
Experienced business leader and investor brings decades of strategic, financial, and governance expertise


KinderCare Learning Companies, Inc. (NYSE:KLC), one of the nation&#39;s leading providers of high-quality

<p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<b xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Experienced business leader and investor brings decades of strategic, financial, and governance expertise</b>

</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
KinderCare Learning Companies, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/KLC">KLC</a>), one of the nation&#39;s leading providers of high-quality early childhood education and care, today announced the appointment of David Barse to its Board of Directors, effective Aug. 3, 2026.

</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
Barse is the Founder and Chief Investment Officer of DMB Holdings, a family office, and the Founder of XOUT Capital, an index provider for the ETF industry. He previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Third Avenue Management, a global value investment organization to both institutional and retail investors, where he led the firm for 25 years. Barse has extensive experience as a board member for both public and private companies and formerly served on the board of Better Home and Mortgage Company (BETR), an online mortgage company.

</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
&#34;David brings an exceptional combination of strategic leadership, financial expertise, and governance experience that will strengthen our Board as we continue executing our long-term growth strategy,&#34; said Tom Wyatt, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of KinderCare Learning Companies. &#34;His experience building and leading successful organizations, combined with his thoughtful approach to long-term value creation, will be an asset as we continue investing in high-quality early childhood education and creating value for our families, employees, and shareholders.&#34;

</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
&#34;I&#39;ve long admired KinderCare&#39;s commitment to serving children, families, and employers through high-quality early learning,&#34; said David Barse. &#34;I&#39;m honored to join the Board and look forward to working alongside the leadership team as the company continues to expand its impact and deliver long-term value.&#34;

</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
Barse earned a Juris Doctor from Brooklyn Law School, a bachelor&#39;s degree from The George Washington University, and completed an Executive Education program at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<b xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">About KinderCare Learning Companies&#x2122;</b>

</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" rel="nofollow" href="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kc-learning.com&amp;esheet=54583469&amp;newsitemid=20260804090732&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=KinderCare+Learning+Companies%2C+Inc.&amp;index=1&amp;md5=46f0c85b11f7d9cca5327489fd009a08" shape="rect"><b xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">KinderCare Learning Companies, Inc.</b></a><b xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> </b>(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/KLC">KLC</a>) is a leading private provider of early childhood and school-age education and care. KinderCare builds confidence for life in children and families from all backgrounds. KinderCare supports hardworking families in 42 states and the District of Columbia with differentiated flexible child care solutions through its portfolio of brands and services:

</p><ul xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" class="bwlistdisc">
<li xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<b xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">KinderCare<sup xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">&#xAE;</sup> Learning Centers:</b> early learning programs for children six weeks to 12 years old;

</li>
<li xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<b xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The Crème School<sup xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">&#xAE;</sup>:</b> a premium early education experience using a variety of enrichment classrooms;

</li>
<li xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<b xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Champions<sup xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">&#xAE;</sup>: </b>before- and after-school programs in local schools, and

</li>
<li xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
Customized child care benefits created in partnership with employers, including child care on or near the site where their parents work, as well as tuition benefits and backup care across all our programs.

</li>
</ul><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
Headquartered in Lake Oswego, Oregon, KinderCare operates more than 2,700 early learning centers and sites.

</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><img xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" alt="" src="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=bwnews&amp;sty=20260804090732r1&amp;sid=benz2&amp;distro=nx&amp;lang=en" style="width:0;height:0"></img><span xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" class="bwct31415"></span></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" id="mmgallerylink"><span xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" id="mmgallerylink-phrase">View source version on businesswire.com: </span><span xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" id="mmgallerylink-link"><a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260804090732/en/" rel="nofollow">https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260804090732/en/</a></span></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
Investor Relations
<br xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"></br><a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" rel="nofollow" href="mailto:investors@kindercare.com" shape="rect">investors@kindercare.com</a>

