The Best Daycare Centers in North Freedom, WI
Discover the best licensed daycare centers in North Freedom. Quality childcare with qualified staff and safe environments.
Top Daycare Centers in North Freedom
Kid's World Child Care Center
Independent
Kid's World Child Care Center is a highly-regarded facility located approximately 10 miles from North Freedom in Baraboo. They offer a comprehensive educational program with a play-based learning approach that emphasizes social, emotional, and cognitive development. The center features qualified early childhood educators with low teacher-to-child ratios, secure entry systems, and age-appropriate learning environments. Their curriculum includes literacy development, STEM activities, creative arts, and outdoor play in their spacious playground. The center is known for its nurturing environment, experienced staff, and strong parent communication system that includes daily updates and progress reports.
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Imagination Station Child Development Center
Independent
Imagination Station provides high-quality early childhood education serving families in the Baraboo area, including North Freedom residents. The center follows a structured educational approach that balances academic preparation with social development. Their program includes certified teachers with early childhood credentials, modern security systems, and developmentally appropriate classrooms. The curriculum emphasizes language development, mathematics readiness, science exploration, and creative expression through music and art. Facilities include dedicated outdoor play areas, well-equipped classrooms, and a nutritious meal program. Parents consistently praise the center's professional staff, clean facilities, and engaging learning activities.
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Little Scholars Learning Center
Independent
Located in Reedsburg approximately 15 miles from North Freedom, Little Scholars Learning Center offers a comprehensive early childhood education program with a strong academic foundation. The center employs state-licensed teachers with specialized training in early childhood development and maintains excellent staff-to-child ratios. Their curriculum focuses on school readiness skills including literacy, mathematics, science, and social studies while incorporating hands-on learning experiences. The facility features secure access control, modern classrooms with age-appropriate learning centers, and expansive outdoor play spaces. The center is recognized for its structured daily routine, individualized learning plans, and strong emphasis on building foundational academic skills while fostering social and emotional growth.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about daycare and childcare services in North Freedom, WI
What are the main types of licensed childcare options available in North Freedom, WI, and how do I find them?
In North Freedom and the surrounding Sauk County area, your primary licensed options are family childcare homes (caring for up to 8 children in a provider's residence) and group childcare centers. Due to North Freedom's smaller, rural nature, family childcare homes are particularly common and can offer a home-like setting with flexible hours. To find licensed providers, your best resource is the official "Wisconsin Child Care Finder" website and app, maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF). You can filter by location (using the 53951 zip code), type of care, and ages served. Additionally, contacting the Sauk County Department of Human Services or local community hubs like the North Freedom Community Library for posted flyers can yield leads on smaller, in-home providers.
What is the average cost of full-time childcare for an infant or toddler in North Freedom, and are there financial assistance programs?
In Sauk County, which includes North Freedom, average costs for full-time care typically range from $175 to $250 per week for a toddler in a family childcare setting, with infant care often being $25-$50 more per week. Center-based care in nearby larger towns like Baraboo may be at the higher end of this range or slightly above. These rates are generally lower than in Wisconsin's major urban areas but are a significant household expense. For financial assistance, Wisconsin's statewide **Wisconsin Shares** child care subsidy program is the primary resource. Eligibility is based on income, family size, and work or education requirements. You can apply through the Sauk County Department of Human Services. Additionally, some local providers may offer sibling discounts.
How long are waitlists for daycare in North Freedom, and when should I start looking for a spot?
Waitlist times can vary significantly. For the most sought-after providers in the immediate North Freedom area, or for specialized care like infant spots, waitlists of 6 to 12 months are not uncommon. Given the limited number of providers in a small community, spots fill quickly. It is strongly recommended that expecting parents or families planning a move begin their search as early as possible—ideally during pregnancy or at least 6-9 months before you need care. Be proactive: contact multiple providers, ask specific questions about their current list and anticipated turnover, and get on multiple lists if possible, even for providers in neighboring communities like Baraboo or Rock Springs.
What are the key state licensing requirements I should verify when choosing a daycare in North Freedom?
All regulated childcare providers in Wisconsin must be licensed or certified by the DCF. Key requirements you should ask providers about include: 1) **Staff-to-Child Ratios and Group Sizes**: For example, for children under 2 years, the ratio is 1 staff to 4 children. 2) **Background Checks**: All staff must pass comprehensive background checks. 3) **Health and Safety Training**: Providers must have training in SIDS prevention, shaken baby syndrome, and CPR. 4) **Annual Licensing Visits**: Providers receive unannounced visits to ensure compliance. You can view a provider's licensing history, including any violations, directly on the Wisconsin Child Care Finder website. Don't hesitate to ask a provider for their license number and to see their most recent licensing report.
Are there part-time, drop-in, or emergency childcare options available in the North Freedom area?
Consistent part-time schedules (e.g., 2-3 days a week) may be available at some family childcare homes, but options are limited and highly dependent on the provider's current enrollment. Traditional drop-in or hourly care is extremely rare in North Freedom itself due to licensing constraints and high demand for full-time spots. For true emergency or occasional backup care, your best bet is to look at centers or networks in larger nearby cities like Baraboo (approximately 10 miles away), some of which may offer backup care programs. Building a relationship with a local family childcare provider and inquiring about occasional care for a "date night" might be possible, but it's not a guaranteed service. Planning ahead is crucial in this rural setting.
Nearby Cities
Explore daycare options in cities near North Freedom: