Building access to affordable, high-quality child care for UW families
by Cigdem Unal, Director, Office of Child Care and Family Resources August 2025 marked the 10-year anniversary of Cigdem Unal’s leadership as director of the Office of Child Care and Family Resources (OCCFR). In this reflection, Unal highlights her most significant accomplishments over the past decade — expanding access to high-quality child care for UW–Madison …
This weekend, I had the pleasure of attending the Charlotte Zolotow Award event at the Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC) at UW–Madison. This meaningful gathering celebrates outstanding writing in children’s literature—work that thoughtfully centers the emotional lives, experiences, and voices of children. Congratulations to Angie Kang, author of Our Lake, for receiving this year’s award …
Dear Families, Children, and Early Childhood Educators, As we welcome the Week of the Young Child (April 11-17, 2026) we are reminded of the deep importance of this special celebration. Sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), this week is more than a recognition. It is an invitation to honor …
By Cigdem Unal, Director, Office of Child Care and Family Resources (OCCFR) There’s a special kind of energy that fills the room when our dedicated and passionate early childhood education leaders come together — an energy rooted in shared purpose, care, and a collective commitment to uplifting children, families, and educators across our community. At …
Dear UW-Madison Families and Early Educators, I’m writing to share some updates from the Office of Child Care and Family Resources as we start the new year together. On December 20th, we bid a heartfelt farewell to our dear colleague Barb Douglas, sending her our best wishes as she begins an exciting new chapter in …
Dear Parenting Students, On behalf of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Office of Child Care and Family Resources (OCCFR), I extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to all new and returning parenting students for the upcoming academic year! As a team, we understand the unique challenges and responsibilities that come with balancing academics, family life, and …
Welcome back, Badgers! We hope you’ve had a fantastic summer filled with family, friends, and fun. As the new school year approaches, there’s an exciting buzz in the air—Fall and the thrill of a fresh start are just around the corner. This year, we were thrilled to once again host our Lil’ Badger Bash and …
Dear Parenting Students, As December unfolds, we understand that this month can bring a whirlwind of activity, especially for those of you who are juggling final exams along with your family responsibilities. During the hustle and bustle, we want to remind you of the most precious gift you can give to your young children …
Dear Parenting Students, On behalf of the Office of Child Care and Family Resources (OCCFR) at the University of Wisconsin Madison, I extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to all new and returning students for the upcoming academic year! As the Director of OCCFR, I recognize the unique challenges and responsibilities that come with being …