LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) — The University of Louisville announced it will end its management of the Early Learning Campus, a program that provided early childhood education for the children of UofL faculty, staff, students and Louisville residents.
UofL has operated the ELC in partnership with Family Scholar House for more than 17 years. University leaders said they did not make the decision to end the partnership lightly.
According to a message sent Monday night, budgetary considerations led the university to conclude both the partnership and its management of the ELC. UofL will officially step away from operations on June 30, 2026.
The university said Family Scholar House is actively working to identify a new partner to continue the ELC’s mission. Family Scholar House remains committed to serving low-income families.
Full Message Sent to the University Community
Dear University of Louisville Community:
For more than 17 years, the University of Louisville, in partnership with Family Scholar House, has managed the Early Learning Campus (ELC), offering an exceptional early childhood education experience for children of UofL faculty, staff, students and residents of Louisville.
Unfortunately, budgetary considerations no longer allow UofL to sustain this partnership, and the university has made the difficult decision to conclude its management of the ELC on June 30, 2026. UofL remains committed to providing high-quality care through June 30, 2026, contingent upon sufficient and appropriate staffing that maintains ratios and meets the needs of enrolled children.
This decision was not made lightly. UofL and Family Scholar House have enjoyed a strong partnership that has resulted in extraordinary childhood education and care for many area families over the period of nearly two decades.
Family Scholar House remains steadfast in its mission to serve low-income families and is working to secure a new partner to carry this important work forward in its current space. The university is deeply supportive of this effort.
“The first Family Scholar House children that were enrolled at the ELC in 2008 are now college students,” said CEO Cathe Dykstra. “We appreciate the partnership with UofL that laid the foundation for our children to succeed in education and become life-long learners.”
UofL is grateful for the years of collaboration and impact, and we wish Family Scholar House every success as it embarks on this next chapter — one built on a solid foundation of care, community and possibility. While we can no longer operate the ELC, we will continue our collaboration with Family Scholar House in other areas.
Katie Cardarelli
Executive Vice President and University Provost
Tabitha Grier-Reed
Dean, College of Education and Human Development
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