The UW child care system provides a variety of options for preschool care within 7 unique programs. Preschool is a general term that describes an early learning program for children ages 3-5 years of age.
What is Pre-K or 4-K?
These two terms are used to describe specific early learning programs to prepare your child for entering a kindergarten classroom at public school. Campus programs listed on this site all provide Pre-K or 4-K school readiness programs. Children receiving Pre-K or 4-K programming often work in a group with other 4 year olds that will be entering kindergarten. The curriculum is focused on developing early math and literacy skills within the context of developmentally appropriate activities and learning styles. Pre-K or 4-K also offers special topics of interest and compliments the many learning opportunities available in the classroom during other times of the day when the 4 year olds are a part of a broader mixed age group.
A description of each of the sites follows.
Please feel free to contact the site director personally to discuss your needs and questions about programming and to obtain information about wait lists, openings and site visits. The site director will talk with you about enrollment options and costs.
First, choose the campus center/program that best suits the needs of you and your child; then contact the site regarding a site visit and/or application. Campus programs vary in size and facility, so we encourage you to contact and visit each site personally to assist in your decision making process.
All campus centers/programs are Nationally Accredited, State of Wisconsin Licensed and City of Madison Accredited facilities meeting the highest standards for care; all employ degreed teaching staff in early childhood education/special education or closely related field.
The current capacity for campus centers for children ages 24 months to five years is:
toddlers (24 months - 36 months) 64 FTE’s.
preschool/pre-k/4-k children (3 years -5 years) 223 FTE’s.
there are full-day, part-day and flexible schedule (2-5 days per week) options.
Please check with the individual centers for their schedules and openings.
Campus centers work with the greater university to fulfill the teaching and research and outreach mission. When you enroll in a campus center, you will notice student practicums within your child’s classroom, and will likely be asked to participate in research projects in a variety of college departments.
Campus Centers serving toddlers and preschoolers are:
Parent Co-op Program
UNIVERSITY HOUSES PRESCHOOL
35-A University Apartments
Madison, Wisconsin, 53705
web site: www.wisc.edu/occfr/uhp
Phone: 608-238-3955,
Director: Karen Beck, e-mail: kmbeck@wisc.edu
A part-day, parent cooperative preschool.
The site is licensed up to 14 children for am and pm sessions.
Serves children, ages 30 months to 6 years.
The site operates the UW academic year; 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Provides a summer program.
Enrollment is open to all families with priority enrollment for residents of UW family housing in University Houses, Eagle Heights and Harvey Street apartments.
Drop-in lunch bunch is available from 11:30 - 1:00pm. There is a sign-up for drop-in lunch bunch every 2 weeks.
Full- and part-time care options
BERNIE'S PLACE
206 Bernard Court
Madison, Wisconsin, 53715
web site: coming soon
Phone: (608) 263-1725
Director: Amy Welk, e-mail: awelk@wisc.edu
The site is licensed for up to 36 children ages 30 months to 6 years 11 months.
Serves on-site (vegetarian) menu.
Affiliated with the UW-Madison Wisconsin Union Directorate. This site “saves” fall openings for new student parents seeking child care on campus and enrolls 1/3 student parents overall.
The site operates year around; 7:00 am - 5:45 pm, Monday through Friday.
The program has full and part day scheduling.
The program serves UW faculty, staff, and students from the University community as well as community members.
The Waisman program serves 100 children, 12 months of age to preschool.
The site operates an academic year and summer program schedule; 7:30 am - 5:30 pm, Monday through Friday.
The program serves UW faculty, staff and students with priority enrollment for Waisman Center staff and faculty. Community members are welcome to apply.
Serves typically developing children and those with special needs. Approximately one third of the children enrolled in the program have special needs.
The Waisman Center Early Childhood Program provides:
Morning programs for parents and children from birth - 2 years of age (Parent Infant/Toddler Program);
Full day, full-time and part-time programming for infants starting at 12 months of age; with capacity for 6 children, ages 12 - 18 months; 14 children, 18- 35 months.
Office of Child Care and Family Resources
611 Eagle Heights, Room 148
Madison, WI 53705
608-890-0436
Feedback, questions or accessibility issues: email
UNIVERSITY HOUSES PRESCHOOL
BERNIE'S PLACE
GREAT BEGINNINGS
UNIVERSITY PRESCHOOL LABORATORY PROGRAM-Linden Drive
UNIVERSITY PRESCHOOL LABORATORY PROGRAM-Mineral Point Road
WAISMAN EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS