.png "Icon Link")
-
From Vision to Reality: The Story of Sauk Prairie Early Learning Center
.jpg "From Vision to Reality: The Story of Sauk Prairie Early Learning Center")
From Vision to Reality: The Story of Sauk Prairie Early Learning Center
The long-awaited Sauk Prairie Early Learning Center has officially opened its doors, marking a major milestone for families, educators, and community leaders in the Sauk Prairie region. This center is more than a new building—it’s a commitment to supporting young children, ensuring childcare access, and strengthening our community's foundation for future growth.
A Growing Need & A Collaborative Start
For years, many families in Sauk Prairie faced the challenge of finding reliable, high-quality childcare. Local businesses and parents described the area as a “day care desert,” meaning there simply weren’t enough slots to meet demand.
Recognizing this urgent need, the Sauk Prairie School District joined forces with the Village of Prairie du Sac and the Sauk Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce to explore new solutions. Their goal: a centralized, purpose-built early learning center that could serve infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children in a safe, developmental, and convenient environment.
Building the Center: Design, Funding, & Partnership
Construction began in fall 2024 at Culver Community Park in Prairie du Sac. The development was driven by creative partnerships and generous community contributions:
-
The building is owned by the Village of Prairie du Sac.
-
Private donations from over 50+ community members and local businesses funded the construction costs, with a total around $5 million.
-
The Sauk Prairie School District operates the center as a revenue-neutral program, meaning it’s managed without putting additional financial burden on taxpayers while serving the public good.
Mission, Capacity & Structure
The Early Learning Center is designed to be a high-quality, play-based child care and educational environment. Its mission is to support the diverse needs of children, families, and the broader community by providing a safe, nurturing, and engaging early learning experience.
Here are some key program details:
-
Capacity for 168 children, from infants to 4K preschoolers.
-
Open year-round, serving children ages 6 weeks to preschool.
-
The center follows a play-based curriculum aligned with state licensing and early learning standards.
Parents can now enroll their children beginning with fall 2025, and tours of the facility are available.
Opening & Community Reception
The center officially opened in September 2025, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that included local officials and even Governor Tony Evers in attendance—a testament to how meaningful this project is for the area.
Leaders across the district and community have emphasized that this center is more than a childcare facility—it’s a promise to support families, improve school readiness, and build a stronger future.
Why It Matters
-
Access: By adding 168 slots, the center helps alleviate the childcare shortage and gives working families more stability.
-
Quality & Education: Being run by the school district allows consistency, oversight, and alignment with K–12 learning expectations.
-
Community Investment: Private donors, businesses, and local government all contributed—underscoring local belief in early education as key to future success.
Looking Ahead
With the Sauk Prairie Early Learning Center now open, families have a beautiful, well-resourced, and accessible place for their young children to grow and learn. Its success will depend on continued community support, dedicated educators, and ongoing investment.
As the center welcomes its first classes, it sets a new standard for early childhood care in Sauk Prairie, offering every child a stronger start and every family greater peace of mind.
-