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<TITLE>Form 8-K</TITLE>
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<td align=center><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"> <b>UNITED
    STATES<br>
    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<br>
    Washington, DC 20549</b></font></td>
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  <td align=center><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="5"><b>Form
    8-K</b></font></td>
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<td>&nbsp;</td>
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  <td align=center><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><b>CURRENT
    REPORT<br>
    Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934</b></font></td>
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        <font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="2">Date
        of Report (Date of earliest event reported):&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>December 20, 2004</b></font></td>
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<td>&nbsp;</td>
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      <td align=center><img src="kclogosm.gif" width="109" height="96"></td>
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<td>&nbsp;</td>
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      <td align=center><b><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="+3">KinderCare Learning Centers, Inc.</font></b><br>
        <font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="2">(Exact name of registrant
        as specified in its charter) </font></td>
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      <td colspan=3>&nbsp;</td>
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      <td align=CENTER width="208"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><b>Delaware</b></font>
        <hr noshade>
        <font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="2"> (State or other jurisdiction
        <br>
        of incorporation)</font></td>
      <td align="CENTER" width="217"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><b>333-42137</b></font>
        <hr noshade>
        <font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="2">(Commission<br>
        File Number)</font></td>
      <td align="CENTER" width="195"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><b>63-0941966</b></font>
        <hr noshade>
        <font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="2">(IRS Employer <br>
        Identification No.)</font></td>
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<td>&nbsp;</td>
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      <td align=center height="48"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><b>650
        NE Holladay Street, Suite 1400<br>
        Portland, OR 97232</b></font>
        <hr noshade width="60%">
        <font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="2">(Address of principal
        executive offices, zip code)</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="2">
        </font></td>
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<td>&nbsp;</td>
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        <div align="center"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="2">Registrant's
          telephone number, including area code</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3">:
          <b>(503) 872-1300</b></font></div>
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<td>&nbsp;</td>
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      <td align=center height="48"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><b>Not applicable</b></font>
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        <font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="2">(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="2">
        </font></td>
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<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<td>Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneous
satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:</td>
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<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<td width=10% valign=top align=center>[&nbsp;&nbsp;]</td>

<td width=90% valign=top align=left>Written communications pursuant to Rule 425
under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</td>
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<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<td width=10% valign=top align=center>[&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;]</td>
<td width=90% valign=top align=left>Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12
under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</td>
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<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<td width=10% valign=top align=center>[&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;]</td>

<td width=90% valign=top align=left>Pre-commencement communications pursuant to
Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</td>
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<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<td width=10% valign=top align=center>[&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;]</td>

<td width=90% valign=top align=left>Pre-commencement communications pursuant to
Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</td>
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<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<td><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><b>Item
1.01&nbsp;&nbsp;Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.</b></font></td>
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<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<td><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"> On December 20, 2004,
KinderCare entered into letter agreements (the &#147;Letter Agreements&#148;)
with each of Dan R. Jackson, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer,
Bruce A. Walters, Senior Vice President, Chief Development Officer, S. Wray
Hutchinson, Senior Vice President of Operations, Edward L. Brewington, Senior
Vice President of Human Resources and Education, and Eva M. Kripalani, Senior
Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary (each a &#147;Senior
Executive&#148;) pursuant to which the Senior Executive agrees, for a period of
up to six months following the closing of the transactions contemplated by the
Agreement and Plan of Merger (the &#147;Merger Agreement&#148;), dated as of
November 5, 2004, by and among KU Education LLC (&#147;KUE&#148;), KUE Merger
Sub Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of KUE, KinderCare, KLC Associates, L.P.,
KKR Partners II, L.P., TCW Special Credits Fund V &#150; The Principal Fund and
David J. Johnson (as previously filed on a Current Report on Form 8-K by
KinderCare with the Commission on November 9, 2004) to assist KinderCare and KUE
in effecting the post-merger transition. In consideration for the Senior
Executive&#146;s assistance, KinderCare agrees to maintain the Senior
Executive&#146;s compensation (including salary, bonus target and all fringe
benefits, excluding stock options) at levels no less favorable than those
currently in effect and will pay the Termination Payment (as defined in the
Severance Agreements KinderCare entered into with each of the Senior Executives
on November 12, 2004 (as previously filed on a Current Report on Form 8-K by
KinderCare with the Commission on November 17, 2004)) on the date of the closing
of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. </font></td>
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<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<td><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"> The Letter Agreements
are attached as exhibits hereto and are incorporated herein by reference. This
summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the exhibits attached
hereto.</font></td>
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<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<td><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><b>Item 9.01. Financial
    Statements and Exhibits.</b></font></td>
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<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<td><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3">(c)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Exhibits.</font></td>
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<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<td width=10% valign=top align=center>10.1</td>

<td width=90% valign=top align=left>Letter Agreement, dated as of December 20,
2004, by and between KinderCare and <br>
Dan R. Jackson.</td>
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<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<td width=10% valign=top align=center>10.2</td>
<td width=90% valign=top align=left>Letter Agreement, dated as of December 20,
2004, by and between KinderCare and<br>
Bruce A. Walters.</td>
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<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<td width=10% valign=top align=center>10.3</td>

<td width=90% valign=top align=left>Letter Agreement, dated as of December 20,
2004, by and between KinderCare and <br>
S. Wray Hutchinson.</td>
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<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<td width=10% valign=top align=center>10.4</td>

<td width=90% valign=top align=left>Letter Agreement, dated as of December 20,
2004, by and between KinderCare and <br>
Edward L. Brewington.</td>
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<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<td width=10% valign=top align=center>10.5</td>

