Notre Dame to build on-campus child care center
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The University of Notre Dame will soon offer a new option for child care to its students, faculty and staff.
The university announced Wednesday that it will begin construction next year on a new, on-campus child care facility to be operated by Oregon-based KinderCare.
The center will be on the far north side of campus near White Field and adjacent to Beichner Hall and The Landings at Notre Dame apartments.
The facility is expected to open by the summer of 2025 and will accept children ages six weeks to three years old. KinderCare, in operation for more than 50 years, is one of the nation’s largest child care providers.
Notre Dame employees will be offered 10% savings at KinderCare centers across the country as a result of the university partnership. The Notre Dame center will not be KinderCare’s first local facility. The child care provider has an established location on State Road 23 north of Douglas Road, according to its website.
“We don’t underestimate the importance of child care benefits for working families,” KinderCare President Dan Figurski said in a university news release. “That’s why we’re excited to work with Notre Dame to provide high-quality early childhood care and education to their families.”
A university spokesperson told Inside INdiana Business the new child care center will be staffed by KinderCare. More information about staffing will be available closer to the center’s opening, the spokesperson said.
University officials say the KinderCare facility will not replace existing child care options. The Early Childhood Development Centers at Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s College will work alongside KinderCare and continue its programming for children ages two through kindergarten. It will also continue its summer programming for kids ages two through 10 years old.
“We welcome KinderCare to the Notre Dame campus,” ECDC Executive Director Kari Alford said in the news release. “Infant care is greatly needed in our community, and we are pleased that the University continues to support families’ needs for quality early childhood care and education.”
The announcement comes as the university increases its faculty and staff adoption credit, offering up to $7,500 per adoption compared to a previous maximum of $3,000. Notre Dame’s human resources department has also taken on a new family services consultant.
“With the construction of the new facility and a partnership with KinderCare, Notre Dame will extend its support for families by offering care for infants and young children,” Notre Dame President Rev. John Jenkins said. “We are pleased and proud to offer this additional assistance to our employees, our students and their families.”
The university did not disclose its financial investment in the facility.