We’re lucky to have so many fabulous preschools in the Madison area!
Below you will find a comprehensive list of Madison area preschools, sorted by location: East Side (including Monona and Sun Prairie); Central Madison (including downtown); Near West Side (including Fitchburg and Verona), and Far West Side (including Middleton). We’ve also highlighted some of our favorites with a few extra details that you might find helpful.
Many local schools hold Open Houses as enrollment approaches. Make sure to check our calendar for upcoming events.
Happy preschool hunting!
East Madison, Monona, Sun Prairie + East Waunakee
Madison Country Day School
A love of learning starts here. (Morale boosters, safety net, and support system included.)
Good study habits, an interest in reading, and a love for solving problems can be developed at an early age.
MCDS provides a world-class academic foundation, including dedication to whole child education with specialized teachers for science, art, music, physical education, and Spanish.
Ages: Pre-kindergarten (age 4) through grade 12
Schedules: Pre-Kindergarten program is available for full-day (8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.) or half-day program (8 a.m. until 11:30 a.m)
Other Programming Available: 4K (private) | Summer | After School
Monona Grove Nursery School
Monona Grove Nursery School has been a fixture on the Eastside of Madison for almost 60 years. As a parent coop, families and staff are teammates in the education of young children. Monona Grove Nursery School is city of Madison accredited, licensed through the state of Wisconsin, and has proudly earned a 5 star Youngstar rating.
The preschool program is for kids ages 3-4 and meets two or three mornings or afternoons a week. The 4K program is through the MMSD district and meets 4 afternoons or 4 mornings a week.
Ages: Toddler Time (0-3), preschool (3-4), and MMSD 4K
Schedules: Half Day
Other Programming Available: 4K (MMSD Site)
Kids Crossing Early Learning Center
Kids Crossing Early Learning Center is starting its 5th year on Madison’s far East Side. We have a wonderful staff who act as extensions of you and work with families to create the best possible learning environment for children.
Our teachers focus on your child’s social emotional needs along with their individual developmental stages.
At Kids Crossing, we thrive on open communication among teachers, parents and the director.
Kids Crossing is attached to Holy Cross Lutheran School, allowing continued high quality education in a Christ-centered curriculum.
Ages: 6 Weeks to 5 Years
Schedules: 1/2 day Preschool (6am-11:30am) or Full day Preschool
Other Programming Available: 4K | Summer
La Petite Academy
At La Petite Academy, children experience all the joys of childhood while forming strong social and educational foundations. Children learn to respect one another and to work together as they have fun. Here, they discover the joy of learning.
As a STEM educator, science, technology, engineering, and math are integrated into everything we do in the classroom. Our collaborative, nurturing classrooms offer programs that range from infant care to school-age clubs.
Discover the joy of learning. Discover La Petite Academy.
Ages: 6 Weeks to 12 Years
Schedules: Full Days, Part Time, Flex Pass. Subject to change.
Other Programming Available: 4K | Summer | After School | Drop-In
Countryside Montessori Preschool
Countryside Montessori Preschool is a non-sectarian, educational preschool, serving families with children two and a half to six years old. A multi-cultural, city-, state-, and nationally-accredited school with a teaching faculty abundant in training, experience and education.
Our school is set on an acre of beautiful playgrounds and gardens, maximizing outdoor learning and play experiences with gardens, swings, an enormous sandbox, green space, a tricycle track, rock labyrinth, zen garden, and more. Children are individuals, each with their own likes, dislikes and possibilities. It is our responsibility to educate, care, and respect each child accordingly; to maximize their independence and growth. Every area in our classrooms opens a door to inviting the child in, to explore, learn, and most of all enjoy life and the start of their education.
Ages: 2.5 (toilet trained) – 6 years old
Schedules: Half day (8:15-12:15), 3/4 day (8:15-2:15), or full day (8:15-5:25). 3, 4, or 5 day options with early arrival available (7:00-8:15).
Other Programming Available: 4K (private) | Before School
Central Madison + Downtown
Meeting House Nursery School
Meeting House Nursery School has been a fixture of early childhood education on Madison’s West side for 68 years. Located in the Frank Lloyd Right designed FUS Building, across from the Children’s Hospital, we have served generations of Madison’s families.
