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City of Madison

How the Community Development Division Supports Local Childcare

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Children and a supervisor inside a childcare facility

Childcare is one of the biggest costs for families in Madison, and an increasing shortage of childcare providers in the area is causing costs to increase even more. 

For decades, the City of Madison's Community Development Division has supported a variety of childcare providers across the city while also offering accreditation to offer a sense of trust and peace of mind to parents, and open the door to additional funding opportunities and partnerships for childcare providers. 

Some childcare providers in Madison have been partnering with the City for 50 years. The City of Madison has accredited Red Caboose Child Care Center since the early 1970s.

The sign outside of the new Red Caboose Child Care Center location in Madison

We recognize the value of partnering with an external organization that is committed to high-quality practices, constructive feedback, and ongoing support. (City of Madison Community Development) Specialists have consistently been our partners in this work, aiding us in brainstorming, collaboration, advocacy, and reflection.

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Red Caboose Child Care Center Executive Director Lisa Fiala

Funding from the Community Development Division helps support providers like Red Caboose with tuition assistance, allowing more families to have access to childcare, including those who may not qualify for the state's Wisconsin Shares child care subsidy program.

Paying for childcare is a significant burden for many families, and some miss qualifying for funding by just a few dollars. These programs make a huge difference in families' lives, allowing them to meet important needs without having to choose between them.

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Red Caboose Child Care Center Executive Director Lisa Fiala

One of the most recent providers to receive accreditation, Pequeños Traviesos, joined the list of City-accredited providers in October 2024, becoming the first bilingual accredited childcare center in Madison. With that accreditation in hand, Pequeños Traviesos was selected by the Madison Metropolitan School District in February 2025 to partner in a new 4K program and was able to secure additional funding outside of City support.

Staff at Pequeños Traviesos celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

Accreditation has also helped us secure grants that have significantly benefited our program, allowing us to purchase cribs for our infant area, acquire classroom supplies, and, most importantly, provide incentives for staff salaries.

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Pequeños Traviesos Director and Owner Erika Soto

You can learn more about which childcare providers are accredited by the City of Madison and childcare tuition assistance on the Community Development Division’s website or by reaching out to staff by sending an e-mail to childcareassistance@cityofmadison.com.

About Community Development Week

The City of Madison is celebrating National Community Development Week and 50 years of receiving federal Community Development Block Grant funds and 50 years of the Community Development Division providing community services through its operating budget. To highlight the impact and importance federally- and locally-supported non-profits and service providers have had on Madison over the past 50 years, the Community Development Division will be sharing stories every day this week detailing the work that has been done in that time and how those programs are benefiting the community today.

Previous Community Development Week News Releases

Additional Information and Resources

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