KidsKare: Hourly/Back-Up Child Care
KidsKare is a reduced rate back-up child care program for current UW-Madison parenting students, faculty and staff.
Hourly/back-up care is a good option for unexpected, short-term, or occasional child care needs. For example, when your child care provider is ill or unavailable, or if you need weekend hours to meet the needs of work or family.
Services for this hourly/back-up care take place at Little Chicks Learning Academy, a state licensed and nationally accredited child care facility in the UW-Madison Child Care and Education System (CCES).
Ages served: 6 months through 4-years-old (or the summer before kindergarten-eligible).
Please note: you must apply and be approved for KidsKare before making a reservation for reduced-rate child care.
| Group | Cost | Hours |
| UW Students (currently enrolled) | Free | 50 hours per semester |
| UW Employees | $5/hour | 50 hours per semester (fall/spring only) |
Please note that there is a one-time registration fee of $25 due at drop-off at Little Chicks Learning Academy. Cash, cards, and checks are accepted.
You must re-apply each semester you wish to use KidsKare.
Faculty/staff are eligible for Fall/Spring hours only. Research associates, postdoctoral fellows, and postdoctoral trainees are considered staff.
Parenting students are eligible for Fall/Spring/Summer hours if they are enrolled in credits.
Once accepted into KidsKare, you will receive a confirmation email. Eligibility will be verified and a rate determination will be made by our office prior to the start of services.
You must apply and be approved for KidsKare prior to making a reservation in order to receive reduced-rate care.
Reservations are made directly with Little Chicks Learning Academy and are not guaranteed due to high demand. Reservations may be made up to 2 weeks in advance. After your allocated KidsKare reduced rate hours are used, you may continue to use the hourly/back-up care service at the regular hourly cost ($12-14/hour).
First Time Users
- Fill out Little Chicks Learning Academy enrollment forms. Service will not be provided without enrollment forms. If you don’t have access to a printer, please arrive 20 minutes earlier than your reservation to fill out forms at Little Chicks.
- Fill out the First Time Reservation Request form at least 24 hours in advance.
- Review the list of items to bring.
Returning Users
- Fill out the Returning User Reservation Request form at least 24 hours in advance.
- Review the list of items to bring.
- If it has been more than three months since your last reservation, you may need to update and re-submit enrollment forms.
Last Minute/Urgent Requests
If your need for care is last-minute/urgent, please call Little Chicks Learning Academy at 608-233-1610 during business hours or text 608-719-4024 outside of business hours.
Fall Coverage Dates: September 1 – December 31
Application opens on the first Monday in August.
Spring Coverage Dates: January 1 – May 31
Application opens on the first Monday in December.
Summer Coverage Dates: June 1 – August 31
Application opens on the first Monday in May.
Closures
- Thursday-Monday, 9/3-9/7, 2026
- Thursday, 10/1/26 (Early close at 3:30 pm)
- Tuesday-Wednesday, 10/27-10/28, 2026
- Wednesday-Friday, 11/25-11/27, 2026
- Friday, 12/11/26 (Early close at 3:30 pm)
- Wednesday, 12/23/26 (Early close at 3:30 pm)
- Thursday, 12/24/26 – Friday, 1/1/27 (Winter Break)
- Monday, 1/18/27 (Early close at 3:30 pm)
- Wednesday, 2/17/27 (Early close at 3:30 pm)
- Wednesday, 3/3/27
- Monday, 3/22/27 – Friday, 3/26/27 (Spring Break)
- Thursday, 4/22/27 (Early close at 3:30 pm)
- Wednesday, 5/19/27 (Early close at 3:30 pm)
- Monday, 5/31/27
- Friday, 7/2/27 (Early close at 3:30 pm)
- Monday, 7/5/27
- Wednesday, 7/28/27 (Early close at 3:30 pm)
- Thursday-Friday, 8/27-8/28, 2027
Payment
Faculty, staff, and student hourly co-pays are paid directly to Little Chicks Learning Academy. Payment is required upon arrival on the date of service.
Hours per Reservation
Parents will be charged for a minimum of two hours per service with a maximum of 10 hours per day.
Late Fees
Center-based late fees for services shall be charged to the parent at a rate of $1.00 per minute.
Cancellations
Cancellations must be called in at 608-233-1610 at least 24 hours in advance. Cancellations made less than 24 hours prior to service will be charged at the full rate per Little Chicks Learning Academy policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Hours are issued per eligible child, up to three children.
Unfortunately, no. KidsKare hours are awarded per child, per household.
Unfortunately due to funding restrictions, we are unable to offer KidsKare (discounted, hourly drop-in care) to faculty and staff in the summer.
However, you may continue to use the drop-in child care service at Little Chicks Learning Academy at their regular rate of $12-14 per hour. Contact Little Chicks Learning Academy to make a reservation or learn more.
For more back-up care options, UW families can post babysitting jobs to the UW–Madison Student Job Board or other online marketplace platforms.
Back-up care options are in high demand, and we are continuously looking to expand this service to UW families.
To help us advocate for more back-up care options, please fill out the KidsKare feedback form.
Quick Links
Hours & Location
Regular Hours
- Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM
- Saturday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Spring & Fall Semesters only)
- Closed Sundays
Location
KidsKare services are held at Little Chicks Learning Academy, a state licensed and nationally accredited child care center located at 5003 University Avenue.
Contact
For questions about reservations or cancellations, please contact Little Chicks Learning Academy at chickensoupdaycare@gmail.com or 608-233-1610.
For questions about applying for KidsKare, please contact the Office of Child Care and Family Resources at occfr@provost.wisc.edu or 608-265-4060.
Let us know what you think!
Your responses help us make improvements and secure future KidsKare funding.