Learn about enrolling children in school, securing before- and after-school care, and registering for summer camps. You can also explore enriching activities offered by our UW–Madison campus partners.
Enrolling Your Child in School
Enrolling in the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD)
- Four-Year-Old Kindergarten (4K) is an optional, free half-day or full-day program for children who are 4-years-old on or by September 1. The following UW-Madison Campus & Network Child Care Centers are participating MMSD 4K sites. If you are interested in any of these programs, please contact the center to check availability.
- To enroll in MMSD K-12, start by finding your child(ren)’s school using your address. Then see How Do I Enroll My Student for more details and a list of required documents (original birth certificates, proof of address, immunization records, etc.)
Questions? Contact the MMSD Enrollment Office at 608-663-4957 or enrollment@madison.k12.wi.us
Enrolling in other school districts
If you live outside the central Madison area but still nearby, other towns in Dane County have their own public school systems and you will need to check their websites for enrollment information (this includes Middleton, Verona, Fitchburg, Sun Prairie, Monona Grove, and Waunakee).
- Middleton Early Childhood Center is a UW-Madison Network Center and a 4K site for the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District (MCPASD).
Before/After School Care and Summer Camps
When school is out for holidays or summer break, children need engaging and safe activities. Registration for summer camps usually begins early, often in March or April, but some camps might open registration even earlier (inJanuary or February). Make sure to mark these dates on your calendar, as popular programs can fill quickly.
Madison/Local Options
YoungStar: Search for options with the state of Wisconsin child care search tool. You can filter by Day Camps, location, 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.
MMSD Before/After School Childcare: Programs directly connected to many Madison public elementary schools, serving grades K-5.
Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR): Madison’s public recreation department offers many programs for K-12, including before and after-school care at schools and community centers.
Summer Programs at UW Campus & Network Child Care Centers
The following Campus/Network centers offer summer programming for school-aged children:
- Eagle’s Wing Child Care Center: High Flyers summer camp program (ages 4-8).
- Waisman Early Childhood Program: Summer Meteors Program (ages 4-8).
- Meeting House Nursery School: Camp Meeting House (ages 3-5, June only).
- Isthmus Montessori Academy: (4K-6th grade)
- Middleton Early Childhood Center: (K-4th grade)
More Options on Campus
UW RecWell: UW-Madison’s Recreation & Wellbeing department (UW RecWell) offers Summer Day Camps (ages 5-12) and Teen Camp (ages 13-14) at campus sports and fitness facilities like the Bakke Center.
Wisconsin Union Summer Camps: The primary campus student centers (Memorial Union and Union South), offer many different summer camp experiences for kids and teens (ages 8-16) ranging from arts and games to outdoor adventures.