The Meeting House philosophy is based on the premise that children learn through play. While attention is given to the child’s total development, emphasis is placed upon developing the child’s social skills and self-concept. The teachers at Meeting House are warm and caring individuals. All teachers hold degrees/credentials in Early Childhood Education. The program is developmentally appropriate, respecting and celebrating the uniqueness of every child.
Ages: 2-5 years
Schedules: Half day preschool program – morning session (8:45-11:45) and afternoon session (11:45-3:45)
Other Programming Available: 4K (MMSD Site) | Lunch Bunch | Extended Morning | Before School | After School | Summer
New Morning Nursery School
New Morning Nursery School is located in a natural setting close to downtown, the arboretum, the UW campus and hospitals, and within walking distance of many nearby neighborhoods. Our school has been providing child-centered play based early learning experiences since 1972. Our philosophy is the cornerstone of best practices for early childhood education – encouraging exploration, experimentation, creative expression, reflection, with special focus on social and emotional growth and self-regulation. Uniquely organized as a parent co-op, a close knit community of families and teachers work together to support children’s learning. Our teachers are experienced and passionate about providing the best early learning experience for each individual child and our parents are committed to being involved in the school in ways that are meaningful to themselves and their families.
Ages: 2-6 years
Schedules: Half day preschool programs – mornings (8:30-11:30am) and afternoons (1:00-4:00pm), plus opportunity to add lunch, extended 4k and summer programs available.
Other Programming Available: 4K (MMSD Site) | Summer | Lunch | Extended Hours
University Avenue Discovery Center
Our vision at University Avenue Discovery Center (UADC) is to empower children to boldly explore and compassionately interact with their world. Within our play-based curriculum, we have unique arts enrichment programs each day including: drama, yoga, dance, Spanish, music, violin, piano and cooking. We are state licensed, City of Madison Accredited, 5 Star Youngstar rated, and accredited through the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
At UADC, all Lead Teachers have a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood or a related field of study like Human Development and Family Studies or Child Psychology. We support our staff through continuing education stipends and as a result, UADC staff have access to the latest research in the field of education. Each teacher has a deep commitment to continuing education, which is accompanied by a passion to attend to each child’s individual needs in UADC’s safe and nurturing environment.
Within our spacious classrooms and outdoor play environments, we promote a community atmosphere through Daily Notes that go out to families with images and videos of our daily lives at school. Our community extends to an exploration of the larger community of campus, downtown area museums, and local parks. Our school invites families to participate in events such as potlucks, bake sales, parenting classes, networking nights, bike/safety rallies, etc. throughout the year. The idea is that everyone benefits from the interwoven relationships and support system that come with community.
Ages: 2 years 9 months – 11 years old
Schedules: We offer 2-5 days per week, Full-time and Part-time spots available, month to month, 9-month, and 12-month contracts
Other Programming Available: 4K | Summer Camp | After School
Preschool of the Arts
Preschool of the Arts is Madison’s only Reggio Emilia inspired preschool.
Here, learning is an adventure, and children’s experiences are bounded only by their imaginations and dreams. Students enjoy a vibrant and innovative learning community, led by qualified staff committed to child-focused exploration, creativity, and collaboration.
Ages: 18 months–5 years, plus K5–3rd grade in the summer
Schedules: full-day, half-day (mornings)
Other Programming Available: 4K (MMSD Site) | Summer | Before School | After School
Blessed Sacrament
Blessed Sacrament is a Catholic school within the structure of the Diocese of Madison. Multi-aged classroom structure affords individually-paced learning in a nurturing, Catholic values-based setting. This school is a tightly knit community where children learn strong collaborative and leadership skills while building friendships with their fellow students through the eighth grade. Tuition is competitive and the faculty and staff are extraordinary!
Ages: 3 years – 8th grade
Schedules: *NEW* 3-year-old preschool program, three 1/2 days per week. Also 1/2 day and full day 4K & 5K programs with flexible numbers of days per week. Parents can customize their child’s schedule to best fit their families’ schedules. School day is 8:15 AM to 3:15 PM.
