School Aged Care
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.
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Enrolling Your Child in 4K
Madison Metropolitan School District
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 1st. 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.
- Eagle’s Wing Child Care Center
- Waisman Early Childhood Program
- UW Child Development Lab
- Bernie’s Place
- Creative Learning Preschool
- Meeting House Nursery School
- The Playing Field East
- The Playing Field Midtown
- Preschool of the Arts
To enroll in MMSD 4K, 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
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 begins months in advance, often between January-April.
Madison/Local Options
Search for options with the state of Wisconsin child care search tool. You can filter by Day Camps, location, YoungStar quality rating, and more.
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.
Programs directly connected to many Madison public elementary schools, serving grades K-5.
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:
More Options on Campus
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.
The campus student centers (Memorial Union and Union South), offer many summer camp experiences for kids and teens (ages 8-16) ranging from arts and games to outdoor adventures.