</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
Media Relations
<br xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"></br><a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" rel="nofollow" href="mailto:media@kindercare.com" shape="rect">media@kindercare.com</a>

</p>

KinderCare Learning Companies Appoints David Barse to Board of Directors

KinderCare Adds Seasoned Investor David Barse to Board to Bolster Growth

<section class="insight" data-version="1">
  <section data-block="information">
    <h3>Information</h3>
    <p>Experienced business leader and investor brings decades of strategic, financial, and governance expertise


KinderCare Learning Companies, Inc. (NYSE:KLC), one of the nation&amp;#39;s leading providers of high-quality</p>
  </section>

  <section data-block="ai-summary-paragraph">
    <h3>AI Summary</h3>
    <p>KinderCare Learning Companies announced the appointment of David Barse to its Board, effective August 3, 2026. Barse, founder of DMB Holdings and XOUT Capital and former CEO of Third Avenue Management, brings governance and capital-allocation expertise. The move is framed as strengthening long-term growth as KinderCare expands its early-education platform.</p>
  </section>

  <section data-block="ai-summary-bullets">
    <h3>Key Points</h3>
    <ul><li>KLC appoints David Barse to its Board, effective Aug 3, 2026.</li><li>Barse: founder of DMB Holdings and XOUT Capital; former CEO at Third Avenue.</li><li>Company says governance and long-term value creation will benefit families, employees, and shareholders.</li><li>Barse earned JD from Brooklyn Law School, George Washington University undergrad, Stanford exec ed.</li></ul>
  </section>

  <section data-block="companies-mentioned">
    <h3>Companies Mentioned</h3>
    <ul><li><strong>David Barse (N/A)</strong>: New KinderCare board member; governance and long-horizon growth implications.</li><li><strong>DMB Holdings (N/A)</strong>: Barse&#039;s family office; indicates investor-backed governance experience.</li><li><strong>XOUT Capital (N/A)</strong>: Barse&#039;s ETF provider; suggests market-structure and indexing insight.</li><li><strong>Third Avenue Management (N/A)</strong>: Former CEO; extensive value-investing background.</li><li><strong>BETR (BETR)</strong>: Barse previously served on BETR&#039;s board; indirect relevance to governance network.</li></ul>
  </section>

  <section data-block="category">
    <h3>Corporate Developments</h3>
    <p>Category fits Corporate Developments with Leadership Change; reflects governance strengthening and strategic oversight signals tied to long-term growth.</p>
  </section>

  <section data-block="market-moving">
    <h3>Market-Moving</h3>
    <ul><li>Board appointment signals potential for enhanced governance and strategic oversight.</li><li>No near-term earnings impact; sentiment hinges on long-term execution.</li><li>Barse&#039;s ETF and value-investing background may influence capital allocation discussions.</li><li>Expansion plans and partnerships could be re-rated if the board drives action.</li></ul>
  </section>

  <section data-block="key-facts">
    <h3>Key Facts</h3>
    <ul><li>Effective Aug 3, 2026, David Barse joins KinderCare&#039;s Board.</li><li>Barse founded DMB Holdings and XOUT Capital.</li><li>Barse previously led Third Avenue Management for 25 years.</li><li>KinderCare operates over 2,700 centers in 42 states and DC.</li><li>NYSE ticker: KLC.</li></ul>
  </section>

  <section data-block="trading-thesis">
    <h3>Trading Thesis</h3>
    <p>Moderately bullish over 3–6 months on improved governance and strategic oversight.</p>
  </section>
</section>


<p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<b xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Experienced business leader and investor brings decades of strategic, financial, and governance expertise</b>

</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
KinderCare Learning Companies, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/KLC">KLC</a>), one of the nation&#39;s leading providers of high-quality early childhood education and care, today announced the appointment of David Barse to its Board of Directors, effective Aug. 3, 2026.

