Business Details
Trusted Childcare & Early Education Center in Madison, WI
Learning Gardens has been a trusted leader in early childhood education since our founding. We provide comprehensive childcare services for children aged six weeks to 10 years, offering infant care, toddler programs, preschool, 4K enrichment, and school-age support. Our curriculum integrates FrogStreet Early Childhood Framework with social-emotional learning and play-led exploration, fostering developmental milestones in a secure, nurturing environment. Accredited by YoungStar with a 5-star rating, we maintain partnerships with Madison Metropolitan School District and adhere to rigorous quality standards. Our facility features dedicated classrooms, music and art enrichment programs, and a chef-prepared menu accommodating dietary needs. With experienced educators like our 20-year veteran 3K teacher Joe, we prioritize individualized attention and family collaboration.Our summer camp program, Summer Odyssey, combines educational adventures with field trips to nature centers and museums. We offer flexible enrollment options, including wrap-around care for 4K students, and maintain transparent communication through parent portfolios and advisory committees. Our commitment to excellence is demonstrated through our investment in staff development, evidenced by monthly recognition of outstanding team members like Freida and Marsha. Families can explore our remodeled facility through virtual or in-person tours to experience our child-directed, developmentally appropriate learning spaces.
Services
Infant Care
Toddler Programs
Preschool Enrichment
4K Enrichment
Summer Camp
School-Age Care
Music & Art Enrichment
Language Classes
Nutritious Meals
Virtual Tours
Highlights and features
- 20+ years of experience in early childhood education with certified staff
- FrogStreet curriculum integrating social-emotional and play-based learning
- 5-star YoungStar accreditation for quality childcare standards
- Onsite chef providing nutritious, allergy-conscious meals daily
- Summer Odyssey camp with educational field trips and enrichment activities
Associations and certifications
- City of Madison Accreditation
- Wisconsin Child Care Rating Program (YoungStar)
- The Registry
- Community Coordinated Child Care, Inc. (4-C)
- Dane County Human Services
Services
Infant Care
Our infant care program supports children from six weeks old in a nurturing environment designed for early development. Certified caregivers provide individualized attention through sensory activities and structured routines. The program focuses on building trust and foundational skills while maintaining close communication with families through daily reports and milestone tracking.
4K Enrichment
Our 4K program combines Madison Metropolitan School District curriculum with extended care options. Children receive morning instruction from experienced teachers like Lisa (30+ years' experience) followed by afternoon enrichment activities. The program emphasizes school readiness through literacy, numeracy, and social skills development in a play-based learning environment.
Summer Camp
Summer Odyssey offers educational adventures for school-age children from June to August. Activities include weekly field trips to nature centers, museums, and community spaces, plus STEM and arts enrichment. Certified staff like Mr. Andrew lead structured learning experiences while maintaining flexible scheduling options for working families.
Nutritious Meals
Chef Alex provides daily meals meeting USDA nutritional standards with accommodations for allergies and dietary restrictions. The program includes morning and afternoon snacks plus hot lunches featuring diverse cuisines. Menus rotate every two weeks to ensure balanced nutrition while introducing children to global food experiences.
Virtual Tours
Prospective families can explore our facility through interactive virtual tours showcasing classrooms, outdoor spaces, and enrichment areas. The tours demonstrate our learning environment's design features including bright, open spaces and specialized rooms for music, art, and physical development activities.
People
Patricia Bump
Executive Director
Patricia Bump leads our center with over 25 years of early childhood education experience. She oversees program development, accreditation compliance, and family relations while maintaining open communication channels with staff and parents through regular meetings and advisory committees.
Joe
3K Teacher
Joe has dedicated 20 years to early childhood education at our center. His patient, creative approach fosters learning through play while building strong relationships with children and families. He continually updates teaching methods through professional development opportunities.
Freida
Infant Teacher
Freida connects with children across all age groups using her nurturing approach. She creates personalized learning experiences that address individual developmental needs while maintaining consistent communication with families about their child's progress and milestones.
Marsha
Lead Infant Teacher
Marsha brings extensive experience to her role as lead teacher in the Wiggle Worms classroom. She designs engaging environments for infants while mentoring staff and maintaining open communication with families about their child's daily experiences and development.
Andrew
Summer Camp Director
Andrew leads our Summer Odyssey program with enthusiasm for educational adventures. He plans curriculum integrating field trips and enrichment activities while creating a safe, engaging environment that encourages school-age children to explore new experiences and develop social skills.
Questions
What age groups do you serve?
We care for children from six weeks old through 10 years old, offering infant, toddler, preschool, 4K, and school-age programs.
Is your center accredited?
Yes, we hold multiple accreditations including YoungStar 5-star rating, City of Madison certification, and Registry status for quality assurance.
Do you offer summer programs?
Our Summer Odyssey camp provides educational adventures with weekly field trips, STEM activities, and arts enrichment for school-age children.
How do you handle food allergies?
Our chef accommodates dietary restrictions and allergies with alternative meal options while maintaining USDA nutritional standards for all children.
Can I tour the facility?
We offer both virtual and in-person tours to showcase our bright, open classrooms and specialized learning spaces for music, art, and physical development.
What curriculum do you use?
We implement the FrogStreet Early Childhood Curriculum framework combined with social-emotional learning and play-led exploration for comprehensive development.
