Groundbreaking On New Child Care Center In Broken Arrow

A new pre-school center under construction was praised by local officials for helping meet the demand for early childcare.

The center, a national franchise called "The Learning Experience," is building its third location in the Tulsa area, not far from several other childcare providers, in a growing area.

The new site on the north side of Broken Arrow is next to Nienhuis Park and growing neighborhoods.

"We loved the mix of residential in this area, and we're happy we're next to the water park and the park itself, it just seems like a great family community,” Stephanie Retherford, Vice President of the company, said.

The company said the new site would be 10,000 square feet, with a 5,000 square foot outdoor playground.

The Oklahoma Policy Institute reports 55 percent of Oklahoma Census Tracts have no available childcare slots for children under five, even though for 66 percent of Oklahoma children, both parents work.

The new center is expected to open in early 2024.