A new child care option has opened its doors in one of Clark County’s fastest-growing communities.
Pioneer KinderCare celebrated its grand opening on Saturday, July 11, offering early childhood education and care for Ridgefield-area families as demand for child care continues to increase alongside the city’s residential growth.
The new center is led by Center Director Kelly Crape, who has spent the past decade working in early childhood education. After serving five years as an assistant director, she transitioned into a center director role two-and-a-half years ago.
Crape said via an email that the center’s goal is to provide families with a welcoming environment where children feel comfortable while developing academically and socially.
“We’re excited to offer Ridgefield families a place where children can feel safe, loved and excited to learn every day,” Crape said. “Our brand-new center was designed with young children in mind, from bright classrooms to modern outdoor play spaces where they can explore and grow.”
She added that the center’s teachers meet Washington’s licensing and training requirements and are focused on helping children reach developmental milestones while building relationships with families.
“Our teachers are highly qualified and meet Washington’s rigorous licensing and training requirements,” Crape said. “They are passionate about early childhood education and are committed to helping every child reach important milestones while building strong relationships with their families.”
The center also accepts eligible state and federal child care subsidies and works with employers that provide child care benefits to help reduce costs for working families.
Crape said Ridgefield was selected as a location because of the community’s rapid growth and increasing demand for early learning opportunities.
“We know how much growing families need access to quality child care, and we know that can be difficult to find in fast-growing communities,” Crape said. “As more families move into places like Ridgefield, the need for reliable early learning grows right along with them. The goal is simple: give parents another trusted choice so they can go to work knowing their children are in a safe, nurturing environment.”
Crape said the organization looks forward to becoming part of the Ridgefield community and supporting local families through multiple stages of childhood development.
“Ridgefield is an exciting community because so many young families are choosing to make it home, and we’re looking forward to growing right alongside them,” she said. “One of the most rewarding parts of what we do is building lasting relationships with families over the years.”
She added that many KinderCare families return with younger siblings after older children enter elementary school.
“We become part of a family’s journey, celebrating milestones big and small while helping children build the skills, confidence and curiosity they’ll carry with them for life,” Crape said. “Knowing we can support families through these important early years and provide parents with peace of mind each day is what makes this work so meaningful.”
Crape added that the center had already received a warm reception from the Ridgefield community and invited families to visit.
“We are grateful for the warm welcome we’ve already received and are excited to become part of the Ridgefield community,” she said. “I want families to know that our doors are always open. We encourage anyone who is looking for child care to stop by, take a tour, ask questions and get to know our team. Choosing child care is one of the biggest decisions a family can make, and we want parents to feel comfortable, supported and confident every step of the way.”
To schedule a tour and learn more about KinderCare, families can call the center at 360-727-1300 or visit their website at kindercare.com/our centers/ridgefield/wa/302127.
