Yet for many Beaver Beginnings families, the controversy extends beyond child care economics. “It’s not that we don’t understand that there are financial realities,” said psychology professor Jessee Dietch, whose two children attend Beaver Beginnings. KinderCare announced earlier this year that it would cease operations at Beaver Beginnings on June 26 after more than 35 years on OSU’s campus. Without reliable child care, parents are forced to adjust work schedules, reduce their hours, delay educational goals, or leave jobs altogether. According to Megan Pratt, coordinator of the Oregon Child Care Research Partnership, Benton County had enough regulated child care slots for only about 35% of children ages 5 and younger in 2024.