Northern Kentucky, KY – Two Northern Kentucky locations of KinderCare, a nationwide day care provider serving children aged 0-12, are facing legal challenges amid allegations of insufficient safety measures leading to child injuries. Local lawsuits in Kenton and Boone counties align with a federal class-action lawsuit accusing the corporation of failing to uphold child safety responsibilities across its network.
Local Lawsuits Bring Safety Concerns to Light
The first lawsuit in Kenton County was initiated by Jake Stokes, a parent who alleges that the KinderCare center on Sleepy Hollow Road in Fort Wright did not properly inform him about his son’s injury sustained during play. On April 10, 2024, Stokes’ 5-year-old son suffered a corneal abrasion after reportedly being hit by mulch thrown by another child.
Stokes criticized the center’s delayed communication and lack of a timely injury report, which state law requires to be submitted within 24 hours. He stated,
“They waited until I got there… There was no proactive communication, and it just seemed a very shady thing.”
Although the center eventually submitted a written report and underwent a licensing investigation, state inspection documents labeled the center as “not in compliance” for failing to report the injury promptly. They submitted a corrective action plan to ensure future compliance, including self-reporting injuries within 24 hours and staff training updates.
Meanwhile, a second lawsuit filed in Boone County concerns an incident at the KinderCare on Oakbrook Drive in Florence from January 9, 2024, where a child sustained a broken femur after a disputed fall. The child’s attorney, Colby Cowherd, highlighted uncertainties regarding how the injury occurred and stressed the suit’s purpose to clarify the incident’s circumstances.
- Stokes demanded $35,000 in compensation but was offered only $2,500 for out-of-pocket expenses.
- Both centers lacked classroom surveillance footage of the incidents.
- The lawsuits reflect broader questions about operational inefficiencies at these facilities.
Federal Lawsuit Raises Broader Questions About KinderCare’s Safety Practices
These local challenges coincide with a federal class-action lawsuit targeting KinderCare’s corporate practices nationwide. Original founded in 1969 and now operating over 2,400 centers in 41 states and DC, KinderCare claims to offer a “safe, nurturing and engaging environment.” However, plaintiffs argue the company provided substandard care prior to its recent IPO and subjected children to unsafe conditions.
The federal lawsuit references an investigative report by Edwin Dorsey from The Bear Cave, compiling nationwide allegations of negligence and abuse. Notable cases include:
- A toddler left unsupervised near a road in Milford, Connecticut.
- An 11-month-old in Milwaukee tested positive for cocaine after unknowingly ingesting drugs brought by a staff member, who was eventually terminated and sentenced.
KinderCare, managed by Swiss private equity firm Partners Group, has denied liability for such incidents, claiming they are isolated and emphasizing their strict protocols including prompt incident notifications and staff terminations when necessary.
“These were isolated incidents and not reflective of KinderCare’s values and the high standards we set for ourselves…”
The company’s stock value has fluctuated significantly, currently trading at $7.56 per share on the NYSE compared to the IPO price of $24 per share.
State Inspection Reports Show Widespread Compliance Issues in Northern Kentucky
In Northern Kentucky alone, 13 KinderCare centers operate across Boone, Kenton, and Campbell counties. Most rank low in the state’s KY All Stars voluntary quality rating system, with many receiving only one star out of five. The centers have faced repeated citations for issues such as:
- Improper supervision and unsafe teacher-to-child ratios.
- Failure to train staff in CPR and first aid adequately.
- Unclean facilities and faulty equipment.
- Failure to update immunization records and ensure electrical safety.
The center at Sleepy Hollow Road, under Stokes’ lawsuit, interestingly maintains a better rating compared to others in the region. However, repeated state inspections underscore ongoing safety and regulatory challenges within KinderCare’s local operations.
Looking Ahead: Implications for Parents and the Child Care Industry
The outcomes of these lawsuits could impact parental trust in KinderCare and the broader child care industry standards in Northern Kentucky. Stokes hopes his case wakes parents to potential risks, stating,
“There is… a very broad operational inefficiency at that [KinderCare].”
With no clear resolution yet on either local case, the investigations, and legal scrutiny continue, raising questions about transparency, accountability, and child safety in corporate-run day care facilities.
Key Takeaways:
- Two Northern Kentucky KinderCare centers face lawsuits stemming from alleged injuries and safety lapses.
- The Kenton County case centers on a 5-year-old’s eye injury and delayed incident reporting.
- The Boone County case involves a disputed broken femur from a fall.
- Federal lawsuit and investigative journalism question KinderCare’s corporate safety culture.
- State inspections reveal persistent compliance issues in multiple Northern Kentucky centers.