Wisconsin Early Childhood Association

Wisconsin Early Childhood Association Serving the early childhood workforce and early care and education in Wisconsin. Quality early care and education is fundamental to creating a better world.

WECA works to advance positive change for children by focusing on the professionals who provide child care for well over 70% of Wisconsin’s children. WECA strengthens the capacities of child care professionals through:
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT for child care providers. New discoveries on brain development and social-emotional learning call for new approaches. Through workshops, an annual conferenc

e, a statewide member network, and more, WECA helps providers advance their skills. ADVOCACY for policies and programs that support the well-being of children and the early childhood education workforce. COMMUNICATIONS that convey what early childhood professionals do and how valuable their contributions are to families, businesses, our communities, and the world. RESEARCH on the child care workforce that identifies strengths, needs, and strategies for improvement. With high-quality care children do better in school and in life, becoming adults with social and emotional skills that enable them to work, play, and relate well to others. With high-quality care, working parents can feel more confident and productive on the job, knowing that their children are safe and thriving.

We had a great time at the Heal the Hood Vendor & Resource Fair in Milwaukee last month! Our Early Head Start team conne...
06/08/2026

We had a great time at the Heal the Hood Vendor & Resource Fair in Milwaukee last month! Our Early Head Start team connected with families about open program spots and shared info on teaching opportunities for those passionate about early childhood.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by — it was an honor to be part of such a strong community event!

¡La pasamos muy bien en la feria “Heal the Hood Vendor & Resource” en Milwaukee el mes pasado! Nuestro equipo de Early Head Start se conectó con familias para ponerles al tanto sobre los cupos disponibles en el programa y compartió información sobre oportunidades educativas para quienes les interesa la profesión del cuidado y la educación infantil.

¡Gracias a quienes se acercaron a visitarnos! Fue un honor formar parte de un evento comunitario tan significativo.

Wisconsin Public Radio highlights findings from WECA’s latest report: Stabilization funding has helped reverse a decade-...
06/07/2026

Wisconsin Public Radio highlights findings from WECA’s latest report: Stabilization funding has helped reverse a decade-long decline in licensed child care and supported providers in growing and retaining staff—without raising tuition for families.

But with Child Care Bridge Payments ending later this month, those gains are at risk. Gaps in access will widen, and we can expect more early educators to leave the field—already, 1 in 4 leave each year.

Wisconsin Public Radio destaca los hallazgos del informe más reciente de WECA: los fondos de estabilización han ayudado a frenar una década de deterioro en los servicios de cuidado infantil con licencia, y han apoyado a los proveedores para expandirse y retener a su personal, todo ello sin aumentar los precios para las familias.

Sin embargo, dado que los pagos Bridge para el cuidado infantil finalizan este mes, estos logros corren peligro. Las desigualdades en el acceso se ampliarán y es previsible que más educadores de la primera infancia abandonen el sector; de hecho, uno de cada cuatro ya lo hace cada año. (Reporte disponible en inglés)

The state launched the Child Care Bridge Payments program in 2025 to provide roughly $110 million to providers through June 2026 to help with the wind-down of Child Care Counts.

This November, a number of state and local offices across Wisconsin will be up for election. Summer is the perfect time ...
06/06/2026

This November, a number of state and local offices across Wisconsin will be up for election. Summer is the perfect time to familiarize yourself with the candidates running for office and help lift up child care in your community. Wondering where to start? Join our monthly virtual engagement forum at 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 18. WECA's Engagement Specialists will demonstrate how to look up your local candidates and share concrete strategies to effectively share your child care story. Together, we can educate candidates on the importance of child care.

Register here: https://weca.info/June18

This call is offered in English.

Este noviembre, se elegirán diversos cargos estatales y locales en todo Wisconsin. El verano es el momento ideal para conocer a los candidatos que se postulan y ayudar a impulsar el sector del cuidado infantil en su comunidad. ¿No sabe por dónde empezar? Participe en nuestro foro virtual de participación el jueves 18 de junio a la 1:00 p. m. Especialistas en participación de WECA le mostrarán cómo buscar información sobre los candidatos de su localidad y compartirán estrategias concretas para expresar eficazmente su experiencia relacionada con el cuidado infantil. En conjunto, podemos generar conciencia en los candidatos sobre la importancia del cuidado infantil.

