Oakland County parents and commissioners press HR for transition plan after Little Oaks provider change

Commissioners and parents pressed Oakland County Human Resources on Dec. 3 over the pending change of operator for the county-run Little Oaks child care center, expressing alarm about staffing resignations, licensing delays and an unclear transition plan as the county prepares to move from Bright Horizons to Learning Care Group (LCG).

The issue surfaced during the committee’s public-comment period, when multiple Little Oaks parents and county employees described Bright Horizons as a trusted, long-term provider and said the county had not given families enough information about the supplier change. Robbie Pilgrim, an Oakland County treasurer’s office employee and Little Oaks parent, said she and other parents had not been contacted by LCG and worried about teacher retention and unknown staffing plans. "This decision requires substantial due diligence, transparency, and thorough assessment to ensure a provider change serves the best interest of our children and families," Pilgrim said.

The committee’s discussion centered on why the county selected LCG despite a large year‑to‑year cost gap presented in documents circulated to commissioners. Commissioner Nelson said the county’s analysis showed Learning Care Group’s annual cost at about $175,000…