<td width=90% valign=top align=left>Letter Agreement, dated as of December 20,
2004, by and between KinderCare and <br>
Eva M. Kripalani.</td>
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<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<hr noshade size="3"></td>
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<td>&nbsp;</td>
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  <td align=center><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><b>SIGNATURES</b></font></td>
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<td>&nbsp;</td>
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  <td><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3">Pursuant to the requirements
    of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this
    report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.</font></td>
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<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<td><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3">Date: December 22, 2004</font></td>
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      <td width="50%">&nbsp;</td>
      <td width="50%">
        <div align="center">
          <p><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="4"><b>KinderCare
            Learning Centers, Inc.<br>
            <br>
            </b></font></p>
        </div>
      </td>
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      <td width="50%">&nbsp;</td>
      <td width="50%">
        <div align="center"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3"><b>/s/
          DAN R. JACKSON</b></font></div>
        <hr noshade>
        <div align="left"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="3">
          Name: Dan R. Jackson<br>
Title: Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer</font></div>
      </td>
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<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<td align=center colspan=2><b>EXHIBIT INDEX</b></td>
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<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<td width=10% valign=top align=center><u>Number</u></td>
<td width=90% valign=top align=left><u>Description</u></td>
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<td width=10% valign=top align=center>10.1</td>

<td width=90% valign=top align=left>Letter Agreement, dated as of December 20,
2004, by and between KinderCare and <br>
Dan R. Jackson.</td>
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<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<td width=10% valign=top align=center>10.2</td>
<td width=90% valign=top align=left>Letter Agreement, dated as of December 20,
2004, by and between KinderCare and<br>
Bruce A. Walters.</td>
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<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<tr>
<td width=10% valign=top align=center>10.3</td>

<td width=90% valign=top align=left>Letter Agreement, dated as of December 20,
2004, by and between KinderCare and <br>
S. Wray Hutchinson.</td>
</tr>
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<td>&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width=10% valign=top align=center>10.4</td>

<td width=90% valign=top align=left>Letter Agreement, dated as of December 20,
2004, by and between KinderCare and <br>
Edward L. Brewington.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width=10% valign=top align=center>10.5</td>

<td width=90% valign=top align=left>Letter Agreement, dated as of December 20,
2004, by and between KinderCare and <br>
Eva M. Kripalani.</td>
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<td>&nbsp;</td>
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Form 8-K
UNITED
    STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
Form
    8-K
CURRENT
    REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date
        of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
December 20, 2004
KinderCare Learning Centers, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant
        as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
333-42137
(Commission
File Number)
63-0941966
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
650
        NE Holladay Street, Suite 1400
Portland, OR 97232
(Address of principal
        executive offices, zip code)
Registrant's
          telephone number, including area code
:
(503) 872-1300
Not applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneous
satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
[  ]
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425
under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[    ]
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12
under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[    ]
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to
Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[    ]
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to
Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item
1.01  Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
On December 20, 2004,
KinderCare entered into letter agreements (the "Letter Agreements")
with each of Dan R. Jackson, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer,
Bruce A. Walters, Senior Vice President, Chief Development Officer, S. Wray
Hutchinson, Senior Vice President of Operations, Edward L. Brewington, Senior
Vice President of Human Resources and Education, and Eva M. Kripalani, Senior
Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary (each a "Senior
Executive") pursuant to which the Senior Executive agrees, for a period of
up to six months following the closing of the transactions contemplated by the
Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement"), dated as of
November 5, 2004, by and among KU Education LLC ("KUE"), KUE Merger
Sub Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of KUE, KinderCare, KLC Associates, L.P.,
KKR Partners II, L.P., TCW Special Credits Fund V – The Principal Fund and
David J. Johnson (as previously filed on a Current Report on Form 8-K by
KinderCare with the Commission on November 9, 2004) to assist KinderCare and KUE
in effecting the post-merger transition. In consideration for the Senior
Executive's assistance, KinderCare agrees to maintain the Senior
Executive's compensation (including salary, bonus target and all fringe
benefits, excluding stock options) at levels no less favorable than those
currently in effect and will pay the Termination Payment (as defined in the
Severance Agreements KinderCare entered into with each of the Senior Executives
on November 12, 2004 (as previously filed on a Current Report on Form 8-K by
KinderCare with the Commission on November 17, 2004)) on the date of the closing
of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
The Letter Agreements
are attached as exhibits hereto and are incorporated herein by reference. This
summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the exhibits attached
hereto.
Item 9.01. Financial
    Statements and Exhibits.
(c)     Exhibits.
10.1
Letter Agreement, dated as of December 20,
2004, by and between KinderCare and
Dan R. Jackson.
10.2
Letter Agreement, dated as of December 20,
2004, by and between KinderCare and
Bruce A. Walters.
10.3
Letter Agreement, dated as of December 20,
2004, by and between KinderCare and
S. Wray Hutchinson.
10.4
Letter Agreement, dated as of December 20,
2004, by and between KinderCare and
Edward L. Brewington.
10.5
Letter Agreement, dated as of December 20,
2004, by and between KinderCare and
Eva M. Kripalani.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements
    of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this
    report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Date: December 22, 2004
KinderCare
            Learning Centers, Inc.
/s/
          DAN R. JACKSON
Name: Dan R. Jackson
Title: Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
EXHIBIT INDEX
Number
Description
10.1
Letter Agreement, dated as of December 20,
2004, by and between KinderCare and
Dan R. Jackson.
10.2
Letter Agreement, dated as of December 20,
2004, by and between KinderCare and
Bruce A. Walters.
10.3
Letter Agreement, dated as of December 20,
2004, by and between KinderCare and
S. Wray Hutchinson.
10.4
Letter Agreement, dated as of December 20,
2004, by and between KinderCare and
Edward L. Brewington.
10.5
Letter Agreement, dated as of December 20,
2004, by and between KinderCare and
Eva M. Kripalani.