Office of Child Care and Family Resources
Building access to affordable, high-quality child care for UW families

Finding Child Care

At the Office of Child Care & Families Resources, we are committed to building access to high quality child care options for UW-Madison families and offering resources to support your search.

Below are campus and community child care options with a focus on children 0-5 years old, or who have not started kindergarten yet.

See School-Aged Care for information on enrolling in school, before and after-school care, and summer camps or programs.

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How do I choose quality child care?

Before you begin contacting child care centers or family child care programs, it’s helpful to clarify your family’s needs and what to look for when choosing child care.

See Understanding Child Care to learn more.

How much does child care cost?

See Budgeting for Child Care for more information on child care fees and cost estimates.

Are child care spots guaranteed to UW-Madison employees or students?

Due to limited availability, UW-Madison families are not guaranteed a spot at a child care center.

However, our UW Campus and Network Child Care Centers offer priority enrollment for children of students, faculty, and staff. We also  partner with the Satellite Family Child Care System to help families connect with licensed and/or accredited family child care programs across the state.

Our office also has many resources on this page to help you navigate your search, and we are happy to answer your questions! Contact us or schedule an appointment.

How soon should I start looking for child care?

It is helpful to begin your search as soon as you know you need care. Some families begin searching and getting on waitlists as soon as they are pregnant or planning for a family.

In general, planning 6-12+ months ahead can be helpful if you are interested in a traditional child care center.

Many child care centers or family child care programs will begin enrollment (offering spots and signing contracts) between January-March for the following academic year contract that typically begins in the fall.

 

How long is the average waitlist?

Child care is in high demand in Madison and across Wisconsin, especially for infant care (0-2 years-old) and waitlists may be 6-12+ months long.

We recommend getting on multiple waitlists to increase your chances of finding child care. Family child care programs may have more flexibility and open spaces than traditional child care centers.

Step 1: Explore UW-Madison Campus & Network Child Care Centers

UW-Madison’s Campus & Network Centers offer priority enrollment to UW-Madison employees and students, providing high-quality, convenient options. Begin by exploring these centers to see if their location, age groups, and setting might be a good fit for your family.

Explore Campus Centers          Explore Network Centers

Step 2: Request a List of Family Child Care Programs

To offer UW families even more options, OCCFR partners with the Satellite Family Child Care System to offer referrals to licensed or accredited family child care programs that offer home-based setting care in a smaller, often multi-age group environment. Family programs may have more flexibility, availability, and lower fees than traditional child care centers.

Request a list of Family Child Care Programs

Step 3: Expand Your Search

If you’re still looking for more options, Wisconsin offers several public search tools and programs to expand your search.

YoungStar – Official State of Wisconsin Child Care Search Tool

Search for all licensed, accredited or certified child care centers and family child care programs across Wisconsin. You can filter by location, age group, YoungStar quality rating, and more.

4-C Child Care Search and Referral

Community Coordinated Child Care (4-C) offers personalized, free child care referrals in Dane County and other surrounding counties. Their specialists can help you understand options, navigate regulations, and provide tailored lists.

Early Head Start (0-3 years) or Head Start (3-5 years)

These federal programs provide comprehensive child development and family support services for low-income families, often including full-day or part-day child care.

Step 4: Required Documents and Forms

In Wisconsin, child care centers and programs are required to collect specific forms by your child’s first day, or soon after. When you officially sign your contract, your provider will share these forms with you, but it’s helpful to begin gathering information in advance. Some essential documents include:

  • Original Birth Certificates or Passports
  • Health Records/Immunization Records
  • Emergency Contact Information (contact other than a parent)

Step 5: Enroll and Sign Your Contract

Congratulations, you’re nearing the finish line! Enrolling your child involves signing contracts, understanding all fees, and clarifying expectations for the year ahead.

  • Contracts & Deposits: Most child care centers or programs will require a 9 or 12-month contract, committing to care for a specific schedule. You’ll typically be asked for a deposit, which can range from $100 up to a full month’s tuition that is typically applied as a credit to your future bill.
  • Clarify All Fees: Ask about costs beyond the basic tuition, such as late pick-up fees, supply fees, or policies around vacations, canceling your contract, or early withdrawals.
  • Required Supplies: Providers should clearly outline what items you need to supply for your child, such as diapers, wipes, changes of clothing, bottles, etc.

Step 6: Plan for Back-Up Care

Finally, we encourage you to plan ahead for back-up child care options for occasional needs, such as when your regular child care center or program is closed, or when your child is ill and cannot attend their usual care. Request a calendar or schedule that shows when your child care is closed for early release days, professional development, or winter/spring break.

Learn more about the KidsKare program – discounted hourly childcare for UW families, available through advance reservation for limited spots (ages 6 weeks-5 years).

KidsKare: Hourly/Back Up Child Care

Contact

Jaime Kenowski

Position title: Parent Resource Specialist

Email: jaime.kenowski@wisc.edu

Phone: (608) 265-9123