</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
Barse is the Founder and Chief Investment Officer of DMB Holdings, a family office, and the Founder of XOUT Capital, an index provider for the ETF industry. He previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Third Avenue Management, a global value investment organization to both institutional and retail investors, where he led the firm for 25 years. Barse has extensive experience as a board member for both public and private companies and formerly served on the board of Better Home and Mortgage Company (BETR), an online mortgage company.

</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
&#34;David brings an exceptional combination of strategic leadership, financial expertise, and governance experience that will strengthen our Board as we continue executing our long-term growth strategy,&#34; said Tom Wyatt, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of KinderCare Learning Companies. &#34;His experience building and leading successful organizations, combined with his thoughtful approach to long-term value creation, will be an asset as we continue investing in high-quality early childhood education and creating value for our families, employees, and shareholders.&#34;

</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
&#34;I&#39;ve long admired KinderCare&#39;s commitment to serving children, families, and employers through high-quality early learning,&#34; said David Barse. &#34;I&#39;m honored to join the Board and look forward to working alongside the leadership team as the company continues to expand its impact and deliver long-term value.&#34;

</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
Barse earned a Juris Doctor from Brooklyn Law School, a bachelor&#39;s degree from The George Washington University, and completed an Executive Education program at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<b xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">About KinderCare Learning Companies&#x2122;</b>

</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" rel="nofollow" href="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kc-learning.com&amp;esheet=54583469&amp;newsitemid=20260804090732&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=KinderCare+Learning+Companies%2C+Inc.&amp;index=1&amp;md5=46f0c85b11f7d9cca5327489fd009a08" shape="rect"><b xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">KinderCare Learning Companies, Inc.</b></a><b xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> </b>(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/KLC">KLC</a>) is a leading private provider of early childhood and school-age education and care. KinderCare builds confidence for life in children and families from all backgrounds. KinderCare supports hardworking families in 42 states and the District of Columbia with differentiated flexible child care solutions through its portfolio of brands and services:

</p><ul xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" class="bwlistdisc">
<li xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<b xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">KinderCare<sup xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">&#xAE;</sup> Learning Centers:</b> early learning programs for children six weeks to 12 years old;

</li>
<li xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<b xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The Crème School<sup xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">&#xAE;</sup>:</b> a premium early education experience using a variety of enrichment classrooms;

</li>
<li xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<b xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Champions<sup xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">&#xAE;</sup>: </b>before- and after-school programs in local schools, and

</li>
<li xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
Customized child care benefits created in partnership with employers, including child care on or near the site where their parents work, as well as tuition benefits and backup care across all our programs.

</li>
</ul><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
Headquartered in Lake Oswego, Oregon, KinderCare operates more than 2,700 early learning centers and sites.

</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><img xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" alt="" src="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=bwnews&amp;sty=20260804090732r1&amp;sid=benz2&amp;distro=nx&amp;lang=en" style="width:0;height:0"></img><span xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" class="bwct31415"></span></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" id="mmgallerylink"><span xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" id="mmgallerylink-phrase">View source version on businesswire.com: </span><span xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" id="mmgallerylink-link"><a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260804090732/en/" rel="nofollow">https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260804090732/en/</a></span></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
Investor Relations
<br xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"></br><a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" rel="nofollow" href="mailto:investors@kindercare.com" shape="rect">investors@kindercare.com</a>

</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
Media Relations
<br xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"></br><a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" rel="nofollow" href="mailto:media@kindercare.com" shape="rect">media@kindercare.com</a>

</p>

KinderCare Learning Companies announced the appointment of David Barse to its Board, effective August 3, 2026. Barse, founder of DMB Holdings and XOUT Capital and former CEO of Third Avenue Management, brings governance and capital-allocation expertise. The move is framed as strengthening long-term growth as KinderCare expands its early-education platform.

News insight

KinderCare Learning Companies Appoints David Barse to Board of Directors

AI summary

Sentiment rationale

Key facts

Corporate Developments