Resource Binder
Childcare
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Child Care Assistance Program updated 4/16/2025
Phone: (608) 267-4996
Address (Community Development Office): 215 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Suite 300, Madison, WI 53703
Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm
About this resource: The Child Care Assistance Program assists in paying for child care while you work, look for employment, attend training or school (High school or credits beyond high school sufficient to earn an associate degree.), or for your child's special needs. The goal of the City of Madison Child Care Program is to improve and support the quality of early care and education in the City of Madison and to provide access to quality care to low-income families.
Who can use this resource? Families must reside within the City of Madison limits for at least six months to be considered for eligibility. Financial assistance is available to City of Madison low-income families that are ineligible for the Wisconsin Shares Child Care Subsidy Program and meet the City of Madison eligibility requirements. Depending on your family's income, you may be eligible for full or partial funding based on a sliding fee scale. If funded, families must use a center or family child care provider that is accredited by the City of Madison.
Next Steps:
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Call the City of Madison Child Care Assistance Program at (608) 267-4996 or email childcareassistance@cityofmadison.com
Wisconsin Head Start & Early Head Start Program updated 4/16/25
Phone: (608) 275-6740
About this resource: Head Start is a Federal program that promotes the school readiness of children from birth to age 5 for low-income families by enhancing their cognitive, social, and emotional development. Early Head Start is a program that promotes high-quality child and family development services to low-income pregnant women and families with infants and toddlers up to the age of 3. Children enrolled in Head Start also receive free medical and dental care.
Options for programming include part day visits, full day visits, and private visits.
Who can use this resource? You must be a Wisconsin resident and meet the income eligibility requirements. Generally, if your family is at or below the federal poverty line, receiving public assistance, have children in foster care (regardless of income), experiencing homelessness, or have special needs, you will qualify.
Next Steps:
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Fill out an enrollment application and mail it to Reach Dane as follows:
Reach Dane (Attn: Enrollment)
2096 Red Arrow Trail
Madison, WI 53711
OR
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Complete the application online: https://www.reachdane.org/enroll/index.cfm and email the application to info@reachdane.org.
OR
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Fax the application to (608) 275-6756.
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If you have any questions, call (608) 275-6740!
Wisconsin Shares Child Care Subsidy Program updated 4/22/25
About this resource: The Wisconsin Shares Child Care Subsidy Program supports low-income working families by subsidizing a portion or the cost of quality childcare while the parents or caregivers are working or participating in another approved activity.
Who can use this resource?
- Families whose monthly gross income is less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Line and up to 85% of the state median income
- Families with children under 13 years old and/or families with children with disabilities under 19 years old
Next Steps:
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Visit https://access.wisconsin.gov/access/ to determine if you are eligible for Wisconsin Shares.
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Call Capital Consortium at 1-888-794-5556
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Fill out the online application form at: https://access.wi.gov/s/?language=en_US
The Respite Center // RISE updated 4/19/25
Phone: (608) 244 - 5700
Address: 2120 Fordem Ave, Madison, WI 53703
Hours: Open 24 hours Monday-Saturday, Sunday 9am-5pm
About this resource: The Respite Center provides scheduled and emergency childcare and respite for children ages 0-14 years old. Childcare can be arranged while a parent/caregivers attends appointments, looks for employment, looks for housing, needs a break, or must attend to an emergency situation. Additionally, the Respite Center provides information and referrals to community services, parenting resources, and additional programs specific to a child and family's needs.
Who can use this resource? Anyone! However, new families must complete an intake to gather information about the childd/children's strengths and needs, medical information, and emergency contact.
Next Steps:
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Call the Respite Center at 608-244-5700 to complete an intake and/or need immediate care for your children
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Visit the Respite Center during business hours for more information!
4C updated 4/19/25
Phone: (608) 271-9181
Address: 5 Odana Court, Madison, WI 53719
Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm
(Please note: Hours at Odana Court are Tuesday-Thursday 10am-2pm)
About this resource: 4C offers families no-cost, customized referrals for accredited childcare programs in Southern Wisconsin. Once a childcare program is found, 4C can also help navigate financing childcare for families of all income levels.
Who can use this resource? Anyone, including families who are still expecting!
Next Steps:
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Call (608)271-9181, (608)419-2355, or email referral@4-C.org to talk to a representative about getting referred to programs!
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Visit the site to complete an online referral form!