Oregon State University – Cascades is in the process of constructing a new on-campus child care center that will support families with children from infancy through preschool. Scheduled to open in August, the Little Kits Early Care and Education Center will offer a much-needed resource to the university community.

The new facility will be administered by the OSU Family Resource Center, which oversees similar early care programs on the Corvallis campus and at the Little Beavs Early Learning Center on the Bend campus. The 7,200-square-foot modular building is located on the southwest corner of the campus, at the intersection of Chandler Avenue and Mt. Washington Drive.

Designed with the developmental needs of infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children in mind, the center will feature classrooms focused on early education and an outdoor play area. The center will also provide parking to accommodate families and staff.

As part of this transition, the Little Beavs program, which was launched during the COVID-19 pandemic to serve students and faculty who struggled with childcare, will be closed after the opening of Little Kits. Families whose children are enrolled at Little Beavs will have guaranteed enrollment at the new center, and staff members from Little Beavs will also transfer to the new location.

To help meet the demand for early childhood education professionals, the Family Resource Center will collaborate with Little Kits staff to create opportunities for OSU-Cascades and Central Oregon Community College students interested in pursuing careers in early childhood education. These programs will offer practicum and internship experiences, providing essential hands-on learning opportunities for future educators.

Due to a shortage of qualified early childhood educators and budget constraints, the initial capacity of the Little Kits Early Care and Education Center will be limited. However, as staffing and funding expand, the center is expected to serve up to 72 children.

Funding for the construction project came through the American Rescue Plan Act via Deschutes County and the state. U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley also contributed additional funding through a community development grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The new center will not only help OSU-Cascades support its student and faculty families but also contribute to the region’s workforce development in early childhood education, providing long-term benefits for the community.

The Little Kits Early Care and Education Center is part of a broader effort by OSU-Cascades to improve student life and support services on campus. In recent years, the university has been expanding its offerings for students, including enhanced academic resources, more on-campus housing, and community engagement initiatives. The center is expected to be an integral part of creating a more family-friendly campus, allowing student parents to focus on their education while knowing their children are receiving high-quality care and early education.

In addition, the center will support the surrounding community by helping to address the ongoing shortage of child care services in the area, particularly for infants and young children. By providing accessible child care for OSU-Cascades students, faculty, and staff, the Little Kits center is helping to foster a more inclusive, supportive environment for academic success and work-life balance.

Originally reported by My Central Oregon.