Early Learning Campus Child Care Services

Early Learning Campus child care services are open to pre-kindergarten children ages 6 weeks - 5 years at the Madison Truax and Goodman South campuses, Monday through Friday from 7:45 am to 4:45 pm.

Our classrooms foster growth in social, emotional, physical, self-help, cognitive, and early literacy and math skills.

Children playing with toys in the Early Learning Campus

About the Early Learning Campus

The Early Learning Campus (ELC) was designed for young children to engage in active, hands-on learning. Our classrooms and playgrounds feature natural materials and open-ended elements. We emphasize relationships with children and families and recognize the family as the child's best teacher. Our role is to support and extend the learning children come with to our classrooms.

A child learns to use scissors at the ELC.

Our curriculum is based on child-centered, developmentally appropriate practices. It recognizes young children as capable learners who explore, wonder, test, and create to build knowledge.

We believe children learn best by being active through play, both indoors and outdoors. Learning is structured and supported by teachers who intentionally design play opportunities and guide children with specific goals for development and learning. Our skilled teachers accommodate individual children and the content they're learning. Social skills, problem-solving, and creativity are valued over rote learning, worksheets, and standardized products.

How to Enroll

We offer enrollment in one of fourteen classrooms based on the child's age. Each center has seven classrooms. Minimum enrollment is two days per week.

To get started:

Review the Family Handbook (PDF). Make sure the center is a good fit for your child.
Review the tuition rates (PDF). Rates are subject to change and are typically updated each August.
J oi n t he waitlist. There's no fee to fill out the form to be added to the waitlist.

The waitlist varies significantly depending on your child’s age and desired schedule. The center prioritizes enrollment each semester for Madison College students, staff, and faculty, then the community, in this order:

Children currently enrolled at the ELC
Full-time students
Full-time staff and faculty
Part-time students
Part-time staff and faculty
Community

We'll invite you to meet with the director and tour the center when an opening becomes available. You must complete enrollment paperwork and provide a fee to accept initial enrollment.

About the 4K Program

We're a contracted community partner for Madison Metropolitan School District's (MMSD) four-year-old kindergarten (4K) program. A child is eligible for the 4K program if they turn 4 years old before September 1.

Our 4K program uses the same curriculum and assessment as the public schools, and the teacher has the same Department of Public Instruction (DPI) license as the public school staff. The 4K classrooms also have additional staffing, resources, appropriate outside space and available wraparound care options.

This program runs Monday to Thursday from 8:30 am - 3:00 pm and follows the ELC calendar. The center offers priority enrollment to Madison College students, staff, and faculty but also accepts community families into the 4K program.

To register for our 4K program:

Join the waitlist.
Complete the MMSD 4K Online Enrollment. Select the MATC Early Learning site at either Truax (1835 Wright St.) or South (821 W Badger Rd.).
Complete the DPI out-of-district request form if it applies. Email the ELC with questions about this form.

Learn More About the MMSD 4K Program

FamilyU Seal Award

Madison College is one of thirteen higher education institutions nationwide to be awarded the FamilyU Seal.

Given by Generation Hope, this certification celebrates our active investment in serving and achieving positive outcomes for our student parents. Learn more about Generation Hope's efforts to help student parents succeed.

More Information

Tuition Rates
Tuition rates are based on a sliding fee scale determined by family income, child age, and enrollment schedule. Fees are based on full-semester enrollment.
2025-2026 Tuition Rates (PDF)
A nonrefundable registration fee per child is required to confirm initial enrollment.
$40 for Madison College students
$50 for Madison College faculty or staff, and community families
The registration fee also covers the district-required materials fee for families enrolled in the 4K program.
For subsequent academic terms, an enrollment continuation fee will be assessed.
$10 for Madison College students
$15 Madison College faculty or staff, and community families
Families may be eligible for a registration fee waiver based on income. Speak with ELC administration staff.
Scholarship and Funding Resources
The ELC accepts funding from many outside agencies, including:
Dane Co Child Care Subsidy Program (SHARES)
City of Madison Child Care Assistance
UW Child Care Tuition Assistance Program (CCTAP)
Contact the agencies directly to explore eligibility criteria and program requirements.
In addition, we support several scholarships available to qualified Madison College students to help with the cost of child care.

CCAMPIS (Child Care Access Means Parents in School) Scholarship
CCAMPIS is a federally funded program that provides financial assistance to income-eligible student parents to help them reach their educational goals. Pell grant student parents that meet other eligibility and program requirements may be awarded up to 75% to 95% funding toward their out-of-pocket child care expenses.
Submit CCAMPIS Applications

Madison College Child Care Foundation Scholarship
Student parents with children enrolled at the ELC may be eligible for this scholarship to assist with out-of-pocket child care expenses at the ELC. Applications are offered after each semester begins, and applicants must present a need for additional funding. This scholarship is awarded on an as-available basis after outside funding sources have been used and/or applied for.

The Myrtle Bahm Leonard Memorial Scholarship
Eligible student parents must be enrolled in a health-related field of study, must have a 12-credit history at Madison College, and must be enrolled in a minimum of 9 credits during the academic term of the scholarship award. This application requires letters of recommendation and is awarded on an as-available basis for child care expenses at the ELC.
Other Services
Family Engagement and Involvement
We value our partnership with families and know that we serve the children best when we have strong relationships with the adults in their lives. We offer multiple events each year to bring families together and share learning. There are also multiple opportunities for families to volunteer at the center and have input into program planning and activities through frequent family meetings with center site directors and administration.

Programming for Children with Special Needs
Children with special needs are welcome at the ELC. The curriculum is multi-faceted, and teachers strive to set and meet learning goals appropriate for each child. Our staff will work with you and any special education personnel, therapists, or medical personnel to ensure each child’s needs are addressed. See the Family Handbook (PDF) for additional information.

Breastfeeding Friendly Center
The ELC is committed to providing ongoing support to breastfeeding parents and their children. The center has a spacious, private, comfortable room for enrolled nursing or pumping parents. The classrooms have refrigerators and can store breast milk for your child right in the room. Parents may also nurse their child in the classroom, if they prefer.

Meals and Snacks
We serve breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack on a six-week cycle menu. Meals are included in child care tuition and are offered to all children attending during meal service times. All meals meet the nutrition requirements of the USDA Child/Adult Care Food Program. The center provides all food for children and can accommodate special dietary needs, with documentation from a medical provider. The center is a completely nut-free facility. Menus are designed to limit sugar and fat, and incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables when in season. Menus include foods that may be less familiar to some children. Children are encouraged, but not required, to taste new foods.

Regulatory Statement
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (for example, Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language) should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 800.877.8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form online or at any USDA office. You can also write a letter addressed to USDA and provide all the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call 866.632.9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA in one of these ways:
Mail to U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410
Fax to 202.690.7442
Email to program.intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Additional Child Care Providers and Referrals

Satellite Family Child Care System are family child care educators who provide early care and education in their own home. You can request a referral list of all family child care programs currently working with Satellite on the Reach Dane website.
Community Coordinated Child Care (4Cs) offers all families no-cost, customized referrals to support them in finding and selecting a child care program.