Following an update provided at the Whitewater Unified School District School Board meeting on February 23, the Whitewater Unified School District and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater are adjusting their partnership with the UW-W Children’s Center as the center pursues a new state funding opportunity.

The district and the university have partnered with the Children’s Center for more than a decade under a memorandum of understanding that has supported 4-year-old kindergarten services for families in the community located on the university campus. As the Children’s Center applies for a state grant this year to more completely fund programming and support its future operations, both organizations have agreed to place the current partnership structure on pause for one year.

UW-Whitewater is applying for the Get Kids Ready Grant, which is funded through the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. If awarded funding, the Children’s Center would help offset the cost of care during the school day, allowing families to access high-quality early learning at a reduced rate. Under the requirements of the grant program, childcare centers receiving this new state funding may not receive financial support from a local school district, which means that the Children’s Center cannot serve as a Whitewater Unified School District site.

“This is a thoughtful and temporary adjustment that reflects our shared commitment to supporting children and families in a sustainable way,” said WUSD Superintendent Samuel Karns. “Our partnership with the Children’s Center and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater has been valued for many years. This pause allows the Children’s Center the flexibility it needs to pursue long-term funding while we continue to work collaboratively.”

School district leaders and university leaders emphasized that the pause does not signal an end to the relationship. “We see this as the next evolution of our partnership, not a conclusion,” said Interim Provost Robin Fox at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. “While the structure may look different in the coming year, our shared commitment to early childhood education and to serving families in the Whitewater community remains strong.”

District and university leaders will continue working together with the Children’s Center throughout the year and will keep families and community members informed as plans move forward.

Editor’s note: The photo on the homepage is by UW-W/Craig Schreiner.