Other Programming Available: 4K (private) | Before School | After School
Creando Little Language Learners
Creando Preschool provides top-quality care through a Spanish and English-based bilingual curriculum. Our preschool encourages self-discovery, self-reliance, and self-expression in children through language exploration and play.
Our beautiful location on Monroe Street offers numerous benefits to students and families, including easy access to campus and reserved parking for student pick-up and drop-off. Our lovely historic building has lots of open space for play, reading, learning and arts and crafts.
Our small student to teacher ratio assures your little one will get lots of personal attention, and we emphasize learning through creative play and outdoor exploration.
Ages: 2-5 Years
Schedules: Full and half day care
Other Programming Available: Summer | After School | Open Gym | Birthday Parties
Near West Madison + Fitchburg and Verona
Kids Express Learning Center
Kids Express Learning Center, created and nurtured by the Dahl family, offers children a myriad of remarkable learning environments across ten rural acres in Madison. Their programs and teachers help children to build strong foundations in pre-academic/academic skills, as well as in social aptitude, self-esteem, and much more.
Ages: 6 weeks – 5K (summer camp programming through age 12)
Schedules: Full day (7:30am-5:30pm), half day mornings
Other Programming Available: 4K (private) | Summer | Before School | After School
Our Redeemer Lutheran School
Our Redeemer Lutheran School offers excellence in Christian education.
Dedicated and caring teachers promote a strong community within the classroom and school. Our staff prepare students for lives of service on Earth and for an eternity in Heaven.
Ages: 2-4 year old Preschool | K-8 School
Schedules: Full Day (M-F) | Half Day (M-F)
Other Programming Available: 4K (private) | Summer | Before School | After School
Wood's Hollow Children's Center
Woods Hollow is a nonprofit childcare center that has been NAEYC Accredited since 1992. Nestled behind the Promega Corporation in Fitchburg, Woods Hollow provides high quality care and developmentally appropriate learning experiences for young children. Large, creatively designed playground areas accommodate each individual age group and, combined with the surrounding wooded areas, allow for unlimited experiences in the outdoors.
Ages: 6 weeks through 4K (full time), plus after school care for 5K-3rd grade
Schedules: Full time, M-F. Center hours: 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Other Programming Available: 4K (private/full-time) | Summer | Before School | After School
Orchard Ridge Nursery School
Orchard Ridge Nursery School’s mission is to serve the whole child. Their dedicated and caring teachers provide a developmentally-appropriate, play-based learning experience that includes music, yoga and science education. Please call for an opportunity to tour the school, meet the teachers and learn why families love their experience and the community at ORNS!
Ages: 2 years – 4K
Schedules: Full day, Half-day mornings/afternoons
Other Programming Available: 4K (MMSD and MCPASD Site) | Lunch Bunch | After School | Before School
Kids Junction
Kids Junction Preschool’s mission is to partner with families to establish patterns of life-long development in mind, body and Christian character during a child’s most formative years. In order to do this, they have created the best environment possible with a state of the art facility and quality teachers in Madison WI, as well as a custom curriculum created using the top learning resources and curriculums available to deliver an all-encompassing learning experience.
Ages: 6 weeks – 13 years
Schedules: Full day and half day
Other Programming Available: 4K (MCPASD Site) | Summer | Before School | After School
Country Grove Preschool
Country Grove Preschool is a small, locally owned and operated preschool. Our highly trained teachers take the time to make children feel loved, accepted, valued and self-confident as they learn and grow. Our teachers all have Bachelor’s Degrees in early childhood education and provide curriculum that helps children learn about the world through active exploration and hands-on experiences.
We offer a morning only program, as well as full time care. Call today to tour our school and meet our wonderful teachers!
Ages: 2-10 years
Schedules: Morning Only Program (8:30-12:30) and Full Time Care (7:00-5:45)
Other Programming Available: 4K (private) | Summer | After School
University Houses Preschool
University Houses Preschool is a part-day, non-profit, parent cooperative, play based preschool with 4K.
Parent involvement as helpers in our classroom and on our Parent Board is one of the strengths at UHP. Member and nonmember options are available.
