Company Description
KinderCare Learning Companies, Inc. (NYSE: KLC) is a provider of early childhood and school-age education and care in the United States. According to company disclosures, KinderCare builds confidence for life in children and families from all backgrounds by offering flexible child care solutions that support working families. The company is headquartered in Lake Oswego, Oregon and operates in the education and training services industry within the consumer defensive sector.
KinderCare supports families in 41 states and the District of Columbia through a portfolio of brands and services. These include KinderCare Learning Centers, The Crème de la Crème School, and Champions before- and after-school programs, as well as customized child care benefits offered in partnership with employers. Across these brands, KinderCare operates more than 2,600 to 2,700 early learning centers and sites, reflecting a large national footprint in early education and out-of-school-time care.
Core Business and Brands
The company describes itself as a private provider of early childhood and school-age education and care. Its business is centered on operating early learning centers, before- and after-school programs, and related education services. Revenue is derived from providing early childhood education and care services at centers and at before- and after-school sites.
KinderCare Learning Centers offer early learning programs for children from six weeks to 12 years old. These centers provide care and education in neighborhood locations, with programs that span infant care, preschool, and school-age offerings. KinderCare also participates in public pre-kindergarten programs in multiple states, supporting public pre-K for four-year-olds with options for part-time and full-time schedules and extended hours designed to align with a full workday for parents.
The Crème de la Crème School (also referred to as The Crème School) is part of the KinderCare family of brands and is described as a premium early education model. Crème Schools transition children into a variety of themed enrichment classrooms within signature, spacious facilities, serving infants through school-age children. The model emphasizes enrichment experiences such as STEM, language, music, art, and other classroom rotations that go beyond traditional daycare.
Champions is KinderCare’s brand for before- and after-school learning programs located on school grounds at local elementary and middle schools. Champions serves school-age children during out-of-school time, offering activities that build on skills learned during the school year while providing time for play and social interaction. The brand also operates Champ Camp summer programs, which focus on topics such as science, nature, art, and outdoor activities.
Service Offerings and Program Features
Across its brands, KinderCare provides flexible child care options that include full-time and part-time enrollment, extended hours at many locations, and summer camp programs for school-age children. Company communications highlight that KinderCare’s teachers are trained to help children develop academic and social skills such as sharing, taking turns, and resolving conflicts, with the goal of preparing children for elementary school and beyond.
KinderCare supports public pre-K programs in multiple states, offering free or low-cost pre-kindergarten for eligible four-year-olds through partnerships with state programs. The company notes that its programs can provide extended care beyond the limited hours often associated with some state-funded offerings, which can be important for working parents who need coverage for a full workday.
Crème de la Crème Schools offer all-inclusive summer camps for children ages 5–12, with tuition that includes weekly field trips, meals and snacks, outdoor activities such as water play and group games, STEM activities, and access to on-site features like sports courts and indoor and outdoor play areas. Select Crème locations also host Crème Camp Beyond, which emphasizes immersive outdoor adventures, hikes, nature-based crafts, and water activities.
Champions operates Champ Camps at hundreds of locations nationwide, typically at elementary and middle schools. These camps provide structured but engaging summer experiences for children ages 5–12, with flexible schedules that can accommodate part-time and full-time needs. Activities are designed to let children explore interests in science, nature, art, and outdoor play while maintaining a focus on safety and learning.
Support for Working Families and Employer Partnerships
KinderCare emphasizes support for working families as a core part of its identity. The company partners with federal and state agencies, the military, and employers to provide families with access to tuition subsidies and customized child care benefits. These partnerships can include child care centers located on or near workplaces, tuition benefits, and backup care options across KinderCare’s programs.
Through these employer relationships, KinderCare aims to address child care needs tied to today’s work environment by offering child care benefits that help employees remain engaged in the workforce. The company notes that it has dedicated staff to help families navigate qualification processes for subsidies, which can reduce administrative burdens on parents.
Scale and Market Footprint
Company materials describe KinderCare as operating more than 2,600 to 2,700 early learning centers and sites across 41 states and the District of Columbia. This footprint includes early childhood education centers, before- and after-school sites, and premium early education facilities under The Crème School brand. Earlier descriptions also reference a market footprint of around 1,480 early childhood education centers and more than 650 before- and after-school sites, indicating a large network of locations serving infants through school-age children.
KinderCare’s presence on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol KLC, along with its national operating scale and multiple brands, positions it as a significant participant in the U.S. early childhood and school-age education and care sector. The company’s financial disclosures highlight revenue generated from its centers and before- and after-school sites, as well as investments in property, equipment, and acquisitions related to expanding its portfolio.
Programs Beyond Early Childhood
In addition to early education and care, KinderCare sponsors the KinderCare Learning Companies Kids Scholarship Fund. This scholarship program is available to alumni from KinderCare Learning Centers, Champions programs, and The Crème School who are pursuing post-secondary education in accredited vocational programs or two- or four-year colleges. The scholarship fund is intended to celebrate the accomplishments of alumni and support their continued education.
Corporate Governance and Public Company Status
KinderCare Learning Companies, Inc. is a public company with common stock registered under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol KLC. The company files periodic and current reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including Forms 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K. These filings provide information on KinderCare’s financial condition, operating results, executive appointments, compensation arrangements, credit agreements, and shareholder matters such as advisory votes on executive compensation.
Recent filings include disclosures about leadership changes, such as the appointment of a Chief Executive Officer and a Chief Operating Officer, as well as amendments to credit agreements and decisions regarding the frequency of advisory votes on executive pay. These documents offer additional detail on the company’s governance, capital structure, and financial obligations.
Role in the Education and Care Ecosystem
Within the broader education and training services industry, KinderCare’s role is focused on early childhood and school-age education and care, including public pre-K participation, premium early education models, and out-of-school-time programs. By operating neighborhood centers, school-based programs, and employer-sponsored child care, the company connects families, schools, and workplaces.
For investors and observers, KinderCare’s disclosures emphasize its combination of scale, multi-brand portfolio, and focus on flexible child care solutions designed for working families. Its operations span infant care, preschool, pre-kindergarten, before- and after-school programs, and summer camps, all within a regulated and consumer-focused segment of the education sector.
Stock Performance
Latest News
SEC Filings
Financial Highlights
Upcoming Events
Scholarship application deadline
Scholarship recipients notified
Crème Camp 2026 season
Pre-K registration opens
Short Interest History
Short interest in KINDERCARE LEARNING COMPANIES (KLC) currently stands at 2.6 million shares, down 10.3% from the previous reporting period, representing 8.3% of the float. Over the past 12 months, short interest has decreased by 18.3%.
Days to Cover History
Days to cover for KINDERCARE LEARNING COMPANIES (KLC) currently stands at 4.0 days, up 26.2% from the previous period. This days-to-cover ratio represents a balanced liquidity scenario for short positions. The days to cover has decreased 55% over the past year, suggesting improved liquidity for short covering. The ratio has shown significant volatility over the period, ranging from 1.6 to 9.0 days.