Support Campus Child Care

Why Give?

The University of Wisconsin-Madison takes pride in combining high quality child care and exceptional early childhood education with significant research and teacher training at 10 campus centers.

Our budget covers basic operational needs. We seek additional funding, however, to accommodate the ever-increasing demand for both quality child care on campus and in our community.

Let's talk numbers and our needs:

• The average cost of preschool child care for an academic year is $8,500; infant care averages $12,000. Both figures exceed UW-Madison tuition of $6,000 for undergraduates!
• Capacity at UW-Madison child care centers is 359 children (2-12 years) and 44 infants (6 weeks - 24 months). Currently, there are over 100 infants on the waiting list.
• 82% of the 95 child care professionals are academic staff with 4-year degrees.
• The average teacher salary at a university center is $26,000 annually; 92% of center budgets cover personnel costs.
• The target average scholarship for student parents is 30-40% of their cost of care; still inadequate for many student families.

Financial support from friends like you move our services from good to great in this era of exciting new discoveries in brain and child development research. Did you know for example, that research shows 90% of our capacity to learn is acquired in the first five years of life? The UW-Madison child care centers are uniquely qualified to nurture children's intellectual, social and emotional development during a most critical growth stage.

Opportunities for Giving

You can help support excellence in care and education for young children. Investing in child care is a unique opportunity to make a remarkable difference in the lives of children, our youngest scholars, and their families. At the same time, your gift will support the research and teaching mission of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Here are some ways you can join with us to provide model, high quality child care education and programs:

• FUND FUTURE GROWTH by contributing to three new initiatives, including:
  • A central, campus-based child care center targeted for 2010;
  • Expanded infant care services; and
  • Center-based mildly ill and back-up/hourly care for faculty and staff.
    

For more information and donation how-to's see the New Campus Child Care Initiatives Fund.

• SUPPORT A SCHOLARSHIP for low-income students who must complete their education while parenting and working. Your gift of $500 - $1,000 will sponsor an individual student. A gift of $10,000 - $25,000 will permanently endow a child care scholarship in your name or the name of a loved one.

For more information and donation how-to's see the Student Child Care Scholarship Grant.

• UNDERWRITE A PROGRAM at a specific child care center and feel the satisfaction of helping our centers with new playgrounds, equipment for classrooms, outreach projects and specialized training for staff. Gifts of $500 or more will be recognized within a center while gifts of $10,000 - $15,000 will establish permanent named endowments to support projects specified by you.

For more information and donation how-to's see the Connie L. Wilson Child Care Center Grant Fund.

• HELP CLASSIFIED STAFF WITH CHILD CARE COSTS through a donation to a scholarship fund. A contribution of $250 helps eligible working parents purchase 1 week of child care.

For more information and donation how-to's see the Classified Staff Child Care Grant.

• SHOP FOR A GOOD CAUSE by purchasing products that directly benefit campus child care programs including:
  • A set of 6 color notecards featuring campus children

How would you like to contribute? We welcome your ideas and would like to hear from you. Please contact Lynn Edlefson (608) 262-9715 Office of Child Care & Family Resources or Sandra Brown (608) 265-2925 UW Foundation.