Addressing real world needs
Prior to and through the pandemic, childcare providers and certified facilities in the region suffered significant losses and have yet to recover. This crisis and the lack of quality childcare negatively impacts our community economic viability. Positive economic growth relies on a well-educated workforce, quality and affordable childcare opportunities, affordable housing, and quality healthcare.
The Childcare Learning Center project addresses two of these needs – quality and affordable childcare, and a well-educated workforce for this industry sector.
In partnership: Klamath Community College, Oregon Child Development Coalition, & Klamath County
The overwhelming need for childcare options in the community, as well as expanded education to support regrowth in the Early Childhood Education industry has brought together a powerful partnership – Klamath Community College (KCC), Oregon Child Development Coalition (OCDC), and Klamath County.
- KCC serves a high number of parenting students who face barriers to education due to a lack of access to childcare. At the same time, in order to expand the numbers of caregivers and educators joining the workforce, students in the college’s Early Childhood Education program require increased opportunities for on-the-job cooperative work experience and practicum.
- OCDC, a private nonprofit, provides federally funded free early childhood education for children from low-income families ages 6 weeks up to 5 years old. Due to high demand for care in Klamath Falls, OCDC maintains a waitlist, and faces challenges from the national shortage in the early childhood workforce.
- The Klamath County Commissioners recognize quality childcare is directly connected to economic vitality and growth in the region.
The project is a natural fit with OCDC which prepares young children for success in school, and life, and KCC’s early educator and K-12 teacher programs which prepare future care and education providers.
KCC offers two education degrees:
- AAS Early Childhood Educator: This degree, with no loss of credit, also directly leads to the fully online Early Childhood Development Bachelor's degree with Southern Oregon University.
- AAS Education – Paraeducator Emphasis: Klamath Community College’s articulation agreements with Southern Oregon University and Oregon Institute of Technology allow for degree transfer with no loss of credit.
The Project
The 28,000-square-foot Childcare Learning Center on the KCC campus will provide a high-quality, secure, and nurturing environment for children in OCDC’s care and education programs, as well as state-of-the-art educational and training spaces for KCC’s Early Childhood Education and Education program students.
The center will include:
- 12 adaptable care and education classrooms for up to 144 infants and toddlers
- 2 classrooms for KCC education program students
- A spacious multi-use common area
- A commercial-grade kitchen for preparation of healthy snacks and meals
- Offices and private conference rooms for families and staff
- Private early development outdoor play areas
- A curb-to-door bus lane for safe student transfer
Projected cost:
- $18.5 million in facility construction
- $1 million in equipment, facility furnishings and outdoor play areas
Activities To Date:
- OCDC and KCC partnered in early 2023 to provide a small-scale on-campus childcare facility that serves a limited number of KCC student parents and the community.
- KCC’s Resource Development Department is working in partnership with OCDC and Klamath County to identify funding to support the development and construction of the Childcare Learning Center. Major funding acquired as of summer 2025 includes:
- $4 million from the Higher Education Coordinating Commission’s (HECC) Capital Division
- $2 million from Business Oregon’s Child Care Infrastructure Fund
- $500,000 committed by the KCC Board of Education
- $500,000 from Klamath County in American Rescue Plan Act funds
- $500,000 from Seeding Justice’s Oregon Child Care Capacity Building Fund awarded to OCDC
- $75,000 from the Oregon Community Foundation
- $50,000 from a community supporter
The KCC Foundation will soon kick off a local capital campaign to raise funds for the construction of the facility.
Projected Timeline
- Design, engineering, and budgeting substantially completed by December 31, 2024
- Construction bid released Aug. 5, 2025, and to be awarded Sept. 9 2025
- Completion and opening Fall 2026
Concept Renderings
