KinderCare (NYSE: KLC) details 2026 short-term incentive plan

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

KinderCare Learning Companies, Inc. reported that its Compensation Committee has approved a new Short Term Incentive Plan effective January 4, 2026, the start of fiscal 2026. The plan will govern annual performance-based cash bonus awards granted on or after that date.

The plan allows incentive awards for officers and other selected employees, with cash payments tied to financial, operational and/or strategic performance metrics set by the Compensation Committee. The committee can define performance periods, set minimum, target and maximum goals, assign weightings, determine payout levels based on results, and adjust bonuses for unusual or non-recurring events.

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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 26, 2026

KinderCare Learning Companies, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware			001-42367	87-1653366
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)			(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)
5005 Meadows Road
Lake Oswego, Oregon				97035
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)				(Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (503) 872-1300

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class		Trading Symbol(s)		Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share		KLC		New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On February 26, 2026, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of KinderCare Learning Companies, Inc. (the “Company”) approved and adopted the KinderCare Learning Companies, Inc. Short Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) effective January 4, 2026 (the “Effective Date”), the beginning of the Company’s fiscal year 2026. The Compensation Committee intends to use the Plan for the administration of the Company’s annual performance-based cash bonus awards granted on or after the Effective Date. The Plan provides for incentive awards to be granted to officers and other employees of the Company selected for participation in the Plan and cash payments on those incentive awards based upon the achievement of financial, operational and/or strategic performance metrics, goals or objectives established by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee has the authority to designate the participants in the Plan; determine the applicable performance period; determine the amount of each incentive award; select applicable performance criteria, including to the extent determined by the Compensation Committee, the minimum, target and maximum level of performance of such performance criteria; identify the weights of applicable performance criteria; determine the relationship between the degree to which performance criteria have been achieved and cash incentive payments; and adjust bonus payments based on unusual or non-recurring events.

The foregoing summary of the Plan does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Plan, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit		Description
10.1		KinderCare Learning Companies, Inc. Short Term Incentive Plan Effective January 4, 2026
104		Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

			KinderCare Learning Companies, Inc.
Date:	February 27, 2026	By:	/s/ Anthony Amandi
			Anthony Amandi, Chief Financial Officer

FAQ

What did KinderCare Learning Companies (KLC) disclose in this 8-K filing?

KinderCare disclosed that its Compensation Committee approved a new Short Term Incentive Plan effective January 4, 2026. The plan will govern annual performance-based cash bonus awards for selected officers and employees, using predefined performance metrics and payout rules set by the committee.

What is KinderCare Learning Companies, Inc. Short Term Incentive Plan?

The Short Term Incentive Plan is a framework for annual cash bonus awards at KinderCare. It provides incentive awards to selected officers and employees, with payouts based on achieving financial, operational and/or strategic goals established and administered by the company’s Compensation Committee.

When does KinderCare’s new Short Term Incentive Plan become effective?

The Short Term Incentive Plan becomes effective on January 4, 2026, which is the beginning of KinderCare’s fiscal year 2026. It applies to annual performance-based cash bonus awards granted on or after that effective date, as determined by the Compensation Committee.

Who is eligible to participate in KinderCare’s Short Term Incentive Plan?

Participants include officers and other employees of KinderCare selected by the Compensation Committee. The committee has authority to designate who participates, determine each participant’s incentive award amount, and set the specific performance criteria and performance periods governing potential cash bonus payouts.

What performance metrics can KinderCare use for incentive payouts under the plan?

Incentive payouts can be based on financial, operational and/or strategic performance metrics, goals or objectives. The Compensation Committee may set minimum, target and maximum performance levels, assign weightings to each criterion, and define how achieved performance translates into cash bonus payments for participants.

Can KinderCare’s Compensation Committee adjust bonus payments under the plan?

Yes. The Compensation Committee may adjust bonus payments based on unusual or non-recurring events. It also controls the relationship between performance achievement and incentive payments, including selecting criteria, setting goals, assigning weights, and determining final cash awards for eligible officers and employees.

Where can investors find the full text of KinderCare’s Short Term Incentive Plan?

The full text of the Short Term Incentive Plan is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the report. The company states that its summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to this exhibit, which is incorporated by reference and available with the electronic version of the filing.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

2 documents

Agreements & Contracts

• EX-10.1 EX-10.1 84.5 KB

Other Documents

• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA WITH EMBEDDED LINKBASES DOCUMENT 23.3 KB