KENTWOOD, Mich. – A new childcare facility, the Marvelous Kidz Learning Center, is set to open in Kentwood, offering a crucial resource for West Michigan families facing the high cost of quality care.
The issue of childcare affordability is significant. According to a 2023 study by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the average annual cost of care in the U.S. exceeds $11,000. The new center’s mission is to alleviate this financial strain and enable parents to rejoin the workforce.
“The cost of childcare is through the roof right now,” said Karmen Johnson, executive director of Marvelous Kidz Learning Center. “We are focused on helping parents return to the workforce by ensuring their children are in a safe and nurturing place.”
Johnson, who also runs the Marvelous Lifestyles Outreach non-profit, was inspired by her own personal challenges. Her difficulty finding care while pregnant with twins connected her with Laton Allaway, now the center’s program director, who brings over 20 years of experience to the role. “There weren’t many childcare centers at that time,” Allaway recalled. “So I said, I have to do something.”
The center will serve children from six weeks to 11 years old, with a curriculum that fosters social-emotional development alongside early S.T.E.M. skills in math and science. In addition, the facility will provide nutritious meals by partnering with local restaurants through the My Hot Lunch Box service.
Future plans include a second phase, targeted for summer 2026, which will expand services to middle school students.
Johnson emphasized the broader economic impact of accessible childcare, noting that a lack of affordable options can force skilled individuals out of their jobs, reducing family income and creating financial hardship.
Marvelous Kidz Learning Center is scheduled to open on August 4, in time for the new school year. It will operate Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Interested parents can find enrollment information on the center’s website.
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