Regístrese aquí: https://weca.info/June18

(Foro ofrecido en inglés)

What an incredible day! More than 300 early childhood educators came together in Madison and Stevens Point last month fo...
06/05/2026

What an incredible day! More than 300 early childhood educators came together in Madison and Stevens Point last month for a full day of Conscious Discipline training in English and Spanish. Through hands-on practice, participants explored real-life strategies to help children manage emotions and build strong relationships. Hosted by WECA’s Wisconsin Early Education Shared Services Network (WEESSN), the trainings were engaging, inspiring, and full of energy.

¡Qué día tan increíble! Más de 300 educadores de la primera infancia se reunieron el mes pasado en Madison y Stevens Point para participar en una jornada completa de la capacitación Conscious Discipline, ofrecida en inglés y español. A través de la experiencia práctica, quienes participaron exploraron estrategias para ayudar a los niños y niñas a manejar sus emociones y construir relaciones sólidas. Estas capacitaciones organizadas por Wisconsin Early Education Shared Services Network (WEESSN) de WECA, resultaron ser dinámicas, inspiradoras y llenas de energía.

Our Community Child Care Conversation in Eau Claire is just days away. If you’re interested in the future of child care ...
06/04/2026

Our Community Child Care Conversation in Eau Claire is just days away. If you’re interested in the future of child care and its impact on families, businesses, and communities, we invite you to be part of the conversation.

Join us on Wednesday, June 10 at the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library in Eau Claire to connect with state and local leaders, providers, parents, and employers working to strengthen child care. Together, we will share experiences, discuss challenges, and explore solutions that support families, early childhood professionals, and local businesses. Please note that this event will be offered in English.

Register today: https://weca.info/CCCJune10

Nuestra Conversación Comunitaria sobre el Cuidado Infantil en Eau Claire está a solo unos días. Si le interesa el futuro del cuidado infantil y su impacto en las familias, las empresas y las comunidades, le invitamos a formar parte de la conversación.

Acompáñenos el miércoles 10 de junio en la biblioteca pública L.E. Phillips Memorial, en Eau Claire, para conectar con líderes estatales y locales, proveedores, familias y empleadores que trabajan para fortalecer el cuidado infantil. En conjunto, compartiremos experiencias, debatiremos desafíos y exploraremos soluciones que brinden apoyo a las familias, a los profesionales de la primera infancia y a las empresas locales. Este evento estará disponible en inglés.

Regístrese aquí: https://weca.info/CCCJune10

Join us for Around the Table with WECA on Friday, June 19 from 9-11 a.m. at Wonderstate Coffee in Bayfield! We’ll have i...
06/03/2026

Join us for Around the Table with WECA on Friday, June 19 from 9-11 a.m. at Wonderstate Coffee in Bayfield! We’ll have information on how to start a licensed child care program, the pre-licensing process, and all the services WECA offers! It’s a great opportunity to chat with us and make connections in your local community. We look forward to seeing you there! Conversations at this event will be in English.

¡Acompáñenos a conversar con WECA el viernes 19 de junio, de 9 a 11 a. m., en Wonderstate Coffee en Bayfield! Compartiremos información sobre cómo iniciar un programa de cuidado infantil con licencia, el proceso de prelicencia y todos los servicios que ofrece WECA. Es una excelente oportunidad para conversar y establecer contactos en su comunidad. ¡Le esperamos! Las conversaciones se ofrecerán en inglés.

WECA was honored to join the Women's Fund for the Fox Valley Region at their recent Spotlight Event to celebrate organiz...
06/02/2026

WECA was honored to join the Women's Fund for the Fox Valley Region at their recent Spotlight Event to celebrate organizations advancing opportunity for women and girls in the region.

Local staff Julie Stoffel and Aidyn Laurynz attended alongside parent advocate Taylor Vande Vyver to highlight the impact of investing in child care — which fuels women’s economic mobility and stronger outcomes for families.

