A compounding crisis for local families
TenderCare Children Centers in Clarkston, Washington, will permanently close its doors at the end of September, a decision that leaves nearly 200 local children without care and their parents scrambling for solutions. Owner Jenifer Orr, who has operated the facility since 2016, confirmed that a combination of environmental, institutional, and regulatory hurdles made the business model unsustainable.
For working parents like Amber Langmack, a local police officer, the closure creates an immediate crisis. Langmack, who relies on TenderCare for after-school care for her two daughters, noted that finding a facility with appropriate hours that aligns with the Clarkston school district’s bus routes is difficult. With both parents working 12-hour shifts starting at 6 a.m., the sudden loss of a provider that offered flexible, usage-based billing creates both a logistical and financial strain.
This report draws on information published by dnews.com.
Institutional and environmental pressures
Orr identified three primary factors that led to the closure. The most visible was the presence of a nearby homeless encampment on 14th Street, which persisted for roughly a year. While no injuries were reported, the proximity of the encampment—characterized by debris and activity in the street—deterred prospective families from touring the center, making it nearly impossible to fill vacancies as children aged out.
Simultaneously, the center faced institutional uncertainty. The Walla Walla Community College (WWCC) board’s decision to close its Clarkston campus by 2028 cast doubt on the future of the subsidized leases TenderCare held for its Fair Street locations. Furthermore, the college’s declining enrollment reduced the number of students eligible for the discounted childcare rates that were part of the lease agreement.
Finally, a shift in Washington State’s subsidy policy, set to take effect October 1, served as the “final blow.” The transition from a flat monthly payment to an hourly-based compensation structure was projected to reduce the center’s revenue by $30,000 per month, according to enrollment data from July.
Next steps for the community
Orr has stated that she does not intend to reverse the decision, noting that she exhausted all feasible financial scenarios before announcing the closure. Her current priority is assisting families in finding alternative placements and helping staff secure new employment. She has already provided information on local centers to affected families, including the independently owned TenderCare location in Lewiston, which remains operational.
Walla Walla Community College is expected to issue a request for proposals shortly after Labor Day to identify a new childcare provider for the buildings on the Clarkston campus. In the meantime, families like the Langmacks remain on waiting lists, balancing short-term family support with the uncertainty of long-term childcare stability.