Three-way partnership to provide KCC on-campus child care services

Klamath Community College (KCC), Klamath County, and the Oregon Child Development Coalition (OCDC) have established an agreement to provide child care services on the KCC campus.

Utilizing KCC’s building 1, OCDC has established facilities for Oregon pre-K Head Start preschool child daycare with priority for children of active KCC students and staff. The childcare initiative is phase-one of a greater partnership between KCC, Klamath County, and OCDC for permanent early childhood services and expansion of KCC’s Education program.

The placement of OCDC services on campus is temporary until a permanent facility can be completed. Several acres of property on South Sixth Street opposite the KCC campus has been donated by Klamath County for development of a new KCC Early Learning Center.

“As Klamath County continues to grow and prosper, Childcare remains a barrier to meeting the workforce needs of a thriving community,” said Klamath County Commissioner Derrick DeGroot. “This project will work to address the childcare needs today, grow the professionals needed to care for our children tomorrow and remove one of our key barriers to success. The Klamath County Commissioners are dedicated to growing a strong and vibrant economy and are happy to have such a dedicated partner in KCC to meet those goals.”

Plans for the new permanent site include increased KCC and OCDC office space, classrooms, and child care services for development of student-teachers through KCC’s Education program. Once completed, on-site child care services will be eligible for students, staff, and the greater Klamath community; fulfilling a glaring and growing need for early care and education for young children in Klamath Falls.

“OCDC is very excited to partner with KCC to provide on campus care for the community as well as the students that attend KCC,” said OCDC Executive Director Donalda Dodson. “This partnership will provide to KCC students easier access to our Preschool services both now and when the permanent site is built.”

KCC currently offers a two-year Early Childhood Educator Emphasis Associate of Applied Science degree, as well as a one-year Early Childhood Educator Certificate and less-than-one-year Early Education Career Pathway Certificate in both English and Spanish.

“One major problem we have heard from our students has long been finding childcare during classes, so partnering with OCDC and Klamath County to offer on-campus services will not only benefit students in our early education programs but also solve a major dilemma that may have held some people back previously from pursuing their college goals,” said KCC President Dr. Roberto Gutierrez. “We are very proud to finally be able to offer childcare to students through this three-way partnership, and soon to the entire community.”

Childcare services are expected to begin in late February, with half of the 60 available child care slots reserved for KCC student’s children.