KinderCare: Encouraging early signs of progress

Research evidence excerpt

KinderCare: Encouraging early signs of progress

Deutsche Bank

Research

Rating Company Date

Hold KinderCare 14 May 2026

Results

North America

United States

Reuters Bloomberg Exchange Ticker Price at 14 May 2026 (USD) 4.37

KLC.N KLC US NYS KLC

Price target 5.00

Industrials

52-week range 12.60 - 1.84

Business Services &

Education

Encouraging early signs of progress

Valuation & Risks

Faiza Alwy

Key takeaways from 1Q26 earnings Research Analyst

We are encouraged by early signs of progress at KinderCare under CEO Tom Wyatt. +1-212-250-7611

The company is emphasizing clarity and focus to execute an inflection and

Avi Sharma

turnaround in occupancy levels. Research Associate

+1-212-250-7226

As part of that, management is going through a detailed process to assess the

Sophie Sheng

health of the portfolio, likely resulting in a higher-than-average number of closings

Research Associate

this year. The company is evaluating centers based on a variety of factors, including

+1-212-250-9954

local market demographics, long-term occupancy trends, leadership, family

engagement, and lease terms. Management is watching for retention trends in 2Q

Key changes

and 3Q through the critical back-to-school season, which will help finalize center

TP 4.00 to 5.00 ↑ 25.0%

closure decisions.

EPS (USD) 0.19 to 0.25 ↑ 34.1%

2,725.6 to

Management highlighted positive early signs from strategic initiatives around Revenue (USDm) ↑ 0.7%

2,745.5

highly localized marketing and center-level execution, stressing that there is no lack

Source: Deutsche Bank

of underlying demand for childcare and that better execution will help the company

capture and convert this demand more effectively. Noting that enrollment will not

turn around in a single quarter, the company expects gradual improvements