We have mixed age (2.5-6yrs) Morning (8:45-11:45) and Afternoon (12:45-3:45) classes. Lunch Bunch is available 11:45-12:45 to extend the morning or afternoon session. Our afternoon class includes MMSD 4K.
Ages: 2.5 – 6 years
Schedules: Half days: mornings (8:45 – 11:45), lunch bunch (11:45 – 12:45), and afternoons (12:45 – 3:45). (Lunch bunch connects the morning and afternoon programs.)
Other Programming Available: 4K (MMSD Site) | Lunch Bunch | Summer
St. Maria Goretti
St. Maria Goretti is a PreK-8th Catholic Grade School located on the west side of Madison. Their Early Childhood Program is a very important part of their school community.
Led by a certified teacher, the program includes a comprehensive Early Childhood curriculum for children ages 3 and 4, and takes place in a safe, healthy and nurturing environment.
Students have many opportunities to be involved in their learning process through a curriculum that provides age-appropriate activities with active, hands-on learning experiences. The curriculum is also designed to help children develop and maintain positive self images and develop their own abilities to create and to explore.
Ages: 3K – 8th grade
Schedules: Pre-K mornings, 7:50-11:30 AM – Tu/Thu 3’s and M/W/F 4’s
Other Programming Available: 4K (private)
Far West Madison + Middleton
Madison Community Montessori School
Our mission here at MCMS is simple: respect children and their natural joy of discovery. Every day our students walk through our doors and know that they have the independence and support to explore and take ownership of their own education.
Established in 1972, MCMS assists children to develop and grow into creative, confident, and self-motivated adults with a love for learning. Our students practice critical thinking and problem-solving, and are well prepared to enter the work place and contribute back to the community. Our beautiful Montessori classroom environments allow each child to become an orderly, integrated person with a strong sense of curiosity.
Ages: 15 months through 8th grade
Schedules: Half Day, Full Day
Other Programming Available: 4K (private) | Summer | Before School | After School
The Learning Gardens
We are a privately owned school, who strives to provide the best care for our littles. We have been The Learning Gardens for about 17 years now.
We teach our children through the creative curriculum. We see ourselves as a family. We are five star rated and City of Madison Accredited.
Ages: 0 to 5 Years
Schedules: Full Days (7am-5:45pm)
Other Programming Available: 4K | Summer
Cultured Kids of Madison
Cultured Kids Spanish Immersion Preschool & Daycare has two centers that provide all the same wonderful nurturing of a great childcare center, completely in the target language. Young children are naturally able to learn and share their thoughts and words in Spanish very quickly. At the same time, they learn about the wonders of other cultures as they make new friends, try new foods, and are guided by their teachers each day to be their best selves.
We focus on singing and using music as an integral part of our daily teaching routine. It is the best way we have found to share language in a way kids remember best for years to come.
Ages: 6 Weeks to 7 Years
Schedules: Full Days, Half Days
Other Programming Available: 4K (private) | Before School | After School
Westside Christian
Westside Christian Preschool realizes the importance of education during the early childhood years.
Programming is specially designed to provide a Christian environment which fosters the spiritual, academic, physical and social/emotional growth of your child. We also participate in the WI School Choice Program.
Schedule a tour today and experience this welcoming family environment firsthand.
Ages: Pre-K3, 4K and K-8 school
Schedules: Flexible full/part time schedules, M-F
Other Programming Available: 4K (private) | Before School | After School
My daughter goes to Oregon Preschool Inc and we LOVE it there!!! ❤️ Come check them out at their open house from 4-6 pm on Tuesday, Feb 13. 🙂
We LOVE Countryside Montessori Preschool! Perfect environment for our daughter, amazing teachers. It’s like an extension of our home 🙂
My boys went to East aside Lutheran for pre school. We loved it there!!! I highly recommend it!
We love ❤️ Orchard Ridge!
We love Monona Grove Nursery School – great teachers and community!!
We just enrolled our daughter at the Pre School of the Arts, very excited for her to start!
We switched to Orchard Ridge this year and it is the best! Such a nurturing environment with amazing teachers.
We love Pumpkin Patch Preschool in Stoughton! It’s a parent lead co-op!