Kentwood, Michigan – The need for affordable childcare is a pressing issue in Western Michigan, with the wonderful Kidz Learning Center in Kentwood promised relief for parents.
The center focuses on providing quality care at a reasonable price and is important for families in the area.
A study by the Annie E. Casey Foundation shows that child care costs can be confusing, with the average cost of the study exceeding $11,000. Karmen Johnson, executive director of the Wonderful Kidz Learning Center, said the center is aiming to relieve the burden. “The cost of childcare is currently through the roof,” Johnson said. “We are basically focusing on getting families in here, helping them get back into the workforce and keeping their kids in a safe place.”
Johnson also runs a fantastic lifestyle outreach nonprofit that aims to provide accessible financial resources and guidance.
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The center will open on August 4, just in time for the 2025-26 academic year.
Johnson learns firsthand about the challenges of finding parenting. “I’m in a situation where I’m pregnant with twins and it’s already hard to find a place for a child, right?” she shared.
Fortunately, she has established a connection with current program director Laton Allaway, who has over 20 years of childcare experience and provides the necessary support. “There weren’t many parenting centers at the time,” Alavey said. “So I said, I have to do something.”
The center will accommodate children from six weeks old to 11 years old, focusing not only on social and emotional development, but also on early skills in mathematics and science, emphasizing STEM education.
The center plans to expand to Phase 2 in the summer of 2026 and is expected to introduce middle school students when this happens.
The group also prioritizes children’s nutritious meals and works with my hot lunch box with local restaurants to provide quality food.
Johnson highlights the impact of accessible parenting on family financial stability and workforce participation.
“So now we are losing quality people in the workforce, in return, to make the family suffer, right? Because now you have less income, kids are still suffering now.”
The wonderful Kidz Learning Center is in the process of final preparations and is intended to open by August 4th, just in time for the new school year. It will be open from Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Parents interested in enrolling can register through the center's website.
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