We’re grateful for the partnership with the Women’s Fund and inspired by the collective impact taking shape across Wisconsin.

Fue un honor para WECA sumarse al Women’s Fund para la región de Fox Valley en su reciente evento Spotlight, dedicado a reconocer a las organizaciones que impulsan oportunidades para mujeres y niñas en la región.

Miembros del equipo local, Julie Stoffel y Aidyn Laurynz, participaron junto con la representante defensora de familias Taylor Vande Vyver, destacando el impacto transformador de invertir en el cuidado infantil—una inversión clave que promueve la movilidad económica de las mujeres y mejora el bienestar de las familias.

Agradecemos la oportunidad de colaborar con el Women’s Fund y de inspirarnos a través del impacto colectivo que continúa creciendo en todo Wisconsin.

We’re excited to announce a new LiveChat feature on WECA's website. This tool, now live on the website, is designed to i...
06/01/2026

We’re excited to announce a new LiveChat feature on WECA's website. This tool, now live on the website, is designed to improve access to information by offering our website visitors a new way to connect with us in real time. We look forward to chatting with you!

Nos complace anunciar una nueva función de Chat en Vivo en el sitio web de WECA. Esta herramienta, ahora disponible en nuestro sitio web, está diseñada para mejorar el acceso a la información al ofrecer una nueva forma de conectarse con nosotros en tiempo real. ¡Esperamos conversar con ustedes!

Wisconsin Early Childhood Association’s executive director, Ruth Schmidt, talks with Kate Paape, Reporter at WORT FM Rad...
05/30/2026

Wisconsin Early Childhood Association’s executive director, Ruth Schmidt, talks with Kate Paape, Reporter at WORT FM Radio, about the ending of Wisconsin’s child care stabilization funding this summer and what that means for families, child care programs, and businesses across the state. This is an important issue that has ripple effects across communities and Wisconsin’s economy.

La directora ejecutiva de Wisconsin Early Childhood Association, Ruth Schmidt, conversó con Kate Paape, reportera de WORT Radio, sobre la terminación este verano de la financiación del programa de estabilización para el cuidado infantil en Wisconsin y lo que eso significa para las familias, los programas de cuidado infantil y las empresas en todo el estado. Este es un problema importante que tiene efectos en cadena en las comunidades y en la economía de Wisconsin.

Ruth Schmidt, of the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association, joins WORT to explain how providers and families could be impacted.

Join us for a Community Child Care Conversation on Wednesday, June 10 at the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library in Ea...
05/29/2026

Join us for a Community Child Care Conversation on Wednesday, June 10 at the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library in Eau Claire. This event will bring together state and local leaders, child care providers, parents, and employers. Together, we'll explore the current child care landscape, share experiences, and discuss the impacts of ongoing challenges.

As child care continues to shape workforce participation and economic stability, these conversations are critical to advancing thoughtful, community-informed solutions.

This event is open to the public, but registration is required. Please note that it will be offered in English.

Register here: https://weca.info/CCCJune10

Acompáñenos en una Conversación Comunitaria sobre el Cuidado Infantil el miércoles 10 de junio en la biblioteca pública L.E. Phillips Memorial, en Eau Claire. Este evento reunirá a líderes estatales y locales, proveedores de cuidado infantil, familias y empleadores. En conjunto, exploraremos el panorama actual del cuidado infantil, compartiremos experiencias y analizaremos el impacto de los desafíos constantes que enfrentamos.

A medida que el cuidado infantil sigue influyendo en la incorporación a la fuerza laboral y en la estabilidad económica, estas conversaciones resultan fundamentales para impulsar soluciones bien fundamentadas y basadas en las necesidades de la comunidad.

Esta conversación está abierta al público, pero es necesario inscribirse. Este evento estará disponible en inglés.

Regístrese aquí: https://weca.info/CCCJune10

Address

2908 Marketplace Drive, Suite 101
Fitchburg, WI
53719

Opening Hours

Monday 8:15am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:15am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:15am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:15am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:15am - 4:30pm

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