Early Childhood Mixed Delivery System Options* for 4-Year-Olds in Wisconsin Información en español Parents have options when it comes to care and education for their 4-year-olds. Read about each one below and click the links to learn more. Program Description Who is Eligible? Location Oversight Cost to Families Child Care Provide early care and education for children before they begin school, before and after school, and during school breaks. Eligibility varies based on the type of child care program and ages accepted. At centers, family homes, or seasonal day camps. Regulated by Wisconsin’s Department of Children and Families (DCF) Prices vary by provider. Some families are eligible for the Wisconsin Shares child care subsidy which helps lower costs. Four-Year-Old Kindergarten (4K) and 4K Community Approaches (4KCA) School districts can choose to offer four-year-old kindergarten (4K) and must make it available to all eligible 4-year-olds if they do. Nearly all Wisconsin school districts offer 4K. A child must be 4 years old on or before September 1 of the school year and reside in a school district that offers the program to be eligible for 4K and 4KCA programs. At a school. Some districts also choose to contract with a community provider (e.g. child care, Head Start) to provide 4K (also known as 4KCA). Overseen by locally elected school boards; administered locally by school districts. Free to families in the school district. School funding comes from a mix of state funds administered by Wisconsin’s Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and local property tax revenue. Head Start and Early Head Start A federal preschool program that provides early learning, health, nutrition, and family support to eligible children and families. Serves children birth through five if they are in families experiencing poverty; homelessness; or are receiving public assistance; are in foster care; or have special needs. Pregnant women may also be eligible for Early Head Start services. At non-profits, schools, child care providers, community action agencies, home visiting, and other local grantees. Administered by the federal government and supported through DCF’s Head Start State Collaboration Office. Free for eligible families. Funds are provided directly to Head Start grant recipients from the federal Office of Head Start. Get Kids Ready Launching in 2026, a new program for 4-year-olds in child care to get school readiness instruction at their child care provider. Children must be 4 years old on or before September 1 of the school year for which they plan to participate. At participating licensed and certified child care providers. Administered by Wisconsin’s Department of Children and Families (DCF) Free to participating families. Funds are provided directly to participating child care providers from DCF. *Each community and school district may have different options, and we recommend that families reach out to both their community child care providers and their local school district to see what options are available to consider what works best for your family.
