Bend’s Little Kits Early Learning Center shuts down, leaving families in need

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Little Kits Early Learning Center in Bend, connected to OSU Cascades, permanently closed today, leaving local families searching for child care.

The center had announced its closure in May, giving parents approximately seven weeks' notice.

The closure has created significant challenges for many families, including Rachel Taylor, who relied on the center for stable child care.

Taylor, who has a 2-year-old daughter and is expecting a second child in September, had planned for both infant care and continued care for her daughter at Little Kits.

“It really feels like it's a blow. It's logistically it's a blow and then emotionally it's such a blow,” Taylor said.

She has faced the difficult task of explaining the situation to her young daughter. “I've been trying to explain to my 2-year-old daughter that she's saying goodbye to her friends and teachers and she doesn't really understand, you know, she's like, Oh, we're going to, we're all going to a new school and I'm like, no. This is the last day,” Taylor stated.

Taylor also expressed frustration regarding the lack of communication from the university. “It's just been shocking to me that with every elected official in Oregon watching how this is handled, that OSU hasn't been willing to offer anything and there's just been insult to injury added along the way,” she said.

In an effort to gain clarity, Taylor sent a formal letter to the OSU board of trustees, requesting transparency about the future of the publicly funded child care facility. However, Taylor said parents and staff have not yet received answers.