Kentucky Area KinderCare Learning Centers Provide Free Child Care Services for Military Personnel.

Business Editors/Education Writers

LEXINGTON, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 18, 2004

To show support for U.S. soldiers on duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, KinderCare Learning Centers nationwide are offering one free day of quality child care services to military personnel on their two-week rest and recuperation leave in the U.S. The effort is part of a national program called Operation: Child Care, organized by the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies in conjunction with the National Child Care Association, National Association for Family Child Care, national 4-H Clubs, and individual early childhood education and care providers.

"Our service men and women and their families have sacrificed so much. This is one way we can show our appreciation to them," said Wray Hutchinson, senior vice president of operations at KinderCare Learning Centers, Inc. "Leave schedules can be very hectic, so this allows the soldier some breathing room to take care of personal business, spend time one-on-one with a spouse, or simply enjoy a day of recreation."

KinderCare Learning Centers are licensed providers with locations in 39 states. As part of Operation: Child Care, qualified providers in cities and towns across the country have added their names to lists of volunteers and agree to donate four hours or more of service caring for children 12 and under on a space available basis.

Operation: Child Care is available to all National Guard and Reserve members on leave from duty in Iraq or Afghanistan. Soldiers are briefed on the program before returning to their families, and, once home, they simply call their local Child Care Resource and Referral agency for a list of participating providers. A valid military I.D. and orders showing dates of leave are required.

For more information on the program, or to obtain a list of participating providers, call 1-800-424-2246 or visit www.ChildCareAware.org.

KinderCare Learning Centers, Inc.(www.kindercare.com), based in Portland, Oregon, is the leading provider of early childhood education and care to children between the ages of six weeks and 12 years in the United States. KinderCare and its subsidiaries operate a total of 1,243 early childhood education and care centers, serve approximately 129,000 children and their families, and employ more than 27,000 people.