We’re lucky to have so many fabulous Madison, WI preschools!
Below you will find a comprehensive list of Madison, WI preschools, sorted by location:
- East Side (including Monona and Sun Prairie)
- Central Madison (including downtown)
- Near West Side (including Fitchburg and Verona)
- Far West Side (including Middleton)
This is our 6th year running this guide and one of our most viewed and most searched for posts each year. We appreciate our featured preschools who through their partnership have helped make this guide possible and we are happy to answer any questions you may have as you begin searching for the perfect school for your child(ren)!
If you are a local preschool – interested in being featured, please reach out to: [email protected] and if you have a favorite school – be sure to comment below.
Be sure to also check out our Guide to Private Schools in Madison, WI.
East Madison, Monona, Sun Prairie + East Waunakee
Madison Country Day School
Madison Country Day School is Dane County’s only independent Pre‑K‑12 school, offering a challenging and comprehensive college‑preparatory education, including the Madison area’s only International Baccalaureate program.
In the MCDS Pre-Kindergarten, intrinsic curiosity is kindled and celebrated. Each child is truly known for his unique qualities, interests, and feelings. Our experienced and dedicated teachers recognize each child’s developmental needs and build upon her strengths to foster academic, social, and emotional growth.
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 in Madison for 64 years.
As a parent coop, our teachers and parents work together to provide a gentle, easy transition to a child’s first school experience.
We partner with MMSD to provide 4K education, and we offer many extras like lunch bunch, yoga classes, low teacher/child ratio and an extremely dedicated and creative team of teachers.
Ages: Toddler Time (0-3), preschool (3-4), and MMSD 4K
Schedules: Half Day
Other Programming Available: 4K (MMSD Site)
Countryside Montessori Preschool
Countryside Montessori Preschool is a non-sectarian, educational preschool, serving families with children two and a half to six years old.
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, Full Day + Part Time Options
Other Programming Available: 4K (private) | Before School
El Jardín Infantil Bilingual Preschool
El Jardín Infantil offers a full day preschool experience, for Spanish and English speaking children to have early learning experiences in a second language.
We have a proven self-help curriculum that fosters children’s independence.
Our highly educated teachers expose students to a wide variety of literacy, math, science, and art experiences.
We have ample green space and a beautiful walking neighborhood near Olbrich Gardens to explore.
Ages: 2.5 – 6 years old
Schedules: 8:00-4:30 Monday-Thursday, Monday/Wednesday, or Tuesday/Thursday
Central Madison + Downtown
Meeting House Nursery School
Meeting House Nursery School has been providing an enriching, play-based preschool program since 1949. As we celebrate 70 years, Meeting House Nursery School is the oldest part-time, play-based learning nursery school in Madison.
We strive to provide a setting that recognizes each child’s uniqueness and inherent curiosity, as well as a love of learning. Our beautiful, light-filled classrooms, innovative play-based curriculum, and nurturing teachers enhance children’s natural curiosity and love of learning.
Ages: 2 to 6 years old
Schedules: Half Day
Other Programming Available: 4K (MMSD Site) | Lunch Bunch | Extended Morning | Before School | After School | Summer
Blessed Sacrament
Blessed Sacrament offers standard 3K and 4K as well as mixed-age Montessori classrooms in its Early Childhood Program. Students also have Music, Spanish, Gym, Art, Library and Faith Formation each week.
Children develop special relationships with “older” buddies as our school serves students up through 8th grade.
Ages: 3 years – 8th grade
Schedules: 3K and 4K may choose 3, 4 or 5 half-days or full days. Montessori students attend 5 full days.
Other Programming Available: 4K (private) | Before School | After School
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. We have unique arts enrichment programs each day including: drama, yoga, dance, Spanish, music, violin, piano and cooking.
Within our spacious classrooms and outdoor play environments, we promote a community atmosphere through consistent communication to families. Our community extends to an exploration of the larger community of campus, downtown area museums, and local parks.
Ages: 3 – 11 years old
Schedules: We offer 2-5 days per week, Full-time and Part-time spots
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
Near West Madison + Fitchburg and Verona
Hickory Hill Academy (formerly Kids Express Learning Center)
Hickory Hill Academy cultivates children’s growth in a stimulating and compassionate environment. Our supportive teachers engage the curiosities and needs of each child, fostering self-esteem, the confidence needed to benefit from our robust academic programs, and the interest to embark on a journey of lifelong learning. Our focus on empathy, character, and individual well-being encourages our children to envision how they will serve their community beyond the expanse of our campus.
