(NewsUSA) - We’ve all heard of the stereotype of the overscheduled child who has a class for everything; music, robotics, sports, a foreign language. And behind that child is a frazzled parent spending hours in their car ferrying the child from lesson to lesson.

While unstructured play is essential for young children, specialty classes do have their place. When offered in a low-pressure, age-appropriate way, these experiences help children explore new ideas, discover emerging interests, and build confidence, without the stress of making the team or having a flawless recital or winning the competition.

For young learners, enrichment isn’t about mastering a skill. It’s about curiosity, connection, and growth. Small-group classes in areas like language, music, or STEM can strengthen early brain development, support social-emotional skills, and give children a chance to practice problem-solving, communication, and persistence in ways that feel fun and achievable.

Some early learning and child care providers, like KinderCare, offer enrichment classes as an additional experience outside of the regular school day, yet still during school hours. Because the enrichment activities are taught by center teachers, they can observe children closely, respond to their individual interests, and adjust learning experiences to meet each child where they are. For families, having enrichment opportunities integrated into the child care day can also mean fewer extra fees and less time spent driving across town.

Strong enrichment programs are supported by educators who know children well and work closely with families. Teachers regularly communicate with families about their child’s progress, interests, and needs, helping build trust and strong relationships over time. Behind the scenes, teaching teams collaborate to create classrooms that feel warm and welcoming, where children feel safe to explore.

According to Dr. Lisa Grant, Vice President of Education Programs at KinderCare, children who participate in the organization’s phonics enrichment programming have stronger language skills by the end of the year than peers who did not participate.

“Early enrichment experiences support more than just academic readiness,” said Dr. Grant. “High-quality programs help young children develop early literacy, strengthen their ability to communicate ideas, and build confidence as learners. At this age, children’s brains are developing rapidly, and exposure to rich language, hands-on learning, and supportive instruction can have long-lasting benefits, not only for reading and writing, but for attention, problem-solving, and a lifelong love of learning.”

When considering enrichment classes for young children, Dr. Grant encourages parents to look for providers who incorporate these classes into their daily routine. A good enrichment program should include:

• Small group sizes that allow children to engage deeply with concepts while receiving individualized teacher support,
• Opportunity for exploration, giving children the freedom to follow their interests and discover new ones
• Hands-on, age-appropriate activities that keep learning engaging, playful and developmentally appropriate

Enrichment classes can be a meaningful way for children to explore new topics, strengthen foundational skills, and gain confidence, especially when offered as an extension of traditional early childhood education or daycare programming. With knowledgeable educators and the right approach, these experiences can support children’s development without adding financial strain or logistical stress for families.

Families interested in learning more about small-group enrichment opportunities for young children can visit kindercare.com.

(NewsUSA) - For generations of workers, retirement benefits represented the reward for years of dedication and hard work. But for today’s working parents, a more immediate investment has quietly taken center stage: child care.

Across kitchen tables, carpool lines and late-night email sessions, parents navigate a daily reality that feels increasingly fragile. One canceled caregiver, one closed classroom, or one sick day can send an entire work week into chaos as parents try to balance child care and work needs simultaneously. While flexible schedules and remote work help, they haven’t solved the core issue: reliable child care is essential for working families.

As a result, parents are reassessing what they need from their employers. Recent national research from KinderCare Learning Company’s annual Parent Confidence Index shows that parents now view child care as one of the most important benefits when deciding whether to stay in a job, even ranking it ahead of traditional long-term benefits like retirement plans. In fact, 85% say child care support should be considered as essential as healthcare, reflecting how closely it’s tied to daily productivity, focus and peace of mind.

Jessica Harrah, Chief People Officer at KinderCare Learning Companies, a national provider of early learning programs, says this shift reflects what families have experienced for years.

“Parents want to do great work and build meaningful careers,” Harrah said. “But when child care is unpredictable or hard to access, it creates stress that spills into every part of life. Supporting parents with child care is about giving families stability so they can show up fully, both at work and at home.”

