Little Kits Early Care & Education Center to Close Operations on July 2
Little Kits families were informed of the closure via email on May 7.
Why is Little Kits closing?
Due to ongoing financial challenges, OSU‑Cascades made the difficult decision to cease operations of Little Kits under the management of the OSU Family Resource Center. Unfortunately, in Oregon and across the country, childcare remains a challenging model to sustain and subsidize financially, with rising operating costs and limited public funding.
When will Little Kits close?
Little Kits’ last day of operations under the OSU Family Resource Center is planned for July 2, 2026.
Will the Little Kits building serve as a childcare center in the future?
OSU‑Cascades is committed to meeting its obligations to the agencies that provided funding for Little Kits, including Deschutes County, the State of Oregon and the federal government. Those obligations include operating the building as a childcare center for the foreseeable future.
We are currently working to secure an independent childcare provider to lease the Little Kits building and operate a licensed childcare program. As of this time, neither a new provider nor a timeline has been confirmed.
Can I secure care for my family at the new childcare operation?
If a new childcare provider is secured, eligibility, enrollment criteria, tuition and program policies may differ, and current Little Kits families may not qualify. We understand how concerning this uncertainty may be and encourage you to check this FAQ page for updates.
What about the Little Kits staff?
Little Kits staff have been informed of the closure and OSU Human Resources is working with the Little Kits team members to provide them support during this difficult time. We appreciate the deep care, expertise, and commitment this early care and education team have devoted to Little Kits children and families.