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The troubled economy is pushing some stay at home parents to consider going back to work. Child care is a critical concern for these parents as they struggle to find the best quality, yet affordable child care for their children. Our Go Child Care section offers a comprehensive survey of the area’s child care facilities to help local parents make the most informed decision possible. If you or someone you know is considering child care, make sure to tell them about the Go Child Care  section on GoWAUSAU.com.  
 


Child Care/Preschool Facilities in Wisconsin Wausau

Child Care Resource and Referral of Central Wisconsin, Inc.
210 E. Jackson St., Wisconsin Wausau, WI 54494. 715-423-4114. Web site: http://www.ccrrcw.org/
This site is an excellent source of information on child care. It even offers a break-down of the “average” cost per day/per hour/per age in South Wood County.
 

Licensed Child Care

Under Wisconsin law, no person may provide care and supervision for 4 or more children under the age of 7 for less than 24 hours a day unless that person obtains a license to operate a child care center from the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families.

This does not include a relative or guardian of a child who provides care and supervision for the child; a public or parochial school, a person employed to come to the home of the child's parent or guardian for less than 24 hours a day; or a county, city, village, town, school district or library that provides programs primarily intended for recreational or social purposes.

The following is a listing of licensed child care facilities in Wisconsin Wausau. They are listed in alphabetical order with information as provided to GoWausau.com.

ABC Children’s Enrichment
1350 Two Mile Ave.,
Wisconsin Wausau, WI 54494
715-423-7300

  • Licensed or Certified: State licensed

  • Director: Rosie Halbur

  • Capacity: 45 (2-weeks to 12 years old)

  • State assistance: yes

  • Staff: 7

  • Ages they take: 2-weeks to 12 years old

  • 4K offered: no

  • Busing: yes - 4K and Head start (they don’t currently have anyone over 5 years old)

  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack; supply infant formula, baby food, and transition to “normal” food

  • Preschool or Daycare: Both

  • Hours: 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.

  • Comments: Outdoor fenced in play area, structured circle time, free time, and field trips

Building Blocks Learning Center
2210 Baker St.
Wisconsin Wausau, WI 54494. 715-424-2252

  • The 4K program is offered both mornings and afternoons on-site.

  • Hmong interpreter is provided.

  • Licensed

  • Owner: Jennifer Hanzlik

  • Capacity: 120

  • State assistance: Yes

  • Staff: 32-34

  • Ages they take: 6-weeks to 11 years

  • Busing: Yes

  • Meals: Yes, full kitchen on-site

  • Hours: 6:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

  • Comments: Offers a library with a large variety of books for check-out; a gym room for the kids to climb, jump and play; large outdoor area divided into sections for age-appropriate play.

Lots of Tots Preschool & 4K
441 Garfield St.
Wisconsin Wausau, WI 54494
715-423-4237

  • State license, Non-profit – works with WR School District

  • Capacity: 4K: 17 in the morning, 17 in the afternoon; Preschool (3-year-olds): 16 Monday/Weds a.m. and16 Tues/Thurs a.m.

  • Staff: 4

  • Ages they take: 3-4 year olds (turn 5 during the year though)

  • Busing: 4K only – with the school district

  • Meals: no (due to limited hours)   

  • Comments: 2 parent programs: holiday/breakfast and a spring program at night

  • Daycare or Preschool: 
    Preschool Hours: 9 -11:30 a.m.
    Hours: 9 – 11:30 and 12:45 – 3:15

Precious Hearts Preschool
440 Garfield St.
Wisconsin Wausau, WI 54494 715-423-4626

  • State licensed

  • Owner: Pam Nooyen

  • Capacity: licensed for 15

  • State assistance: no

  • Staff: 1

  • Ages they take: 3-6

  • 4K offered: yes – Christian based, non-denominational

  • Busing: no

  • Meals: snack only

  • Preschool

  • Hours: 9-11:30 a.m. and
    12:30 – 3 p.m.

  • Comments: Offer what the 4K does but with the addition of Christian values.

St. Lawrence Early Childhood Center
551 10th Ave. North
Wisconsin Wausau, WI 54495
715-422-0990

  • State Licensed for 6 weeks to 12 years old, nationally accredited by NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) for 3-12yrs old, and part of Wisconsin Wausau Area Catholic School System (WRACS)

  • Director: Tara Biebl

  • Capacity: 75

  • State assistance: families on W2 programs

  • Staff: 16 approx.

  • Ages they take: 6 weeks to 5 years old (summer usually has some older kids too)

  • 4K offered: yes

  • Busing: Host site for public school’s 4K students

  • Meals: Yes – hot lunch programs: breakfast, snacks, and lunch

  • www.wracs.org

  • Preschool or Daycare: Both – each age has its own classroom

  • Hours: 7 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

  • Comments: Full fenced-in play ground and full-size gym, computer lab, and library. They are also the only day care/preschool provider in Wisconsin Wausau that is NAECY certified (Stevens Point is the next closest).

St. Luke’s Preschool
2011 10th St. South
Wisconsin Wausau, WI 54494
715-423-5990

  • State licensed and nationally accredited: National Lutheran Schools

  • Owner: St. Luke’s Lutheran Church; Director: Cathy Wenger

  • Capacity: license capacity is 39 but because they have many classes, they are able to take more

  • State assistance: not currently

  • Staff: 5-6

  • Ages they take: 3-5

  • 4K offered: yes – not through public school system

  • Busing: no

  • Meals: snack

  • www.stlukeslutheran.com

  • Preschool and 4K

  • Hours: 9 - 11:30 a.m. and 12:45 - 3:15 PM.

  • Comments: A Parent and child library, gymnasium and outdoor playground, the staff is qualified and very stable (low staff turnover), follow early learning standards and offer Christian learning.

Tootsie Bear Day Care
851 Saratoga St.
Wisconsin Wausau, WI 54494
715-423-3005

  • State licensed

  • Owner: Kim Gachnang

  • Capacity: 8

  • State assistance: yes

  • Staff: 1

  • Ages they take:  6 weeks – 12 years

  • Preschool and  Daycare. No 4K offered.

  • Busing: no

  • Meals: yes break, lunch and afternoon snack

  • www.tootsiebear.com

  • Hours: 6:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.