Red Caboose Child Care Center, Inc.

10/13/2026

After losing state childcare subsidies at the end of June, many Madison childcare providers say they are being forced to shift rising costs onto families. ⤵️ Find a link to the story in the comments.

10/12/2026

How do you help the children in your life find healthy ways to cope with their emotions?

10/12/2026

Somewhere along the way, we started treating childhood like a race.

Earlier milestones. More skills. Higher expectations. Always preparing children for what’s next.

But what are we asking them to leave behind in the process?

The freedom to explore without an outcome. The confidence to learn at their own pace. The joy of doing something simply because it feels good.

Being ahead is not the same as thriving.

Children deserve more than a childhood measured by how quickly they can meet our expectations.

They deserve time to wonder, make mistakes, take risks, ask questions, and discover who they are without the constant pressure to become something more.

Because childhood isn’t a waiting room for success. It is a meaningful part of life all on its own.

And that is something worth protecting. 🤍

10/03/2026

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently proposed a fundamental change to Head Start, which has served low-income families for more than 60 years. ⤵️ Find a link to the story in the comments.

09/17/2026

09/02/2026

Thank you, Senator Hesselbein, for taking the time to visit Red Caboose and learn more about our programs, our families, and the realities facing child care providers. We truly appreciated the opportunity to share our story and talk about what is needed to create a sustainable child care system that supports children, families, and the educators who care for them. Thank you for listening, asking thoughtful questions, and spending time with our Red Caboose community!

07/24/2026

A Message to Our Red Caboose Community

This week, our community experienced an act of violence that has left many of us feeling heartbroken, unsettled, and searching for answers. We recognize that events like this affect each person differently, and for many—particularly members of our Black community and other communities of color—these events can carry an even deeper weight, touching experiences of grief, fear, trauma, and injustice.

As a community-centered organization, Red Caboose believes that everyone deserves to feel safe, valued, and that they belong. Our mission extends beyond caring for children: it is about nurturing a community where compassion, dignity, inclusion, and respect are lived every day. The strength of our community is measured by how deeply we care for one another. When one of us is hurting, we all feel it. We believe that love, connection, and community are powerful responses to fear and violence, and remain committed to fostering belonging, celebrating the diversity of our community, and standing together in moments of joy and moments of hardship.

To our families, children, and staff: we want you to know that you are not alone. We are here to listen, to support one another, and to continue creating spaces where children can experience safety, consistency, and care. We also recognize that children often process difficult events differently than adults. Our teachers will continue to provide nurturing, developmentally appropriate environments while responding with patience, empathy, and reassurance.

Moreover, we want children to feel safe and open while acknowledging that all families process these events differently. If children bring this event up within the classroom, staff will acknowledge their feelings and direct that child to talk more about it with their family.

We encourage everyone to extend grace to one another in the days and weeks ahead. Some may need to talk. Others may need quiet. Some may need additional support. All responses are valid.

We hold all those affected by this tragedy in our thoughts and remain committed to caring for one another with compassion, courage, and hope.

07/24/2026

🚂 ALL ABOARD! It's time to join the Red Caboose family! 🚂

We're officially NOW ENROLLING for September 1st, and we have a few spots available!

✨ Whether your child is just beginning their childcare journey or is ready for a new adventure, Red Caboose is a place where imaginations grow, friendships blossom, and every day is filled with learning through PLAY!

🌟 Available Openings:
🧸 Part-Time 1-Year-Old
🎨 Full-Time & Part-Time 2-Year-Old
📚 Full-Time 3-Year-Old

Why families love Red Caboose:
-Play-based learning
-Indoor large motor spaces
-Sliding scale tuition
-Wisconsin Child Care Subsidy accepted
-Caring teachers who love what they do

These spots won't stay open for long! Send us a message, or email [email protected], to schedule a tour today!

🚂 We'd love to welcome your family aboard!

06/25/2026

🐢🚧 Official Playground Supervisors on Duty!

The Red Caboose Turtles have been hard at work making sure our newest playground project is up to their very high standards! 🐢👷‍♂️

We're SO excited to share that... WE'RE GETTING SANDBOXES!!

A huge THANK YOU to Ryan's Renovation for taking on this project and helping make our playground even more fun for our kiddos. We can't wait to see all the castles, creations, and imaginations that will come to life! 💛