Childtime Learning Centers Awarded Florida Department of Education Contract; Company to Provide Child Care and Early Learning Services to State Employees.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Childtime Learning Centers recently was awarded the management contract for the Florida Department of Education's (DOE) Gwen Cherry Child Development Center, an onsite employee child care and early education center. Childtime, a subsidiary of Learning Care Group (NASDAQ:LCGI), took over center operations on Nov. 1.

"We at Childtime are excited and honored to provide early learning services to employees of the state of Florida," stated Bill Davis, Chief Executive Officer. "As research has repeatedly shown, high-quality early educational experiences are instrumental in future educational success. Childtime is committed to creating an environment that inspires a life-long love of learning--we are very proud to have our educational and care programs utilized by such a renowned educational authority."

Childtime was, in part, selected for its new proprietary curriculum, The Empowered Child(TM). Created by early childhood specialists and national experts, the product was designed to support, nurture and educate children in developmentally appropriate ways. The curriculum particularly focuses on the theory that children learn best by being active participants in their educational experiences--an important tenet of the DOE and Gwen Cherry's educational philosophy.

The curriculum is inspired by the Reggio Emila approach--the fastest growing method to early learning--and focuses on the three components of a quality early childhood education experience: developmentally appropriate practices, a home-like learning environment and quality teacher-child interactions. This approach has been embraced by various well-known early childhood education organizations, including the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

"High quality early learning is essential in preparing our children for entry into kindergarten, increasing their chances for success in the classroom," said Shan Goff, executive director for the Florida Department of Education's Office of Early Learning. "From helping them adjust to the demands of school to developing skills for positive interaction with other children, the lessons learned during this time in a child's life will be carried with them throughout their education and beyond."

In the coming months, Childtime will take the necessary steps to have Gwen Cherry participate in Florida's voluntary pre-kindergarten initiative. Additionally, the center will begin preparations for NAEYC and Florida Gold Seal accreditation. Both recognitions require intensive self-study, as well as onsite evaluations by trained experts, providing center staff with explicit feedback and important learning opportunities.

About Childtime Learning Centers:

Childtime is one of the nation's largest providers of childcare and preschool educational services. In over 30 years Childtime has grown into a network of centers operating in 23 states and the District of Columbia. The home-like atmosphere of their centers, proprietary The Empowered Child(TM) curriculum and personal attention sets Childtime apart from other national childcare networks. For more information, please call Customer Support at [phone], or visit www.childtime.com.