The division consists of community- and employer-based childcare centers in 28 states nationwide in addition to other assets. Among the childcare centers are the Children's World Learning Centers' brand, along with Medallion School Partnerships, and Aramark Work/Life Partnerships. In all, the division's 2002 sales totaled $455 million.

With the purchase, Knowledge Learning Corp. will have more than 800 community childcare centers and 100 on-site or near-site corporate childcare centers along with its more than 500 non-real estate-related before- and after-school programs. It currently operates childcare centers under several names, including Children's Discovery Center, Knowledge Beginnings, and Magic Years.

The sale, according to Joseph Neubauer, Aramark's chairman and CEO, "will enable us to focus on our food and support services and uniform and career apparel business segments." Of the educational resources division, he said, "[it] can better realize its growth potential by aligning with a company focused more exclusively on the early education and childcare segments."