third-party validations of quality that KinderCare voluntarily seeks for its centers and programs, including: * Nearly all KinderCare centers are accredited through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) or the National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA), recognizing the quality of their learning environments, * BRIGANCE and DESSA-mini child assessments, which measure academic and social-emotional growth, consistently illustrate that KinderCare children are outperforming their peers and are well prepared for kindergarten, and * 10th consecutive Gallup Great Workplaces award, which assesses center and company working environments. The WELL Health-Safety Rating for Facility Operations and Management(TM) is managed by the International WELL Building Institute. The award recognizes organizations that prioritize the health and safety of their staff and customers. Participating companies are evaluated on their operational policies, maintenance protocols, communications practices, and emergency plans. About KinderCare Learning Companies(TM) KinderCare Learning Companies, Inc. (NYSE: KLC) is a leading private provider of early childhood and school-age education and care. KinderCare builds confidence for life in children and families from all backgrounds. KinderCare supports hardworking families in 41 states and the District of Columbia with differentiated flexible child care solutions through its portfolio of brands and services: * KinderCare(R) Learning Centers: early learning programs for children six weeks to 12 years old; * The Crème School(R): a premium early education experience using a variety of enrichment classrooms; * Champions(R): before- and after-school programs in local schools, and * Customized child care benefits created in partnership with employers, including child care on or near the site where their parents work, as well as tuition benefits and backup care across all our programs. Headquartered in Lake Oswego, Oregon, KinderCare operates more than 2,700 early learning centers and sites.

KinderCare Learning Center set to open center in Battle Ground. Date: Monday, April 13, 2026 KinderCare Opens Battle Ground Center with State Rep Support Grand opening celebration for the Battle Ground KinderCare is set for Saturday, April 18. KinderCare Learning Centers invites families, community members and media to celebrate the new Battle Ground KinderCare, a high-quality child care center, with a grand opening celebration seat for Saturday, April 18. Washington State Representatives Stephanie McClintock and John Ley are expected to attend and will deliver remarks shortly after the event begins at 11 a.m., followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially celebrate the center's opening. This free, family friendly event will feature: * A face painter and caricature artist * Hawaiian-themed snacks and treats * Parent care kits for attending families * Prizes and giveaways for children * Interactive games and activities * A photo backdrop area for family pictures At the heart of the event, families will have the opportunity to: * Tour the new center * Meet teachers and staff * Connect with other enrolling families Battle Ground KinderCare is committed to delivering high-quality early childhood education rooted in a whole-child approach that supports cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. The center's proprietary, research-based curriculum is designed to help children meet developmental milestones and foster a love of exploration and learning. The center is designed to care for children from 6 weeks to 5 years old, operating Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. to provide flexible, dependable care tailored to working families. Additionally, Battle Ground KinderCare is proud to increase access to care by accepting Washington state subsidy (Working Connections), helping make high-quality early learning more accessible for everyone. Battle Ground KinderCare is at 1211 SW Scotton Way in Battle Ground. The event is set for 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday. * KinderCare Learning Center set to open center in Battle Ground State Representatives McClintock and Ley will speak at the 11 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 18. * Camas-Washougal Community Chest and partners award 37 grants to local organizations Three foundations partner to distribute grants funding emergency food assistance, shelter programs, and watershed monitoring. * Camas-Washougal Community Chest and partners award 37 grants to local organizations Three foundations partner to distribute grants funding emergency food assistance, shelter programs, and watershed monitoring. * Vancouver Police arrest barricaded man Terry Meyers, 58, faces multiple assault charges after pointing firearm at neighbor and barricading himself. * 49th Legislative District Democrats share their reasons for backing state income tax at Town Hall Three Democrat legislators defended the new income tax affecting only those earning over $1 million annually.