Ages: 12 months through 5th grade (up through age 12 for summer camp)
Schedules: Full day (7:30am-5:30pm)
Other Programming Available: Independent Elementary School (K-5th) | 4K (private) | Summer | Before School | After School
Orchard Ridge Nursery School
Orchard Ridge Nursery School (ORNS), a non-profit preschool founded in 1967, has been a pioneer in providing high-quality education. Located in Madison, WI, we serve families with children between 27 months and five years of age. Our mission is to serve the whole child and provide a developmentally appropriate, child-centered, play-based learning experience for preschool children and their families.
Ages: 2.5 years – 4K
Schedules: Full day, Half-day mornings/afternoons
Other Programming Available: 4K (MMSD and MCPASD Site) | Lunch Bunch | After School | Before 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 (2-6yrs) 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
Other Programming Available: 4K (MMSD Site) | Lunch Bunch | Summer
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
Big Apple Early Learning Center
Big Apple Early Learning Academy is a privately owned and operated childcare center in a spacious, beautiful new facility. We strive to create a home away from home environment for all children and their families.
Our space offers special features like in-floor heating for the comfort of our crawling babies – and our big kids, too! Along with comfort, cleanliness is of the upmost importance. We have a state of the art UVC HVAC system that purifies the air to reduce colds and flus.
Ages: 6 weeks – 12 years
Schedules: Full time care M-F, Part time care M/W/F or T/TH
Other Programming Available: Summer | After School
Living Christ Preschool
Living Christ Preschool has been providing quality care and early childhood education for over 25 years.
Our 4 star rated program focuses on helping children grow in all areas: social, emotional, physical, spiritual, and academic. The trained and loving staff care for each child as their own.
We would love to welcome you to the LCP family!
Ages: 6 weeks – 4 years
Schedules: Full + Half Day Options | Flexible Days
Other Programming Available: Summer
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 – 3rd grade
Schedules: Full time | Monday – Friday
Other Programming Available: 4K (private/full-time) | Summer | After School
St. Maria Goretti Catholic School
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: Half Days
Other Programming Available: 4K (private/full-time)
Far West Madison + Middleton
Madison Waldorf School
The focus of our preschool curriculum is imaginative play, artistic expression and extended contact with the natural world.
Daily, weekly, and seasonal rhythms encourage the child’s social, emotional, and intellectual development and are the foundation for inspired lifelong learning.
Our teachers lead the children in the classroom rhythms and age-appropriate activities that nurture each child. The school day includes a nutritious snack and a hot lunch, and an afternoon rest for full-day students. Both full-day and half-day options are available, for three, four, or five days weekly.
Ages: 3 – 5 years and Kindergarten through 8th Grade
Schedules: Half Day + Full Day Options | 3, 4 or 5 Days
Other Programming Available: 4K (private) | Summer
Primrose School of Middleton
At Primrose, we nurture curiosity, creativity, confidence and compassion and pay close attention to all aspects of your child’s development. We pay close attention to all facets of a child’s growth including social, emotional, physical, creative, cognitive and character development.
Our proprietary programs in music, art, gardening, life skills and foreign language were developed especially for our curriculum. And when it comes to helping your child reach their full potential, we leave no stone unskipped, unpainted or unturned.
We know that a child’s interests can lead to exploration, discovery and understanding of the world. That’s why our Balanced Learning approach integrates science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) throughout the day to make learning fun.
Ages: 6 Weeks to 5 Years
Schedules: Full Days, Half Days + Part Time
Other Programming Available: 4K | Summer | After School
Madison Community Montessori School
Madison Community Montessori school offers authentic Montessori education where your child’s passion and creativity is funneled into meaningful work appropriate for their developmental stage.
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 they have the independence and support to explore and take ownership of their own education.
Children progress through MCMS’s programs learning to value experimentation, exhibit grace and courtesy, care for their environment and the natural world, and maintain a love of learning. Our beautiful Middleton campus features bright and airy classrooms prepared for young children with hands-on materials and direct access to the outdoors.
Ages: 15 months through 8th grade
Schedules: Half Day + Full Day
Other Programming Available: 4K (private) | Summer | Before School | After School
Cultured Kids of Madison
At Cultured Kids of Madison we nurture, play, guide, clean up, sing and dance all while sharing the culture and Spanish language of our Tias (Aunties) throughout the day.
This immersive experience helps our kids to grasp the language firmly and encourages immediate friendship opportunities with Spanish speaking peers.
We value the importance of play, especially outdoors, as the “work” young children need most to increase their cognitive, creative, and social emotional skills. We offer organic snacks, cloth diapering, on-site nursing and a private 4k.
We have centers on the West side of Madison and also the Vilas neighborhood.
Ages: 6 Weeks to 8 Years
Schedules: Full Days + Half Days
Other Programming Available: 4K (private) | Summer | 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!
While not on the list – I LOVE Queen of Peace School for 4K! They offer 3 or 5 days a week schedules. The program really develops skills for preparing them for 5K while still allowing them to learn through play! http://www.qopcschool.org