Children and teacher sitting on a rug with flashcards

Child Development Center

The WCTC Child Development Center & Lab (CDC) is licensed by the Department of Child and Families (DCF) and provides quality care and education for children ages six weeks to eight years, who will learn, grow and thrive. Our program is open to WCTC students, WCTC staff and faculty, and the community. At this model laboratory school, we provide intentional learning experiences to best support each child’s individual development.

Our team of professional teachers hold higher education degrees and field experience averaging ten-plus years.
Small classroom sizes and high teacher-to-child ratios allow children to experience frequent, individualized learning experiences.
Our teachers are dedicated to supporting each child’s education and daily care routines.

Please note, the CDC does not offer a drop-in care option.

Contact Information

WCTC Child Development Center

lholtz6@wctc.edu
262.691.5220
262.695.8814
Building S, 800 Main Street, Pewaukee

Parents as Partners

Our teachers begin by getting to know both the child and the child’s family, as strong teacher-family partnerships promote children’s learning.

Teacher painting with children

Teaching Lab

The CDC serves as WCTC’s Early Childhood Education associate degree’s laboratory school. This integration raises the adult-child ratio, brings in fresh ideas and keeps WCTC at the forefront of early childhood education.

Teacher playing music with child

Community Collaboration

Community collaboration is at the heart of the Child Development Center’s mission. Our teachers hold higher education degrees and field experience averaging ten-plus years.

We strive to develop strong relationships with other community organizations and child/family advocacy groups, because, as the African proverb states, it takes a village to raise a child.

Classrooms

Children learn best by doing, so our CDC classrooms are built to allow children to be active participants and creative explorers of the world around them. Daily routines blend active, quiet, structured and unstructured activities, allowing for social-emotional, cognitive and physical development. Teachers are able to offer individualized instruction for each child’s development and learning style needs.

The CDC follows The Creative Curriculum, based on 38 objectives for development learning, and is fully aligned with Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards.

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The Infant Classroom

Our infant classrooms consist of two teachers with eight infants from six weeks to 15 months old. Using the ProCare app, parents receive daily communications about their child's day. This program is designed to:

Nurture a child’s social, emotional, physical, cognitive and language development.
Provide a safe, healthy and loving environment for children to explore.
Feature individual care plans for each child, including insight from parents.
Offer nurturing, one-on-one attention, regular feedings and naps.

The Toddler Classroom

Our toddler classrooms consist of two teachers with eight children from 15 months to 2.5 years old. Using the ProCare app, parents receive daily communications about their child's day. This program is designed to:

Feature a more routine, time-specific schedule with regular daily activities.
Focus on refining skills, learning routines through structure and how to communicate feelings.
Provide opportunities for both independent play and group activities.
Promote independence at meal time using utensils and cups.
Offer planned rest time, activities to promote sensory, gross and fine motor development, and opportunities to build language, art and cognitive skills.

The Preschool Classroom

Our preschool classrooms consist of one teacher, one assistant and 12 children from 2.5 to 3.5 years old. Using the ProCare app, parents receive daily communications about their child's day. This program is designed to:

Nurture children to become independent, self-confident and curious learners who can work well with others and participate in a group.
Promote purposeful and productive play experiences. Areas include block, library, dramatic play and housekeeping, manipulatives, science, sensory and art.
Focus on self-help and practical life skills. Children eat family style and serve their own meals, dress and undress themselves for outdoors and work on independent toileting skills.

The Leap Start Classroom

The Leap Start Classroom consists of one teacher with ten children from 3.5 to five years old. This classroom is based on a Constructivist theory of teaching and learning: a belief that children learn from meaningful experiences that occur naturally in a social, well-planned environment. The program is designed to:

Feature activities, discovery centers and projects based on each child’s individual developmental needs and interests.
Promote small- and large-group play through discovery centers including dramatic play, art, literacy/writing, sensory and mathematics.
Provide children with a successful “leap start” into school.

The Four-Year Old Program

Our four-year old classroom consists of one lead teacher and one assistant teacher for up to 20 children. This program is designed to:

Provide children with hands-on opportunities that foster social-emotional and cognitive growth, large and fine motor skills, language, early literacy and numeracy development.
Support school readiness skills in preparation for 5K.
Through regular observation and assessment, ensure that each child is meeting their developmental milestones and academic objectives.
Provide fresh, nutritional meals and snacks daily.

Tuition and Fees

WCTC student parents are awarded a 15% tuition discount with proof of active enrollment. All classroom rates apply until the child has transitioned, regardless of age. Transitions take place at the start of an academic calendar year, with some exceptions. A $50 non-refundable registration fee and $300 security deposit are due at the time of enrollment.

Tuition Rates Effective August 18, 2025:

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Infant Program (6 Weeks-15 Months)

Full-time (30 hours or more)

$355 per week (WCTC student rate)
$410 per week (Non-student rate)

Part-time (17-29.5 hours)

$296 per week (WCTC student rate)
$349 per week (Non-student rate)

Minimum (16 hours or less)

$188 per week (WCTC student rate)
$222 per week (Non-student rate)

Toddler Program (15 Months-2.5 Years)

Full-time (30 hours or more)

$310 per week (WCTC student rate)
$365 per week (Non-student rate)

Part-time (17-29.5 hours)

$263 per week (WCTC student rate)
$310 per week (Non-student rate)

Minimum (16.5 hours or less)

$165 per week (WCTC student rate)
$195 per week (Non-student rate)

Preschool Program (2.5-3.5 Years)

Full-time (30 hours or more)

$280 per week (WCTC student rate)
$330 per week (Non-student rate)

Part-time (17-29.5 hours)

$238 per week (WCTC student rate)
$281 per week (Non-student rate)

Minimum (16 hours or less)

$153 per week (WCTC student rate)
$180 per week (Non-student rate)

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Leap Start Program (3.5-4.5 Years)

Full-time (30 hours or more)

$280 per week (WCTC student rate)
$330 per week (Non-student rate)

Part-time (17-29.5 hours)

$238 per week (WCTC student rate)
$281 per week (Non-student rate)

Minimum (16 hours or less)

$153 per week (WCTC student rate)
$180 per week (Non-student rate)

Four-Year Old Program

Full-time (30 hours or more)

$272 per week (WCTC student rate)
$320 per week (Non-student rate)

Part-time (17-29.5 hours)

$231 per week (WCTC student rate)
$272 per week (Non-student rate)

Minimum (16 hours or less)

$148 per week (WCTC student rate)
$175 per week (Non-student rate)

How to Enroll

You can enroll your child at the WCTC Child Development Center on a part- or full-time basis. The CDC does not offer a drop-in care option. Registration takes place at the start of fall, spring and summer semesters on a first-come, first-served basis. We encourage you to contact us early in the semester, as a waitlist is typically maintained.

Weekly fees include all meals and snacks.
WCTC student parents can take advantage of flexible scheduling and priority enrollment.

Apply for the Upcoming School Year

NAEYC Accredited Program

This NAEYC-accredited program aligns curriculum to Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards (WMELS) with a daily focus on children’s social-emotional, physical, language and cognitive development.