OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — A last-minute deal has kept Premier Academy near 144th and West Maple open under new ownership, offering relief to parents in a metro area already facing a childcare shortage where every available spot matters.
Earlier this month, Premier Academy informed parents it would close both locations, citing low enrollment and financial challenges.
In northwest Omaha, Aspen Kouri, owner of Empowering Kids Academy, learned the center was about to shut down and stepped in.
Kouri said her decision focused not only on preserving the facility but also on maintaining strong neighborhood connections.
BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:
A last-minute agreement is keeping Premier Academy near 144th and West Maple operating under new ownership. For parents, it serves as a crucial lifeline in a metro area already short on childcare, where every opening is important.
According to the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, the region needs nearly 5,000 additional childcare slots to meet demand.
Earlier this month, Premier Academy notified parents of plans to close both locations due to low enrollment and financial strain.
The Elkhorn facility closed, leaving families like Kayla White’s searching for alternatives. Her 3-year-old daughter, Melody, had to transition to a new center with little notice.
“The transition it took a couple days to really get the hang of things, but she’s doing a lot better,” White said.
In northwest Omaha, Aspen Kouri, who owns Empowering Kids Academy, learned the remaining center was set to close and stepped in.
“We have the education, we have the training and we have the leadership to be able to make that next move, but really the numbers at our current school show that we can make this sustainable,” Kouri said.
Kouri explained that her decision was driven as much by a desire to preserve community ties as by the goal of saving the center. She aimed to keep familiar teachers in place and reassure parents that their children would not need to start over elsewhere.
“We did a parent meeting and we really focus on making those connections with the families and the kids and building that trust with them that we are here and we’re here long-term,” Kouri said.
While White did not experience that outcome at her own child’s center, she expressed support for the families in northwest Omaha.
“I think that’s great especially since the main concern was you know there’s already not a lot of options for childcare so knowing that another childcare center is stepping in to save that location. I think that brings a lot of comfort to the community,” White said.
Renovations are now underway at the facility, including fresh paint, new baseboards, and additional toys in classrooms, along with extra staff training.
Over the next six months, the goal is to grow enrollment to 100 children or more.
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