At the same time, many parents say these benefits are either unavailable, poorly communicated or difficult to understand. That gap between what families need and what workplaces offer can feel discouraging. Parents don’t have to navigate this alone though, says Harrah. Connecting with coworkers, employee resource groups, or leaders who understand caregiving responsibilities can help normalize these conversations.

“When more parents speak openly about child care needs, it becomes easier for employers to recognize where gaps exist,” said Harrah. “When approaching a manager or HR team, parents don’t need to frame child care as a personal favor. Instead, connect it to productivity and consistency. When families have access to reliable care, stress levels drop, loyalty increases, and parents are more engaged and able to do their best work at the office or on the job.”

The future of work isn’t just about where or when people work, it’s about whether families have the stability and support they need to keep going. Child care has become the benefit that makes everything else possible. To learn more about how KinderCare provides stability for thousands of families across its nationwide footprint of KinderCare Learning Centers, visit kindercare.com.

(NewsUSA) - While no one plans to have a baby early, 1 in 10 babies are born prematurely, a rate that has remained persistently high over the past decade. As such, early nutrition decisions in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) continue to be critical.

This NICU Awareness Month (September), we’re breaking down the nutritional options available in the NICU and how they can impact both the short and long-term health outcomes for vulnerable preemies.

Let’s Talk Fortifiers

Extremely premature babies need extra nutrition to grow. Preemies need 20-40% more calories and 2-3 times more protein than full-term babies because they missed important growth time in the womb. That's why doctors add a "fortifier" to mom’s breastmilk or donor milk in the NICU. 

Here’s the confusing thing, though. Many parents don't know that there are two completely different types of fortifiers available in the NICU.

One is made from cow milk, and the other is made from 100% donor breastmilk. However, both are labeled “human milk fortifiers,” regardless of whether it is made from cow milk or breastmilk. A company called Prolacta Bioscience offers the only fortifier made from 100% breastmilk, free from cow milk.

Why Nutrition Matters in the NICU

For preemies born weighing 2.75 pounds or less, cow milk can be difficult to digest. Studies show that fortifiers made from cow milk increase the risk of the deadly intestinal disease necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in extremely premature infants, when compared to infants fed fortifiers made from 100% breastmilk, as part of an exclusive breastmilk-based diet.

Fortifiers made from 100% breastmilk are designed specifically for premature babies and are being used in NICUs across the country to support better outcomes, fewer complications, and shorter hospital stays. When used as part of an exclusive breastmilk diet, these fortifiers and formulas:

• Reduce the risk of NEC, a life-threatening intestinal disease
• Help preemies go home sooner
• Can mean fewer complications like lung and eye disease  
• Showed improved long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes
• Trusted by NICUs worldwide for feeding over 125,000 patients since 2006
• Used in more than 55% of U.S. NICUs in 2025 for the smallest, most vulnerable preemies

NICU Parents Have Choices for Their Preemie’s Nutrition

When it comes to nutrition options in the NICU, many parents are not informed that they have a choice. This means families might agree to cow milk-based products without knowing another safe nutrition choice exists.

Parents have the right to understand all available options, the evidence behind them, and potential complications before making this important decision for their baby.

In fact, parents can specifically ask their NICU care team about 100% donor breastmilk-based fortifiers and formulas and request these products if they believe it's the best option for their baby. Resources are available to help families navigate these conversations with their care teams.

Parents serve as their baby's strongest advocates. They shouldn't hesitate to ask questions, request information, and push for what they believe is best for their child. The nutritional choices made in those early days and weeks can affect their baby's health in the short and long term.

Parental Advocacy Makes a Difference

This NICU Awareness Month, if you have a preemie in the NICU, or know someone who does, share this important nutritional information. When it comes to feeding fragile preemies, knowledge can save lives. Parents deserve to know that alternatives to cow milk-based fortifiers exist, and that they have a voice in their baby’s care. Every family has the right to make informed decisions, and every preemie deserves the best possible start in life.